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One of the best and most comprehensive features we offer every year is our Footballguys Preseason Updates. Every week this month, Dave Kluge, Clayton Gray, and their team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It's 32-plus pages of some of the most comprehensive coverage you'll find. It's probably worth the Footballguys Premium Subscription by itself.
Updates from Week 1
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Jacoby Brissett reached a deal four days after training camp started to increase his 2026 compensation to $15.5 million, with the potential to reach $21 million with incentives. HC Mike LaFleur said Brissett has "caught up" with the playbook compared to the other quarterbacks and likes where he is at from a learning standpoint. Brissett immediately took over first-team reps when he started practicing. LaFleur linked Brissett to Joe Flacco, noting that he can throw at all three levels with good rhythm and consistency, making him a good fit in his offense. Brissett is expected to be the Week 1 starter. Gardner Minshew II started camp working with the first team before Brissett returned. Minshew took over as QB2 to end camp and is listed as QB2 on the first depth chart release. Carson Beck is taking advantage of every learning opportunity, taking mental reps when he is not involved in plays. LaFleur noted he liked how Beck handled the adversity of the tough predicaments intentionally placed before the quarterbacks throughout camp. Beck said Brissett and Minshew are "super professional" and "great guys" on and off the field, adding he is sitting back and learning "as much as possible." Beck started the Hall of Fame game and played through the second drive of the third quarter, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Jeremiyah Love has been developing to plan. OC Nathaniel Hackett noted that any rookie has to learn it, understand it, and execute, and that "you are definitely seeing that in him." Hackett continued, "I think we all see his explosion, his ability to move his feet…the other day he had some really cool runs that not a lot of people can do." HC LaFleur said, "There's always going to be high expectations for high draft picks," adding he is not concerned with how Love will look on September 13th but rather with Love making the "necessary improvements" from the first practices moving forward. Love did not play in the Hall of Fame game. Tyler Allgeier began camp taking first-team reps every day in 11-on-11 before Love rotated in. LaFleur mentioned keeping his guys "fresh," noting no back can take all 65 snaps per game, and that keeping them healthy across 17 games is an "appropriate way to go." The vision is to avoid "overloading" one running back over another. James Conner is working back from injury, with the team being smart about his return. Trey Benson has had a "little discomfort" in his surgically repaired knee, according to LaFleur, who noted, "It's unfortunate because he was feeling so good," adding, "I thought he was really getting his legs underneath him. He had strung together some good days." The team will be cautious with this "flare-up" moving forward. Benson is listed as RB4 on the first depth chart release.
