Week 2 of the NFL preseason is here, and two of the league’s most intriguing young quarterbacks are stepping into the spotlight.
For Jayden Daniels, it’s a return to the field after a injury-shortened 2025 campaign — a chance to remind everyone why he was the No. 2 overall pick. For J.J. McCarthy, it’s something else entirely: a fight to hold onto his job.
Here’s what to watch as these two signal-callers take center stage on Saturday.
🏛️ Jayden Daniels: The Prodigal Son Returns
The Game: Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions | Saturday, August 22 | 12 PM ET
After sitting out the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, Jayden Daniels is finally set to see live action. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that “a good amount of starters” would play against the Lions, and Daniels was not on the list of 15 players ruled out. He will be under center.
Daniels’ 2025
season was derailed by multiple injuries, limiting him to just four full games. The third-year pro enters 2026 with a new offensive scheme run by new coordinator David Blough, complete with new requirements for the quarterback position. While Daniels has proven proficient executing this system in practice, the Commanders would like to see him work — at least a little bit — in live action.
What’s at Stake
The stakes are significant. Marcus Mariota, the veteran backup, suffered a sprained right MCL in the preseason opener and will miss the next two games, leaving the Commanders thin at the position. Quinn said surrounding Daniels with the right players would be key, and that rep counts would be customized based on what each player needs to get out of the preseason.
For Daniels, this isn’t about winning the starting job — that’s already his. It’s about building chemistry with his weapons (Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs and Chig Okonkwo are all available), getting comfortable in the new system, and most importantly, staying healthy.
The Numbers
Daniels played two preseason games as a rookie in 2024, completing 12-of-15 passes for 128 yards and a 100.3 quarterback rating. He played just one series during the 2025 preseason to avoid injury risk. Now, he’s looking to prove that the injury bug is behind him and that he’s ready to lead this offense into the regular season.
❄️ J.J. McCarthy: Fighting for His Future
The Game: Minnesota Vikings vs. Baltimore Ravens | Saturday, August 22 | 12 PM CT | U.S. Bank Stadium
Across the country in Minneapolis, J.J. McCarthy faces a very different kind of pressure. He’s not just playing to impress — he’s playing to keep his job.
The Context
The Vikings have named Kyler Murray the starting quarterback for the 2026 season. McCarthy, once drafted to be Minnesota’s next franchise quarterback after leading Michigan to a national championship, is now simply fighting to hold on to the QB2 spot.
And even that isn’t guaranteed. Head coach Kevin O’Connell’s announcement that McCarthy would be Murray’s backup was “less than emphatic”, with O’Connell making it sound like there is still a chance McCarthy could be unseated by veteran Carson Wentz and continue sliding down the depth chart.
The Opportunity
With most, if not all, of the Vikings’ starters expected to sit out against the Ravens, McCarthy is likely to start and should see most, if not an entire half of football. The Vikings will get a long look at him in Week 2.
What’s at Stake
McCarthy “doesn’t need to look like a superstar against Baltimore,” according to SI.com, “but he does need to look like a competent quarterback who can be trusted to enter a game if the team needs him in that role”.
The pressure is heightened by Wentz’s performance in the preseason opener. Wentz looked solid against the Giants, throwing Minnesota’s only passing touchdown on the day while leading the QB room in completions (9) and passing yards (81). Meanwhile, McCarthy played 17 snaps, completing just 4 of 7 passes for 34 yards, with the Vikings scoring no points on his three drives.
The Concerns
Camp reports have raised red flags. McCarthy has “struggled with accuracy and getting the ball out promptly in camp, an issue that has plagued him throughout his NFL career”. He’s averaged 3.38 seconds to throw, while other Vikings quarterbacks have averaged just 2.54 seconds.
The Ravens’ defense played well against the Eagles last week, holding Philadelphia’s QB room to just 83 passing yards and a touchdown on 13-of-25 passing. McCarthy will have his work cut out for him.
Jayden Daniels
is the established starter looking to shake off the rust and build momentum after an injury-plagued season. For him, Week 2 is about rhythm, chemistry, and staying upright.
J.J. McCarthy is fighting for his NFL future. A strong performance could solidify his QB2 role and quiet the doubters. Another shaky outing could open the door for Carson Wentz — and potentially spell the end of McCarthy’s time in Minnesota.
Two quarterbacks. Two very different paths. One Saturday of preseason football.
The spotlight is theirs. How they perform could define their entire 2026 seasons.
NFL Preseason Week 2 kicks off Saturday, August 22. The Commanders face the Lions at 12 PM ET, while the Vikings host the Ravens at 12 PM CT.
