NFL preseason Week 2 overreactions: 49ers panic over Brock Purdy, Chiefs need for Tyreek Hill,

NFL preseason Week 2 overreactions: 49ers panic over Brock Purdy, Chiefs need for Tyreek Hill, originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Week 2 of the NFL preseason saw some more key veterans seen in tuneup action with only three weeks to go before Week 1 of the regular season. That led to a whole new wave of headlines overreacting to the latest small sample size from exhibition games.

With fewer rookie debuts and little changing in the top starting quarterback battles for a couple of teams, the focus shifted more to some different QB situations around the league. There are 21 teams with new offensive philosophies, raising concerns about several passing games.

Some concerns about key injuries were allayed, while some teams were still working on kinks with healthy players. As much of the league will rest most critical players in the Week 3 preseason finales, here’s breaking down what we really learned from Thursday through Saturday’s “dress rehearsals”:

MORE PRESEASON: NFL power rankings | Week 1 overreactions 

NFL preseason Week 2 overreactions

Overreaction: “Brock Purdy, 49ers’ passing game are in trouble”

Purdy made his preseason debut against the Chargers with an underwhelming short stint (4-of-6, 29 yards, 4.8 yards per attempt, 77.8 passer rating). Once he exited, top backup Mac Jones was a little better and Adrian Martinez was a lot worse.

Although San Francisco won 41-17 thanks to the running game, defense and scoring on special teams, once again rookie second-round draft pick De’Zhaun Stribling was the lone bright spot among the receivers. Fading Deebo Samuel, who reunited with the 49ers on Aug. 1, got only one catch for 4 yards.

But behind the scenes, it’s getting clear that tight end George Kittle, Purdy’s clear downfield go-to guy, is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn Achilles. New top wideout Mike Evans, who has yet to debut due to his foot and quad injuries, was able to return to practice the day after the game. Kittle has a shot to play in Week 1, while Evans will play in Week 1. Ricky Pearsall going down was a blow, and Christian Kirk also is set to miss time.

The 49ers’ injury luck, however, is reversing fortunes to the point that it can make Purdy’s downfield passing more explosive and efficient with top streamlined weapons.

Overreaction: “Chiefs need to reunite Tyreek Hill with Patrick Mahomes”

Hill still is recovering from his left knee injuries, and the expectation is that he won’t be signed until he’s close to fully healthy. The reasonable timeline for the 32-year-old former Dolphins star possibly finding a new team is now set for Week 1 or later.

There’s still a thought, however, that Kansas City should bring back Hill to be an additional big-play threat for Mahomes, who will be returning from his own major knee injury. Xavier Worthy not inspiring confidence as the deep threat is prompting some of that.

The Chiefs have options, however, behind Rashee Rice, with Tyquan Thornton back to help Mahomes and rookie fifth-rounder Cyrus Allen lighting up camp. Second-year fourth-rounder Jalen Royals can’t be forgotten in the mix after he flashed vs. the Buccaneers on Saturday night with Mahomes resting.

There also is a new emphasis on reestablishing balance with a higher-volume running game to take pressure off Mahomes. Free-agent splurge Kenneth Walker III is headed to some workhorse touches and also being a needed backfield receiving asset.

There’s a much greater chance that Hill has played his last down for anyone in the NFL than suiting up again for his original NFL team.

Imagn Images

Overreaction: “Geno Smith grounds all talk of any Jets QB battle”

When Smith and the Jets beat the Steelers 17-0, all their quarterbacks as a whole outplayed the Steelers’ shaky young combination of Drew Allar and Will Howard. Smith stood out most with his sharp work (7-of-7, 65 yards, TD, 9.3 yards per attempt, 144.0 passer rating).

Third-string competitors Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe also passed the century mark in efficiency during shorter sttins. The least impressive was buzzy camp rookie Cade Klubnik (10-of-14, 75 yards, 5.4 yards per attempt, 2 sacks, 83.9 passer rating).

Smith led a crisp scoring drive, capped by his strike to tight end Jelani Woods. The Jets spread the ball around well away from Garrett Wilson with presumed starting wideout Adonai Mitchell flashing again.

There’s little doubt Smith will start for Aaron Glenn and Frank Reich in Week 1 of the regular season in winnable game at Robert Saleh’s Titans. But Smith will face challenges with slower contributions from rookie targets Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq.

The Jets also figure to take plenty of lumps in the early season and Smith’s status as a steady bridge will fade vs. tougher competition. Although the Klubnik hype is coming down, it would behoove New York’s coaches to give him a long look at some point before deciding what to do at QB for the longer-term in 2027.

