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Week 2 of the 2025 NFL preseason continues with the Bills battling the Bears in Chicago tonight after the Saints rallied to tie the Jaguars in New Orleans.
Each Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough confirmed flashes of potential underneath heart because the Saints' quarterback battle continued. However Rattler might have separated himself late by main a 9-play, 82-yard landing drive within the recreation's remaining three minutes with the Saints trailing by eight. He then scrambled into the top zone for a profitable two-point conversion to ultimately drive a 17-17 tie.
Later tonight, all eyes will probably be on Caleb Williams because the No. 1 decide within the 2024 NFL Draft sees his first recreation motion within the Bears' revamped offensive system underneath new head coach Ben Johnson.
Because the Payments shifted into their first coaching camp practices at their dwelling base in Orchard Park, it was yet one more reminder that the 2025 common season is quickly approaching.
Remaining cuts are due in lower than two weeks on Aug. 26, and with their season opener simply over three weeks away, the wiggle room of time that the crew had to determine essential choices for the upcoming season is lowering by the day.
A type of essential choices was made this week. The James Cook dinner contract scenario that hovered over the Payments for greater than per week ended with an extension by way of 2029.
Now the only real focus for the Payments is about preparing for a run on the Tremendous Bowl, and determining the easiest way to make the 53-man roster go from each an on-field and cap perspective. As we’re getting nearer to cutdown day, the way in which issues have advanced throughout camp practices may need a official affect on what they do on the finish of their roster.
With two preseason video games to go, beneath are some issues to observe over the subsequent week-plus forward of ultimate cuts.
GO FURTHER
Traits at Payments coaching camp and the way they affect looming roster choices
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“Carl Williams was proper.”
I assumed these 4 phrases myself throughout Caleb Williams’ rookie season, however the quote is from Seth Wickersham, the longtime ESPN author and writer of a brand new e book “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback,” and it admits the plain: Caleb Williams’ father was completely appropriate to be nervous about his son ending up with the Chicago Bears.
The context of that quote was a part of a broader level he was making concerning the “quarterback dad,” who’s “form of a secondary character” in Wickersham’s engrossing have a look at our nation’s most prestigious, difficult career: NFL quarterback.
All of us noticed what occurred final season. It was each quarterback’s dad’s worst nightmare, and Carl noticed it coming.
Learn extra on Carl Williams' perspective beneath.
GO FURTHER
Was Caleb Williams’ dad proper to be nervous concerning the Bears? New e book suggests so
After one half, defensive finish Austin Booker is the league chief in sacks this preseason. He tallied three, together with 4 QB hits, together with a strip-sack that led to a landing.
Final preseason, Booker delivered 2.5 sacks, however that didn’t translate into regular-season manufacturing. He placed on eight kilos this offseason and mentioned he’s being extra constant this yr. On his strip sack, Booker used his size to his benefit.
“Hit an extended arm, he fell, and I saved speeding,” he mentioned. “He determined to not throw away, so I gave it one other two steps and reached out for the ball.”
Booker is competing with Dominique Robinson and Tanoh Kpassagnon for the No. 3 defensive finish function.
“He was an element for all the recreation. He was a menace. You actually feed off that,” Johnson mentioned. “… That’s clearly an enormous factor so far as ending drives, however the offense, who’s sitting on the sidelines, they see that, they usually really feel that, and that momentum carries over to the opposite aspect of the ball as nicely, that we glance to capitalize on. We’re all the time trying to decide one another up, and you may actually really feel his affect on the sport.”
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The primary preseason recreation is all the time an train in evaluating the crew’s preliminary ideas on its new items. It doesn’t get a lot totally different from 2024 to 2025 than what the Payments have on the line of defense. The Payments had particular pairings by place with none mixing and matching by way of the highest six at every place — all of whom have case to be on the crew in 2025. The defensive ends started with Gregory Rousseau (left DE) and Joey Bosa (proper DE), the subsequent pairing had Michael Hoecht (left DE) with A.J. Epenesa (proper DE), they usually have been adopted up by the youthful duo of Javon Solomon (principally left DE) and Landon Jackson (principally proper DE).
At defensive sort out, the Payments saved the plain beginning pair of Ed Oliver (three-technique) and DaQuan Jones (one-technique) collectively. The primary substitute pair within the recreation was Larry Ogunjobi (principally three-technique) with DeWayne Carter (principally one-technique), adopted by the rookie pairing of T.J. Sanders (principally three-technique) and Deone Walker (principally one-technique). The defensive finish rotation feels a bit extra set in stone than the defensive sort out one at this level, nevertheless it’s an intriguing leaping off level to the yr.
Cairo Santos enters the 2025 season needing three discipline objectives from 50 yards out or longer to move Robbie Gould for the franchise report in 50-plus-yard discipline objectives. He set the single-season mark final yr with eight.
