The 2026 NFL preseason has kicked off, and for football fans who have been waiting since February for the return of the sport, the exhibition games could not come soon enough. Week 1 of the preseason is always a mix of excitement and caution, with starters seeing limited action, backups fighting for roster spots, and rookies getting their first taste of NFL game speed. But the 2026 preseason has more compelling storylines than most, and the Week 1 slate featured several matchups that were worth watching closely.
In Cleveland, the battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders has been the most talked-about quarterback competition in the NFL. Sanders, the rookie and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, has been pushing Watson for the starting job throughout training camp, and the preseason games are his opportunity to prove that he is ready. The Browns have a roster that is built to win now, with a strong defense and talented skill position players, and the quarterback decision will be the most important factor in determining whether the Browns can compete in the AFC North. Watson has the experience and the contract, but Sanders has the poise and the accuracy, and the competition is genuinely open.
The Las Vegas Raiders have their own quarterback controversy, with veteran Kirk Cousins competing against the first overall pick in the draft, Fernando Mendoza. Cousins represents the safe, win-now option, while Mendoza represents the future. The Raiders are weighing the desire to compete immediately against the need to develop their young quarterback, and the preseason will provide the data that will inform the decision.
Across the league, the preseason is also about position battles beyond quarterback. Rookies are getting their first opportunity to show that they belong, and undrafted free agents are fighting for roster spots. The preseason is the only time that the bottom of the roster gets meaningful game action, and the competition for the final 53 spots is as intense as any battle on the field. Special teams play is also under the microscope, as the kicking, punting, and return units are being evaluated with the same scrutiny as the offensive and defensive units.
For fans, the preseason is a preview of what is to come. The schemes, the personnel packages, and the play-calling tendencies that are on display in the preseason games provide a glimpse of what teams have been working on throughout the offseason. While the starters see limited action, the preseason is the first opportunity to see how the pieces fit together, and for the discerning fan, there is plenty to learn.
