The Stories That Made Preseason Week 2 Actually Matter
Well then, if you thought Week 1 of the preseason set the bar high for entertainment value, Week 2 decided to pole vault over it while juggling flaming torches. From rookie quarterbacks looking like seasoned veterans to established players having existential crises on live television, this past week served up exactly the kind of compelling drama that makes us pretend these games actually count.
So settle in with your beverage of choice (beer is good with us), and let’s dive into the stories that reminded us why August football can be just as enthralling as anything September throws at us.
1. Caleb Williams Finally Made His Debut (Sort Of)
After spending Week 1 on the sidelines while Ben Johnson orchestrated an elaborate 70-play practice session before the Dolphins game, Caleb Williams finally made his preseason debut against the Buffalo Bills. The Bears’ second-year quarterback and first-year Johnson student took the field amid massive expectations and questions about whether he’d look like a franchise quarterback or someone still learning how to spell “franchise.”
The answer? A bit of both. Williams looked composed when given time, showed off the mobility that made him special in college, and generally conducted himself like someone who belonged on an NFL field. The offensive operation looked cleaner than last year’s disaster, though that’s admittedly setting the bar roughly at ground level.
Bears fans finally got to see their golden boy in Johnson’s system. While it wasn’t the second coming of Aaron Rodgers, it was encouraging enough to maintain the optimism that’s been building all summer. Sometimes “not terrible” is exactly what you need to see in August.
2. Jaxson Dart Continued His Campaign for World Domination
If you’re looking for the week’s biggest overachiever, look no further than Giants rookie Jaxson Dart, who continues to play like someone who never got the memo that he’s supposed to ease into professional football. Against the Jets, Dart completed 14 of 16 passes for 137 yards, threw a touchdown, ran for another score, and generally looked like he’d been quarterbacking NFL games since the Carter administration.
The most impressive part? Dart completed 13 consecutive passes at one point, which is the kind of accuracy that makes established veterans weep into their protein shakes. He’s now thrown for 291 yards across two preseason games while completing 87.5% of his passes, numbers that would be impressive for Tom Brady, let alone a rookie making his first NFL appearances.
Giants fans are starting to whisper the forbidden words: “Maybe Russell Wilson is just keeping the seat warm.” When your 25th overall pick looks this polished this early, those whispers tend to get louder rather quickly.
3. Justin Fields Had Jets Fans Questioning Everything
On the other side of MetLife Stadium, Justin Fields reminded everyone why quarterbacks are the most psychologically fragile position in professional sports. The former Bears quarterback, now trying to revitalise his career with the Jets, looked decidedly ordinary against the Giants, completing just one of five passes and generally appearing as accurate as a storm trooper with depth perception issues.
The performance was particularly jarring because Fields had shown flashes of competence in Week 1, leading to brief moments of optimism among Jets supporters. But this is the Jets we’re talking about, where hope goes to die and quarterbacks go to question their life choices.
Fields still has Aaron Glenn’s support and time to improve, but the performance served as a stark reminder that changing teams doesn’t automatically solve accuracy problems. Sometimes a fresh start is exactly that – fresh, but not necessarily improved.
4. The Browns’ Quarterback Carousel Kept Spinning
Cleveland’s quarterback situation remains about as stable as a house of cards in a hurricane. Dillon Gabriel made his preseason debut and promptly reminded everyone why quarterback development is more art than science. The rookie completed 13 of 18 passes for 143 yards, which sounds respectable until you factor in the pick-six and the fumbled handoff exchange.
Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders sat out with an oblique injury, because apparently even the preseason isn’t safe from the injury bug that seems to follow Browns quarterbacks around like a particularly persistent cloud of doom.
The good news for Cleveland fans? Gabriel looked competent between the turnovers. The bad news? “Competent between turnovers” isn’t exactly the rallying cry that gets fans excited for September.
5. The Colts’ Quarterback Battle Intensified
Indianapolis continues to stage what might be the most evenly matched quarterback competition in the league, with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones trading decent performances like two boxers who refuse to land a knockout punch. Richardson completed 6 of 11 passes for 73 yards, while Jones went 7 of 11 for 101 yards.
