Overview
- The NFL preseason opened Thursday, Aug. 13, with a six‑game Week 1 slate that coaches used to give short, live reps to starters while focusing most playing time on backups and rookies.
- Green Bay’s Jordan Love was expected to play in the opener at Pittsburgh while Aaron Rodgers’ participation remained uncertain and the Steelers outlined a three‑group plan that will rotate Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar.
- Broadcasters and streamers confirmed national and local coverage for Week 1 games, with NFL Network carrying Packers‑Steelers and platforms such as fubo and NFL+ offering streaming access that affects viewership and betting markets.
- At New York’s training camp, John Harbaugh’s early practices have changed tone and approach, and drills have shown tangible run‑defense improvement led by veteran DT DJ Reader and rookie first‑rounder Arvell Reese.
- Coaches will use the next two preseason weeks to sort quarterback pecking orders, settle position battles and trim rosters, so short starter outings this weekend should be read as evaluation moves rather than season‑defining performances.