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Rookie QBs show promise in preseason
Ward Sanders and Dart spark early optimism but long-term impact remains uncertain.
A closer look at Week 1 performances by Ward, Sanders and Dart and what they signal for how rookies develop.
Rookie quarterbacks shine in NFL preseason yet long term impact remains unclear
In Week 1 of the 2025 NFL preseason, Cameron Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough held their own against backups and basic looks. The article notes Sanders’ solid decisions in Cleveland, Ward’s early connection with Calvin Ridley, and Dart’s touch on his deep throws, while Shough is in the QB1 mix in New Orleans. It also harks back to past rookies who shined early in Week 1, including Daniel Jones in 2019, Dorian Thompson-Robinson in 2023, Joe Milton in 2024 and Kenny Pickett in 2022, a reminder that small-sample results can be misleading. The piece treats the preseason as an unofficial start to the season rather than a verdict on anyone’s future.
The piece emphasizes that assessing rookie quarterbacks is a balancing act. It cites coaches and observers who say every snap matters because these reps expose how players handle high-pressure situations, two-minute drills and red-zone decisions. A league evaluator echoes the sentiment that August football is encouraging but not definitive, and the broader view from former front-office voices is consistent: live reps accelerate learning even if they don’t determine who starts in September. The piece ends by noting CJ Stroud’s rough debut but later success as a reminder that preseason chapters rarely reveal the full story.
Key Takeaways
"It all matters. It all matters because these are real live game reps where you can't predict where guys are going to be."
Carthon on the value of live reps in preseason
"This is a glorified practice, don't read too much into August football."
Carthon’s caution about reading early results
"There is no substitute for honing those skills in as close-to-game-like environments."
Spielman on development through realistic practice
"Preseason isn't a definitive indicator of success or failure; it's just one more piece in the puzzle."
Editorial closing note on preseason value
Preseason success should be read as a spark, not a verdict. The real test comes as defenses sharpen and faster, more complex game plans arrive. The emphasis on mental processing, play-calling decisions and the ability to run an offense under pressure matters more than a handful of hot throws. The exercise also highlights a trend: teams are more willing than ever to let young quarterbacks grow into a role through exposure rather than locking a starter immediately. In the end, the preseason is a prologue that should guide, not dictate, expectations for 2025 and beyond.
Looking ahead, the question is how these rooks translate their early poise into consistent performance. If Ward, Sanders, and Dart can sustain progress across practices, joint practices and multiple preseason games, they’ll build confidence in coaches and fans alike. If not, the same process of adaptation will force teams to reassess deeper questions about talent pipeline and development timelines. Either way, there is no shortcut to learning speed, reads, and rhythm under live fire.
Highlights
- It all matters because these are real live game reps where you can't predict where guys are going to be.
- This is a glorified practice, don't read too much into August football.
- There is no substitute for honing those skills in as close to game like environments.
- Preseason isn't a definitive indicator of success or failure; it's just one more piece in the puzzle.
The story of these rookies will be written in September and beyond, not in August alone.
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