Mahomes showed off some Mahomes Magic when he connected with Travis Kelce on a behind-the-back pass to pick up a first down in the first quarter of the Chiefs’ preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Saturday. However, Mahomes later revealed during an in-game interview that the highlight-reel play was ‘100%’ improvised.

‘Long story short, Travis (Kelce) didn’t run the route he was supposed to run,’ Mahomes said. ‘It was a behind-the-back pass because I was mad. I was pissed off at Travis. He was supposed to run a flag route … and then he doesn’t run it. So out of spite, I threw a behind-the-back pass, but now it’s going to be a highlight.’

At the Lions’ 33-yard line on third and 3, Mahomes faked a handoff to fullback Carson Steele, ran a couple steps to his right before throwing the unconventional pass to Kelce to move the chains. Mahomes had the ball in his right hand and then flipped it behind his back to Kelce, who picked up 8 yards on the play for a first down. The drive ended with a field goal to extend the Chiefs’ lead over the Lions to 6-0.

Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl champion, said the play ‘just happened’ after the mixup.

All things Chiefs: Latest Kansas City Chiefs news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

‘That’s what I was trying to say to everybody. It can’t be planned,’ said Mahomes, who went 8-for-14 for 93-yards in the first two drives of the game before ending his day. ‘It’s got to happen naturally in the groove of things. It wasn’t like I planned that at all or a called play.’

Kelce joined the broadcast during the fourth quarter and offered a different story. Kelce confirmed he didn’t run the correct route, but stated that it was actually because of Mahomes, effectively throwing Mahomes under the bus after his quarterback did the same to him.

‘(Mahomes) kind of mumbled out the play and I couldn’t hear. I was walking up to the line trying to decipher what he was saying. Before I knew it, he snapped the ball,’ said Kelce, who finished with the one reception for 8 yards. ‘I kind of saw him out of my peripheral run to the sideline so I was trying to go to help my guy out. By the time I look over there, he was already in mid-form, like a photo on a sports card, throwing the ball to me. I guess right place at the right time.”

Kelce ended his interview by saying, ‘Don’t let Pat (Mahomes) trick you guys into me doing the wrong thing.’

Fans — and even Chiefs head coach Andy Reid — have been calling for Mahomes to debut the behind-the-back pass in an actual game after he successfully completed a similar pass to running back Isiah Pacheco during training camp this week. Although Reid has given him the green light, Mahomes said he’s been ‘hesitant.’

‘(Reid) is all for it. It’s me the one that’s hesitant to do it in a game,’ Mahomes said earlier this week. ‘There definitely is a possibility of it. If you do it, it has to work. … Once you are having a good day, you have the freedom to try stuff like that. If stuff’s not working out well, you don’t have that opportunity.’

Looks like things went pretty well for Mahomes and the Chiefs, even if it was improvised.

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The No. 1 pick of the 2024 draft has been hailed as a generational prospect and franchise savior. Some “experts” believe he can take the Chicago Bears to the playoffs – this season. He’s even (still) garnering (unfair) comparisons to three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes.

And Williams was certainly feeling the adoration Saturday afternoon, a charged-up crowd reveling in his Soldier Field debut … even if it was only a preseason affair against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“They showed out, they showed up,” Williams said of the fans, who are only feeling love – right now – for the man many have already prognosticated will wind up the greatest passer ever for a franchise that’s more than a century old.

“When I ran through the end zone, it was pretty sick.”

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However, despite the atmosphere and understandable expectations, a 27-3 victory was nevertheless a reminder that the Bears, who haven’t won a playoff game in nearly 14 years, will doubtless mirror the rollercoaster their rookie quarterback is likely to ride.

The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner took the field with the first-team offense – facing a Bengals defense mostly fielding backups – and promptly fell flat. Chicago went three-and-out on its first three drives, accounting for all of 16 yards, Williams completing two of six throws for 12 yards while receiving an intentional grounding penalty.

