The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game between the Texans and Bears was an appetizer last week, but the rest of the NFL opens competition this week. While Justin Herbert, Bryce Young and other quarterbacks will be sitting this week out, there are several very talented players expected to start.
Here is a game-by-game breakdown of each team's quarterback approach to preseason Week 1:
Thursday, Aug. 8
New England Patriots 17, Carolina Panthers 3
Panthers' starting QB: Jack Plummer, Year 1
Patriots' starting QB: Jacoby Brissett, Year 9
Plummer started and took the majority of the snaps in the absence of former No. 1 overall selection Bryce Young. Jake Luton played in reserve. It was not an inspiring evening of quarterback play.
For New England, Brissett started, did not complete a pass and was quickly yanked. Bailey Zappe (20) had more pass attempts than No. 3 overall selection Drake Maye, rookie Joe Milton III and Brissett combined (12).
New York Giants 14, Detroit Lions 3
Lions' starting QB: Nate Sudfeld, Year 9
Giants' starting QB: Drew Lock, Year 6
Sudfeld and former Day 2 selection Hendon Hooker were the only two quarterbacks to take snaps for Detroit. Jared Goff was sidelined for the affair. Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock played for the Giants, but none of the quarterbacks in this game topped 100 passing yards.
Friday, Aug. 9
Miami Dolphins 20, Atlanta Falcons 13
Falcons' starting QB: Michael Penix Jr., Year 1
Dolphins' starting QB: Skylar Thompson, Year 3
Michael Penix Jr., Nathan Rourke and Taylor Heinicke all had had at least 11 pass attempts, but fewer than 17. Penix took the field first with Kirk Cousins sidelined.
Mike White and Thompson similarly shared reps for the Dolphins. The plan was always for Tua Tagovailoa to sit out.
Houston Texans 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 12
Texans' starting QB: C.J. Stroud, Year 2
Steelers' starting QB: Justin Fields, Year 4
Friday night was a battle between former first-round selections out of Ohio State. Stroud played a series and led his team to a touchdown. Fields made his first start in Pittsburgh with veteran Russell Wilson sidelined, but Kyle Allen took the majority of the snaps.
Davis Mills, Case Keenum and Tim Boyle also saw action for Houston.
Philadelphia Eagles 16, Baltimore Ravens 13
Eagles' starting QB: Jalen Hurts, Year 5
Ravens' starting QB: Josh Johnson, Year 17
Philadelphia's starters, including Hurts, played one series Friday night against the Ravens. The Eagles acquired former first-round selection Kenny Pickett from Pittsburgh this offseason, but they also have Tanner McKee and Will Grier.
Lamar Jackson has not played in a preseason game since 2021. Veteran Josh Johnson started the game and then turned it over to rookie Devin Leary.
Saturday, Aug. 10
Washington Commanders at New York Jets
Commanders' starting QB: Jayden Daniels, Year 1
Jets' starting QB: Tyrod Taylor, Year 14
Commanders fans got a glimpse at the No. 2 overall selection Jayden Daniels against the Jets. The preseason is an opportunity for coach Kliff Kingsbury and Daniels to fine-tune its operation ahead of the regular season. Daniels didn't disappoint, capping his first NFL drive with a 3-yard TD run. He went 2-for-3 for 45 yards before being replaced.
Aaron Rodgers is not playing for New York but could end up playing at some point in the preseason. Tyrod Taylor started the game. Andrew Peasley and Adrian Martinez are also active.
Chicago Bears at Buffalo Bills (1 p.m. ET)
Bears' starting QB: Caleb Williams, Year 1
Bills' starting QB: Josh Allen, Year 7
The No. 1 overall selection did not take any snaps for Chicago in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game; that is expected to change in preseason Week 1. Brett Rypien, Tyson Bagent and Austin Reed divvied up the remaining snaps.
Bills coach Sean McDermott revealed Thursday that the first string, including Allen, will start against the Bears. Buffalo re-signed former No. 2 overall selection Mitchell Trubisky and also have Shane Buechele on the depth chart.
Las Vegas Raiders at Minnesota Vikings (4 p.m. ET)
Raiders' starting QB: Gardner Minshew or Aidan O'Connell, Year 6/Year 2
Vikings' starting QB: Sam Darnold, Year 7
Raiders coach Antonio Pierce did not outright state Minshew or O'Connell would start. He is not concerned about who takes those first repetitions because each will have an opportunity to play.
