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NFL preseason Week 1 schedule: One reason to watch each game
The NFL preseason kicked off with the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6 as the Carolina Panthers knocked off the Arizona Cardinals in walk-off fashion, 33-30. The first full week of NFL action is here with 16 games slated for Week 1 of the 2026 preseason.
While these games don't count against season records, they're a crucial time for both teams and fans to see what their team will look like when it does count. There are active quarterback competitions, rookies getting their first reps and veterans looking to prove they've still got it.
With so many changes this offseason, from coaching hires, to trades, this is the time for squads to works toward their identity, shake off the dust and work on the new relationships.
The Bengals haven't made the playoffs since 2022 and the pressure is on this season for the entire team, especially the offensive stars. This season, a stronger defense could mean the offense doesn't have to do as much to stay in games, but there is still a high ceiling for quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins , all who are expected to take the field on Thursday. Keeping those three healthy and improving the defense are some key components to success this season for Cincinnati.
This is the first time the Steelers will take the field for a game without Mike Tomlin as their head coach since he took the job in 2007. Mike McCarthy will now be leading the team and is reuniting with Aaron Rodgers , who was his quarterback while the two were on the Packers .
While Rodgers has said he won't play during the preseason, he and McCarthy will be facing their old team, which will be interesting to see.
The Patriots wide receiver room is one to watch during the preseason. The team added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs and also have Kayshon Boutte , Pop Douglas, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III . Boutte reportedly requested a trade in the spring and his status on the team remains a question. How things shape up this preseason could heavily impact Boutte's future with the team.
With starters not expected to play, receivers further down on the depth chart have a chance to help secure their spot on the roster as head coach Mike Vrabel works on finalizing the receivers room.
The Chargers cornerback situation still needs ironing out. Cam Hart , Tarheeb Still , Donte Jackson and Deane Leonard are expected to make the roster and there are plenty of others fighting for limited spots left. Avery Smith and Rodney Shelley have looked good during training camp and could take a spot away from Nikko Reed and Eric Rogers , who made the team last season.
Preseason will be the time for these players to make the extra push to make the 53-man roster.
Carson Beck looked good during the Hall of Fame Game and became the talk of the town as far as potential goes, but will be sitting out due to rib discomfort. Jacoby Brissett , who reworked his contract this offseason, was set to play and will take the field for the first time this preseason. Arizona was tied for the worst record in the NFL last year at 3-14 and a lot of the pressure will be on Brissett. The Raiders will unveil their No. 1 overall pick, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, with veteran Kirk Cousins expected to begin the season as a starter.
Robert Saleh is making his debut as the Titans head coach after spending last season as the defensive coordinator with the 49ers . A new-look defense for Tennessee is expected under Saleh and this will be our first preview of what that could look like.
The Commanders offensive line has become a major concern after Laremy Tunsil injured his biceps in practice and will miss a significant part of the season. The team says they don't plan on finding a left tackle outside of the team, so the remaining members of the offensive line room will need to fill the role. Brandon Coleman could step up in the absence, so he will be one to watch as the season approaches.
First-year Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski is still determining his QB for the 2026 season, with Tua Tagovailoa vs. Michael Penix Jr . in competition. Tagovailoa was named the starter for this week and will make his Falcons debut on Friday.
Tagovailoa has been doing the 11-on-11 work while Penix, who is still recovering from an ACL injury, is doing 7-on-7 work. As Penix still waits for full clearance to participate in a game, it's no surprise that Tagovailoa got the start, but that doesn't necessarily mean he will keep that job for the regular season.
Geno Smith is in his second stint with the Jets , also playing for them from 2013 to 2016. Second-year head coach Aaron Glenn said the starters will see some action, meaning Smith will be throwing passes as the Jets QB for the first time in a decade. New offensive coordinator Frank Reich, one of many new coaches for this season, will be challenged to produce a more productive offense than the Jets have had over recent years.
A new quarterback and new offensive coordinator usually means growing pains and we could see some of the adjustments made during this first preseason game.
The Browns quarterback job is up for grabs, with Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders fighting for the spot. Both have struggled during training camp with penalties and takeaways, leaving little excitement for either at the moment.
Watson hasn't played in a game for almost two years, due to injury and suspensions, and wasn't the clear answer to the Browns QB woes even when he was playing. Sanders comes in with less experience than Watson and was one of the biggest draft falls, going from a predicted first-rounder to a fifth-round pick. Watson is the early favorite for the job, but preseason will be crucial in the determination.
Jonathon Brooks is making his first game appearance since tearing his ACL for the second time in 2024. The running back has been limited to just three games in his NFL career, recording just nine carries and 22 yards in those contests. The second-rounder...
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