“We weren’t our best today, we started out slow. We can’t do that in this National Football League,” said Williams, who also took the blame for a subsequent false start due to a rushed cadence and claimed responsibility for a sack.

“We’re gonna get a lot better, we’re gonna keep growing.

“We’re excited. … We’re here to win games for the Chicago Bears.”

The fourth drive began providing evidence why that could happen extensively in 2024 for a team that finished 7-10 last season without Williams.

A 16-yard end-around from wideout Rome Odunze, who was drafted eight spots after Williams, got the offense into gear. On the next play, Williams took a deep shot – one he thought would have resulted in a 58-yard touchdown – to Tyler Scott, who was mugged on the play, which resulted in a 43-yard gain thanks to pass interference. The offense stalled from there, settling for a 37-yard field goal.

But then things got really exciting.

On Chicago’s last possession of the first half, Williams’ final drive of the day, he scrambled to his left but managed to throw across his body and loft a 45-yard completion to Odunze down the sideline to the Bengals’ 7-yard line. On the next snap, he found Odunze in the back corner of the end zone for an apparent touchdown … except the University of Washington product lost track of his feet and stepped out of bounds.

“That was a little rookie moment right there,” Odunze told NFL Network after the game. “Thought I was in completely – thought I was in by a foot, turns out I was out by a foot. Something I’ll definitely learn from.”

But two plays later, the rookie quarterback picked up the rookie receiver, Williams embarking on a serpentine scramble – unlike predecessor Justin Fields, Williams was looking to pass – before finally taking off and using his legs to score the touchdown.

Williams couldn’t help but smile when asked about what seems like the near-instant chemistry he and Odunze have developed.

“We’re gonna be explosive. We’re two rooks, but we’re trying to catch up to the old guys as fast as we can to make sure that we’re right there on par with them,” said Williams, noting he still needs to work to get on the “same page” with veteran receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen.

“We’re only going to keep growing and keep building this connection.”

Told Miami Dolphins All-Pro Tyreek Hill appeared to be the latest to make the Williams-Mahomes comp with a tweet Saturday, the rookie tried to maintain some semblance of perspective, saying “it’s cool, it’s great,’ appreciative of the sign of respect while also trying to establish his own NFL identity – knowing he’s a long way from MVP awards or chasing a prospective Super Bowl three-peat.

“We’re gonna keep working to be perfect,” said Williams, surely knowing that’s unattainable – particularly since it’s an NFL guarantee he’ll face more struggles and uneven performances during his maiden voyage through the league.

But another thing he said certainly could come to fruition, much as it is to ask for a first-year quarterback … but maybe not one who’s surrounded by as much talent as Williams is.

“We’re gonna win a lot of games,” he said, “and we’re gonna have a lot of fun doing it.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.

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The Indiana Fever had an impressive showing against the Phoenix Mercury on Friday in their first game back from the Olympic break, completing a season sweep of the Mercury with a 98-89 victory. Now, rookie Caitlin Clark and the Fever are looking to avoid the same fate.

The Seattle Storm will go for the season sweep over the Fever on Sunday after winning the first three matchups this season. They last faced off in Seattle in late June, when the Storm defeated the Fever 89-77. Indiana, however, has been on a roll since the loss and has picked up five wins in its last eight games.

Every win counts for the Fever in the WNBA playoff picture. Indiana currently sits in seventh place at 12-15 with 13 games remaining, while the Storm are comfortably in fourth place in the standings at 17-9 with 14 games remaining.

CAITLIN CLARK shines in return from Olympic break

Here’s how to watch the Fever-Storm game on Sunday:

When is Indiana Fever vs. Seattle Storm game?

Date: Sunday, Aug. 18
Start time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Place: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

How to watch Caitlin Clark and Fever vs. Storm

TV channel: ABC
Live stream: ESPN3

The Fever game against the Mercury will be broadcast on ABC with streaming available through ESPN3. Upon its conclusion, the contest will be available to watch on WNBA League Pass, which fans can get by downloading the WNBA app.