Regardless of that, there’s lengthy been a query about whether or not Santos has a large enough leg. Regardless of the success from 50 yards out final season, his career-long within the common season is 55 yards. He infamously had a 46-yard kick blocked in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers final season.
“That was fairly sturdy,” Ben Johnson mentioned of Santo’s 57-yarder Sunday. “I used to be joking with him that we most likely didn’t even want that many yards. We might’ve kicked it from backed up the way in which he nailed that factor.”
As soon as the crew’s younger duo of defensive tackles lastly acquired into the sport, second-round decide T.J. Sanders and fourth-round decide Deone Walker every had their moments. Each of Walker’s nice reps got here as a pass-rusher when he confronted a one-on-one alternative. These are the reps the Payments like to see out of a younger participant, and it’s promising that they’ve somebody his measurement, 6-foot-7 and 331 kilos, that may be a plus move rusher. The massive query is whether or not he might turn into their long-term one-technique defensive sort out, taking up double groups, occupying area and releasing up his teammates on early downs. That’s the place Walker has practiced for a lot of the summer time. It’s price noting that his two nice reps got here from the three-technique spot. Considered one of them got here when he and Sanders made a job change proper earlier than the snap because of the offensive formation.
The good reps from Sanders have been extra widespread, albeit extra on the refined aspect, however you’ll be able to see the makings of what is usually a probably impactful participant as early as his first season. Sanders was profitable one-on-one pass-rushing reps throughout his time within the recreation. Nevertheless, his work in opposition to the run was extra spectacular. Regardless of being undersized (6-foot-4, 297 kilos) by NFL requirements, Sanders confirmed nicely in taking up a double crew, holding his floor and releasing up the run-defending lane for his second-level defenders to make a play. Exhibiting nicely on the soiled work, along with the flashy performs, will assist him earn a stable function as a rookie. Sanders has been on a sluggish ascent because the pads went on within the first week of coaching camp. The Payments may need one of their second-round decide.
Whereas the 4 beginning offensive linemen, high three receivers, tight finish and working again, in addition to QB Caleb Williams, all sat out, the Week 1 beginning left sort out did play Sunday. We simply don’t know who that will probably be but.
Braxton Jones acquired the beginning and performed a lot of the first half earlier than second-round rookie Ozzy Trapilo changed him for the ultimate two drives of the half. Trapilo then performed two collection within the third quarter earlier than Theo Benedet took over. Then Trapilo got here again late within the fourth quarter when Austin Reed got here in at quarterback.
On Bagent’s landing to Maurice Alexander, Jones surrendered a stress; Trapilo may need as nicely on his first snaps.
Case Keenum felt good having Trapilo defending his blind aspect within the second half.
“Generally, on the finish of preseason video games, there are guys who’ve been harm or pulled, and guys are enjoying totally different positions. However having Ozzy, I actually checked out him and was like, left aspect, it gave me sense. That’s feeling as a quarterback, when you could have a left sort out you’re feeling actually good about.”
Firstly of coaching camp, the Payments adopted by way of with cross-training fifth-round rookie Jordan Hancock at nickel and security, probably hoping to make him one other versatile defensive again they’ll gown for recreation day with confidence. Nevertheless, because the Payments have been coping with accidents to Cole Bishop and Taylor Rapp, Hancock has majored at security for a lot of the apply week. That included their first preseason recreation, wherein Hancock performed completely at security. Within the recreation, he confirmed precisely why a few of his pure abilities and instincts lend themselves to considering his final finest place may wind up being within the deep center because the free security.
Hancock’s read-and-anticipate abilities routinely put him in place in opposition to the Giants. Whether or not it was taking away a throwing window or charging down with confidence to make a sort out, Hancock’s debut was spectacular. Later within the recreation, Giants quarterback Jameis Winston airmailed a throw, and though it was a gimme of a catch for Hancock, he put himself in the correct place to make a play. The turnover was in the end nullified resulting from an offsides penalty on rookie defensive finish Landon Jackson, however Hancock’s skill to make the play when given the possibility was famous. Hancock nonetheless has lots of room to develop, however there are indicators of participant right here. Of the crew’s Day 3 (Rounds 4 to 7) choices in 2025, he has been essentially the most spectacular of the bunch. If he develops appropriately, there might even be some down-the-line beginning skill at free security, however he’s acquired an extended highway earlier than that enters the dialog.
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Again-to-back punts weren’t what anybody on the Bears’ sideline wished to see Sunday, however then Tyson Bagent acquired going, main a 9:33 landing drive — the Bears haven’t had a drive that lengthy within the common season since Week 1 of 2021.
“The one un-fun half was the beginning we had,” Bagent mentioned.
The second quarter was extra fruitful for Bagent. He completed 13-of-19 for 103 yards with a fourth-down landing move to Maurice Alexander, who high-pointed the ball at the back of the top zone and acquired each toes down.
