NFL Preseason Review Week 1: Notable Quarterback Battles and Standout Team
Do the Bears have a QB controversy? Who will quarterback the Jets? Plus, which team impressed in the first slate of preseason games?
NFL training camps and preseason games are well under way and we are quickly approaching the 53-man roster deadline of September 2.
The weeks leading up to the start of the regular season often go unappreciated and ignored by many, yet, in reality, many questions and concerns are answered here.
Today marks the beginning of a four-week series that will address some notable topics of the preseason ranging from position battles to trades and everything in between.
This week’s segment will focus on quarterback battles from multiple divisions and my “winner” from Week 1.
Quarterback Battles
The most notable battle to this point, in my opinion, is Matt Moore vs. Jay Cutler. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited about the Dolphins’ potential this year. Yet, when Ryan Tannehill went down with a non-contact knee injury their hopes and aspirations essentially went up in smoke. That is until Adam Gase and the Dolphins signed Jay Cutler to a 1-year, $10 million deal. Six months ago, when the Dolphins found themselves in the same situation, they leaned on Matt Moore, yet up to this point, it doesn’t seem like they’ll do the same thing twice. Although Cutler did not play this past week, I am looking forward to the potential that lies ahead.
Now, a relatively nonexistent battle between Mike Glennon and Mitch Trubisky has essentially been created by NFL conspiracy theorists. The Chicago Bears seemingly placed the future of the franchise in the Glennon’s hands when they signed him to a three-year, $45 million deal during free agency.
Two months later, the Bears traded up to draft former North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Now, according to GM Ryan Pace, there is no competition in Chicago as Glennon is the starting quarterback. The truth of that statement remains to be seen and should be monitored closely throughout the preseason, particularly after Trubisky’s impressive debut against the Denver Broncos in which he went 18/25 for 166 yards and 1 touchdown while Glennon only completed 2/8 passes for a measly 20 yards.
This last quarterback battle is one that no one, including myself, really cares to talk about: Trevor Siemian vs. Paxton Lynch. There is not much to be said about either of these quarterbacks with the exception that neither is terribly experienced. In reality, the job will go to the quarterback that can demonstrate an ability to lead and win throughout the preseason, camp and games included.
NFL reporter James Palmer is under the impression that Siemian has pulled ahead in the QB battle but with Lynch getting reps with starters and the nod to start week 2 against the 49ers, this competition is far from decided.
Two teams that might struggle picking a starting quarterback come the regular season opener September 10 are the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets. I will likely dive deeper into these position battles as the preseason continues, but at the moment, the Browns have to pick from an over-priced Brock Osweiler, unproven veteran Cody Kessler and rookie DeShone Kizer. The Jets on the other hand, seem to be struggling with three subpar quarterbacks in Josh McCown, Bryce Petty, and Christian Hackenberg. In a similar manner to the Broncos, the starting quarterback going into the 2017 season will be the QB that offers the best chance for the Jets to win.
Preseason Week 1 Winner
Picking winners of the preseason can be a mundane task, because, well, it’s the preseason. However, the Seattle Seahawks made a strong claim for this title with their 48–17 victory over the new Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. The defense looked stellar forcing four turnovers and the rest of the team outplayed the Chargers in every facet with the exception of 3rd down efficiency. The Seahawks jumped up six spots in ESPN’s power rankings in part becuase of their performance against the Chargers and because the “Legion of Boom” appears to be back and ready to dominate this upcoming season.
