Week 2 of the NFL preseason is just about over, which means it’s time to look back on an action-packed weekend of football games. Which players stood out the most? Perhaps more interestingly, which players did damage to their football careers? Below are the biggest winners and losers from NFL preseason Week 2.
Winner: Stephen Dix Jr.
NCAA Football: Arkansas State at Arkansas12
Sep 6, 2025; Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Stephen Dix Jr (14) defends as Arkansas State Red Wolves running back Devin Spencer (4) rushes in the second quarter at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Most NFL fans didn’t know who Stephen Dix Jr. was before Saturday. That’s when the undrafted rookie linebacker made his preseason debut with the Miami Dolphins. Amazingly, Dix was just signed on Friday. Roughly 24 hours later, he not only was playing in his first NFL game, but he was also asked to make the calls on defense while seeing 36 snaps (34 on defense, two on special teams). Dix only made a tackle and assisted on two others. Still, he clearly impressed the coaching staff with his ability to not only be in good enough shape to see a fairly heavy workload but also play a significant role on the defense.
Loser: Fernando Mendoza
NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans12
Aug 20, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) attempts a pass during the game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft showed both why the Las Vegas Raiders made him the top choice, and also why they’re not ready to name him the starter. Mendoza completed just 8-of-15 passes for 86 yards while taking a sack. But the biggest takeaway was his pick-six. While Mendoza did bounce back and settle down afterward, it was the latest sign that maybe it’s best for the Raiders to start Kirk Cousins until it’s obvious that Mendoza is the better player right now.
Related: Fernando Mendoza Shows Mixed Bag in Second Raiders Preseason Game
Winner: Joey Aguilar
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Joey Aguilar (17) rolls out in the fourth quarter at EverBank Stadium in the second preseason12
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Joey Aguilar (17) rolls out in the fourth quarter at EverBank Stadium in the second preseason game on Friday night, August 21, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. The Panthers defeated the Jaguars 34-17. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
The Jacksonville Jaguars have four quarterbacks on the roster, and the last one they added is making a strong case to make the team. Undrafted rookie free agent signing Joey Aguilar started his career at a community college before leaping to D-I ball for two years at Appalachian State and landing in Tennessee in 2025. Now he’s shredding defenses filled with NFL hopefuls. Aguilar was nearly perfect on Friday, completing 9-of-10 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown while showing off some impressive arm strength. The Jaguars might have found a fun developmental project here.
Loser: Anthony Richardson
NFL: Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts12
Aug 22, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Four years after the Indianapolis Colts selected Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick, the 24-year-old is now entering the final year of his rookie contract. While he had no chance of becoming the starter, now that he’s healthy again, this preseason was Richardson’s opportunity to show that he’s capable of dominating a game again. Unfortunately, the dual-threat didn’t strike any fear on Saturday after completing just 3-of-9 passes for 24 yards while taking two sacks. Richardson also had three rushes for 15 yards. To be fair, Riley Leonard didn’t take a step forward as they both eye the Colts’ QB2 job either. But still, Richardson was a first-round pick who’s in his fourth season, and Leonard saw 188 others selected before him in 2025 and is in just his second season. One of these players is supposed to be waaaay ahead of the other.
Winner: Ja’Mori Maclin
NFL: Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills12
Aug 15, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Ja’mori MacLin (84) makes a catch in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at the New Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
The cousin of former Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin, Ja’Mori landed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent, but it’s looking more and more like he’ll be sticking around. Last week it was a one-handed catch. This time, Maclin caught two passes for 108 yards, including this 71-yard touchdown. Maclin has shown he has NFL speed. The question is how high can he climb on Buffalo’s depth chart this summer?
Loser: Will Howard
NFL: New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers12
Aug 21, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard (18) looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Jockeying for position on the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ depth chart, there’s no question Will Howard took a step backward with his performance on Friday. While his counterpart had a lower completion rate after going 11-for-23 for 110 yards while taking two sacks, Howard’s game was worse. The 2025 sixth-round pick wound up completing 10-of-15 passes for 74 yards, two interceptions, and a sack. Thus, Pittsburgh’s QB depth chart might be Aaron Rodgers as starter, Mason Rudolph as backup, but Allar, the team’s third-round rookie, may have leapt past Howard. Yet, Pittsburgh is still expected to keep all four on the roster either way.
