We’re on to Week 3 of the NFL season,and league insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano are analyzing the latest updates and popular rumors.
There is much to discuss afterWeek 2. What shouldthe Bengals do followingJoe Burrow’s turf toe injury, and what willThey do? How is everything going with theAaron Rodgers-Steelers collaboration for two weeks? Which quarterbacks in the league are at highest risk of being replaced?
Jeremy and Dan placed several calls throughout the league to gather the most recent updates on those scenarios. They also recognized early-season assumptions that they are already modifying after two weeks of action. Everything is covered here, as Dan and Jeremy address major questions and share all their reporting insights as they head into Week 3.
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Bengals’ QB plans | Early Rodgers returns
Early-season surprises | QB’s in the spotlight
More thoughts on Week 3
What comes next for the Bengals withJoe BurrowOut? What are you picking up from Cincinnati?
Graziano: The Bengals believe in Jake Browninghis ability to manage their offense and secure victories. They reference the efforts he put in during the latter part of the 2023 season when Burrow was injured.wrist injuryThey had a 4-3 record in games Browning started, and he is now in his fifth season within the organization, understands the offense thoroughly, and has more experience than he did previously.
If Browning struggles and the Bengals are losing, might they look into other possibilities? (They signed)Mike White and Sean Clifford to their practice squadthis week.) However, they believe they have one of the best, if not the best,the best, backup quarterback situationsin the league. No one wants to find out for sure, but that’s where the Bengals currently stand. If they manage to win just one of their next four games — against Minnesota, against Denver, at home versus Detroit, and against Green Bay — they will finish their most challenging part of the season with a 3-3 record and be in a position to fight for a division title and playoff berth with the solid team they have surrounding Browning. If they can achieve a 2-2 record or better, they’ll be feeling great.
Fowler:Browning has gained significant respect within the Bengals’ organization due to his self-assurance, skill in managing the offense, and the strong connections he has built with the team’s offensive players. He is recognized for his intense preparation and thorough understanding of the game strategy as well as the defensive tactics of opponents.
Is that sufficient to counterbalance theloss of BurrowCertainly not. However, there is a sense that if Browning and the Bengals can manage for a few months, they might be able to have Burrow return for a late-season effort. Bengals sources continue to express hope that Burrow could be back by mid-December. They recognize that this isn’t guaranteed, but it’s still a possibility.
Additionally, the Bengals believe that fortune could be favoring them more this season compared to last year, when they suffered losses in every possible manner. The31-27 winover Jacksonville on Sunday was a great example — making a red zone stop and then moving 92 yards for a victory wasn’t something that happened often in the 2024 playbook. How do you feel about the Bengals as a team overall, Dan?
Graziano:Sure, they’re 2-0 and fortunate to be in this position. However, this is much better than their typical September performance, which usually starts with an unfortunate 0-2. It gives them a chance. Let’s assume Burrow misses 12 games (this is an optimistic outlook, as I understand it), and the Bengals manage a 6-6 record in those games. That would put them at 8-6, with Burrow returning for a playoff run. If they then win their final three games, they’d reach 11-6 and make the playoffs? Who would want to face them?
This might all be just imagination, of course. Burrow may not be able to return before the end of the regular season, and even if he does, he’s likely to be restricted. This situation also depends on Browning performing well for almost double the time he played in 2023, along with Cincinnati’s defense exceeding expectations significantly. If this doesn’t happen, or if Burrow is out for the rest of the season, then the discussion would shift to a quarterback who has suffered a season-ending injury in three of his six seasons, and what— if anything— can be done to address this trend going forward.
Fowler:How Cincinnati has safeguarded Burrow — or hasn’t — is a legitimate topic of conversation. The fact that many in the media are drawing parallels between Burrow’s time with the team and Andrew Luck’s in Indianapolis should be concerning for Cincinnati, which likely hasn’t provided sufficient support for the offensive line. Although quarterback injuries are common in the NFL, teams that allocate free agent funds and multiple high draft picks to the offensive line usually don’t look back with regret. Cincinnati’s two instances of this approach are left tackleOrlando Brown Jr. (a marquee free agency signingin 2023) and starting tackleAmarius Mims(a first-round selection in 2024). Both of these decisions have proven successful. Within the team, Cincinnati depends on a middle-round rookie.Dylan Fairchild, 32-year-old center Ted Karras and journeyman free agent Dalton Risner. That’s not enough.
