Say goodbye to the offseason — it’s time for football.
After months of no games, NFL players will finally take the field in uniform starting this week for the preseason. Not all stars will be in action for Week 1 of exhibition games, but it’ll be the first chance to see some of the top rookies in action. Also on display will be the NFL’s new rules for the 2025 season — a tweaked kickoff, Hawk-Eye virtual measurements and expanded replay assist.
Before the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys kick things off on NBC and Peacock next month, there are 48 preseason games — and roster cuts — to get through.
Here’s what to know entering the first week of action:
When does the NFL preseason start?
The preseason technically began with the Hall of Fame Game on July 31, when the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Detroit Lions in Canton, Ohio.
But the preseason schedule begins in earnest on Thursday, Aug. 7, with the first games of Week 1. There are three weeks of preseason, followed by a week off before the regular season gets underway Thursday, Sept. 4, on NBC and Peacock.
Preseason NFL schedule Week 1
The opening week of the preseason features eight games on national TV, including at least one on Thursday (Aug. 7), Friday (Aug. 8), Saturday (Aug. 9) and Sunday (Aug. 10).
Here’s the full Week 1 preseason schedule:
Thursday, Aug. 7
- Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens, 7 p.m. ET
- Cincinnati Bengals at Philadelphia Eagles, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Las Vegas Raiders at Seattle Seahawks, 10 p.m. ET
Friday, Aug. 8
Saturday, Aug. 9
Sunday, Aug. 10
The NFL will switch from traditional chain gangs to advanced camera technology, Sony’s hawk-eye system, as the primary method of measuring first downs for the upcoming season.
What NFL games are on TV this week?
As previously mentioned, eight games will be available to watch nationally in Week 1 on NFL Network.
Here are the games airing on the league’s broadcast channel:
- Thursday: Colts-Ravens and Raiders-Seahawks
- Friday: Browns-Panthers
- Saturday: Giants-Bills, Texans-Vikings and Jets-Packers
- Sunday: Dolphins-Bears and Saints-Chargers
How to watch preseason NFL games
Aside from the national games on NFL Network, you can also watch preseason games locally on each team’s TV affiliate network in your market. Live out-of-market preseason games are available to watch with NFL+.
NFL Sunday Ticket, which is used during the regular season, does not apply to the preseason.
Here’s what we know so far about the 2025 NFL schedule, which includes seven global games for the first time in league history.
NFL starters playing in preseason 2025
With just three games to get ready for the regular season, teams have mixed philosophies on the preseason.
Some teams, like the Rams, never play their starters in any preseason games. Others play their starters in select games for certain amounts of time, depending on the situation.
Many coaches are starting to reveal their early plans for starters in the preseason. Here’s a roundup of what starters will or won’t play in Week 1, as of Wednesday, Aug. 6:
- Titans: No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward will play in every preseason game, including a series or two in Week 1, coach Brian Callahan said.
- Browns: Rookie Shedeur Sanders will start at quarterback for Cleveland’s preseason opener, coach Kevin Stefanski said.
- Ravens: Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry will not play in Baltimore’s preseason opener, coach John Harbaugh said.
- Bengals: Starters, including quarterback Joe Burrow, will play “several series” in Cincinnati’s preseason opener, coach Zac Taylor said. Starters will see their most playing time in Week 2, he added.
- Colts: Anthony Richardson will start at quarterback in Indianapolis’ preseason opener, followed by Daniel Jones in Week 2, coach Shane Steichen said.
- Patriots: Coach Mike Vrabel said he expects most healthy players to play in New England’s preseason opener.
- Commanders: Jayden Daniels will not play in Washington’s preseason opener, coach Dan Quinn siad.
- Cardinals: Starters, including quarterback Kyler Murray, will play in Arizona’s preseason opener, coach Jonathan Gannon said.
- Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence said he expects to play in Week 1 but didn’t know the plan.
- Raiders: “Everybody’s live, everybody’s ready to go,” coach Pete Carroll said when asked about playing starters in Week 1.
- Panthers: Starters, including quarterback Bryce Young, will play in Carolina’s first two preseason games, coach Dave Canales said.
- Saints: Running back Alvin Kamara will not play in New Orleans’ preseason opener.