Trending 📉 📈 after NFL preseason Week 2, plus the latest on two Bengals pass rushers

Inside: Key takeaways from preseason Week 2, plus an impressive turnaround from Cincinnati’s first-round pick amid Trey Hendrickson trade rumors.

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Risers: Offense in Chicago, finally

Let’s start with Caleb Williams’ nearly spotless first drive under Ben Johnson, when the Bears quarterback completed five of six passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.

It was unlike anything we saw from Chicago last year. Play-action was used effectively. Dropbacks were timed with routes that had Williams hitting his receivers in stride just as he finished his drop. Completions were layups for Williams.

It was the best start possible for Johnson’s Bears, who may finally provide Chicago with the elusive combination of competence on both sides of the ball. These results came against the Bills’ second-string defense, but the Bears’ 38-0 win was as good as it gets. Raise another offseason banner.

Other risers from preseason Week 2:

📈 Seahawks run game. Every running back dreams of the gaps that Klint Kubiak’s outside-zone blocking scheme created during a 33-16 win over Kansas City. Seattle’s backups had piled up 174 rushing yards by halftime. Everything was clicking for the Seahawks, albeit against a Chiefs defense missing key starters.

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📈 Ashton Jeanty gave the NFL its Welcome-to-Ashton-Jeanty moment when laying out a 49ers’ corner on one of seven runs. He finished with 33 yards and a touchdown as the Raiders’ offensive starters showed promise, scoring on both their drives.

📈 Cam Ward‘s final stats — 2/7 for 42 yards passing — are misleading, as his best throw was a perfect 25-yard pass that was dropped by his receiver, and two other passes should’ve been caught. The Titans will still struggle, but Ward looks the part so far.

📈 Colts’ hope. Anthony Richardson showed the superhuman arm strength that would give any coach hope. Watch how effortlessly he completes this perfect 38-yard pass:

A flag negated the play, but it counts for Richardson’s competition against Daniel Jones, for which head coach Shane Steichen expects to name a winner soon.

📈 One Giant dilemma. Russell Wilson completed an 80-yard bomb that — if his receiver was Malik Nabers — would’ve gone for a score, but his next three drives ended with two punts and an interception. Jaxson Dart then led touchdown drives on two of his three series, finishing 14/16 for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

It’s now feels like a question of when, not if, Dart starts in 2025. As Dan Duggan writes, it’s impossible not to be excited.

📈 Ravens’ new kicker. Tyler Loop led The Athletic’s list of Ravens who impressed this weekend, as the rookie sixth-rounder hit seven of eight, including two from plus-50. He’s replacing Justin Tucker, who hit a career-low 73.3 percent of his attempts last season (32nd among qualifying kickers).

📈 Steelers’ rookies. First-round defensive tackle Derrick Harmon was dominant and third-round running back Kaleb Johnson showed improved burst and vision, breaking off multiple runs of nine-plus yards. There’s room to improve, but the pair leads Pittsburgh’s stock report.

📈 Chargers’ receivers. Second-round rookie Tre’ Harris finished with six catches for 85 yards, while fifth rounder KeAndre Lambert-Smith caught two for 66 yards. Both made eye-catching toe-tap grabs, though Lambert-Smith joined the starters as Harris worked with backups. Here’s Harris:

Fallers

📉 49ers’ health. Starting right guard Dominick Puni and two others joined a long list of 49ers missing time, including first-round DE Mykel Williams, DE Nick Bosa and nearly their entire receiver room. But hey, Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall were sharp, and Jake Moody hit a 59-yard game-winning kick.

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📉 2-0 Patriots. Down? Don’t let a preseason win over Vikings backups fool you: Drake Maye missed throws, was nearly intercepted and watched his starting center struggle throughout. Two positives: rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson is a gamebreaker, and UDFA Efton Chism III might be their next great slot receiver.

📉 0-2 Panthers. A defensive holding penalty thankfully negated Bryce Young’s first pass, which was intercepted by the Texans. It didn’t get any better for the 24-year-old, as Young finished two series without a completion and the Panthers’ starters gained three total yards.

What Dianna’s Hearing: Trade talk in Cincy

The Bengals have been actively engaged in trade discussions surrounding star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson for weeks, sources told me and my colleague Paul Dehner Jr. And, according to teams that have reached out, the Bengals aren’t only seeking draft capital in return; they’re also targeting defensive players in a potential deal for the 30-year-old.

Cincinnati has told interested teams it is looking for a young defensive player and a future first-round pick in a trade package.

One source I spoke with strongly believes that the Bengals could have netted a better draft pick had they moved Hendrickson in the spring. Many teams also face potential salary cap obstacles when it comes to paying Hendrickson the deal he wants this late into the summer.

As a result, several playoff contenders that might have been potential trade partners aren’t interested, at least at the Bengals’ current asking price. And so Cincinnati’s off-field drama drags on, and on.

Back to you, Jacob.

Tonight: Watch Shemar Stewart

Shemar Stewart’s impressive training camp is a bright spot amid the shadow of Hendrickson’s contract dispute.

As beat reporter Paul Dehner Jr. wrote, Stewart is everything they hoped for when drafting him at No. 17. His work ethic, burst and attitude led to either a pressure, sack, batted pass or tackle for loss in nearly every practice.

“The power, the disruptiveness, there’s a lot of words you can use,” said head coach Zac Taylor. “You feel his impact.”

Stewart is yet to be named the starter, but will take reps with the first team in tonight’s game against the Commanders. Hopefully, we see him paired with Hendrickson. You can watch Stewart and the Bengals’ starters at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, when Washington’s starters are also expected to play a few series. The Athletic’s watch guide is here.

Extra Points

Andrew Luck should still be playing. “I was gonna play until I was 40 or 45,” he told The Athletic’s Zak Keefer, who shared the story of why Luck returned to football.

From the “Scoop City” Podcast: Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel share their plans for the Patriots.

Scouting Jayden Daniels. The Commanders quarterback explained how he self-scouts after a record-setting rookie season.

Hidden star. Josh Metellus is a safety who lines up among defensive tackles and stops the run like a linebacker. Today, Jourdan Rodrigue profiled the most interesting player in the Vikings’ devastating defense.

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(Photo: Geoff Stellfox / Getty Images)

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