Both performances were fine, which is simultaneously encouraging and maddening for Colts fans who just want someone to grab the job and run with it. It’s like watching two people debate what to have for dinner while the restaurant closes around them.
Shane Steichen claims he’s “very close” to a decision, which in coach-speak translates to “I have absolutely no idea and I’m hoping one of them has a revelation soon.”
6. Ravens Found Their Kicker (Finally)
After months of uncertainty following Justin Tucker’s departure, the Baltimore Ravens officially announced that Tyler Loop will be their kicker for 2025. Loop made this decision easy by going 5-for-6 on field goals against Dallas, including successful attempts from 51 and 53 yards.
Sometimes the simplest stories are the most satisfying. The Ravens needed a kicker, Loop proved he could kick, and everyone moved on with their lives. It’s refreshing in an era where every position battle is treated like a soap opera.
Plus, “Tyler Loop” is an excellent name for a kicker. It sounds like someone who was genetically engineered in a laboratory specifically to boot footballs through uprights.
7. Travis Hunter Took a Week Off (And Everyone Panicked)
The Jacksonville Jaguars announced that Travis Hunter would sit out their preseason game with an upper-body injury, leading to approximately 47,000 hot takes about whether his two-way experiment was already showing signs of strain.
In reality, it was probably just the medical staff being cautious with their unique asset, but that didn’t stop the internet from immediately declaring the entire project doomed. Because apparently sitting out one preseason game is definitive proof that playing both offense and defense is impossible.
Hunter will be back soon enough, at which point we can return to our regularly scheduled debates about whether he’s the future of football or an interesting experiment that will flame out spectacularly.
8. Nick Chubb Showed Signs of His Old Self
In more encouraging news, Nick Chubb made his preseason debut with the Houston Texans and looked remarkably like the player who dominated for Cleveland before his gruesome knee injury. The veteran running back displayed his trademark quick burst and between-the-tackles running style, giving Texans fans reason to believe they’ve found a valuable addition.
With questions surrounding Joe Mixon’s availability to start the season, Chubb’s performance couldn’t have come at a better time. Sometimes the best stories are about players simply proving they can still do what they’ve always done best.
It’s impossible not to root for Chubb, who seems like a genuinely good human being trying to prove that devastating injuries don’t have to end careers. His success would be a win for everyone who believes in second chances.
9. Rookie Wide Receivers Made Their Mark
Saturday’s slate of games featured several impressive performances from rookie wide receivers, with the Chargers’ KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Tre Harris leading the charge. Lambert-Smith, a fifth-round pick who’s been the star of training camp, hauled in two catches for 66 yards, including a spectacular diving grab.
Harris, meanwhile, finally got his preseason breakthrough after struggling with drops early in camp. His six catches for 85 yards served as a reminder that sometimes players just need time to adjust to the speed and precision of professional football.
These performances matter because they represent depth and future potential for teams building toward long-term success. Plus, spectacular catches by unknowns are one of the best parts of preseason football.
The Bottom Line
Week 2 of the preseason proved that meaningful football doesn’t have to wait until September. From Dart’s continued excellence to Caleb Williams finally showing that he might just about be worth his draft cost, from the Browns’ quarterback chaos to the Ravens’ kicking resolution, this week provided exactly the kind of compelling storylines that make us grateful for football’s return.
Yes, these games are essentially elaborate scrimmages with television coverage. But they’re our elaborate scrimmages, and watching unknown players potentially change their lives with a single great performance never gets old. The regular season will arrive soon enough, bringing with it the pressure and consequences that make every play matter. For now, we get to enjoy football at its purest – players competing for dreams while we get to imagine that this might finally be the year everything goes according to plan.
Still convinced preseason doesn’t matter? Just wait until your team’s rookie quarterback throws a perfect touchdown pass in prime time and see how quickly you change your tune. We’ll be back next week to help you make sense of whatever delightful chaos Week 3 delivers.
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