Case Keenum took over after halftime and threw two landing passes, together with a fairly anticipation throw that dropped into the arms of undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker.
“I actually belief Jahdae within the quick time I’ve gotten to know him,” Keenum mentioned. “I assumed he performed rather well right this moment. He acquired a terrific launch off the road, and I’ve simply gotta give him an opportunity.”
Keenum, getting into his twelfth NFL season, was impressed with how Bagent managed a shaky begin to the sport.
“I actually preferred how he responded to not the beginning that we wished, whether or not it was a excessive move right here or getting backed up or safety challenge, no matter it was, there are lots of issues that go on in a soccer recreation,” Keenum mentioned. “… He responded. He stayed the course. He wasn’t freaking out. He simply stayed the course, and that was actually good.”
It’s solely preseason, after all, and the QBs’ success got here in opposition to backups, however Bagent and Keenum’s performances nonetheless needed to make Johnson really feel comfy concerning the guys behind starter Caleb Williams.
For the Payments to make progress on protection, they’re relying on two longtime beginning gamers within the NFL to push them ahead: defensive finish Joey Bosa and cornerback Tre’Davious White. They introduced Bosa to Buffalo to start out reverse Greg Rousseau and enhance their move rush within the playoffs. They introduced in White, not understanding if he’d be their starter, however resulting from rookie Maxwell Hairston’s multi-week knee damage, it actually looks as if he’ll start the common season as a starter. Each gamers obtained two defensive collection of their 2025 Payments debut, however Bosa had the way more profitable day.
Bosa put collectively some good rushes off the sting and offered stability as a run defender, whether or not it was in edge comprise or crashing right down to the center and making an attempt to sort out the runner from behind. Though Bosa isn’t the prototypical velocity rusher off the sting, his energy will present a high-quality baseline to assist the general assault. The larger query is about his sturdiness, and it gave the impression to be a constructive signal that Bosa took 13 of the crew’s first 17 snaps — penalties included.
White performed each snap of the primary two collection, nevertheless it was a little bit of a miss. The Giants focused him on beneath throws, with receivers getting separation. After a catch was made in entrance of White, the cornerback had some problem bringing down the ball provider to attenuate the achieve. Tackling has by no means been White’s sturdy go well with, nevertheless it was much less of a problem earlier in his profession when his protection abilities have been at their finest. It’s just one recreation, and White has had a powerful coaching camp. It’s one thing to observe over the subsequent few weeks forward of the common season to see if it turns into a development.
A day after Andy Dalton injured his throwing elbow in opposition to the Texans, the Panthers agreed to phrases with ex-Rams QB and reigning UFL MVP Bryce Perkins, a league supply tells The Athletic.
The top of the primary half offered Ben Johnson with a possibility to get some expertise managing the clock. With 1:57 left, Johnson used his first timeout on protection following a Dolphins first down. Miami scored on the following play, giving backup quarterback Tyson Bagent and the offense 1:40 to play with.
Bagent’s two-minute drill lasted seven performs and ended with an interception. Usually, the offense wouldn’t get the ball again, however the Dolphins ended up going four-and-out whereas utilizing solely 21 seconds. The Bears acquired the ball again at their very own 48-yard line with simply six seconds left on the clock.
Should you’re questioning how a lot will be achieved in six seconds, that’s how a lot time was on the clock when QB Jayden Daniels acquired the Washington Commanders 13 yards nearer to the top zone earlier than his Week 8 Hail Mary.
Bagent threw it to rookie receiver Luther Burden beneath, and the rookie acquired out of bounds with one second left, sufficient time for Cairo Santos to drill a 57-yard discipline objective.
Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler accomplished 18 of 24 passes for 199 yards and one landing with one interception for a 95.7 ranking.
Rattler led the important thing drive that ultimately tied the sport, a nine-play, 82-yard drive ending with a 20-yard landing move to Dante Pettis. Rattler additionally ran within the two-point conversion to tie the sport.
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OK, so that won’t have been the prettiest NFL contest you'll ever see, even by preseason requirements. No less than we acquired an thrilling end! Let's see what you needed to say:
John W: Saints report this yr 2-15.
Jeff B: It’s not a lock that Shough would be the starter.
Be happy to go over to the "Talk about" tab on the high of your webpage or app, or ship us an electronic mail at live@theathletic.com along with your ideas!
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In a Saints quarterback competitors that wanted some life right this moment, Spencer Rattler offered it. He bounced again from an interception and capped that final scoring drive off with a 20-yard landing move to Dante Pettis.
What was a morbid day for the Saints offense really ends on an honest observe.
Will it make a distinction on this battle with Tyler Shough? That continues to be to be seen. However the Saints wanted to place one thing constructive on tape.
