The 2024 NFL Preseason Schedule preseason kicks off in August, giving fans their first live look at rookie quarterbacks, revamped offenses, and position battles that will shape the 2024 season. While starters may see limited action, these exhibition games provide crucial evaluation opportunities for coaches and fantasy managers alike.
In this complete guide to the 2024 NFL preseason, we cover:
✔ Full week-by-week preseason schedule with all 65 games
✔ 5 must-watch rookie debuts that could shake up depth charts
✔ New NFL preseason rules affecting playing time decisions
✔ How to watch every game (TV channels + streaming options)
✔ Key position battles to monitor in each matchup
Whether you’re scouting sleepers for fantasy drafts or just craving football’s return, this is your ultimate preseason primer.
2024 NFL Preseason Schedule Highlights
Hall of Fame Game (First Preseason Matchup)
Date: August 1, 2024
️ Matchup: Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans
Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium (Canton, OH)
TV: NBC
Why Watch:
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Caleb Williams’ first NFL action (even if limited)
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Texans debut 2023 playoff roster with new additions
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Enshrinement weekend for Peppers, Willis, Johnson
More Bears-Texans coverage: NFL Newsz
Week-by-Week Preseason Schedule
Week 1 (August 8-12)
Key Games:
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Commanders at Jets (Aug 8): Jayden Daniels vs. Aaron Rodgers’ offense
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Panthers at Patriots (Aug 10): Bryce Young vs. Drake Maye QB duel
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Chiefs at Bengals (Aug 11): Rematch of last 3 AFC Championships
Week 2 (August 15-19)
Notable Matchups:
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Bears at Bills (Aug 17): Williams vs. Allen (limited snaps)
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Eagles at Ravens (Aug 18): NFC vs AFC contender preview
Week 3 (August 22-26)
Final Auditions:
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Packers at Broncos (Aug 24): Jordan Love vs. Bo Nix extended look
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Cowboys at Raiders (Aug 25): Ezekiel Elliott’s return to Dallas
Full schedule: NFL Newsz
5 Rookie Debuts That Matter Most
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Caleb Williams (Bears)
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Even 1-2 series will reveal offensive tempo
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Jayden Daniels (Commanders)
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Dual-threat ability against vanilla defenses
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Marvin Harrison Jr. (Cardinals)
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Route-running against starting CBs
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Bo Nix (Broncos)
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Sean Payton’s system requires preseason reps
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Dallas Turner (Vikings)
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Pass rush moves against NFL tackles
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New 2024 Preseason Rules
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Emergency QB Rule Active
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Teams can play 3 QBs without roster penalty
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Kickoff Changes in Effect
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New format tested in live game action
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Hip-Drop Tackle Emphasis
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Officials will flag violations during games
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How to Watch Preseason Games
National Broadcasts
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NFL Network: 23 live games
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ESPN: 2 Monday night matchups
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Local Stations: Check team markets
Streaming Options
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NFL+: $6.99/month for all games
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Team Apps: Some offer free streams
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International: DAZN (Canada), Game Pass (Europe)
Pro Tip: NFL Network replays games at midnight in condensed format
Position Battles to Watch
| Team | Battle | Preseason Decider |
|---|---|---|
| Steelers | QB2 (Fields vs. Wilson) | Red zone efficiency |
| Rams | WR3 (Tutu Atwell vs. Jordan Whittington) | Return ability |
| Giants | RB1 (Devon Achane vs. Eric Gray) | Pass protection |
Fantasy Football Takeaways
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WR Depth Charts Crystalize in Week 3 preseason
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UDFA Standouts often become waiver wire gold
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TE Usage in 2-minute drills reveals real roles
Read More: NFL Rookie Contracts 2024: Breakdowns, Bargains & Potential Busts
Final Thought: Why Preseason Still Matters
While starters play less, these games determine:
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Final 10 roster spots on every team
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Practice squad allocations
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Early-season playcalling tendencies
For daily preseason analysis: NFL Newsz
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