Steelers' Rookie QB Sets Preseason Ablaze, Titans' Cam Ward Stumbles
Drew Allar, the Steelers' third-round draft pick, made a stunning debut in the team's 28-9 win over the Packers, finishing 10 of 13 for 153 yards and three total touchdowns.
The Steelers, who need to find their quarterback of the future with Aaron Rodgers set to retire at the end of the 2026 season, might have already found their answer in Allar. He took over the game in the second half, and his performance is looking like a smart decision by the team's coaches. However, it's worth noting that Allar's numbers were achieved against the backend of the Packers' defensive roster, so we still need to see what he can do against better competition.
The Packers' rookie kicker, Trey Smack, also had a huge game against the Steelers, scoring all nine of Green Bay's points in the loss. Smack went 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, including hitting a 58-yarder just before halftime. The former Florida star was the only placekicker selected in this year's draft, and the Packers' decision to take him is starting to look like it might actually pay off.
In another game, the Cardinals' quarterbacks, Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, and Kedon Slovis, combined to go 26 of 30 for 212 yards and three touchdowns in the team's 27-14 win over the Raiders. Brissett and Minshew went a perfect 15 of 15 in the first half, and Brissett threw a touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison Jr. that might end up going down as the most impressive touchdown pass of the preseason.
The Raiders' first overall pick, Hendon Mendoza, also made his debut on Thursday and looked impressive, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a TD. However, Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said the starting QB job was still Kirk Cousins' to lose, so don't look for the rookie to be starting in Week 1.
The 49ers' second-round pick, De'Zhaun Stribling, had an impressive preseason debut, catching seven passes for 63 yards against the Titans in just one half of play. If you have a fantasy draft coming up, you might want to think about taking Stribling, as he could definitely make a name for himself in San Francisco as a rookie.
In the Bengals' 16-14 win over the Lions, Dohnte Meyers had a standout game, catching three passes for 29 yards, rushing for 13 yards, and returning a punt for 11 yards. Meyers' story is an unlikely one, as he drove seven hours overnight from Atlanta to Cincinnati just to attend an offseason throwing session with the QB.
The Bengals' Joe Burrow revealed that Meyers' dedication to the team is impressive, and it's clear that Meyers is fighting for a spot on the roster. With Ricky Pearsall out for the season, Stribling could definitely make a name for himself in San Francisco as a rookie, while Meyers is slowly proving that he belongs with the Bengals.
The preseason is just getting underway, and we're already seeing some exciting performances from rookies and established players alike. With the Steelers, Cardinals, and Raiders all making headlines, it's clear that this preseason is going to be one to watch. The next step for these teams will be to see how their players perform against better competition, and we'll be keeping a close eye on the developments.
Source: CBS