Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter of their wild card playoff game Sunday, January 14, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Green Bay defeated Dallas 48-32.
- Week 1 of NFL preseason features 10 games, beginning August 8th
- Jordan Love of the Packers and Trevor Lawrence of the Jaguars are suiting up
- Read below to see the full list of players starting and resting in Week 1 preseason
The first full week of NFL preseason action kicks off on Thursday, August 8th with a matchup between the Detroit Lions and New York Giants. A total of 10 games are on tap for Week 1, with several of them featuring star quarterbacks.
Among the NFL Players players suiting up in Week 1 NFL Preseason are Gren Bay quarterback Jordan Love and Jacksonville Jaguars pivot Trevor Lawrence. However, teams are airing on the side of caution with veterans such as Kyler Murray and Aaron Rodgers.
Here is a look at the NFL players who are starting in Week 1 preseason, as well as those who are sitting.
NFL Preseason Week 1 Players Expected to Play
| Team | Player-Position |
|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | Clayton Tune-QB, Desmond Ridder-QB |
| Atlanta Falcons | Michael Penix Jr-QB |
| Baltimore Ravens | TBD |
| Buffalo Bills | TBD |
| Carolina Panthers | Jack Plummer (likely starter), Alex Cook-S |
| Chicago Bears | TBD |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Burrow-QB, most other starters |
| Cleveland Browns | Jameis Winston-QB |
| Dallas Cowboys | TBD |
| Denver Broncos | TBD |
| Detroit Lions | Levi Onwuzurike-DT, Ulumoo “MJ” Ale-OL |
| Green Bay Packers | Jordan Love-QB |
| Houston Texans | TBD |
| Indianapolis Colts | TBD |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Trevor Lawrence-QB, other key starters |
| Kansas City Chiefs | TBD |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Gardner Minshew-QB, Aidan O’Connell-QB (both expected to play “a legit quarter”) |
| Los Angeles Chargers | TBD |
| Los Angeles Rams | Stetson Bennett-QB (likely) |
| Miami Dolphins | TBD |
| Minnesota Vikings | Sam Darnold-QB |
| New England Patriots | Jacoby Brissett-QB, Drake Maye-QB |
| New Orleans Saints | TBD |
| New York Giants | TBD |
| New York Jets | TBD |
| Philadelphia Eagles | TBD |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Justin Fields-QB |
| San Francisco 49ers | TBD |
| Seattle Seahawks | TBD |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | TBD |
| Tennessee Titans | TBD |
| Washington Commanders | Jayden Daniels-QB, Luke McCaffrey-WR |
As more NFL Week 1 preseason starters are confirmed, the NFL odds continue to fluctuate. The largest Week 1 preseason favorite is currently New England (-6.5) vs Carolina, with NE quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye both confirmed to be playing.
Love, Lawrence Suiting Up
All eyes will be on Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love as he takes the field for the team’s preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. Love, who recently signed a four-year, $220 million contract extension, is expected to see significant playing time in the game.
Another top QB taking the field in Week 1 is Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. According to multiple reports, Lawrence is expected to start and play in the Jaguars’ preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Doug Pederson just told us that Trevor Lawrence WILL PLAY against Kansas City in #DUUUVAL first preseason game. Probably 1-2 series.#NFL #NFLTrainingCamp
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) August 6, 2024
Lawrence’s presence in the Week 1 preseason opener has led oddsmakers to install the Jags as 2.5-point favorites over the Chiefs In Week 1. However, the news of Love playing has kept the Packers as 3-point underdogs against the Browns.
Meanwhile in LA, The Raiders have a compelling quarterback battle on their hands between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. As reported by Tashan Reed of the Athletic, both signal-callers are expected to play “a legit quarter” in the Raiders’ preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings on August 8th.
Other notable players expected to suit up in Week 1 include Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow and Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels. Burrow has seen limited preseason action in his career due to injury, while the rookie Daniels will look to make a strong first impression in the burgundy and gold.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Competition Heats Up
One of the most intriguing quarterback battles to watch in the preseason is unfolding in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers have a competition brewing between veteran Russell Wilson and young pivot Justin Fields.
The Justin Fields Report
“He ABSOLUTELY has an opportunity to win the QB competition”
You all thought I was crazy to believe in Justin Fields….he’s balling out at #Steelers camp, w/ the right coaching he could be a force. Dare I say Slash 2.0?
