The 2026 NFL preseason football schedule kicks into full gear this week, with Preseason Week 1 beginning Thursday, Aug. 13, and running through Saturday, Aug. 15, according to NFL.com. The slate marks the first full week of live NFL action since January and gives all 32 teams a chance to sort out roster spots, position battles and coaching decisions before the regular season opens in September.
Thursday's games include the Detroit Lions at the Cincinnati Bengals, the Green Bay Packers at the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Indianapolis Colts at the New England Patriots, the Los Angeles Chargers at the Houston Texans, the Arizona Cardinals at the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Tennessee Titans at the San Francisco 49ers, per NFL.com. Friday's card features the Denver Broncos at the Atlanta Falcons, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the New York Jets, and the Miami Dolphins at the Washington Commanders. Saturday closes the week with the Carolina Panthers at the Buffalo Bills, the Cleveland Browns at the Chicago Bears, the Minnesota Vikings at the New York Giants, the Los Angeles Rams at the Kansas City Chiefs, the Jacksonville Jaguars at the New Orleans Saints, the Philadelphia Eagles at the Baltimore Ravens, and the Dallas Cowboys at the Seattle Seahawks. NFL.com noted that live preseason games are subject to local and other geographic blackouts, with most broadcasts available on NFL+.
While many teams will rest their veteran starters, several storylines carry real stakes. Chief among them is Cleveland's quarterback competition. NFL.com reported that head coach Todd Monken has not closed the door on any candidate, though NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport has indicated Deshaun Watson appears likely to win the job. In an editor's update, NFL.com confirmed the Browns announced Watson will start Saturday's game against Chicago, with Shedeur Sanders getting the start in the team's second preseason game. CBS Sports framed the stakes bluntly, noting Watson has struggled since arriving from Houston while Sanders, despite an unremarkable rookie season, injected hope into the franchise but must speed up his decision-making to be a viable starter.
Cleveland's quarterback battle is unfolding alongside a nearly complete rebuild of its offensive line. CBS Sports pointed out that the Browns are the only team since 1970 to lose all five of their starting offensive linemen in the same offseason, with Cam Robinson, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller and Jack Conklin all departing. First-round pick Spencer Fano is expected to start at left tackle alongside Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins, Teven Jenkins and Tytus Howard, an entirely new unit that will lean on preseason reps to build chemistry. The Browns' wide receiver group is similarly unsettled, with veteran Jerry Jeudy joined by rookies KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston and undrafted speedster Isaiah Bond all vying for roles, per CBS Sports.
Rookie quarterbacks will also be under the microscope. NFL.com highlighted Fernando Mendoza's preseason debut for the Raiders against Arizona on Thursday as a rematch of sorts with Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck, the two having faced off in last season's national championship game. Kirk Cousins is expected to start for Las Vegas in the regular season, but CBS Sports noted that if the Raiders won't give Mendoza early regular-season snaps, these preseason games are his only chance at live reps before he's eventually thrown into action. Beck, for his part, is looking to build on a strong Hall of Fame Game showing and pressure incumbent starter Jacoby Brissett. Meanwhile, Rams rookie Ty Simpson, the 13th overall pick out of Alabama, will get eyes on him against Kansas City on Saturday, though NFL.com noted it would take an injury to Matthew Stafford for Simpson to see meaningful regular-season snaps given he's currently running with the third-team offense behind Stetson Bennett IV.
Other subplots dot the schedule. NFL.com reported a potential behind-the-scenes tension in Pittsburgh, where Aaron Rodgers told The Athletic that head coach Mike McCarthy wants him to play in the preseason opener against Green Bay, even though Rodgers has said he sees no advantage to taking exhibition snaps. The Thursday matchup doubles as a reunion of sorts, pitting Rodgers and McCarthy against the Packers franchise where the pair won a Super Bowl before a contentious split. In Minnesota, NFL.com noted the Vikings could give J.J. McCarthy extended playing time against the Giants on Saturday, an opportunity for the former 10th overall pick to boost his trade value after Kevin O'Connell already named Kyler Murray the team's starter. Carson Wentz is reportedly waiting to become Murray's primary backup if Minnesota moves on from McCarthy.
Across the league, CBS Sports singled out several teams with particularly heavy stakes riding on August reps. In Miami, new quarterback Malik Willis is adjusting to a new Bobby Slowik offensive system without the established weapons he had in Green Bay, and the Dolphins' receiver room, thinned by the departures of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, remains wide open among Malik Washington, free-agent additions Jalen Tolbert and TuTu Atwell, and rookies Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman Jr. Miami's secondary is also banged up, with new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan's first-round cornerback pick, Chris Johnson, expected to start immediately after leading the FBS in lowest opposing passer rating last season, per CBS Sports. In Las Vegas, new head coach Klint Kubiak inherits a defense retooled around Maxx Crosby, new running mate Kwity Paye, linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, and rookie defensive backs Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson and Jermod McCoy.
In Washington, NFL.com reported the Commanders' offensive line will be tested immediately without five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who has departed, as the team hosts Miami following a joint practice on Wednesday ahead of Friday's preseason opener. As the preseason football schedule unfolds over the coming weeks, coaching staffs across the league will use the exhibition slate to settle depth charts, evaluate rookies and finalize the roster decisions that will shape the 2026 regular season.
