The NFL is approaching a critical milestone as Cut Day looms, with teams mandated to trim their active rosters from 90 to 53 players by next Tuesday. This period always brings a whirlwind of activity, rumors, and intense speculation about which players will make the cut or face the dreaded pink slip.
Amid this backdrop, two legendary quarterbacks, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, took center stage at Fanatics Fest to share their rankings of the top quarterbacks in the league. Unsurprisingly, both Brady and Manning crowned Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes as the elite quarterback in today's NFL. Their lists reflect an era dominated by young, dynamic quarterbacks who continue to redefine the position.
In addition to Mahomes, Brady and Manning showcased their mutual respect for Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow, Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson, and Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen by including them in their top five. Manning added Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert to his picks, while Brady chose to highlight veteran Aaron Rodgers, now leading the New York Jets.
Training camp and preseason games continue to provide clear indications of players' potential and readiness for the upcoming season. Buffalo Bills' defensive end Greg Rousseau turned heads by making 2.5 sacks over just 11 snaps in a preseason clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Similarly, Kansas City receiver Xavier Worthy demonstrated his reliability by catching three of six targets for 62 yards and a touchdown against the Detroit Lions.
Not every quarterback fared as well. New York Giants' Daniel Jones struggled against the Houston Texans, completing 11 of 18 passes for 138 yards but throwing two interceptions. San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy also faced a tough outing against the New Orleans Saints, completing only two of six passes for 11 yards while suffering a sack. In Washington, Jayden Daniels played for the Commanders in a 13-6 loss to the Miami Dolphins and was named the team's starting quarterback despite the tough game.
Other notable performances include Malik Nabers making significant receptions for the Giants in their game against the Texans and Dallas Turner's limited productivity in 13 snaps for the Minnesota Vikings in their win over the Cleveland Browns.
In a significant move, Matthew Judon opted for a trade to the Atlanta Falcons over the Chicago Bears. This decision could have vast implications for the Falcons' defensive strategies and overall performance in the upcoming season.
In injury news, Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert returned to practice after dealing with plantar fascia in his right foot since July 31. Herbert's return could prove pivotal for the Chargers as they aim for a strong start to the season.
Off the field, Geno Smith secured his future with the Seattle Seahawks by signing a three-year, $75 million extension, including $40 million in guaranteed money. This deal reflects the franchise's commitment to Smith and their belief in his capabilities to lead the team effectively.
On the betting front, predictions are rolling in for the MVP race. Will Brinson has put his chips on Buffalo's Josh Allen as his MVP bet, with +850 odds. Brinson also sees Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford as a mid-tier MVP contender with 30-to-1 odds.
In a candid moment reflecting the intense scrutiny faced by professional athletes, Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa shared, “To put it in the simplest terms, if you woke up every morning and I told you that you suck at what you did, that you don't belong doing what you do, that you shouldn't be here, that this guy should be here, that you haven't earned this.” Tagovailoa elaborated, “You hear it and you hear it — regardless of what is, the good or the bad — and you hear it more and more and you start to actually believe that... it's basically been two years of training that out.”
Kevin O'Connell added a different perspective, refusing to comment on another team's issues but emphasizing, “I don't particularly have a comment on something that took place with another team or I don't like to comment on comments of other players on other teams, but I can just tell you I know that the players Flo works with, he's got great relationships here.”
As Cut Day nears, the landscape of the NFL continues to shift unpredictably. From seasoned veterans securing their legacies to fresh talent striving to make their mark, every decision made in the coming days will shape the trajectory of the entire season.