Why to Watch 2024 NFL Preseason

Often adept at quoting certain Beastie Boys lyrics on postseason stages around the NFL, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce offers a poignant original thought about the league’s preseason.

“This is where it all starts,” Kelce said. “This is where you find out what you’re made of, how you sharpen the iron, how your guys practice, your practice habits, the attention to detail.”

Practices are under way, and exhibition games soon will follow as Thursday’s Hall of Fame game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans rings in a new slate of preseason tune-ups.

Here are five storylines to watch as time and two-a-days tick down to the season opener on September 5.

Expanding the Kingdom

Kelce’s quote above progressed to the thought that “nobody does it better” than Chiefs coach Andy Reid when it comes to preseason preparation.

“Big Red” will need to channel that track record anew as Kansas City prepares to become the first club in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.

That challenge presents a whopper all its own, if not a Dave’s Triple, considering Reid’s endorsement loyalties to Wendy’s. Throw in the off-field turmoil the organization has faced (the Super Bowl parade shooting, pending legal challenges for receiver Rashee Rice, kicker Harrison Butker’s controversial commencement speech, et. al.), and the urgency mounts.

Good thing nothing has changed under center, where the Chiefs still employ Patrick Mahomes. 

Welcome to the NFL

A team that hasn’t won the Super Bowl in nearly 40 years has unrealistic chances of returning there this season. Still, there’s no denying that the Chicago Bears expect a significant bounceback from their recent woeful ways as rookie quarterback Caleb Williams takes the reins.

Chicago wasted little time in naming Williams, the top pick in April’s NFL Draft, its starter and has surrounded him with the kind of talent that would suit since-departed Justin Fields and most other QBs.

Jayden Daniels (Washington) and Bo Nix (Denver) appear entrenched in preseason quarterback battles, while Drake Maye (New England) and J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota) may have more work to do to ultimately unseat veterans. There’s also the intrigue of Atlanta’s Michael Penix, selected eighth overall despite the team’s big offseason signing of Kirk Cousins.

Mr. Rodgers’ NYborhood

Expectations and drama the New York Jets have seldom seen in recent seasons return with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose 2023 campaign was limited to four plays.

Rodgers’ accelerated recovery from a torn left Achilles may have brought him back late last season had the Jets still been in playoff contention. Now, the 40-year-old Rodgers again aims to rejuvenate the Jets in their quest for the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2010.

Rodgers will not play in the preseason, so the rest of the Jets will have to make up for his absence.

Bye-bye, Bill

Bill Belichick’s presence on the Patriots’ sideline used to be as automatic as death, taxes, and exotic Rodgers travel locales.

No more. New England fired Belichick after 24 seasons and promoted Jerod Mayo to head coach.

You can get your fill of Belichick as a broadcaster, though; he signed to serve as an analyst for the CW Network’s “Inside the NFL.” How soon before he weighs in on the Patriots?

Going to the Jim

In an offseason that featured multiple head-coaching shifts, Jim Harbaugh arguably made the biggest waves when he returned to the NFL after guiding Michigan to a College Football Playoff championship.

He presumably will have no sign-stealing investigators on his tail with the Los Angeles Chargers, but there will be expectations for a team led by QB Justin Herbert. Harbaugh last coached in the NFL in 2014 and never finished below .500 in four seasons in San Francisco.