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Jason La Canfora: NFL Preseason Week 3 Diary

By jili tutorial · September 2, 2026

Jason La Canfora: NFL Preseason Week 3 Diary

Quarterback Depth Charts Expand Ahead of Week 1

The extended gap between final roster cuts and the start of the regular season has created a soft deadline for NFL teams, prompting many to continue reshaping their rosters—especially at quarterback—well before the season opener. This year, five teams are carrying four quarterbacks into Week 1: the Eagles, Steelers, Falcons, Browns, and Vikings. That unusual approach reflects both the value placed on developing young passers and the abnormally long window between cuts and the regular season.

As one team official put it, “No one wants to give away a kid with upside. You hate to lose them on waivers.” The timing of the roster deadline has given teams more flexibility than usual. Another executive noted, “It’s a little different. If you have a few young ones and older ones you like, that can be a good mix. But it’s definitely crazy that so many teams kept four.”

That situation may not last much longer, however, with potential trades already emerging as teams consider which quarterbacks they are willing to move.

Key Trades and Roster Moves on the Horizon

Steelers May Trade Mason Rudolph
NFL executives have indicated that the Steelers are open to trading veteran Mason Rudolph. The main obstacle isn’t Pittsburgh’s willingness to sell, but rather the number of quarterbacks potentially available across the league—which could make finding a suitable deal more difficult.

Vikings Could Move JJ McCarthy
Minnesota is another team to watch ahead of Week 1. League sources have indicated for weeks that former first-round pick JJ McCarthy is unlikely to remain with the Vikings long-term. Although his trade value is currently low due to an ankle injury, a move could still happen before the season opener. As part of any deal, the Vikings are expected to seek a conditional component that would increase compensation if McCarthy eventually plays for his new team.

Ravens to Audition Kickers
In Baltimore, the Ravens are expected to bring in veteran kickers for auditions this week, directly due to Tyler Loop’s persistent struggles. Loop, drafted to replace Justin Tucker, missed a 44-yard field goal in Week 17 that knocked the Ravens out of the playoffs, then missed three kicks across two preseason home games. While he was solid overall as a rookie, he has struggled from distance, and the team opted not to bring in competition during the offseason. Baltimore’s front office can be stubborn about its draft picks, but that patience appears to be wearing thin.

Rams to Manage Aaron Donald’s Workload Early

Aaron Donald has reportedly “blown away” those inside the Rams organization since returning from retirement, but Los Angeles is prepared to carefully manage the three-time Defensive Player of the Year this season. Whether Donald plays against the 49ers in Week 1 is less important than having him in peak football shape by midseason and ready for another potential Super Bowl run.

His return had been viewed as increasingly likely for months before a new contract was finalized on Sunday, which includes lucrative bonuses he can earn throughout the season. The bigger picture is this: if the Rams make another deep postseason run, Donald could play roughly 21 games including the playoffs. Managing his workload early could give both him and the team the best chance of having him at his best when it matters most.

The Rams also face a difficult travel schedule during the first six weeks, beginning with a trip to Australia. Head coach Sean Payton emphasized this summer that the priority is having Donald peak for the stretch drive rather than pushing him early. Those inside the organization have been hugely impressed by what they’ve seen since his return, and the Rams always figured that if Donald came back, he would do so on a mission. This isn’t an experiment—Donald is expected to dominate again, even if it initially comes on a slight pitch count.

Around the League Notebook

Eagles Quarterback Room Gets Crowded
Philadelphia may have found a steal in late-round pick Cole Payton. One longtime scout not with the Eagles was even more bullish, vowing that Payton “is going to be a starter in this league.” Tanner McKee has also performed well in exhibition games, raising questions about where veteran Andy Dalton fits in. One general manager asked, “Are they really going to keep Dalton?” With Jalen Hurts entering the final year of his deal, Philadelphia is collecting developmental options and already looking closely at the next quarterback class. Another GM noted that the Eagles “are all over these [2027 draft] quarterbacks.”

Falcons Face a Dilemma
For the Falcons, a decision could soon arise if Michael Penix returns from injury and starts in the coming weeks. That could make one of Atlanta’s veteran quarterbacks expendable.

Browns’ Watson Under Pressure
Inside information from the Browns suggests that Deshaun Watson’s time as the starting quarterback is under serious pressure. Reports indicate he has only four to six weeks to impress before Shedeur Sanders gets his opportunity, with plenty of interceptions expected in Watson’s immediate future.

Commanders Need Fast Start
The Commanders are a team that really needs to get off to a fast start. Insiders continue to share information that head coach Dan Quinn could be on shaky ground in Washington, and that pressure could intensify with a much stronger NFC East expected this season.

Medical Concerns for Jordyn Tyson
Teams with strong track records of drafting wide receivers had real reservations about Jordyn Tyson heading into the draft. His propensity for soft-tissue problems bothered some evaluators, and the hamstring injury that has put him on IR to open the season will only reinforce those concerns. The Saints can say this injury is different from his previous issues, but it remains a red flag.

Quarterback Movement Expected
Despite the unusually crowded quarterback rooms across the NFL, the current situation is unlikely to last. As injuries and other roster needs emerge, teams will need those roster spots elsewhere, potentially setting up a busy period of quarterback movement around the league.