Week 2 of the NFL preseason delivered a clear signal: Jaxson Dart is emerging as the league’s standout rookie quarterback through two exhibitions, completing 26 of 35 passes for 291 yards with two touchdowns across Giants performances. His poise, accuracy on middle throws, and a slick fake that freed Greg Dulcich for a score hint at a real developmental arc in New York’s QB competition. TreVeyon Henderson flashed burst and patience, hinting at a meaningful early role for New England, while Teddy Bridgewater delivered a couple of red-zone darts that underscored his value as a trusted veteran in Tampa Bay. Philadelphia rookie Andrew Mukuba showed a nose for the football with a pick-six and a fumble recovery, offering a potential secondary option for a rebuilding secondary. On the downside, MarShawn Lloyd’s lingering injury woes and the Cowboys’ backup shakeups stalled fantasy optimism, Joe Milton III struggled for Dallas, Van Jefferson combined a clean route with a missed catch, and Stafford’s unclear return schedule cast a cloud over the Rams’ offensive window. Week 2 left managers with a mix of fresh optimism and cautious notes as rosters thin and roles sharpen.

The Buccaneers snapped a tight preseason opener into a win over the Steelers, riding a wave of efficient plays from their QB room and sharp moments from a handful of youngsters to push for roster spots. Teddy Bridgewater stepped into a reliable No. 2 role, orchestrating two crisp scoring drives and showing veteran poise. Rookie Jacob Parrish teased with decisive ball skills, while Emeka Egbuka flashed with his first NFL TD. Zyon McCollum grabbed an INT and looked more confident in coverage, Kindle Vildor anchored the secondary with a pick and key breakups. On the flip side, Jamel Dean had a rough sequence, Charlie Heck struggled in protection, and Kyle Trask’s 3-for-10 night fed HC questions about the QB2 competition. The game underscored depth chart conversations in a crowded roster battle, while Baker Mayfield stood behind Bridgewater as the veteran engine for the offense.

For fantasy bettors, Bridgewater’s solid efficiency bodes well for a reliable late-round QB2, especially given Mayfield’s starter role. Parrish’s special-teams/coverage flashes could translate into regular defensive depth looks, while McCollum and Vildor offer intriguing rotational upside in a secondary that’ll lean on playmakers this season. Egbuka’s polish and a continued uptick in McCollum’s reads signal growing day-one contribution potential. Trask and Heck remain on a tight leash, with Trask needing a cleaner outing to defend a potential QB2 chase. Overall, the Bucs showcased a path to flexibility in August, with several players stepping into fantasy-friendly roles.

The Buccaneers flashed both promise and concern in their Pittsburgh tuneup. Bridgewater operated with veteran poise, finishing 6-of-11 for 85 yards with two touchdowns and guiding two scoring drives, keeping QB2 chatter alive behind Mayfield. Trask struggled, hinting at deeper questions about TB’s Week 1 depth chart. Injuries to Godwin Jr. and Wirfs tightened the backfield calculus and underscored the need for more robust line play and running production.

Playmakers stepped up: Emeka Egbuka landed TB’s first NFL TD on a clean route, Zyon McCollum flashed lockdown potential with an early INT, and Kindle Vildor added an interception and sticky coverage. Jacob Parrish reinforced his growing cornerback ceiling, while Charlie Heck’s edge discipline and Wirfs’ looming return frame TB’s strategic decisions. The ground game lagged, and the defense will face steeper tests as injuries shape the next game plan.

In all, TB’s preseason flow suggests a competitive QB2 race, with Bridgewater’s steadiness potentially nudging Trask into a more defined role. Injuries and pass rush issues demand a closer look at O-line depth and backfield balance. The Steelers will be ready to test TB again, but early returns point to a capable, evolving depth chart that fantasy players should watch closely as rosters trim.

Tampa Bay’s 2025 preseason win over Pittsburgh illuminated a pivotal storyline: Teddy Bridgewater seized the moment as the standout quarterback, engineering back-to-back TD drives in the first quarter to snag a 14-0 edge. He finished 6-of-11 for 85 yards with two touchdowns across three series, delivering a touch-quiet ball that looked comfortable in Josh Grizzard’s game plan despite limited time with the team. Kyle Trask, by contrast, struggled (3-of-10 for 19 yards) while working with largely third-stringers, underscoring the QB2 competition but also highlighting Bridgewater’s veteran steadiness. The coaching staff will likely weigh Bridgewater as a solid backup option behind Baker Mayfield, especially given Bridgewater’s two-score showing and Trask’s uneven command. TB fans should monitor how Bridgewater handles the finale against Buffalo next week, which could cement the QB2 pecking order.

On the field, the Buccaneers looked more cohesive with Bridgewater, efficiently moving the ball and showing better rhythm than in the prior warm-up. Bridgewater threaded a scoring pass to Bucky Irving for TB’s first points, then connected with rookie Emeka Egbuka for another score, signaling meaningful chemistry in a short acclimation period. Irving also contributed as a playmaker, while Mayfield remains the incumbent starter. For fantasy players, Bridgewater’s performance plants a ceiling for a viable veteran backup and potentially more if Mayfield misses time, while Trask’s continued stagnation could push Bridgewater into meaningful late-season relevance in real-world depth charts.