NFL Preseason 2024: Biggest Takeaways from Week 2 Games

The NFL preseason rolled into Week 2 as rosters continue to take shape across the league.

Some franchises are making moves in hopes of improving, like the Atlanta Falcons, who traded for outside linebacker Matthew Judon and signed free safety Justin Simmons this week. Others are simply trying to survive the war of attrition as injuries mount.

The second week of preseason is fascinating, because multiple franchises undertook intersquad scrimmages during the practice week. Coaches will argue those practices are far more important than an exhibition game. But those contests are still played.

“All week we’ve been talking about, ‘This game doesn’t count,'” New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters prior to the start of preseason, “‘but it does matter.'”

While the play of several high-profile rookies remains the focus, many veterans are also vying for their roster spot ahead of the regular season.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ new-look front five appears to have stabilized as the squad heads toward the third week of preseason.

The Eagles fell apart over the second half of the 2023 campaign, which led to a first-round playoff embarrassment at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During that contest, the Bucs sacked Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts three times and hit him on six more occasions. The run game also averaged a paltry 2.8 yards per carry.

Anytime those stats come to light, the offensive line needs to be questioned, even a line that’s been traditionally great, like the Eagles’ version.

On top of a bad ending to the campaign, future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce retired.

A transition occurred, starting with right guard Cam Jurgens, who moved back to his natural position of center. Right guard, meanwhile, remained wide open as training camp started. Well, the competition appears closed.

The biggest (literally and figuratively) revelation coming out of the Eagles’ second preseason contest was someone who didn’t even play.

Tyler Steen entered camp as the favorite to claim the right guard spot. Instead, Mekhi Becton worked every day to the point where the job appears to be his, because he didn’t even dress during Thursday’s contest.

Steen did, though. Unfortunately, he reaggravated an ankle injury during the game and didn’t return.

With the 6’7″, 363-pound Becton now inserted, the Eagles are prepared to bulldoze some opponents, with Lane Johnson at right tackle, and a left side of Jordan Mailata and Landon Dickerson, who are 6’8″, 365 and 6’6″, 322, respectively.

Once again, Jeff Stoutland’s unit has the potential to take over games and physically dominate opponents.

When discussing the New England Patriots’ current quarterback setup, it’s best to quote the incomparable Chris Berman, “Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick.”

Drake Maye becoming the starter is only a matter of time, and his time may come much sooner than expected.

From the moment of his selection with this year’s third overall pick, head coach Jerod Mayo set expectations.

“We’re not sitting here saying Drake is our starting quarterback,” Mayo said in April. “He understands that. He understands the things he has to get better at. And with coaching and hard work and the coaches we have, the support system from ownership, I think he has the chance to go out there and really play at a high level.”

Maye wanted to compete immediately, but the rookie struggled at the start of training camp, whereas Jacoby Brissett is a proven veteran. As such, the organization positioned Brissett to be its QB1 throughout the offseason process and training camp.

However, the Patriots offense isn’t going anywhere fast. Brissett and Co. did not look crisp Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Brissett completed three of seven passes, with a late and inaccurate throw into the end zone that led to an interception.

Conversely, Maye looked like a playmaker who could move the chains with his feet and institute a quick-strike, downfield passing attack (had fellow rookie Javon Baker caught a perfectly placed deep pass). The first-year signal-caller’s four-yard score off a zone read proved to be the only touchdown through three quarters of play.