The countdown to the NFL's Cut Day is on. By next Tuesday, teams must pare their active rosters from 90 to 53 players. This annual roster shuffle is only one of many storylines unfolding as the league gears up for another action-packed season.
Elite Quarterbacks: Brady and Manning's Picks
Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, two legendary quarterbacks, shared their rankings of the league's top quarterbacks at Fanatics Fest. Both greats placed Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes at the pinnacle of their lists, echoing widespread sentiments about Mahomes' dominance.
Brady and Manning's lists also converged by featuring Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow, Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson, and Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen in their top five. Manning introduced a distinct flavor by including Los Angeles Chargers' Justin Herbert. Meanwhile, Brady shone the spotlight on veteran Aaron Rodgers, who is now steering the New York Jets.
Preseason Performances: The Standouts and Strugglers
The preseason games continue to be a crucible for emerging talent and established stars shaking off the rust. Buffalo Bills' defensive end Greg Rousseau stood out, racking up 2.5 sacks over just 11 snaps against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kansas City receiver Xavier Worthy also impressed, hauling in three of six targets for 62 yards and a touchdown against the Detroit Lions.
Conversely, some players had outings they might prefer to forget. New York Giants' quarterback Daniel Jones completed 11 of 18 passes for 138 yards but threw two interceptions against the Houston Texans. San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy struggled, completing just two of six passes for 11 yards and taking a sack against the New Orleans Saints.
Quarterback Battles and Changes
The quarterback carousel is spinning rapidly as teams solidify their rosters. Jayden Daniels, after playing in the Washington Commanders' 13-6 loss to the Miami Dolphins, was named the team's starting quarterback. Over in Los Angeles, Justin Herbert returned to practice for the Chargers after dealing with plantar fascia in his right foot since July 31.
In contrast, New York Giants' Malik Nabers made notable receptions in their game against the Texans, underscoring his potential to become a reliable target for Daniel Jones. Meanwhile, Dallas Turner saw limited action for the Minnesota Vikings, playing 13 snaps with minimal productivity in their win over the Cleveland Browns.
Trades and Contracts
Trades and contract negotiations have also been making headlines. Star linebacker Matthew Judon chose to be traded to the Atlanta Falcons over the Chicago Bears, a move that could have significant implications for both teams. Seattle Seahawks' Geno Smith secured his future with a lucrative three-year, $75 million extension, including $40 million in guaranteed money.
MVP Predictions
As the regular season looms, analysts are placing their bets on the next MVP. Will Brinson's top pick is Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen, with odds at +850. Brinson also sees Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford as a strong mid-tier contender with 30-to-1 odds.
Words from the Players
One of the most poignant moments recently came from Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa, who opened up about the mental toll of criticism and negative feedback. “To put it in the simplest terms, if you woke up every morning and I told you that you suck at what you did, that you don't belong doing what you do, that you shouldn't be here, that this guy should be here, that you haven't earned this,” he said, reflecting on the barrage of doubt he has faced.
Tagovailoa continued, “You hear it and you hear it—regardless of what is, the good or the bad—and you hear it more and more and you start to actually believe that... it's basically been two years of training that out.”
Addressing another delicate situation, Kevin O'Connell refrained from commenting on issues involving other teams or players but emphasized the positive relationships players have with coach Brian Flores, saying, “I don't particularly have a comment on something that took place with another team or I don't like to comment on comments of other players on other teams, but I can just tell you I know that the players Flo works with, he's got great relationships here.”
As the NFL hurtles toward Cut Day and the regular season kick-off, these narratives, trades, and individual performances will be pivotal. Teams are making their final adjustments, while players vie for their positions and make statements on and off the field.