In his very first appearance at the helm of the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Mike McCarthy witnessed a standout performance from rookie quarterback Drew Allar, who helped his team secure a convincing 28-9 preseason victory over the Green Bay Packers. Allar, selected in the third round of the draft, demonstrated poise beyond his years, completing ten of his thirteen attempts for a total of 154 passing yards.
He found the end zone twice through the air and added a rushing touchdown, showcasing a blend of accuracy, decision‑making, and athleticism that impressed the new coaching staff. Allar's efficiency was a key factor in the Steelers' overall offensive dominance. The team amassed 385 total yards compared with Green Bay's 160, a disparity that reflected both a balanced attack and a stout defensive effort. Complementing Allar's heroics was wide receiver Will Howard, who caught seven of nine passes for 86 yards.
Howard also orchestrated a drive that culminated in a touchdown, further highlighting the depth of talent emerging from Pittsburgh's younger players. Another quarterback, Mason Rudolph, saw limited action but made the most of his snaps, adding to the competitive environment for the backup quarterback role behind veteran Aaron Rodgers on the Packers' roster. Speaking of the Packers, their rookie quarterback Jordan Love entered the game briefly, while rookie kicker Trey Smack provided a bright spot for Green Bay by converting three field goals from distances of 58, 38 and 37 yards. Across the league, other first‑round selections also made their preseason debuts.
No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders, threw a six‑yard touchdown pass to fellow rookie Jack Bech, becoming the first top draft choice since Baker Mayfield in 2018 to record a preseason TD in his inaugural appearance.
Mendoza completed ten of sixteen attempts for 97 yards, but the Raiders ultimately fell 27-14 to the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona's offense was propelled by efficient passing from Jacoby Brissett and former Raider Gardner Minshew, while third overall pick Jeremiyah Love contributed 58 rushing yards on eleven carries, underscoring the Cardinals' balanced attack. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins also found the end zone in a brief cameo for the Raiders, adding a touchdown to his stat line. In Indianapolis, former first‑rounder Anthony Richardson returned from injury for the Colts' preseason opener against the New England Patriots.
Richardson threw for 145 yards and scored on a one‑yard quarterback sneak, but his performance was marred by a fumble and an interception, contributing to four total turnovers for Indianapolis. The Patriots' Tommy DeVito responded with 128 passing yards and a touchdown to Kyle Williams, while Spencer Shrader kicked a decisive 61‑yard field goal late in the game to preserve a 13‑13 tie.
Patriots kicker Anthony Borregales missed a potential game‑winning attempt, leaving the result unchanged. The Tennessee Titans also saw a high‑profile rookie debut as No.
1 overall pick Cam Ward started against the San Francisco 49ers. Ward led a 95‑yard touchdown drive on the opening possession but finished the game with modest numbers: five completions on ten attempts for 25 yards, and an incomplete connection with fellow rookie Carnell Tate. Nevertheless, the Titans managed a 19‑13 win, thanks in part to Tony Pollard's lone touchdown and Joey Slye's four field goals, three of which traveled beyond the 50‑yard line.
San Francisco's backup quarterback Kurtis Rourke impressed before exiting with a rib injury, completing twelve of fourteen passes for 101 yards. Rookie receiver De'Zhaun Stribling contributed seven catches for 63 yards, providing a glimpse of the 49ers' future receiving depth. The Los Angeles Chargers opened their preseason campaign with a 27‑7 triumph over the Houston Texans, highlighted by undrafted running back Amar Johnson.
Johnson, now in his second professional season, rushed for two touchdowns and added a two‑point conversion, while also making a spectacular 55‑yard reception. With starters Justin Herbert and C.J. Stroud rested, backup quarterback Trey Lance completed twelve of twenty passes for 164 yards, and Davis Mills threw Houston's only touchdown pass. Additionally, DJ Uiagalelei delivered a late touchdown, cementing the Chargers' dominance in the second half.
In Cincinnati, veteran Joe Flacco entered the game after Joe Burrow's brief two‑series stint, guiding the Bengals to a 16‑14 win over the Detroit Lions. Flacco connected with rookie tight end Jack Endries for a touchdown, while Evan McPherson added three field goals, including a 56‑yard effort. The Lions' undrafted rookie quarterback Luke Altmyer threw for 130 yards and a late touchdown, but a late interception by Russ Yeast sealed the Bengals' victory. Overall, the preseason slate offered a wealth of storylines: emerging rookies making immediate impacts, veteran players providing mentorship, and several high‑draft picks confirming their potential on the field.
Fans can continue to follow these developments as the NFL gears up for the regular season, with all four weeks of preseason action available to stream live on Sky Sports and the NOW platform, setting the stage for the upcoming Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots on September 10.