"Who goes out first and who goes out second really doesn't matter," Pierce said.
Darnold will start for the Vikings, but fans should expect No. 10 overall selection J.J. McCarthy to see action as well. The belief is that the veteran will be able to hold off the rookie for Week 1 but the Michigan product should be installed as the starter at some point in the season.
Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns (4:25 p.m. ET)
Packers' starting QB: Jordan Love, Year 5
Browns' starting QB: Jameis Winston, Year 10
Coming off a lucrative contract extension, Love will start for the Packers this weekend. It is an opportunity for him to continue developing relationships with his young pass catchers in a live game setting.
Deshaun Watson will not be on the field for Cleveland. Instead, it will be the veteran taking starting snaps. The Browns also have Tyler Huntley and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals (7 p.m. ET)
Buccaneers' starting QB: Kyle Trask, Year 4
Bengals' starting QB: Joe Burrow, Year 5
Baker Mayfield is not expected to take the field for Tampa Bay this weekend. Trask has been given the nod, but John Wolford has a history with offensive coordinator Liam Coen in Los Angeles. Mayfield's absence spoils a rematch between former No. 1 overall selections. The Bengals intend for Joe Burrow to play, and most likely start. When Mayfield was in Cleveland, he saw Burrow twice a year.
San Francisco 49ers at Tennessee Titans (7 p.m. ET)
49ers' starting QB: TBD
Titans' starting QB: Will Levis, Year 2
It is unknown whether or not Brock Purdy will play for the defending NFC champions in preseason Week 1. Head coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear that his starters will not play much at all.
"We don't plan on many of the starters to play," Shanahan said, via NBCSports.com. "I know some guys will have to, but for the most part starters shouldn't be in much if at all."
If he does not go, the ball will be handed over to Joshua Dobbs, Brandon Allen and Tanner Mordecai.
Levis did not play in the preseason a year ago. New head coach Brian Callahan and Levis have yet to work together in a live setting so there is value in these opportunities.
Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars (7 p.m. ET)
Chiefs' starting QB: Patrick Mahomes, Year 8
Jaguars' starting QB: Trevor Lawrence, Year 4
It is a classic AFC showdown between Mahomes and Lawrence. Neither is expected to play long.
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Chargers (7:05 p.m. ET)
Seahawks' starting QB: Sam Howell, Year 3
Chargers' starting QB: Easton Stick, Year 6
First-year Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald has stated Smith is unlikely to play this weekend. Sam Howell and PJ Walker are in tow.
Justin Herbert is injured and unavailable for the preseason. Stick will open the Jim Harbaugh era in Los Angeles. Last year's seventh-round pick, Max Duggan, will also see time.
New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals (8 p.m. ET)
Saints' starting QB: TBD
Cardinals' starting QB: TBD
New Orleans has not unveiled its starting quarterback for the preseason opener. If Derek Carr does not go, then the competition for QB2 will play out between Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.
Kyler Murray will not play in the preseason opener, but there has been no indication that it will be either Clayton Tune or Desmond Ridder starting for the Cardinals. It is likely semantics as the two battle for the primary backup role.
Sunday, Aug. 11
Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts (1 p.m. ET)
Broncos' starting QB: Jarrett Stidham, Year 6
Colts' starting QB: Anthony Richardson, Year 2
Jarrett Stidham was listed as first string on Denver's depth chart and will start. Zach Wilson was listed as the second string quarterback ahead of rookie Bo Nix.
Last year's No. 4 overall selection, Anthony Richardson, is available and expected to start a series or two for the Colts. Joe Flacco, Sam Ehlinger, Kedon Slovis and Jason Bean are also on the roster.
Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams (4:30 p.m. ET)
Cowboys' starting QB: TBD
Rams' starting QB: Stetson Bennett, Year 2
Dak Prescott will not play against the Rams, or likely any team this preseason; that much is known. It could be a competition between Cooper Rush and Trey Lance.
In 2021, Rams head coach Sean Mcvay had some strong words when discussing the possibility of Matthew Stafford seeing time in the preseason.
"There is zero chance you will ever see Matthew Stafford take a snap in the preseason for the Rams as long as I'm the coach. That will never happen," McVay said, via RamsWire.
There is no reason to think that has changed. Jimmy Garoppolo will not play. Stetson Bennett is likely the first off the bench, but Dresser Winn is also on the depth chart.