Winner: Wade Woodaz
NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans12
Aug 20, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz (30) returns Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) interception for an 80 yard touchdown in the first quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
The Houston Texans already had one of the NFL’s best defenses. Yet, they may have discovered a hidden gem by plucking linebacker Wade Woodaz with the 123rd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound linebacker managed to jump in front of pass from Fernando Mendoza, and took it the other way for an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown. Woodaz undoubtedly earned himself a few extra reps with his outstanding effort.
Loser: Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson12
Aug 22, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) scrambles during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Heading into the Browns’ second preseason game, it appeared like Watson was the favorite to be named the starting QB in Cleveland. Now? Not so much. The former Pro Bowl QB completed just 5-of-12 passes for 36 yards and a touchdown. He also didn’t take well to hearing boos from the home crowd and went off on a rant about feeling “disrespected” after the game. Watson surely didn’t earn any fans with his comments, which called back to “that same fanbase cheered when I got hurt.”
Related: Cleveland Browns Sign Former First-Round Pass-Rusher After Alex Wright Achilles Tear
Winner: Jack Strand
NFL: Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts12
Aug 22, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Jack Strand (18) celebrates after a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Falcons have a muddy QB situation but Michael Penix Jr. absence from team practices due to injury has created a golden opportunity for undrafted rookie Jack Strand. No one thought the 22-year-old out of Minnesota State-Moorhead would make the roster when he joined the roster back in May. Yet, Strand has made the most of his chances. On Saturday that meant slicing up the Colts by completing 12-of-17 passes for 212 passing yards and a touchdown. He also tacked on 22 rushing yards and a rushing score too. There’s no way the Falcons gamble and try to sneak the 6-foot-4 QB onto the practice squad, right? With Tua Tagovailoa, Penix, Strand, and Cooper Rush, eventually someone will have to go.
Loser: Odell Beckham Jr. and Tyrone Tracy Jr.
NFL: New York Giants at Miami Dolphins12
Aug 22, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) breaks a tackle against Miami Dolphins cornerback Ethan Bonner (27) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Through two preseason games, New York Giants legend Odell Beckham Jr. has shown he can still get open and even juke defenders out of the picture. Yet, he also dropped a touchdown catch that went right through his hands. That’s a catch a veteran has to make. Hoping for a chance to make the roster, OBJ hasn’t really made an on-field impact in New York again this year, and considering he’s not a special teams standout, it’s hard to imagine how he lands on the 53-man roster. Yet, a practice squad opportunity could give him a chance to knock some of the rust off.
As for Tyrone Tracy Jr., it’s looking more like his days in New York are numbered. Last week his failed blocking assignment got franchise QB Jaxson Dart‘s bell rung. This week, he lost a fumble while rushing for 26 yards on six attempts and catching three passes for 22 yards. Missing blocks and turning the ball over is a great way to move down the depth chart, especially after the Giants added Najee Harris to a backfield that also features Cam Skattebo and Devin Singletary.
Related: Two Big Takeaways From New York Giants’ 26-3 Domination Of The Miami Dolphins
Winner: Behren Morton
NFL: Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots12
Aug 13, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Behren Morton (15) throws a pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
As a seventh-round rookie, Behren Morton’s main goal is to show the New England Patriots enough to give them a reason to keep a third QB on the roster. He checked that box on Saturday by completing 13-of-17 passes for 129 yards and a game-winning touchdown in the final minute. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, the 24-year-old also oddly made a unique contribution on special teams too. Patriots punter Bryce Baringer had to leave after feeling unwell, leading to Morton surprisingly getting a shot to kick, and he booted the ball three times for 133 yards, including a touchback. Morton’s longest punt went for 48 yards and his average of 44.3 wasn’t far off from Baringer’s 45.5 even though the QB hadn’t punted in a game since high school.
Winner: Joe Milton
Joe Milton12
Aug 15, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III (10) passes the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
It’s exhibition season, which means NFL fans are gushing about Joe Milton again. Projected to be Dak Prescott‘s backup, the 26-year-old former sixth-round pick showed off his big arm with a dime to Jonathan Mingo for a 53-yard touchdown. Milton has always had zip on his passes and he finished Saturday strong by completing 9-of-13 passes for 179 yards, two passing touchdowns, and a rushing score. There’s no question that the Dallas Cowboys have an exciting QB waiting in the wings with Milton and this weekend’s effort was just the latest reminder.