RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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We’re two-thirds of the way through the preseason, creeping ever closer to Week 1, and change is afoot in the NFL.
This week’s games provided some actual drama in Cleveland, and that’s not the only place where there’s a lack of quarterback clarity.
As we head into the final stretch of the exhibition season, here are the biggest takeaways from the recent spate of games.
Cleveland’s QB mess
Shedeur Sanders was given his chance to make a statement in the Browns’ QB battle, and he did some good things Saturday – and another interception. Still, he was far better against the Bills than Deshaun Watson was, and what happened after the game was the real stunner.
Watson played the victim , saying that Browns fans booing him wasn’t based on “performance,” suggesting that their attacks on him were "personal" and “disrespectful.” He might have outplayed Sanders in the first preseason game, but Watson had a bad pick and was far worse.
Opening Day against the Jaguars is three weeks away. The Browns have been in quarterback purgatory many times, but it almost feels like a no-win situation.
What’s next : Todd Monken has a real mess on his hands. He’s close to announcing a decision on who starts, and it wouldn’t stun anyone if he picked Sanders now. Sanders has momentum on his side, and Watson’s postgame comments shot like a lightning bolt through Cleveland. Monken won’t have a home game until Week 3, but he risks losing the fan base – and potentially the locker room – if Watson is named the Week 1 starter. Even if he’s nominally the better QB at this moment than Sanders, who hasn’t exactly set the world on fire, Watson will be treated as persona non grata for a lot of folks who support the team. There has just been too much damage done there, and Watson threw a match on those old flames.
Maybe not Week 1, but Fernando Mendoza is coming
It feels a bit odd to hype up Fernando Mendoza’s chances of starting early in the season for the Raiders after a game in which he hardly dominated, but that was my takeaway after hearing Klint Kubiak talk postgame. He didn’t glaze Mendoza too hard, but he did keep the door ajar on a starting announcement.
Kirk Cousins has been treated like the Week 1 starter to this point, but there was a shift in the past week or so, with Mendoza earning first-team reps in joint practices (which he hadn’t previously) and the start Thursday night. His pick-six against the Texans’ backups was a tough moment, and it wasn’t a pristine showing overall, but there were still visible positives.
Which way will Kubiak lean?
Los quarterbacks de los Raiders de Las Vegas, Fernando Mendoza (15) y Kirk Cousins (8), participan durante una práctica de fútbol americano de la NFL el martes 11 de agosto de 2026, en Las Vegas. (Foto AP/David Becker) AP Photo/David Becker
What’s next : I still think it’s Cousins Week 1. Kubiak has been patient but pragmatic in his approach thus far. He’s said he doesn’t want anyone feeling comfortable, and I suspect he’s achieved that. It’s perhaps a hint that Cousins needs to be a little sharper, too. But Kubiak also has created the natural competitive dynamic and is setting up the possibility of a quick hook early in the season if Cousins and the offense stall. Timing it up properly, with the Raiders playing the meatiest part of their schedule in October, is going to be the trick. But one way or another, the idea of Mendoza sitting a large chunk of the season no longer feels like the set-in-stone plan.
Ashton Jeanty concerns in Las Vegas?
One of the headlines coming out of Thursday was the continued strong play of rookie RB Mike Washington Jr., who followed up a good first preseason game with nine carries for 56 yards and two catches for 18 more yards against the Texans. Washington until well into Round 4 (122nd pick), but he’s looking more and more like a precocious rookie.
The reason that’s potentially significant is what happened at practice on Sunday, with Jeanty reportedly going down with an injury of unknown severity.
What’s next : If that injury is serious, it could deal a huge blow to Jeanty and the Raiders, who were expecting bigger things in Year 2. Kubiak has spoken about the importance of the run game, and Jeanty was expected to be a major part of that. Now this could elevate Washington into a major role in the Raiders’ offense. The other current options include 2024 sixth-rounder Laube, undrafted Roman Hemby and veteran Dare Ogunbowale. Washington is limited in the passing game and didn’t always maximize his physical gifts in college, but his explosive burst and big-play potential make him an intriguing replacement if need be.
After three snaps, Jayden Daniels is ready for the regular season
That’s the plan, anyway. The Commanders gave Daniels and the first-team offense a brief ( very brief) audition Saturday at the Lions, a grand total of three snaps, none of which fared very well. Incomplete pass. Sack. Draw play on 3rd and 20. Punt. After that, Dan Quinn had seen enough.
Sam Hartman was fine, but rookie Athan Kaliakmanis stole the show after that at QB. That’s all fine and good, but there’s some concern about QB2 Marcus Mariota’s knee sprain that kept him out.
Detroit Lions defensive end D.J. Wonnum (98) sacks Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) during a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Daniels has earned strong reviews from his play in camp. He and play caller David Blough appear to be in sync, and Daniels has reportedly meshed well with the late-arriving Stefon Diggs. That’s the good news. The bad is that the offensive line is a concern, with Laremy Tunsil out indefinitely and Nick Allegretti missing most of camp with an injury. The running back room also has been chewed up badly. Perhaps the three-snap decision was for preservation as much as anything else.
What’s next : We’ll see what kind of shape the ...
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