The first week of the NFL preseason is officially here. We got a small taste of the action last week with the Hall of Fame Game, but this week, things will be kicking into warp drive with 16 games going down between Thursday and Saturday.
When it comes to the preseason, you never know what you're going to see on the field. Some coaches will keep their starters on the bench, but that strategy isn't for everyone. There are also plenty of coaches who like to see their starters get some action in the preseason.
With that in mind, we're going to start off this winners and losers list by naming every coach who plays their starters a winner. Thanks for adding some excitement to the preseason.
And now, let's get to our full winners and losers list for Week 1 of the preseason.
Courtland Sutton set the tone Friday evening, and apparently, the word got around: Let's make some highlights. Sutton "Mossed" Falcons defensive back Mike Hughes on the opening possession and made a ridiculous one-handed snag on the next drive. Overall, he finished with three catches for 60 yards in very limited action.
Courtland Sutton doing Courtland Sutton things in the 1st quarter 🔥Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/iIDAcg6WOv
Sutton's size, strength and contested-catch ability are going to be great complements to trade acquisition Jaylen Waddle, whose game is more based on speed, verticality and yards after the catch. Bo Nix (who, like Waddle, didn't play Friday night) is going to love having both on the field together.
Sutton's catch was awesome, but let's also shout out Dolphins rookie Caleb Douglas, who is making waves in training camp …
Caleb Douglas oh my 😮MIAvsWASStream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/21vkGuMeTb
What a catch by Garrett Wilson!TBvsNYJ on @nflnetworkStream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/nULmGf71tf
With Aaron Rodgers set to retire at the end of the 2026 season, the Steelers need to find their quarterback of the future and they might have already done that. The team drafted former Penn State QB Drew Allar in the third round back in April and he was a one-man highlight show during the Steelers' 28-9 win over the Packers on Thursday night. Allar didn't get in the game until the second half, but once he was on the field, he absolutely took over: He finished 10 of 13 for 153 yards and three total touchdowns.
Drew Allar SHINES in His Steelers Preseason Debut vs. Green Bay 🔥10/13, 153 PYDS, 2 PTD, 1 Rushing TD pic.twitter.com/j3Zmx8dsUV
Oh, and Friday, the Steelers and Keeanu Benton agreed to a four-year, $72 million extension, per ESPN. It's another nice find for Khan: Benton was the 49th overall pick in 2023.
The rookie kicker has struggled at times during training camp, but he seems to have put those struggles behind him. Smack 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 and that includes hitting a 58-yarder just before halftime.
Trey Smack went from a problem to a solution tonight! #gopackgo pic.twitter.com/B8ibXAPFzv
