With a dramatic 33-30 walk-off victory by the Carolina Panthers over the Arizona Cardinals, the NFL preseason officially got underway on August 6 during the Hall of Fame Game. Now, the first complete slate of NFL games is upon us, featuring 16 matchups scheduled for Week 1 of the 2026 exhibition season.
Even though these exhibition matchups have no bearing on the regular-season standings, they serve as a vital window for coaching staffs and supporters to preview the squad’s potential when the games matter. This period features ongoing battles for the starting quarterback role, draft picks taking their initial professional snaps, and established players attempting to demonstrate their enduring value.
Following a highly active offseason marked by fresh coaching appointments and high-profile trades, these matchups allow franchises to begin shaping their core identity, eliminate offseason rust, and develop chemistry among new teammates.
Below is a compelling storyline to follow for every matchup scheduled this Friday and Saturday:
Dolphins vs. Commanders
- Friday, August 14 at 7:00 PM Eastern
Washington’s offensive front has turned into a primary area of anxiety following a practice injury to Laremy Tunsil’s biceps, which is set to sideline him for a major portion of the year. Management has indicated they do not intend to sign an external replacement at left tackle, meaning internal options must rise to the challenge. Brandon Coleman is a prime candidate to claim the vacant position, making him a critical player to monitor as the regular season draws near.
Broncos vs. Falcons
- Friday, August 14 at 7:00 PM Eastern
Newly appointed Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski has yet to name his starting signal-caller for the 2026 campaign, as Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. remain locked in competition. Having been designated the starter for the week, Tagovailoa is set to make his first appearance in a Falcons uniform this Friday.
While Tagovailoa handles the full team drills during practice, Penix—currently recovering from a torn ACL—has been restricted to 7-on-7 drills. Given that Penix has not yet been fully cleared for game action, Tagovailoa’s starting nod was expected, though it does not guarantee he will secure the top spot for the regular season opener.
Buccaneers vs. Jets
- Friday, August 14 at 7:00 PM Eastern
Geno Smith returns to New York for his second tenure with the franchise, having previously suited up for the Jets between 2013 and 2016. Head coach Aaron Glenn, now in his second year, confirmed that the starting lineup will get playing time, which means Smith will take snaps as the Jets’ signal-caller for the first time in ten years. Freshly appointed offensive coordinator Frank Reich, part of a heavily overhauled staff, faces the task of revitalizing an offensive unit that has struggled to find success in recent seasons.
Integrating a new quarterback and a fresh play-caller typically involves some initial hurdles, and this opening exhibition game should offer a glimpse into how the team is adapting to these changes.
Browns vs. Bears
- Saturday, August 15 at 1:00 PM Eastern
Cleveland’s starting quarterback role remains undecided, with Deshaun Watson and rookie Shedeur Sanders locked in a battle for the position. Training camp has been rough for both players, with issues regarding penalties and turnovers dampening initial enthusiasm for either candidate.
Following a combination of suspensions and injuries, Watson has not taken the field in nearly two years, and his previous performances did not conclusively solve Cleveland’s long-standing issues at the position. Sanders, meanwhile, enters with far less experience and is coming off a significant draft-day slide, slipping all the way to the fifth round despite early projections placing him in the first. Though Watson holds the upper hand for now, these preseason outings will heavily influence the coaching staff’s ultimate decision.
Panthers vs. Bills
- Saturday, August 15 at 1:00 PM Eastern
Jonathon Brooks is set to step back onto the field for the first time since suffering his second ACL tear in 2024. The young running back’s professional career has been restricted to a mere three games, during which he logged just 22 yards on nine rushing attempts. Selected in the second round, Brooks possesses immense promise, and while his practice performance has been encouraging, testing his knee in live-game action presents an entirely different challenge.
Vikings vs. Giants
- Saturday, August 15 at 1:00 PM Eastern
Minnesota has wrapped up its quarterback battle by naming Kyler Murray the starter. J.J. McCarthy, chosen tenth overall in the 2024 draft, yielded the position after previously holding the starting role prior to the 2025 campaign. McCarthy’s progress was derailed last year by a trio of setbacks—including a high-ankle sprain, a concussion, and a hairline fracture in his throwing hand—which sidelined him for a total of six contests.
These upcoming exhibition matches, starting with this weekend’s contest, will serve as an initial gauge of how the 23-year-old adapts to his new role on the depth chart.
Rams vs. Chiefs
- Saturday, August 15 at 4:00 PM Eastern
With Patrick Mahomes still rehabbing from the torn ACL and LCL he sustained last season, he will watch from the sidelines when Kansas City takes on Los Angeles. Former eleventh overall selection Justin Fields is scheduled to play, with Garrett Nussmeier also expected to get snaps. On the other side, the Rams are slated to hold out their primary starters, giving rookie first-round selection Ty Simpson his first opportunity to run an NFL offense against live opposition.
Both franchises harbor deep postseason ambitions, making the performance of their reserve quarterbacks and the defensive units’ ability to adjust to them a key dynamic to monitor.
Jaguars vs. Saints
- Saturday, August 15 at 4:00 PM Eastern
Since both New Orleans and Jacksonville are likely to rest their main starters, this game provides an excellent showcase for their highly anticipated incoming rookie classes. Additionally, it offers an extended opportunity for Spencer Rattler to gain valuable reps, with Saints starter Tyler Shough sitting out. A strong showing here could significantly boost Rattler’s profile as he pursues his goal of eventually earning a starting role in the NFL.
Eagles vs. Ravens
- Saturday, August 15 at 7:00 PM Eastern
Baltimore enters the 2026 season under new leadership on the sideline. Jesse Minter is set to make his head coaching debut with the franchise this Saturday, representing the first time in nearly two decades that anyone other than John Harbaugh has guided the team. Observers will get answers regarding Minter’s strategic approach, including how long he keeps starters on the field and his overall aggressiveness during exhibition play. This is part of a broader shift in the Ravens’ coaching room, which also features Declan Doyle stepping into play-calling duties.
Cowboys vs. Seahawks
- Saturday, August 15 at 8:00 PM Eastern
The reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks carry immense expectations into the 2026 campaign. This matchup offers the first true look at how Seattle will navigate their offseason roster turnover, which most notably includes the departure of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III.
Another compelling storyline in this matchup is Dallas’s backup quarterback position, where former Seattle signal-caller Sam Howell and Joe Milton III are locked in a highly competitive battle to secure the primary backup spot.
