All 32 clubs are back in action as the first full week of NFL preseason rolls out live on Sky Sports, and fans have three compelling narratives to keep an eye on as the league builds toward the 2026 regular season. First, the name that dominates every conversation about the upcoming campaign is Aaron Donald. Even though the former Rams defensive titan officially stepped away from the game more than two years ago, his legacy still casts a long shadow.
Donald, widely celebrated as one of the greatest defenders in football history, has been hinted at a possible comeback after the Rams bolstered their defensive line by trading for the previous year’s sack leader, Myles Garrett, from the Cleveland Browns. The pairing of Donald and Garrett would create a fearsome front‑four that could dominate opponents for years. The three‑time Defensive Player of the Year participated in a private workout with the Rams in August, yet no formal announcement has been made. Head coach Sean McVay has been deliberately cautious, insisting that the organization does not want to add any extra pressure while Donald decides his future.
"He looked great and he’s continuing his process," McVay told reporters. "We have a plan that’s been in place for a while, and the workout was part of that. He feels good, but we’re not at the point where we can say definitively whether he’s ready to return.
He performed outstandingly, which is exactly what we expected." With just four weeks remaining before the regular season tip‑off, the speculation surrounding Donald’s potential return keeps fans on the edge of their seats. Will the Rams finally reunite with their former star and add another Hall‑of‑Fame caliber player to an already potent defensive unit? Only time will tell.
The second storyline centers on the quarterback battle in Cleveland, a contest that has already attracted national attention. New head coach Todd Monken has taken a measured approach, giving veteran Deshaun Watson the starting nod for the Browns’ preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, while giving rookie Shedeur Sanders a chance to lead in the second half.
Monken confirmed that Sanders will start the following preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, making it clear that both quarterbacks will see meaningful reps before the regular season begins. Watson and Sanders represent opposite ends of a career spectrum.
Watson, now 30, has endured a tumultuous tenure with the Browns. Acquired in 2022 on a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, his time in Cleveland has been marred by a season‑ending shoulder injury in 2023 and two Achilles ruptures the next year.
Off‑field, Watson faced an 11‑game NFL suspension in 2022 after allegations of sexual assault and misconduct by multiple massage therapists. He denied the accusations, and an NFL investigation ultimately concluded there was insufficient evidence to substantiate a personal‑conduct violation.
His upcoming snaps against Chicago will mark his first live action since October 20, 2024—a 22‑month hiatus. In contrast, Shedeur Sanders, the son of Hall‑of‑Famer Deion Sanders, entered the league with high expectations. He started seven games as a rookie in 2025, throwing for roughly 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and ten interceptions. While those numbers are modest compared to Watson’s 2020 peak—when he led the league with 4,823 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and only seven picks—the young quarterback still shows flashes of the athleticism and poise that made his father a legend.
Cleveland’s next four preseason contests will be pivotal in determining who earns the starting job for week one of the 2026 campaign, and the decision could shape the future trajectories of both players. The third narrative follows veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and the looming challenge posed by the Raiders’ 2026 No.
1 draft pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Cousins, now in his 15th NFL season, has been the Raiders’ primary signal‑caller throughout training camp and is slated to start the season‑opening game on September 13 against the Miami Dolphins. The veteran brings four Pro Bowl selections and a reputation for steady, if not spectacular, production.
Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner who guided Indiana to its first national championship, was selected first overall in this year’s draft. Despite the fanfare, he is expected to begin the season as the backup, learning the professional game from the second‑team offense while Cousins leads the first‑team unit.
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak praised Mendoza’s progress, noting, "He’s continuing to grow. It’s been an impressive training camp in terms of preparation, and he’s translating that work into practice. Things don’t happen on paper exactly as they do on the field, but he’s adjusted well." Cousins arrived in Las Vegas after an injury‑limited stint with the Atlanta Falcons, where he posted 1,721 passing yards, ten touchdowns, and five interceptions.
While he remains the likely starter for the immediate future, the franchise’s long‑term direction hinges on Mendoza’s development. This preseason will give the Indiana prodigy his first taste of NFL competition and could foreshadow a generational shift at the quarterback position for the Raiders. Beyond these three focal points, Sky Sports will broadcast every preseason game, offering fans the chance to see emerging talent, veteran comebacks, and the early formation of each team’s identity.
Viewers can stream the action without a contract via the Sky Sports app, stay updated through Sky Sports on WhatsApp, or watch the games live on their preferred devices. In summary, the NFL preseason is shaping up to be a showcase of high‑stakes storylines: the possible return of a defensive legend in Aaron Donald, a high‑profile quarterback duel between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland, and the veteran‑versus‑rookie showdown between Kirk Cousins and rookie phenom Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas. As the league inches closer to the regular‑season kickoff, these narratives will provide plenty of intrigue and set the tone for what promises to be an exciting 2026 NFL year.