The NFL preseason has begun with a bang, especially for the five first-round rookie quarterbacks who showcased their talents and gave fans a thrilling glimpse of the future. Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr., and J.J. McCarthy all delivered performances that have set a high bar for the upcoming season.
Caleb Williams Shines for the Bears
Starting with Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears, his preseason debut was marked by poise and precision. Williams showed his potential right out of the gate by converting a crucial third-and-long with a 12-yard pass to D.J. Moore. Building on that momentum, he later connected with running back D'Andre Swift for an impressive 42-yard pass. Although the drive culminated in a red zone stop, the Bears still managed to get on the board with a 30-yard field goal from Cairo Santos.
Williams wrapped up his short stint by completing 4 of 7 passes for 95 yards and contributing an additional 13 yards on the ground. His performance set a positive tone, and his ability to execute under pressure provided ample reason for optimism among Bears fans.
Jayden Daniels’ Dynamic Debut
Jayden Daniels had a roller-coaster first outing, beginning with an overthrown pass to Austin Ekeler. However, the rookie quickly recovered, showcasing his deep-ball accuracy with a 42-yard strike to wideout Dyami Brown. Daniels then demonstrated his dual-threat capability by finishing the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. His final numbers—2 of 3 for 45 yards, capped by a rushing touchdown—suggest that Daniels could quickly become a formidable NFL quarterback.
Drake Maye’s Quiet Efficiency
Drake Maye's debut may not have been as flashy as some of his counterparts, but it was effective. Completing 2 of his 3 attempts for 19 yards, Maye started strong with a third-and-12 conversion to Antonio Gipson. Although his stats were modest, Maye's efficient play pointed to a promising foundation.
Michael Penix Jr. Breaks Through for Falcons
Michael Penix Jr. had an extended opportunity with five possessions in the first half against Miami. Penix led the Atlanta Falcons to two scoring drives, completing 9 of 16 passes for 104 yards. A standout moment was his 41-yard pass to Chris Blair, showcasing his long-ball ability. His performance has certainly given the Falcons something to ponder as they evaluate their quarterback depth chart.
J.J. McCarthy: A Tale of Resilience
J.J. McCarthy's initial outing was a mixed bag but ultimately showcased his resilience. McCarthy started strong, completing an 18-yard pass to Jalen Nailor. However, his next attempt was intercepted by Raiders cornerback Jack Jones. Despite this setback, McCarthy bounced back in the second half with a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jackson, ending his day with 188 yards on 11 of 17 passing.
Bo Nix Leads With Command
Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos delivered a composed and calculated performance, orchestrating scoring drives on four out of five possessions. Nix completed 15 of 21 passes for 125 yards and even added an 11-yard run to his résumé. His first touchdown pass to Marvin Mims was a highlight, exemplifying his ability to manage the game's tempo.
Coaching Impressions
Coaches and teammates had plenty to say about the rookies' promising starts. Kevin O'Connell remarked on J.J. McCarthy, “Clearly, everybody can see the arm talent. I loved seeing him come right back after the interception and still be aggressive.” Bo Nix himself reflected on his game, noting, “It was a good day. I thought we ran the ball efficiently. Made some good plays in the pass game. Converted some third downs. Got points when we needed to; it was a good job going into half with points and coming out with points, felt like that was a good point in the game. Overall, thought we did a good job, huge team win.”
Teammate Sam Cosmi heaped praise on his quarterback’s in-game adjustments, saying, “He made a check mid-play. It turned out to be a big gain. We bunkered down and really went in there. He was calm and collected, which is what you want to see, and it was really impressive. We all sat on the sideline, and we were like, 'Dang, that was really fun.' So, I think everybody should be very excited just from that little sneak peek right there. I know I am. I know the guys are fired up. I think we got a dude back there.”
Raheem Morris also weighed in, saying, “He wants one of those throws back that he threw on the sideline, but he was able to go through some progression. He was able to progress. We get a little pass happy with him since he's a first-round quarterback. It was fun to see him go out there and execute some of the pass plays, and we were able to get some of the stuff done. ... Pretty much, a really good night for him and I was really pleased with what he was able to do.”
The preseason debuts of these first-round rookie quarterbacks have set the stage for what promises to be an exciting NFL season. As they continue to develop and adapt to the professional level, fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see how these young talents evolve.