Three weeks of NFL preseason action are complete, and while the exhibition games offer only so much value, there were several developments in these August contests that warrant close examination. From quarterback battles to rookie debuts and a handful of things in between, some of what unfolded will have real impacts on the 2026 campaign. Take the Ravens, for instance.
The preseason gave the roster its first opportunity to put Jesse Minter's defensive scheme into motion, and boy, did it ever. The unit looked truly elite with three masterclasses in shutting down opposing offenses. Look no further, also, than the Browns' quarterback battle.
What might have been the most compelling storyline of the preseason resulted in an unfathomable decision: naming Deshaun Watson the starter over Shedeur Sanders. These preseason results are easy to blow out of proportion, but in some cases, they really are as meaningful as they seem. Let's separate the overreactions from reality.
Welcome to Baltimore, Jesse Minter. Ravens fans ought to be ecstatic about their first-year coach, considering the defensive results he produced this preseason. With the renowned former defensive coordinator at the helm, the Ravens surrendered only a combined 13 points in their wins over the Eagles, Vikings and Commanders.
That came after they finished the 2025 season in the middle of the pack or the bottom half of the NFL in most key statistics. Opponents went just 6-for-35 on third down, and the Eagles went three-and-out seven times in Week 1. The Ravens racked up nine sacks and forced three turnovers, and they did not allow a touchdown over the final eight quarters.
Between the existing star power of Kyle Hamilton, the splashy acquisition of Trey Hendrickson, the rising force that is Malaki Starks and Minter's arrival as a schematic mastermind, this defense has it all. Is it going to be the league's most dominant unit in 2026? That might be taking things a little far, considering the Texans and Seahawks remain elite, and the Rams are arguably the most talented squad.
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