It’s important to mention that Cincinnati’s contract setup — which doesn’t ensure additional funds beyond the first year of a deal unless your name is Burrow orJa’Marr Chase– could remove them from contention for top free-agent linemen seeking two- or three-year contracts. And indeed, a significant part of this ongoing problem is Burrow’s tendency to stay in the pocket and wait for routes to unfold. He absorbs the hits — and the physical toll that comes with them. However, investing more resources into the players protecting him will never be a bad decision.
What are individuals throughout the league expressing aboutAaron Rodgers’ first two games in Pittsburgh?
Fowler:Early results are quite positive. His arm strength — something that has never been a problem — has remained strong. He is also moving around a bit more than he did last year with the Jets. He is no longer a top-tier athlete, but he is still capable enough to get out of the pocket and control the game. However, as many have noted, the bigger concern is whether Rodgers’ body can endure for 17 games.
It was the game against Minnesota in London [inWeek 5″that marked approximately six to eight weeks of nearly complete immobility due to an injury,” said an AFC scout regarding Rodgers’ final season with the Jets. “He was hindered and it was evident. But just being a year removed [fromthe Achilles tear], he appears somewhat more confident and less uncertain than a year ago.”
Rodgers will encounter some strong pass rushers soon, specifically from the Vikings (Sept. 28) and the Packers (Oct. 26). What do you anticipate from a Rodgers-led Steelers offense?
Graziano:I personally believe there’s a limit. Individuals can feel as motivated as they want, but after two weeks, he’s ranked 23rd.in QBR, which is quite near to where he stood last season (25th). I believe he remains the same at 41 years old.
Certainly, he is still capable of throwing, but I believe he will only succeed if the environment around him is perfect, and currently, it isn’t. In essence, this offense has the potential to be strong, but I remain uncertain about its ability to truly excel.great, which leads me to my bigger worry about the Steelers: How poor the defense ishas examined two games.
The Rodgers experiment will only succeed if he has the support of the Steelers’ traditionally powerful defense and special teams, but those areas have been very underwhelming so far. We typically assume the Steelers will be strong on defense, but what if this is the season they aren’t? It’s one of the oldest, if notthe oldest, defenses in the league, and it’s possible what we’ve seen so far is more of a negative indicator than a poor beginning.
Fowler:The ages of several important defensive players were difficult to overlook during the preseason and are even more noticeable now. Defensive tackleCameron Heyward is 36. Cornerback Darius Slay is 34. Edge rusher T.J. Watt and cornerback Jalen RamseyI’ll turn 31 next month. Although I don’t question if these veteran stars can still perform, depending heavily on four players over 30 on one side of the field is a challenge.
The upcoming month’s schedule is doable — facing the Patriots away, the Vikings and Browns at home, and the Bengals away. Those three teams are currently dealing with quarterback problems. If Pittsburgh’s defensive line doesn’t improve against these four teams, it will struggle significantly against the Packers and Colts after their Week 7 break.
Graziano:Agreed. This entire situation has felt more unstable than usual since the offseason, which was unusual for the Steelers. They made numerous changes to their roster in several important areas, and depending on a 41-year-old quarterback is clearly a big gamble. I have faith in Mike Tomlin’s ability to lead his team through a season and maximize its potential. How could you not, considering his history? However, we need to see some positive developments soon. So far, the worries I had about this team during the offseason seem valid. They’re a 60-yardChris Boswellfield goal away from going 0-2
What is one thing you have reconsidered since the beginning of the season?
Graziano:I may have not fully recognized the Falcons’ defense. Atlanta is depending on new players.in four key spots, but all four are performing well and appeared excellent in confusionJ.J. McCarthy on Sundaynight. During my visit to their training camp at the end of July, I spoke with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who was enthusiastic about the new system they were implementing. He mentioned, “I wouldn’t want to face us during the initial weeks of the season.”