MORE: Where does the Jets’ current playoff drought rank among all sports franchises?

Overreaction: “Broncos can relax about Bo Nix after his healthy return”

Nix came back from the fractured right ankle he suffered in the divisional playoff win over the Bills with some dazzle (6-of-9, 76 yards, 8.4 yards per attempt, TD, 129.9 passer rating) against the Packers. He proved he is back to full health and ready to go in Week 1. Nix also connected well with his new No. 2 wide receiver, Jaylen Waddle, on a 35-yard strike.

Although Nix aced his passing test early in Year 3, the real question is whether he can maintain mobility and rushing production as a big part of his game. Despite what Nix did early, Denver lost the game, 33-13 and had only 70 rushing yards as a team in 27 attempts. The Broncos need to run the ball better (maybe with a lot more rookie Jonah Coleman) or there will be limitations on Nix playing off that as an effective downfield passer.

There are hopes Nix improves but he needs to be steadier earlier in games and not expect the improbable consistent late heroics of last season. Waddle is a good complement to Courtland Sutton but Denver needs more consistency overall from the depth at the position.

Overreaction: “Deshaun Watson blows his big Browns QB lead over Shedeur Sanders”

Watson got booed at home for his absolute clunker against the Bills (5-of-12, 36 yards, 3.0 yards per attempt, INT, 14.6 passer rating). But it’s notable he played only a little while Sanders played a lot more coming into the game after him. Sanders (9-of-11, 74 yards, 6.7 yards per attempt, TD, INT, 87.1 passer rating) did improve from his Week 1 performance, but it wasn’t like he lit up Buffalo to take advantage of Watson’s flop.

Coach Todd Monken is holding the official decision until after Week 3 of the preseason but for Browns fans who want Sanders to get a full-season shot over Watson, they should give that hope. It’s inevitable Sanders makes starts for what figures to be an awful team, but Watson keeps holding the edge because of experience and contract.

MORE: Deshaun Watson lashes out at fans as Browns QB competition heats up

Overreaction: “Fernando Mendoza proves to Raiders he should sit all season”

Mendoza got pick-sixed in prime time on Thursday night by the Texans’ spectacular loaded pass defense. That “Welcome to the NFL” moment provided more evidence to offensive-minded Klint Kubiak and part-owner Tom Brady that sitting Mendoza at first is the right decision, backed up having Kirk Cousins as a solid bridge plan. 

Cousins sat out the game with Aidan O’Connell getting the rest of the playing time. That’s further indication the Raiders’ QB decision won’t be changed for Week 1 at home against the Dolphins, vs. Mendoza’s hometown team. Mendoza still should merit some starts in the second half of his rookie season.

Overreaction: “Commanders should stay chill about Jayden Daniels”

Daniels got a mild warmup in Washington’s 17-13 loss at Detroit. Before rookie Athan Kaliakmanis and Sam Hartman got most of the work in an anemic offensive output, Daniels got two dropbacks on the first drive. He threw a short incompletion and took a 10-yard sack to set up a three-and-out.

The whole No. 5 jersey controversy involving his Heisman Trophy past at LSU seemed like a small deal at first. But there’s no doubt his off-field demand has cast him in a new light on the field, putting more scrutiny on the way he carries and leads the Commanders. Daniels was rather uncomfortable in David Blough’s offense for what should have been an uneventful series. The pressure is already on Daniels to show he can stay healthy and get back on track and Week 1 against the Eagles’ defense can dictate the direction of his season early.

MORE:Chiefs’ Harrison Butker converts one of longest kicks of all-time

Overreaction: “The Vikings still have some hope for J.J. McCarthy”

McCarthy (5-of-10, 81 yards, 8.1 yards per attempt, 77.5 passer rating) got the start in the 13-3 loss to the Ravens, which didn’t see either offense do much. McCarthy was better than Max Brosmer but wasn’t as good as Carson Wentz, with Kyler Murray resting.

Baltimore’s defense also left a mark with plenty of hard hits on McCarthy, leaving him “banged up” and “hobbled” after the game, per coach Kevin O’Connell. That’s a subtle knock on McCarthy, maybe not even No. 2 material after losing the job to Murray. Wentz would be the better choice with his experience in the offense.

McCarthy is difficult to trade because he’s shown limited on-field appeal and has a lingering durability issue. He’s also cheaper to keep on the roster (less than $6 million cap hit) vs. cutting him (more than $6 million dead money hit). Unfortunately, that might be the sole reason the Vikings would keep him as a No. 3, with all signs pointing to removing him from the roster in 2027.