The curtain has fallen on the third and final week of the NFL pre-season, and with it comes the first real glimpse of what fans can expect when the regular season kicks off. The dress rehearsals are complete, the auditions finished, and while pre-season records don’t count for much, the performances have already provided plenty of storylines to follow into the 2025 campaign.
Patrick Mahomes looked particularly sharp for the Kansas City Chiefs as they prepared to rebound from last season’s Super Bowl disappointment. Mahomes, who has spent the summer training relentlessly, displayed his signature playmaking flair by throwing for 143 yards and a touchdown. He also connected on a 58-yard completion and had another pass nearly caught in the end zone. “I was super excited to get out there, especially at Arrowhead, and get real reps,” Mahomes said after leading the Chiefs’ starters to 17 points in just over a quarter of play. Despite the starters leaving the field and the Chiefs eventually losing 29-27 to the Chicago Bears, head coach Andy Reid will be encouraged by the hunger and precision shown by his top unit.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears, under new head coach Ben Johnson, struggled to find rhythm with their starting quarterback Caleb Williams, who committed several errors. However, backup Tyson Bagent stole the show by throwing three touchdowns, reminding everyone of the unpredictable drama of pre-season football.
Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons continues to make headlines off the field. The talented defender, who remains embroiled in a contract dispute with owner Jerry Jones, appeared visibly frustrated on the sidelines, even lying down on a treatment table during the final pre-season clash against the Atlanta Falcons. “Without talking to Micah, I need to figure out what he was doing and why he was doing it,” said new head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
In Cleveland, Shedeur Sanders returned to the field but endured a tough outing, being sacked five times. While he impressed in the first pre-season game, he now looks to be fourth in line behind Dillon Gabriel, Kenny Pickett, and potentially others for the backup role to starter Joe Flacco. GM Andrew Berry sees the quarterback room as an opportunity rather than a problem, aiming to keep all options open. Meanwhile, Shilo Sanders faced setbacks as he was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following an ejection for throwing a punch—a stark reminder of the discipline required in the league.
Rookie quarterbacks were also making their marks. Giants first-round pick Jaxson Dart continued to impress, throwing his third pre-season touchdown while avoiding interceptions. Fourth-string quarterback Tommy DeVito also caught attention with three touchdowns in an emphatic win over the New England Patriots, with rookie linebacker Abdul Carter causing havoc on defense.
Baltimore Ravens fans received some relief as positive X-rays eased fears over star quarterback Lamar Jackson’s foot injury. On the other hand, Los Angeles Rams veteran Matthew Stafford remains a question mark, struggling with an aggravated disk in his back, putting his availability for the season opener—and potentially the full campaign—in doubt.
Across the league, teams finished pre-season with a variety of results, ranging from the unbeaten Baltimore Ravens (3-0) and New York Giants (3-0) to winless squads like the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2-1). Some standout performances and concerning injuries will influence roster decisions as teams finalize lineups for Week 1.
With the regular season looming, these pre-season dramas—from Mahomes’ sharpness to Parsons’ frustrations and the rookie quarterbacks’ performances—set the stage for an intriguing 2025 NFL season. Coaches will now refine strategies, resolve remaining positional battles, and hope their stars are ready for the intensity of the full schedule ahead.