They were correct in theWeek 1 gamefought against Tampa Bay until the final moment and defeated Minnesota in Week 2. Perhaps the rookie edge rusher duo ofJalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., assisted by the experienced guidance ofLeonard Floyd, is significantly better than the pass rushes of recent Falcons teams. And I know they’re excited about the rookie defensive backsBilly Bowman Jr. and Xavier Watts. Can they maintain this throughout the season and have a genuine chance at the playoffs?
FowlerI believed the Chiefs’ offense would be okay, and a part of me still thinks that. However, the worries are increasing. The Chiefs think the passing game will be significantly improved whenRashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Hollywood BrownThey are utilizing their three-receiver formations. Nevertheless, we have seen several years of average offensive performance — Kansas City has not been genuinely elite on offense since 2022.
The rushing game is not effective.Patrick Mahomes and Travis KelceStill haven’t discovered the chemistry that has sustained them throughout most of the last ten years. Mahomes definitely needs additional support. He’s attempting to make it work, throwing more than he should so early in the season. He’s at his peak, performed well during training camp, and could potentially lead this offense over an entire season. Maybe the Chiefs are gaining time and can improve later, but it’s getting harder to believe in that possibility.
Graziano:I have the feeling that the Chiefs are annoyed by the constant issue of their wide receiver group being weakened each year due to injuries and other problems. However, they believe things will get better once Worthy is involved.is back and Rice comes off his suspension. I believe that will improve the running game as well. And they should really be able to start right away on Sunday.against the GiantsIt’s still premature to abandon Andy Reid and Mahomes, but the worries are valid.
I also didn’t expect the Dolphins to be as poor as many believed, and my positive outlook has been hard to justify. They’re 0-2 and have performed poorly in both games, making it tough to see them improving against Buffalo.on ThursdayThe Dolphins put in significant effort during the off-season to change their team’s culture, but the performance on the field has been difficult to watch. They must implement improvements quickly.
Fowler:I started the season with some worries about Miami, considering they replaced several important players with more budget-friendly alternatives. It seems like a small-scale rebuild. However, the offense has consistently been effective, particularly with its passing game led by the quarterback.Tua Tagovailoa along with receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Some within the league question whether defenses havecaught upwith Mike McDaniel’s offensive strategy. Thursday will serve as another evaluation of it.
I’ve also shifted my perspective on the quarterback.Spencer Rattlerand the Saints’ offense. I expected the performance to be worse than it has been, considering the changing nature of New Orleans’ team and Rattler’s history as a fifth-round draft pick in 2024. However, Rattler has performed well, and I heard repeatedly last season that New Orleans’ previous coaching staff was convinced of his potential, attributing many of his past difficulties to a very limited roster. Still, New Orleans appears to be functioning effectively despite its 0-2 start. Kellen Moore is one of the more promising offensive coordinators in the league, and that is evident so far.
Which signal-caller is at the highest risk of being replaced?
Fowler: Cleveland’s situation bears monitoring. Joe Flaccois secure for the time being, but similar to many starting quarterbacks defending their position against a rookie substitute, the only way to maintain the role is by securing a couple of victories. That was the situation withJacoby Brissett eventually losing the job to Drake Mayein New England last season, although that scenario was different due to Maye being the No. 3 overall selection. However, that overall idea still holds.
Otherwise, teams turn to the younger player, believing that the athlete can energize the offense or offer promise for the future. Flacco has kept his arm strength and can still make some movement. He was very sharp inWeek 1. But Dillon GabrielHis mobility is an advantage if or when Cleveland relies on him.
Graziano:Flacco is likely the correct choice here, for all the reasons you mentioned. The Giants’Russell Wilson probably held off the Jaxson Dartgossip for at least a week or two with him450-yard performancein Dallas, but Wilson has a first-round selection waiting behind him that everyone is aware will eventually take over. It’s simply a matter of when. The GiantsDon’t want to hurry DartHowever, as you mentioned in the Cleveland example, it’s challenging to keep the player on the bench when the team isn’t winning.
Fowler:Sure, we really focused on the Giants’ quarterback prospects.last week; it’s worth seeing. Otherwise, the NFL’s quarterback situation is pretty straightforward, so I’ll mention two NFC North wild card teams.
