For most football fans, the pre-season is a time of praying for no injuries. For others, it's a first look at new acquisitions and rookies.
For all, it's a chance to analyze performances and see how teams are looking a month before the regular season kicks off.
About 179 days have passed between the Super Bowl and the first bit of football back on our screens, and now everyone is back in the swing of things and ready for more.
But before we look ahead, let's look back at what we learned from Week 1 of the NFL pre-season:
The Cleveland Browns' quarterback battle is, well, interesting to say the least.
By simply watching Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, it's hard to envision any other team earning the top pick in the 2027 draft.
All three QBs failed to stand out in a positive way during Saturday's loss to the Bears, but Watson might have a slight edge over the other two.
Watson completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards — 43 of which came on a screen pass — and a 98.2 passer rating. He was also stripped on a fourth down.
"It was awesome," head coach Todd Monken said of Watson after the game. "… He was having fun today, and that is so cool. And I thought he really functioned at a high level."
Sanders, a Pro Bowler last year, went 6-of-11 for 79 yards and an interception, while Gabriel, a third-rounder last season, completed five passes for 23 yards and also tossed a pick.
After Carson Beck impressed with a solid debut in the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 6, the rest of the top QBs selected in the 2026 draft came out flying.
First-rounders Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson, as well as third-rounder Drew Allar, all looked the part in their pro debuts.
Let's start with Mendoza. The first overall selection was under centre for the Raiders on four drives and completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and one touchdown.
Those aren't eye-popping numbers, but he commanded the huddle well and made some difficult throws. Head coach Klint Kubiak liked what he saw, too.
"I saw the same guy we've seen at practice. I see an ascending player," Kubiak said after the game on Thursday. "We just got to keep getting better."
