The NFL is fast approaching the much-anticipated Cut Day, where teams must condense their rosters from 90 to a lean 53 players. With the deadline set for next Tuesday, roster changes are imminent and players are showcasing their talents in the pre-season to secure their spots.
At Fanatics Fest, NFL legends Tom Brady and Peyton Manning joined forces to share their rankings of the top quarterbacks in the league. Not surprisingly, both icons placed Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes at the pinnacle of their lists, reflecting the widespread admiration for Mahomes' exceptional skills and leadership on the field.
In addition to Mahomes, Brady and Manning included Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow, Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson, and Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen in their top five quarterbacks. Manning showed confidence in Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert, while Brady gave a nod to the seasoned Aaron Rodgers, who is now steering the New York Jets' offense.
Away from star quarterbacks, the preseason has offered several other notable performances. Buffalo Bills' defensive end Greg Rousseau demonstrated his prowess with an impressive 2.5 sacks over just 11 snaps in a preseason clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This standout performance highlighted Rousseau's potential to be a key player in the Bills' defense.
Kansas City receiver Xavier Worthy also made waves, catching three of six targets for 62 yards and a touchdown against the Detroit Lions. Meanwhile, New York Giants' Daniel Jones had a mixed showing, completing 11 of 18 passes for 138 yards but throwing two interceptions against the Houston Texans.
San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy faced challenges, completing only two of six passes for 11 yards and suffering a sack against the New Orleans Saints. Conversely, Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders was named the starting quarterback following his performance in a 13-6 loss to the Miami Dolphins—a significant milestone in his career.
For the New York Giants, Malik Nabers made notable receptions in their game against the Texans, showcasing his reliability and skill as a receiver. In contrast, Dallas Turner's performance was less remarkable, as he played 13 snaps for the Minnesota Vikings in their victory over the Cleveland Browns but showed minimal productivity.
In player movement news, Matthew Judon chose to trade to the Atlanta Falcons over the Chicago Bears, a decision that will undoubtedly affect the dynamics of both teams. Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert has made a comeback to practice after dealing with plantar fascia in his right foot since July 31, bringing relief to Chargers fans and coaching staff.
Contract negotiations have also been a highlight, with Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Geno Smith signing a three-year, $75 million extension, including $40 million guaranteed. This deal indicates the Seahawks' trust in Smith's leadership and abilities moving forward.
Off the field, Will Brinson made bold predictions, betting on Buffalo's Josh Allen as an MVP contender with +850 odds. He also pegged Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford as a mid-tier MVP hopeful with 30-to-1 odds—illustrating the highly competitive and unpredictable nature of the league.
Tua Tagovailoa, reflecting on the mental challenges of the game, said, “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 further elaborated on his journey, adding, “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.”
In another conversation, Kevin O'Connell remarked, “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 season progresses, the narratives around roster changes, player performances, and personal reflections will continue to shape the league's dynamic and thrilling storylines.