A week of preseason football is in the rearview mirror, and there’s a lot of excitement around it. Some of our initial impressions seem spot on, while others, well, they might need a bit more time to develop. That’s just how preseason goes.
Here, Michael Peterson and RJ Ochoa are trying to keep things in perspective each week, emphasizing the importance of the games we all enjoy.
So, let’s dive in.
True or False: Did Traylanth change his career trajectory?
After being traded to the Cowboys from the 49ers for a fourth-round pick, Traylanth was hoping for a fresh start. But, unfortunately, his preseason was rocky—he threw five interceptions against the Chargers in the preseason finale and failed to score any touchdowns.
The Cowboys will part ways with Lance after just two seasons. As things looked grim, the Chargers stepped in to pick him up. However, this offseason hasn’t showcased Lance as a standout player. He managed not to throw any touchdowns or interceptions during the Hall of Fame game but later relied on his legs to extend a drive and finally found the end zone on a 5-yard run.
On the flip side, Hainicke made his preseason debut but ended up with a dismal 1-for-5 passing record, accumulating just eight yards with several missed opportunities.
It’s still early days, and even though Heinicke has more starting experience, Lance could potentially secure his backup position if he performs well in this week’s final cuts. That’s one of the narratives to watch as we approach the season.
I have to admit, I’ve been cheering for Traylanth in his career and really hope he gets a chance to develop. Unfortunately, that opportunity seems to have been lacking.
Being a Dallas Cowboys follower gives me some authority on this. Just think back to last season when Dak Prescott got injured in the eighth game. The team didn’t seriously consider Trey Lance until the last meaningless game of the season. While it wasn’t solely about Traylanth, he definitely needed more chances, especially during preseason, to grow.
It was nice to see him shine for a brief moment, but I’m not ready to say he’s made a complete turnaround. Honestly, he seemed to be on a downward trajectory, and it’s unclear if he has actually changed that. We’ll need more evidence to know for sure.
Can Bryce Young turn his career around this season?
If there’s any player I’m cautiously optimistic about, it’s Bryce Young, the quarterback for the Carolina Panthers.
We might have jumped the gun on criticizing Young too soon, especially given the popularity of jokes and memes surrounding him. Sometimes things just happen that way.
To be clear, it’s not that Young thinks he’ll be lighting up the field right away, but I don’t believe he’s entirely out of the running to become a worthwhile franchise quarterback.
If he can replicate the performance he showed during his only drive against the Browns, I feel there’s potential in his game. And if Tetaroa McMillan keeps shining like he did in that game, then, yeah, I believe Young might have his best performances ahead of him.
This season, Young has a solid lineup of receivers—Tett, Adam Tieren, Xavier Regitt, and Jacob Coker—to throw to. Chuba Hubbard also offers reliable options for the running game.
What worries me is that sometimes he comes across in practice as just another guy in a Panthers jersey. There’s a bit more to it than just his height; it’s about presence too.
What did you make of Shedeur Sanders’ debut?
With injuries sidelining rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett, Shedeur Sanders got the chance to start the Browns’ first preseason game against the Panthers last Friday. Head coach Kevin Stefanski mentioned that Sanders would likely play around 50 snaps, providing quite a substantial opportunity for his first NFL appearance.
As the fifth pick in 2025, he finished with two touchdowns and 138 yards. He did have a few missteps, drifting into danger at times, which happened too often during his college career, but overall, it was a positive showing for a quarterback labeled QB4 by the Browns. He didn’t turn the ball over and made plays with his legs when necessary.
Given the situation, I think this was a solid start to his NFL journey. I’m looking forward to seeing how he continues to develop this preseason.
Ultimately, I think it’s tough to take definitive conclusions from preseason games. We can probably all agree on that.
That said, it seems like he made the best of the opportunity, and I genuinely feel he did well. He played in a way many thought he could, yet also seemed to defy expectations. Context is important here, but I want to keep watching his progress.
How concerned are you about Matthew Stafford’s situation?
To me, the Rams are acting quite oddly regarding Stafford’s situation.
Is he healthy? Is he going to play? Is he practicing? Those are valid questions.
Above all, it seems fair that Sean McVay should provide answers. I find it fascinating, and Michael concurs, that the Rams often shine a light on significant issues. Remember a couple of years back when there were reports that Cam Akers wouldn’t play for the team due to relationship issues? Just weeks later, he was back playing.
The Rams operate in a massive media market, yet their handling of this situation seems to fly under the radar. Their franchise quarterback, who led them to a Super Bowl victory, remains an ongoing question mark, and everyone seems to be brushing it off.
I won’t add much more because it feels redundant.
Initially, the news about him needing an epidural sounded alarming. However, Sean McVay’s subsequent comments about him minimizing individual drills suggest this might be more serious than the team originally let on, especially considering he didn’t practice on Monday.
I’m still convinced the Rams’ success hinges on Stafford this year, but regardless of who he’s throwing to, I don’t hold much faith in Jimmy G. If Stafford is close to being 100% but this issue persists, I’m genuinely worried about how things will unfold.