What if the Bears’ Caleb WilliamsIsn’t able to establish himself in Ben Johnson’s timing-and-rhythm passing system by, for example, Week 10? I believe Williams displayed encouraging signs in Sunday’s game.loss in Detroit. However, the sentiment emerging from Bears camp was that, although Williams possessed extraordinary talent, the offense felt slightly more refined withTyson BagentManaging the huddle. Is Johnson open to waiting this time? I believe he is. And Williams’ incredible talent is something worth taking a chance on. However, these coaches face pressure to achieve results—there are no more three-year grace periods—and Johnson didn’t select Williams. Just brainstorming aloud.
In Minnesota, what happens if Carson Wentzwill ignite over the next few weeks and revitalize Minnesota’s offense? Does that then serve as a short-term reset for J.J. McCarthy after he comes back from hishigh ankle sprain, even if just for a few games? Based on the Vikings’ statement regarding their faith in McCarthy, such an action would be unexpected. However, apart fromthe final quarter in Chicago, McCarthy’s play has been troubling.
Graziano:Gee, if the Vikings decided to move on from McCarthy, they’d essentially be admitting that all the talk about their confidence in him this off-season was just a trick. I believe the Vikings truly think he’s at a point in his growth where he needs to play, and I anticipate him regaining the position once he’s back to full health.
But you raise a valid point. If Wentz gets them singing along, it would be worth considering if they would remain loyal to him. This is a team that secured 14 victories last season and is aware of its potential to reach the playoffs. The Vikings aim for this to be an important growth year for McCarthy, but they also desire to win games.
What other things are you noticing this week?
Graziano’s notes:
• The defensive performance of the Cowboys afterMicah Parsonsis an ongoing effort, but the group remains optimistic that support is coming. Thesigning of veteran edge rusher Jadeveon Clowneyshould assist in strengthening the front line while Dallas waits for health enhancements on the backend.DaRon BlandHis absence is not anticipated to be permanent, andTrevon Diggsshould keep settling in and playing more snaps as he continues his recovery from the injury. Dallas also believes the third-round rookieShavon Revel Jr. — who started the season on the non-football injury list while recovering from a knee injury he sustained in college last year — will be a significant asset once he returns to the lineup in Week 5. The Cowboys also anticipate getting linebackerDeMarvion Overshown back from his knee injuryat a time during October or November.
The Cowboys are adopting a new defensive strategy led by coordinator Matt Eberflus, and it has faced criticism from some afterRussell Wilson and Malik NabersBrought their zone defense to life on Sundaythriller. However, they indicateWeek 1, when they held Saquon Barkleyto 60 rushing yards and the Eagles’ top two wide receivers to 24 yards in total, serving as a positive indication that Sunday’s performance wasn’t reflective of their usual play this season.
• The Buccaneers have begun the season with a 2-0 record despite having a makeshift offensive line thathasn’t had left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) and lost right tackle Luke Goedeke (foot) in Monday night’s game. They have played the starting center from last season,Graham Barton, at left tackle for the first two games and were planning to continue doing so until Wirfs returns, but another adjustment could happen if Goedeke has to sit out (as Jeremy)reportedhe will). Tampa Bay is running short on players on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Defensive tackleCalijah Kancey (torn pecIt’s a significant setback for the run defense. Don’t be shocked if the Bucs start inquiring about defensive linemen before the trade deadline.
• The Chiefs’ offensive performance seems to be heading for continued difficulties untilXavier Worthy is back from his injury(possibly within the next few weeks) andRashee Rice returns from his suspension in Week 6. Patrick Mahomescollaborated with both of those receivers during camp, and as we discussed herelast week, he hasn’t quite mastered the timing yet with the likes ofTyquan Thornton and Hollywood Brown.
But for now, the Chiefs are still confused about their difficulties in the rushing game. They thoughtIsiah Pachecowas moving like his old self during training and it was expected he would contribute immediately; that hasn’t happened. They need to discover methods to create more effective offense with him andKareem Hunt, or else don’t be surprised if soon you find yourself in a difficult situationBrashard Smithreceives a chance. The Chiefs see him as a different type of running back compared to those two — more of a receiver-style player who can make big plays in open space. Once they believe the rookie can manage all the running back duties, he could become an important part of their offensive strategy. They were highly impressed with him during training camp.
