August in the NFL is essentially one extended dress rehearsal.
Sure, football is technically back, but little of it resembles the game that captures our hearts and puts us on the edge of our seats. We’re not watching Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts trade shot for shot in meaningless games — even if Mahomes is still prone to wizardry. We’re mostly taking in backups and guys fiercely fighting for jobs and roster spots in a fiercely cruel league.
That doesn’t mean nothing of consequence happens this month. If anything, if you know how to read the tea leaves, NFL exhibitions in August drop a lot of hints about what might come down the pipe for various squads. The preseason can still feature meaningful assessments as long as you know what you’re signing up for.
For example, it lets us see early looks at the famed successor to one of the greatest players in the sport’s history. In another city, we wonder more about a snakebitten organization potentially failing perhaps the most talented quarterbacks it’s ever rostered. Meanwhile, a top-tier franchise showed us why exhibitions actually do matter for sustained success.
Yes, even in August, we can start to see how these random puzzle pieces fit together. As it winds down, let’s dive in and take a look at a few essential takeaways from the 2023 NFL preseason.