Raiders Rookie Shines as NFL Pre-Season Week Two Delivers Big Talking Points
The second week of the NFL’s pre-season is always a fascinating stage of the summer. By now, we’ve had our first glimpse of rookies under the lights, and veterans are starting to stretch their legs a little. It’s the sweet spot where storylines begin to form — a time when fans and coaches alike start piecing together what September might really look like.
This weekend gave us bruising runs, bold quarterback plays, and just enough drama to remind us that even “meaningless” games can feel significant when a roster spot or starting role is on the line.
And right in the middle of it all was Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, who looked every bit like a future star.
Raiders Rookie Ashton Jeanty Impresses with Physical Style
When the Raiders spent the sixth overall pick in April’s draft on Ashton Jeanty, expectations immediately soared. In Week Two of the pre-season, we saw exactly why.
Facing the San Francisco 49ers, Jeanty announced himself with a rugged performance that drew comparisons to a Raiders legend. After briefly leaving the field following a heavy hit, he bounced back to score a touchdown and capped it with a ferocious 13-yard run that bulldozed two tacklers in classic “Beast Mode” fashion.
Quarterback Geno Smith couldn’t hide his delight: “He’s going to be a special player.” Head coach Pete Carroll, who once enjoyed the privilege of coaching Marshawn Lynch in Seattle, offered even blunter praise: “Jeanty looked tough as hell.”
For a Raiders team craving a new offensive identity, Jeanty’s punishing style could be the exact spark they need.
Dart Hype Continues in New York
If there’s a rookie quarterback generating buzz this August, it’s Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants. Drafted as the team’s long-term franchise passer, Dart is quickly turning “someday” into “maybe sooner than expected.”
Replacing veteran Russell Wilson mid-drive against the Jets, Dart delivered both a passing and rushing touchdown. The crowd at MetLife Stadium was electric, sensing this wasn’t just another pre-season cameo but a real glimpse of the future.
What makes his rise even more remarkable is that the Giants’ offense is humming without top wideout Malik Nabers, sidelined with a back injury. Dart is showcasing poise, decision-making, and a knack for big moments. If he keeps this up, head coach Brian Daboll will have some tough conversations to navigate about how quickly the baton should be passed.
Top Pick Cam Ward Shows Flashes Despite Quiet Stat Line
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward waves to the crowd in Atlanta
The number one overall pick, Cam Ward, didn’t light up the box score in Tennessee’s game, completing just two of seven passes for 42 yards. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Ward uncorked a stunning 35-yard completion on the run, then followed it with perhaps the throw of the pre-season — a perfectly placed dart to Van Jefferson that should’ve been a highlight-reel moment, only for Jefferson to drop it.
Head coach Brian Callahan wasn’t fazed by the missed opportunities. “I’m very encouraged,” he said. “That ball that was dropped was an incredible throw. He’s shown all the things we need to see from an operations standpoint.”
For a player adjusting to NFL speed, those flashes matter more than stat sheets. Ward looks raw, but undeniably gifted.
Caleb Williams Sharp as Bears Blank Bills
The Chicago Bears haven’t exactly been known for fast starts, but Caleb Williams wasted no time rewriting that script.
In his first pre-season appearance of the year, Williams orchestrated a 97-yard opening touchdown drive, finishing with a perfect passer rating of 158.3. The Bears went on to dominate the Buffalo Bills 38-0, even if most of Buffalo’s starters were watching from the sidelines.
Still, for the Bears, it’s a breakthrough. They failed to score a single touchdown on any opening possession last season. Williams, the 2024 number one pick entering his second year, already feels like he’s changing the culture in Chicago.
Dillon Gabriel Gets a Chance with Browns
The Cleveland Browns have one of the NFL’s most intriguing quarterback rooms. After rookie Shedeur Sanders impressed in Week One but sat out with injury this time, the stage was set for Dillon Gabriel.
The third-rounder had a mixed outing: 13 completions for 143 yards, but also a pick-six and a costly fumble. Early on, he looked composed and efficient, but when plays broke down, the cracks showed.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski now faces decisions. Veteran Joe Flacco will likely start, but the battle for backup is wide open. Gabriel may still need time, but the Browns’ front office drafted him for a reason — his resilience will be tested quickly.
NFL Pre-Season Notebook: Around the League
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Travis Hunter, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ two-way experiment, missed the 17-17 tie with New Orleans due to an upper-body injury. His absence delays the coaching staff’s evaluation of his defensive workload.
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The Dallas Cowboys may be shopping for a new backup QB. Neither Joe Milton nor Will Grier has impressed enough to cement the role behind Dak Prescott.
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In Denver, Jarrett Stidham continues to shine as the backup to rookie Bo Nix, tossing two more touchdowns. Across just over three quarters this pre-season, Stidham has racked up 376 yards and four scores. Head coach Sean Payton seems to have quietly built one of the league’s deepest QB rooms.
Final Thoughts
Week Two of the NFL pre-season is always about glimpses — flashes of potential, hints of struggles, and early narratives that might carry into the regular season.
The Raiders rookie Ashton Jeanty gave us a throwback to the days of Marshawn Lynch. Jaxson Dart looked every bit the Giants’ future. Cam Ward showed why he was taken number one, even if the stats didn’t show it. And Caleb Williams gave Bears fans something they’ve been craving: hope right from the first snap.
It’s still August football, but make no mistake — the building blocks of the 2025 NFL season are being laid, one pre-season drive at a time.
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