All 32 franchises are hitting the field as the opening full week of NFL pre‑season unfolds live on Sky Sports, and there are three narratives that deserve special attention as the league gears up for the 2026 campaign. First, the name that dominates every conversation about the upcoming season is Aaron Donald, even though the former Rams defensive tackle officially hung up his cleats more than two years ago. Donald, widely hailed as one of the most dominant defenders in league history, has been quietly entertaining the idea of a comeback after Los Angeles secured last year’s sack king, Myles Garrett, from Cleveland in a blockbuster trade. The prospect of pairing Garrett with Donald on the Rams’ defensive line has sparked a wave of optimism among the fan base, who are eager to see a potential new powerhouse front four.
The three‑time Defensive Player of the Year participated in a private workout with the Rams in August, yet he has not announced any definitive plans. Head coach Sean McVay has been careful not to add pressure, emphasizing that Donald is simply following his own timeline.
"He looked great and he’s still going through his process," McVay explained. "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 whether he’s ready to return. He performed outstandingly, as we’d expect from him." With only four weeks remaining before the regular season tip‑off, the speculation surrounding Donald’s possible return keeps fans on edge. A successful comeback would not only add a marquee name to the Rams roster but also reshape the defensive strategies of the entire conference.
The second storyline centers on the quarterback competition in Cleveland. New head coach Todd Monken has set up a clear but fluid battle between veteran Deshaun Watson and rookie Shedeur Sanders for the starting role. Watson earned the first‑half nod in the Browns’ preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, while Sanders took over for the second half. Monken later confirmed that Sanders will start the following preseason game against Buffalo, indicating that the ultimate decision for week one of the regular season remains wide open.
Watson and Sanders are at opposite ends of their career arcs. The 30‑year‑old veteran entered Cleveland in 2022 with a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, but his tenure has been marred by injuries—a season‑ending shoulder issue in 2023 and two Achilles ruptures the next year—as well as off‑field controversy.
In 2022, the NFL suspended him for 11 games after allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, though an investigation later found insufficient evidence to uphold a personal‑conduct violation. Watson’s last snap came on October 20, 2024, meaning his upcoming appearance will be his first in 22 months.
Shedeur Sanders, the son of Hall‑of‑Famer Deion Sanders, showed flashes of promise as a rookie in 2025, starting seven games and compiling 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and ten interceptions. Those numbers pale in comparison to Watson’s 2020 peak, when he led the league with 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns, and only seven picks.
The Browns’ remaining preseason contests will be crucial in determining which quarterback earns the starting job for 2026, and the decision will likely influence the long‑term trajectories of both players. The third narrative involves the quarterback situation in Las Vegas. Veteran Kirk Cousins, now entering his 15th NFL season, faces a daunting challenge to retain the starting role for the Raiders as the franchise’s No. 1 overall pick, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, looms as the heir apparent.
Mendoza, a Heisman Trophy winner who guided Indiana to its first national championship, was selected first overall in this year’s draft and is expected to begin the season as the backup while he acclimates to the professional game. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak praised Mendoza’s development, noting, "He’s continuing to grow. It’s been a really 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, and I think he’s done a solid job adjusting." Cousins arrived in Las Vegas after an injury‑laden 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 season opener against the Miami Dolphins on September 13, the long‑term direction of the franchise hinges on Mendoza’s progression.
This preseason will provide the Indiana phenom with his first taste of NFL competition and could foreshadow a quarterback transition in the near future. Fans can catch every moment of the four‑week preseason schedule on Sky Sports, including the Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots slated for September 10. For those who prefer streaming, the NFL can be watched contract‑free via NOW, and additional access is available through the Sky Sports app and WhatsApp updates.
As the league fine‑tunes rosters and strategies, these three storylines—Donald’s potential comeback, the Browns’ quarterback duel, and the Raiders’ veteran‑vs‑rookie battle—will shape the narrative heading into the 2026 NFL season.