NFL preseason action has started and many fans are beginning to evaluate their team’s new rookie additions. For the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and Washington Commanders, the quarterback position was addressed early in the draft process. All three NFL franchises selected a signal-caller who must come in right away and be productive on offense.

We will take a look at three quarterbacks and how each of them did in their preseason debut.

J.J. McCarthy

First up is former Michigan Wolverine quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The Minnesota Vikings selected the National Championship winning quarterback in the first round with pick number 10 and he had a solid first day as an NFL starting quarterback. McCarthy finished 11/17 for 188 passing yards, 18 rushing yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a come from behind 24-23 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

McCarthy displayed his arm strength with two deep passes for touchdowns and was poised in the pocket at times. When he had to escape, he utilzied his legs and got out of trouble very efficiently. Overall, the 21-year-old quarterback showed a lot of promise in his first preseason action.

Former NFL quarterback Kurt Benkert shared his thoughts about McCarthy on social media after his debut and was very positive in his assessment.

He looked really dialed in and like he has a great grasp with the offense already. Super accurate on third downs, which we knew he was coming out of college. I also loved his escapability on display and how well it translated in his first action. He also did a hell of a job pushing the ball down field with accuracy, which he was not asked to do a whole lot at Michigan. Great day and should have Vikings fans excited for the future.

Vikings fans should be excited to see the growth and development of McCarthy over the next several seasons as he learns under veteran Sam Darnold, who has been around the league for seven seasons.

Caleb Williams 

Drafted with the first overall selection this past year, Caleb Williams has been looked at as a generational type of talent. The former USC Trojans quarterback has all of the attributes to be a franchise quarterback for the Chicago Bears and took a nice step in his first NFL game.

Williams went 4/7 for 95 total passing yards and threw a 42-yard laser on the move in what would be considered an absolutely absurd throw by a quarterback. Williams’ throw was being compared to what Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes has done in the past, and that is always a positive if you are a Chicago Bears fan.

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III took to social media and shared his thoughts on Williams.

This throw by Caleb Williams is more difficult than it seems and shows why he is a special talent ABOVE AND BELOW HIS SHOULDERS. Great ballsmanship on the fake, pump fake freezes the defender and buys time, then throws a 40 YARD FROZEN ROPE without getting downhill to his target. pic.twitter.com/DL8MVojuPc

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 10, 2024

Many Bears fans also took to social media to discuss Williams and how he looked the part. Expect more of Williams this preseason as the Bears are on MAX’s football series Hard Knocks.

Jayden Daniels

While Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels only finished his first game with two completions for 45 yards and a rushing touchdown, the excitement is already brewing from fans and analysts.

ESPN posted an article titled: ‘QB Jayden Daniels impresses in preseason debut for Commanders’ in which author John Keim mentions just how productive the young athlete was in limited action.

Keim discussed how Daniels audibled out of a play that he didn’t like and how he threw an “absolute dime” according to head coach Dan Quinn. The fact that Daniels is already given the ability to audible out of plays and was successful in his first time doing so, means that the Commanders and their offensive staff think highly of the former LSU product.

Jayden Daniels first NFL completion: pic.twitter.com/wnswqmSb4j

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 10, 2024

After watching Daniels in his limited playing time, I fully expect him to be a very productive NFL caliber quarterback this season. The Commanders’ defense will look to improve with Quinn leading the charge and the offense will be leaps better than a season ago.

Final Thoughts: 

McCarthy, Williams, and Daniels proved that they belong in the NFL in only one short preseason game. While it is still early to evaluate and things could change rapidly, fans of these teams should be excited moving forward.