• The Titans have been satisfied with the performance of their rookie quarterback • The Titans are happy with the showing from their new quarterback • The Titans have been impressed by their rookie quarterback’s progress • The Titans have had a positive impression of their rookie quarterback • The Titans are pleased with how their rookie quarterback has performed so farCam Ward, especially his relationship with another rookie wide receiverElic Ayomanor. However, they are aware that they need to make some changes and create more diversity and intensity on offense. One of the problems they are facing is that their offensive line – which they have heavily invested in – has not performed as expected. The absence of a tackleJC Latham from Sunday’s game with a hip injuryis one of the reasons. The Titans need Latham back.
They also think their rushing offense will be more energetic with the running backTyjae Spears can return from his ankle injury. Unfortunately, that won’t happen until Week 5 at the earliest. Tennessee started with games against two especially strong defensive units in the Broncos and Rams, and it is hoping to start performing better in the upcoming weeks against less formidable run defenses.
• A name to store and recall as a possible second-half surprise: Cleveland rookie wide receiverIsaiah Bond. He signed lateafter being left out of the draft due tosexual assault chargeswhich were ultimately discarded, so he’s catching up with the offensive strategies. However, the Browns have intentions for him, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise if he starts taking on a more significant role as the season progresses.
Fowler’s notes:
• The turnover of starting quarterbacks is a trend to keep an eye on again this season. Last year, 59 different quarterbacks started at least one game, falling nine short of the league record of 68 set in 2022. Just two weeks into this season, the number is already rising. Up to five starters might be sidelined in Week 3: Burrow (toe), McCarthy (ankle), likely San Francisco’s Brock Purdy (toe, shoulder) and potentially either or both Washington’sJayden Daniels (knee) and New York’s Justin Fields (concussion). More injuries are expected, and during the second half of the season, underperforming teams will likely rotate through quarterbacks in search of a boost or to assess future prospects. Considering the demand for talent at the game’s most critical position, it’s no surprise that this year’s total could be significant.
• Although the coaching rotation won’t begin for another three months or more, some individuals are already making early efforts to secure a position. A group of promising defensive coordinators might receive more attention from teams looking to fill head coaching positions. Jeff Hafley (Packers), Chris Shula (Rams), and Jesse Minter (Chargers) weren’t heavily considered in the previous cycle, but don’t be surprised if that changes. All three have their defenses ranked among the top five in total points allowed through two weeks. Packers coach Matt LaFleur is confident that Hafley has the potential to become a head coach as early as 2026. Shula is being watched closely by the NFL league offices as a strong candidate. Meanwhile, Minter has shown impressive performance under Jim Harbaugh since 2024.
• Sources rate Worthy as “50-50” to return for Week 3against the Giants, expressing optimism but also the necessity to observe him managing a more extensive practice schedule. “We need to see how he performs with actual practice repetitions,” the source mentioned. Worthy participated in a restricted manner on Thursday and Friday of last week, and the Chiefs plan to increase his responsibilities as they move forward.shoulder injury.
• Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (knee) is making good progress in training, but people I’ve spoken to believe aWeek 3The return could be ambitious. Week 4against Philadelphia, however, seems like a genuine chance.
• Regarding other injury updates, Bears linebackerT.J. Edwards(hamstring) is seen as a remote possibility to participate on Sundayagainst the Cowboys. Bucs right tackle Luke Goedeke (foot) escaped serious harm during Monday night’s game against Houston but might be out for several weeks after worsening an existing injury.
• The message from Mike McDaniel to the Dolphins during their 0-2 slump, as shared by a player I talked to this week: Stay focused and manage what you can, understanding that it doesn’t matter if they’re 0-2 or 2-0. The only thing that matters this week isbeatingBison. Dolphins players still have confidence that Miami’s locker room is robust enough to turn things around. They feel the environment has improved since the team parted ways with several important players, most of whom weren’t content there.
But none of that is very significant if Miami doesn’t demonstrate what one player referred to as a “more improved style of football,” especially regarding run defense and third-down defense, which will aim to maintainJosh Allenin the pocket and restrict his ability to run.
