Biggest winners and losers from the NFL preseason

The 2024 NFL preseason is in the books, and this year’s exhibition slate once again provided encouraging and head-scratching moments for each team.

Here are the biggest winners and losers from the preseason.

👍 Winner: New kickoff rule

One of the biggest preseason storylines was the NFL’s new kickoff rule. While it didn’t look right at first in the Hall of Fame Game, fans will eventually get used to it. They certainly have reasons to be excited in this case, as the drastic kickoff change adds a new element to the game to make special teams more relevant and kickoffs more dynamic.

The league presumably got the results it wanted during its first preseason games. Through the first two weeks of the 2024 exhibition slate, NFL kickoffs had a return rate of approximately 80%, according to Fox Sports’ Greg Auman, who adds that only 22% of kickoffs were returned during the 2023 campaign. Plus, the average starting field position following kickoffs increased from 25.2 yards in 2023 (essentially the result of a touchback) to the 28.3-yard line.

No team scored a kickoff return touchdown in the 2024 preseason, and the NFL hasn’t announced its updated kickoff injury data. But there’s already a lot to like about the league’s XFL-inspired experiment.

👎 Loser: Disgruntled All-Pro WRs

Editor’s note: Lamb reportedly signed a four-year, $136-million extension with the Cowboys on Monday.

CeeDee Lamb and Brandon Aiyuk posted career years in 2023 and were hoping to benefit from a hot wide receiver market with just one season left on their rookie contracts. That hasn’t happened yet despite three other WRs signing new deals worth more than $30 million per year in 2024.

Lamb – who posted a 135-1,749-12 stat line last year – held out of training camp and still doesn’t have a new contract with the Cowboys. He was expected to become the second-highest-paid wideout behind Justin Jefferson.

The Aiyuk saga has had more drama. The 26-year-old – who is likely to ink a top-10 contract at the position eventually – has yet to reach an agreement with the San Francisco 49ers and remains away from the practice field. He requested a trade in July, and the Niners were reportedly close to dealing him after negotiating with other teams.

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There’s also the Ja’Marr Chase situation. Already eligible to sign a new contract, the Cincinnati Bengals star held in for most of training camp (and even skipped practice completely at one point). Cincy has him signed for two more years.

How much will the lack of practice affect those pass-catchers and the Super Bowl contenders that roster them? Lamb hasn’t been with the Cowboys at all since the 2024 offseason began. Aiyuk and Chase aren’t exactly firing on all cylinders at the moment, either.

👍 Winner: Chiefs’ playbook

Andy Reid could draw up some diabolically creative plays this year if the offense’s early showings are anything to go off of. Hollywood Brown may take some time to see the field after sustaining a preseason injury, but Xavier Worthy and his record 40-yard-dash speed have already begun to put the league on notice.

Worthy took off for a deep ball early against the Lions, hauled in an easy touchdown after racing past their secondary, and picked up 11 yards and a first down on a reverse. The Texas product looks like he could be the team’s most explosive threat since Tyreek Hill.

Meanwhile, quarterback Patrick Mahomes continues to wow with improvised throws. The two-time MVP threw a behind-the-back pass to Travis Kelce out of spite for the tight end running an incorrect route against Detroit.

👎 Loser: Malik Nabers

Nabers himself has looked great, with New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner even saying that the rookie reminds him of Jefferson and Chase. However, it’s difficult to be excited about the LSU product given his surrounding conditions, particularly at quarterback.

Daniel Jones has struggled in preseason action. He threw for 138 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions on 61.1% passing in his appearance against the Texans. One of the picks was also returned for a defensive touchdown. Backup signal-callers Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito don’t inspire a ton of confidence if Jones is benched or forced to miss time.

The offensive line is still a project. Left tackle Andrew Thomas is the only proven star that will be blocking to keep Jones upright. The team surrendered a league-worst 85 sacks last season – 20 more than the next closest teams. That doesn’t bode well for Nabers’ chances to consistently show off his blazing speed and playmaking ability down the field.

