The final whistle blew on the 2025 NFL preseason Saturday night, August 23, 2025, leaving fans with a mix of optimism and unease as teams turned their focus to final roster cuts. The Denver Broncos capped their exhibition run with a 28-19 win over the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans — a game that felt less like an exhibition and more like a final audition for survival on the 53-man roster. While the scoreboard told one story, the real drama unfolded in the trenches, on the sidelines, and in the analytics dashboards of Pro Football Focus (PFF) and CBS Sports, where player grades and performance metrics decided who would stay and who would be cut.
Giants’ Secret Weapon: Jaxson Dart’s Preseason Surge
Amid all the noise, one name rose above the rest: Jaxson Dart. The New York Giants’ 25th overall pick didn’t just impress — he dominated. Over three preseason games, Dart completed 32 of 47 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns, including a pair of clutch drives in the second half against the Tennessee Titans that sealed his case as the future of the franchise. His command in the pocket? Calm. His decision-making? Sharp. His ability to extend plays with his feet? Unexpected. CBS Sports awarded the Giants an ‘A’ grade for their entire preseason effort — and it wasn’t because of defense or special teams. It was because Dart, a rookie who wasn’t even expected to start Week 1, looked like he belonged.
"He’s not just playing like a first-round pick," said one anonymous scout who watched all three Giants games. "He’s playing like a guy who’s been in the league five years. The timing with his receivers, the way he reads coverages — it’s rare for someone this young."
Quarterback Chaos: The F-Grade Failures
While Dart shined, others floundered. The NFL’s preseason is meant to sort out the wheat from the chaff — and this year, the chaff was loud. Two quarterbacks earned ‘F’ grades from CBS Sports: Bo Rattler and Michael Shough. Rattler, a veteran trying to hold onto a roster spot, completed 69.8% of his passes but threw an interception in a critical moment and posted a pedestrian 86.9 passer rating. Shough, a second-round rookie, was even more erratic: 36 of 54 attempts, 333 yards, but a pick that cost his team a red-zone opportunity. Neither looked like a long-term solution. And that’s terrifying for their teams.
"You can’t win in this league with inconsistent QB play," said former NFL offensive coordinator Marcus Bell on a post-game podcast. "Rattler’s got experience, but if he’s not better by Week 1, they’ll be looking at someone else. Shough? He’s got tools. But tools don’t win games. Poise does."
Standout Performers: The Unsung Heroes
Not every hero wore a helmet with a star. Anthony Bradford, the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive guard, earned a jaw-dropping 92.9 grade from PFF — the highest of any player in the entire preseason. He didn’t make highlight reels, but he didn’t give up a single sack or pressure in 145 snaps. Meanwhile, Simeo Jr., Atlanta’s defensive tackle, posted an 89.5 grade, dominating interior linemen with surprising agility for a 320-pounder. His disruption on third downs was the reason Atlanta’s defense didn’t collapse despite a porous secondary.
Other names to remember: Jake Hansen of the Houston Texans (88.7), Tommy Togei (87.8), and edge rusher Dell Hunter (82.8). These aren’t stars yet — but they’re the kind of players who turn into starters when injuries strike. And they always do.
What Happened in the Other Games?
The Tennessee Titans edged the Atlanta Falcons 23-20 in a game that came down to the final drive. Quarterback V. Jefferson threw a 65-yard bomb that sealed the win — a reminder that big plays still matter, even in August. The Seattle Seahawks crushed the Carolina Panthers 33-16, a score corrected from an early PFF misreporting of 33-6. And the Minnesota Vikings lost to Tennessee in a separate matchup, revealing lingering issues on their offensive line.
Even the games that didn’t make headlines had meaning. Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars went 8-of-10 for 76 yards and a TD against New Orleans in Week 2 — a quiet, efficient performance that didn’t make the front page but told coaches he’s ready. Meanwhile, Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears looked poised in his first preseason action, completing 6 of 10 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown in just two series.