Full 🎥: https://t.co/ped0NjaXQC pic.twitter.com/lRKTwUyYcB
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) August 6, 2024
Wilson (calf) has been ruled out for the Steelers’ preseason opener against the Houston Texans on Friday, meaning Fields will have a golden opportunity to impress. The Steelers are currently 2.5-point underdogs in the game as Fields takes the field for the first time in the black and gold.
While Wilson has been listed as the team’s QB1 on the initial depth chart, head coach Mike Tomlin has made it clear that the competition is very much alive. “Very much is a competition,” Tomlin stated to the media in Pittsburgh when asked about the quarterback situation.
NFL Preseason Week 1 Players Sitting Out
| Team | Player-Position |
|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | Kyler Murray-QB |
| Atlanta Falcons | Kirk Cousins-QB |
| Baltimore Ravens | TBD |
| Buffalo Bills | TBD |
| Carolina Panthers | Bryce Young-QB (likely resting) |
| Chicago Bears | TBD |
| Cincinnati Bengals | TBD |
| Cleveland Browns | Deshaun Watson-QB |
| Dallas Cowboys | TBD |
| Denver Broncos | TBD |
| Detroit Lions | Jared Goff-QB (unlikely to play all preseason) |
| Green Bay Packers | Zach Tom-OL (just starting team work) |
| Houston Texans | TBD |
| Indianapolis Colts | TBD |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | TBD |
| Kansas City Chiefs | TBD |
| Las Vegas Raiders | TBD |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Justin Herbert-QB |
| Los Angeles Rams | Puka Nacua-WR (questionable, knee injury) |
| Miami Dolphins | TBD |
| Minnesota Vikings | TBD |
| New England Patriots | TBD |
| New Orleans Saints | TBD |
| New York Giants | TBD |
| New York Jets | Aaron Rodgers-QB (likely out for all preseason games) |
| Philadelphia Eagles | TBD |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Russell Wilson-QB |
| San Francisco 49ers | TBD |
| Seattle Seahawks | Geno Smith-QB (unlikely due to knee injury) |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | TBD |
| Tennessee Titans | TBD |
| Washington Commanders | TBD |
Teams Proceeding with Caution
While some teams will give their starters playing time in Week 1, others will opt to rest their key players. The Detroit Lions, for example, are expected to sit quarterback Jared Goff and other key starters in their preseason opener against the New York Giants.
Similarly, the Cleveland Browns will be without quarterback Deshaun Watson, who continues to recover from offseason shoulder surgery. Backup Jameis Winston will start in his place.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski on the decision to sit DeShaun Watson this weekend and whether he needs to see him play in a preseason game. #nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/gglKwBssvN
— Sara Walsh (@Sara_Walsh) August 7, 2024
The New York Jets are taking a cautious approach with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is unlikely to play in any of the team’s preseason games as he works his way back from last year’s Achilles injury. Veteran Tyrod Taylor is expected to start in Rodgers’ absence.
The Los Angeles Rams may be without reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Puka Nacua, who is listed as questionable with a knee injury suffered in training camp. The Rams will likely err on the side of caution with their young star receiver.
In Los Angeles, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is expected to see limited snaps in the preseason opener due to a plantar fascia injury. The team will be cautious with their franchise quarterback as he adapts to new coach Jim Harbaugh’s run-heavy offense.
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
As the NFL preseason kicks off with Week 1 action, fans are eager to see their favorite players back on the field and get a glimpse of what the upcoming season has in store. This week will feature a mix of seasoned veterans looking to fine-tune their skills and young up-and-coming players hoping to make a name for themselves.
One of the most exciting aspects of preseason football is seeing how players perform in live game situations. Coaches will be closely watching to see how players execute plays, handle pressure, and work together as a team. This is especially important for rookies and players fighting for a spot on the roster, as every snap counts in their quest to make the final cut.
On the sidelines, fans can expect to see a mix of familiar faces and new additions to the coaching staff. Head coaches will be making strategic decisions on play-calling and player rotations, while assistant coaches will be working with players to help them improve their skills and techniques. It’s also a chance for fans to see how well the team is gelling together and how they are adapting to any changes in coaching philosophy or personnel.
In addition to the players and coaches, fans can also expect to see some familiar faces in the broadcast booth. Commentators will be providing analysis and insight into the action on the field, giving viewers a deeper understanding of what is happening in the game. This can be especially helpful for fans who are new to the sport or looking to learn more about the intricacies of football.
Overall, NFL preseason Week 1 is an exciting time for fans to get back into the football spirit and see their favorite players in action. Whether you’re watching from the stands or from the comfort of your own home, there’s plenty to look forward to as teams gear up for the regular season ahead. So grab your jersey, settle in, and get ready for some football!