Preseason Football Schedule action begins Thursday, and while many teams will sit starters, there are still a few quarterback storylines worth tracking as the NFL gets back to live game action for the first time since January.
The biggest headline belongs to Deshaun Watson. The Browns quarterback is set to start Saturday against the Bears, giving him his first game action in nearly two years. Watson has not had much live-game work in that span, so this is a chance for Cleveland to see where he stands before the regular season begins.
Quarterback storylines to watch
Saturday also could be important for Minnesota, where J.J. McCarthy may get extended playing time against the Giants. That matters because his value is said to be at an all-time low after how poorly his time as the starter went. Any meaningful reps in Preseason Week 1 would give the Vikings a better look at where he is right now.
Another name to watch is Shedeur Sanders, who is scheduled to start for Cleveland in Week 2 of the preseason. That does not make Saturday any less important for the Browns, though, because Watson’s return starts the evaluation process now and Sanders adds another layer later on.
Thursday’s opener could also feature Fernando Mendoza against the Cardinals, and that game could make the early preseason picture a little more interesting. Last week, Carson Beck had a sensational showing in the Hall of Fame Game, so there is already some quarterback buzz carrying over into the first full slate of preseason games.
What to keep in mind
The NFL’s preseason is often about controlled evaluations rather than full-on competition, and many teams will be cautious with starters. That makes it even more important to pay attention to which quarterbacks actually get on the field and how long they stay there.
Live preseason games are also subject to local and other geographic blackouts, and NFL+ subscription is required. For fans trying to follow the action, that matters almost as much as the matchups themselves.
Still, the first full week of preseason football gives teams and fans an early look at players trying to win jobs, regain value or simply get back into game rhythm. For Watson, McCarthy and the rest of the quarterbacks on the watch list, it is the first meaningful step toward the season ahead.