The Real Stakes: Roster Cuts and the August 28 Deadline
Preseason is over. Now comes the hard part. Every team must trim its roster from 90 players to 53 by 4:00 p.m. ET on August 28, 2025. That’s not just a deadline — it’s a bloodbath. Players like Bradford and Simeo Jr. are safe. Players like Rattler and Shough? They’re on the edge. And for every Jaxson Dart who ascends, there are five others who vanish into the practice squad void.
The NFL’s decision to broadcast all 21 preseason games on NFL Network wasn’t just for fans — it was for scouts, GMs, and coaches who needed to see every snap. And now, after six weeks of film, the real work begins.
What’s Next? The Regular Season Begins August 30
By August 30, 2025, the exhibition phase will be a memory. The 2025 NFL regular season kicks off with a Thursday night showdown between defending champions and a rising contender. The teams that made smart cuts — those who bet on talent over pedigree, on consistency over flash — will be the ones still standing in December.
For now, the message is clear: Preseason wins don’t matter. But performances do. And in the quiet moments between the final whistle and the final roster cut, careers are made — and broken.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Jaxson Dart’s performance impact the Giants’ quarterback competition?
Jaxson Dart’s three-game preseason performance — 32 completions, 372 yards, three touchdowns — effectively ended any debate over the Giants’ starting QB job. Even with veteran competition, his poise, accuracy, and command under pressure made him the clear choice. Coaches now have the luxury of developing him as the starter rather than managing a rotation.
Why did Bo Rattler and Michael Shough receive ‘F’ grades despite decent completion rates?
Completion percentage doesn’t tell the whole story. Both quarterbacks struggled with decision-making under pressure, threw critical interceptions in red-zone opportunities, and failed to lead consistent scoring drives. Rattler’s 86.9 passer rating and Shough’s 66.7% accuracy were overshadowed by poor timing and lack of chemistry with receivers — red flags for NFL teams that can’t afford turnover-prone QBs.
Who were the top defensive players of the 2025 preseason, and why do they matter?
Simeo Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons earned the highest defensive grade (89.5) for his interior pressure and gap control. Anthony Bradford (92.9) of the Seahawks was the top overall player, dominating as an offensive guard — a rare feat. These players matter because they’re the glue teams rely on when stars get hurt. Their consistency often determines whether a team makes the playoffs.
How did PFF’s grading system differ from traditional stats?
PFF didn’t just count completions or sacks — they analyzed every snap using timestamped evaluations, measuring things like pass-rush win rate, route precision, and pocket presence. A guard like Bradford didn’t get a high grade for blocking a sack — he got it for consistently neutralizing elite defenders on 145 consecutive snaps. It’s about quality, not quantity.
What does the preseason tell us about the 2025 NFL playoff picture?
It’s not a crystal ball, but it’s a roadmap. Teams with stable QB play (Giants, Seahawks) and strong depth (Texans, Titans) look like playoff contenders. Teams with QB uncertainty (Rattler’s, Shough’s teams) and poor offensive line play are already in trouble. The best teams didn’t win preseason games — they minimized mistakes and developed talent.
When do teams officially announce their 53-man rosters?
All 32 NFL teams must reduce their rosters to 53 players by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, August 28, 2025. Roster cuts begin as early as 12 p.m. that day, with teams releasing players in waves. Practice squad signings follow immediately after, and many of the preseason standouts will land there — still in the system, but one injury away from a promotion.
Dorian Caulfield
Hello, my name is Dorian Caulfield, and I am a passionate chef with expertise in cooking and creating unique recipes. I love to experiment with various ingredients and techniques, always looking for ways to elevate traditional dishes. My culinary journey has taken me around the world, constantly learning and refining my skills. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and passion for food by writing about recipes and cooking tips. My goal is to inspire others to find joy in the kitchen and create delicious meals with love and creativity.
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