👍 Winner: 1st-round QBs

A record six QBs were drafted in the first round in 2024, and if preseason is a good indicator, this class could be special. The first three picks – Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye – all passed the test in the exhibition slate. Just like the Bears expected, Williams wowed fans with his on-the-move passes and ability to improvise in two appearances this month. Daniels looked solid in charge of the Commanders’ first-team offense, confirming that he’s the team’s QB1. Maye hasn’t been announced as the Patriots’ starter yet, but his notable development is a big topic. It’s just a matter of time until he takes the No. 1 job.

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Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix were drafted at No. 8 and No. 12, respectively. The Falcons apparently liked what they saw from Penix at practice so much that they only played him in one preseason game. A surprising top-10 pick, the 24-year-old is a solid backup option for Atlanta right now. Finally, Nix was in full control of the Broncos’ offensive unit and beat out Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson to win the QB1 role.

The only exception here is J.J. McCarthy, this year’s No. 10 pick. McCarthy did impress at training camp and in his preseason debut, but a torn meniscus ended his first NFL campaign prematurely.

👎 Loser: Steelers’ offense

Neither Russell Wilson nor Justin Fields have looked great, and the latter had some fumbled snaps in the first preseason game. The pair’s performance against the Bills was particularly concerning, as they combined for just 113 passing yards and produced a total of three points despite being the only quarterbacks to see snaps. The duo looked more composed in limited action against the Lions in their preseason finale, but Detroit’s secondary was among the most exploitable in the league last year, and none of its starters played.

Injuries have also been a concern for the Steelers. Center Nate Herbig will miss the season with a shoulder injury, first-round offensive lineman Troy Fautanu is dealing with a knee ailment, and running back Jaylen Warren is recovering from a hamstring issue. Rookie receiver Roman Wilson has also missed time after being carted off in practice with an ankle injury several weeks ago.

Compounding those issues are Broderick Jones’ struggles. The Georgia product was selected 14th overall in last year’s draft but has been a liability in pass protection, allowing two sacks and four pressures on 42 pass-blocking snaps this preseason, per PFF. Jones will need to clean up his technique to contribute positively and avoid being a bust.

👍 Winner: New HCs with DC experience

Eight teams hired new head coaches in 2024, and three of them brought in HCs who previously served as defensive coordinators. This year’s preseason suggests that the Falcons, Commanders, and Seahawks landed the right guys as they try to return to the playoffs.

Atlanta, now coached by Raheem Morris, made a pair of preseason splashes by trading for pass-rusher Matthew Judon and adding safety Justin Simmons. The two defenders have a combined six career Pro Bowl berths and should help an improved Falcons roster that had already added quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Penix. Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks’ defensive system flashed a lot of unpredictability and potential in exhibition games. There’s no question that Macdonald is the right coach to help Seattle build a top-10 defense again. Finally, the Dan Quinn era with the Commanders is also off to a promising start, with rookie Daniels posting strong preseason appearances under center. Multiple Washington defenders recently praised Quinn’s scheme.

👎 Loser: Vikings

The Vikings entered the preseason with excitement surrounding their offense, but injuries have put a damper on Minnesota’s early outlook. First-round quarterback McCarthy will miss his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus, while wide receiver Jordan Addison is dealing with an ankle injury. Tight end T.J. Hockenson is unlikely to be available early in the season as he continues his rehab after tearing his ACL and MCL last year. The defense is also banged up, with linebacker Blake Cashman undergoing finger surgery, Jabril Cox on injured reserve, and Jerry Tillery dealing with a leg ailment.

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Sam Darnold is thus expected to operate as the team’s starting quarterback for the entirety of the regular season. The 27-year-old has a 59.7% completion rate, 63 touchdowns, and 56 interceptions in 66 career games (56 starts). Beyond superstar Jefferson, Darnold will be throwing to the likes of Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, and Josh Oliver if Addison and Hockenson miss regular-season action.

The earlier Minnesota can get its playmakers back on the field, the better given its tough early schedule. The club’s first four games are a road trip against the Giants, home matchups against the reigning NFC champion 49ers and AFC South champion Texans, and a visit to Lambeau Field against the division foe Packers.

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