Week 1 of the NFL preseason delivered a clean split: a few young names flashed, a few veterans or would-be starters came up empty, and a handful of performances gave teams something real to chew on heading into the rest of August.
The loudest buzz on the positive side belongs to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson. The former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback got plenty of work in a 20-12 win at the Kansas City Chiefs and made the most of it, finishing 21-of-25 for 190 yards and two touchdowns.
The Rams took a bold swing when they selected him No. 14 in the 2025 NFL Draft months after quarterback Matthew Stafford earned his first league MVP award, and Simpson’s preseason debut did a lot to justify that decision. Los Angeles looks smart now, and the long view may be even brighter.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver D.J. Moore also made an early statement.
If there were still doubts about whether he belongs in the WR1 conversation at this point in his career, Saturday should have quieted plenty of them. He immediately made his presence felt on Buffalo’s opening drive, piling up nearly 30 yards after the catch on his first reception.
Moore then added two more catches on the next series, finishing with three grabs for 61 yards in two drives, and the second catch helped set up a touchdown. He did have a lower-leg injury scare on his final reception, but he was on the sideline afterward and appeared to avoid anything serious.
Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion offered one of the more encouraging notes in an otherwise rough 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears. The No. 24 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft caught four targets and turned them into three receptions for 27 yards, but the play that really stood out came on a reverse.
Concepcion took a red-zone handoff, slipped through an arm tackle and stayed tight to the sideline on his way into the end zone. Todd Monken’s willingness to move him around only adds to the intrigue.
For a Browns offense that could use every spark it can find, Concepcion looks like a real one.
On the other side of the ledger, New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy had a rough moment that could stick with him. In a 13-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Tracy missed a pass protection assignment and gave safety Jay Ward a clean shot at Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart.
The hit sent Dart hard to the turf at midfield and briefly sent him to the blue medical tent. Dart was cleared to return and finished 3-of-4 for 26 yards and a touchdown, but Tracy’s error was the kind of thing coaches notice fast.
He has to be much better as a blocker, because that level of protection just won’t fly.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa also failed to seize control of the open quarterback battle in a 27-7 loss to the Denver Broncos. He led two drives and went 3-of-5 for 22 yards, while Atlanta managed only one first down during that stretch. With Michael Penix Jr. still not cleared for contact, Tagovailoa is in position to enter the season as QB1, but this outing didn’t help him slam the door on the competition.
And then there was New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler, who couldn’t build on a first half that had plenty going right around him in a 24-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ty Chandler’s 86-yard kickoff return set up an immediate score, and Audric Estime punched it in on the next play.
The defense also created two interceptions, undrafted free agent edge-rusher Michael Heldman posted two sacks, and even former New York Jets flameout Zach Wilson looked sharp, going 11-of-16 for 145 yards and a touchdown. Rattler, though, did not capitalize.
He completed 8-of-11 passes for 42 yards, was sacked twice and lost a fumble deep in his own territory. A strong preseason could have put him on the radar as a trade option for quarterback-needy teams, but that path looks a lot narrower now.
Instead of pushing himself toward a starting chance elsewhere, he may have played his way into the Saints’ QB3 spot.
In Other News...
Rams Still Waiting On Two Decisions That Could Shake Up The Offense
The NFL has already moved forward with discipline in other cases, but the Rams are still waiting on rulings that could affect two important offensive pieces before the season gets going. Los Angeles is monitoring the situations involving Puka Nacua and Alaric Jackson, both of whom remain in limbo as the league continues sorting through player discipline across the league.
Jacksons legal matter has already gone through pre-filing diversion after his arrest on felony domestic battery charges, which could put him on the leagues radar for a suspension. Nacuas civil assault and battery case is still unresolved, with no court date set, leaving the Rams without clarity on either player as they try to plan for the offense and the possibility that the league could act at any time. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Give Late Linebacker Addition A Short Window To Impress
The Rams added linebacker Monty Rice late in camp, giving themselves another body at a position where preseason depth can disappear quickly. Rice arrives with NFL experience from time with the Titans, Patriots and Lions, and the plan is straightforward enough: see what he can do in practices and use him in a limited role when the exhibition games begin.
For Rice, though, the opportunity comes with a very short runway. Los Angeles is looking for depth, not a long-term fix, and he will have to make a quick impression just to stay in the conversation for the roster or practice squad. The Rams have time to evaluate him, but not much patience to spare if the performances do not stand out. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Breakout Debate Could Define Their 2026 Push
The Rams are already being framed by what their next wave of impact players might look like, and the conversation has a little of everything: a young safety coming off a promising start, a running back still looking for a bigger role, a pass rusher whose upside has drawn notice, and a pair of rookies trying to turn spring hype into something more lasting. Kam Kinchens, Blake Corum, Josaiah Stewart, Konata Mumpfield and Terrance Ferguson all fit into that broader breakout conversation, the kind that often tells you as much about a teams roster shape as any depth chart does.
There is also the more tantalizing what-if hanging over the discussion, because any serious look at Los Angeles 2026 ceiling has to at least acknowledge the possibility of Aaron Donald changing the equation again. Nothing about that is settled, and the point of the debate is less about certainty than about how much swing the Rams could get if even one or two of these candidates hit. For a team trying to keep its push alive, that kind of internal growth may end up mattering just as much as any outside addition. [Read more 🡒]