NFL Preseason Highlights Rookie Performances

The excitement of NFL preseason week 1 as teams showcase their talent.

News Summary

The NFL preseason kicked off with thrilling games, showcasing rookie talents like Cam Ward and Travis Hunter in their debuts. The Denver Broncos impressively defeated the San Francisco 49ers, while the Arizona Cardinals narrowly edged past the Kansas City Chiefs. Rookie kicker Cam Little made history with a 70-yard field goal, adding to the excitement. As teams refine their strategies, standout performances from rookie players provide a promising glimpse into the upcoming season.

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The 2025 NFL preseason commenced with excitement, showcasing the talents of top rookie players across multiple games. Noteworthy debuts from first-round draft picks Cam Ward and Travis Hunter highlighted the action as teams kicked off their preseason schedules over the weekend.

On Saturday, eight games were held, culminating a three-day stretch that began with three games on Thursday and continued with another three on Friday. Cam Ward, selected by the Tennessee Titans, made his highly anticipated debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, completing 5-of-8 passes for 67 yards. Meanwhile, Travis Hunter, drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, played dual roles in his first appearance, catching two passes for nine yards and contributing defensively as a cornerback against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Denver Broncos delivered an impressive performance, overcoming the San Francisco 49ers with a score of 30-9. The Broncos showcased their offensive strength as quarterback Sam Ehlinger connected with tight end Caden Prieskorn for a touchdown pass. Additionally, Emari Demercado’s 43-yard catch for a touchdown further sealed the Broncos’ victory, while rookie cornerback Darren Hall made a significant interception, contributing to the 49ers’ struggles.

In a closely contested match, the Arizona Cardinals edged past the Kansas City Chiefs 20-17, with kicker Chad Ryland sealing the victory with a 50-yard field goal in the final moments. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was effective, completing 7-of-8 passes for 96 yards, while Jacoby Brissett threw for two touchdowns during the game.

Across the league, the New York Jets triumphed over the Green Bay Packers, achieving a 30-10 win. Jets quarterback Justin Fields efficiently scored a touchdown during his lone drive, while the Packers experienced offensive difficulties, despite Amar Johnson’s 39-yard touchdown run.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also emerged victorious, defeating the Tennessee Titans 29-7. The Buccaneers’ quarterback Kyle Trask completed 12-of-16 passes for 129 yards, leading his team decisively against Tennessee.

Not to be overlooked, rookie kicker Cam Little from the Jacksonville Jaguars made headlines by successfully kicking a historic 70-yard field goal in their game against the Steelers, reflecting his promising potential as a standout player in the league.

The San Francisco 49ers had a challenging outing, experiencing instability at quarterback with three different players each throwing an interception. In related observations, J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings had a modest performance, throwing for just 30 yards. Meanwhile, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was inactive for the Dallas Cowboys as they squared off against the Los Angeles Rams.

This opening week of the preseason has laid the groundwork for what fans can expect in the upcoming NFL season, spotlighting the skilled performances of rookie players such as Jaxson Dart and Shedeur Sanders, who also made significant contributions to their teams in this initial phase of preseason play.

In additional news, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton suffered an elbow injury. However, coach Brian Schottenheimer indicated that Milton is expected to recover well, minimizing concerns about his long-term availability for the coming weeks.

As teams continue to fine-tune their rosters and strategies, the developments from this week’s games have offered fans a thrilling preview of the upcoming season, underscored by standout plays and emerging talents.