Caitlin Clark stats in last game

In the Fever’s first game back from the Olympic break, Caitlin Clark finished with a team-high 29 points in a 98-89 win over the Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Clark picked up the 10th double-double of her career, with 10 assists and five rebounds. The Fever rookie shot 8-for-16 from the field, including 4-for-11 from three.

Clark is averaging 17.6 points, a WNBA-leading 8.3 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game in 26 games this season.

The UFC was Down Under this weekend.

UFC 305 saw fighters throwing down at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, on Saturday night — at least that’s when Americans were watching. The actual fighting began Sunday morning on the ground in Western Australia.

This card was loaded with Aussies and featured an intriguing main event: Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis defending his title for the first time against former champ Israel Adesanya, who had the crowd behind him.

So, what happened? Check out all the results and highlights from UFC 305:

Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya result

And still!

Dricus Du Plessis got Israel Adesanya to tap in the fourth round, successfully defending his middleweight championship for the first time.

The fight felt evenly matched, with both combatants getting good shots and combos in throughout. But Du Plessis turned the tide suddenly.

He landed a vicious left to Adesanya’s head, and shortly after followed it up with three strong rights to the head. He pulled Adesanya down and locked in a rear-naked choke. Adesanya tapped, giving Du Plessis the submission win at 3:38 of the fourth.

There were some good exchanges in a methodical first round. Du Plessis got a small cut on his forehead but neither fighter seemed particularly worse for wear.

Things picked up in the second round. Du Plessis shot for a takedown and the fight finally went to the ground. Du Plessis was in control and tried to lock in chokes but Adesanya was able to escape and get back to his feet. The champ managed at least two other takedowns in the frame.

Adesanya seemed to take back control of the fight in the third, landing a few big shots to Du Plessis’ body. Adesanya also hit a pretty awesome elbow. But Du Plessis had a response with some big punching combos.

The start of the fourth round felt very similar, with Adesanya getting good punches in. But Du Plessis once again had an answer and, before the round was through, had a sudden victory.

The men embraced after the fight, and again after their interviews, seeming to put the bad blood that had built between them in the past. Du Plessis was quite complimentary of Adesanya in his post-fight interview.

So, what’s next for the champ? Well, if Alex Pereira has his way, it’s a matchup with ‘Poatan.’ Shortly after the bout, Pereira — the former middleweight champ and current light heavyweight champ — took to Instagram to say he’s ‘coming down to 185 one more time.’

As for Adesanya, the former champ admitted he didn’t know what his future holds after dropping his second straight bout. But he channeled Leonardo DiCaprio in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ and declared he’s not leaving — complete with all the appropriate expletives.

Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg result

There was no storybook win for the hometown hero in this one.

Kai Kara-France knocked out Perth native Steve Erceg in the first round of their flyweight bout. Kara-France, a New Zealand native, struck suddenly, leveling Erceg with a left. Erceg managed to get back to his feet, but Kara-France finished the job with a brutal right in short order.

The TKO came at 4:04.

‘This is the statement I was talking about. I want my actions to be my loudest voice,’ Kara-France said in the ring. ‘Who do you think I should fight next? For the title?’

Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan Hooker result

This just might be the fight of the night. It was certainly the closest so far, at least on the scorecards.

Dan Hooker earned a split-decision victory over Mateusz Gamrot (two 29-28 cards for Hooker, one 29-28 card for Gamrot) in their lightweight battle.

The first round was action-packed. Hooker looked to be in trouble early, with Gamrot landing some furious ground and pound and opening some cuts on Hooker’s face. But Hooker completely turned the tables with punches, and looked like he was on the verge of landing a knockout blow. Somehow, we reached the bell. The second round was not quite as high-octane, with Gamrot getting the fight to the ground for a large stretch. But the action picked up again in the third, with all three judges viewing Hooker as getting the better of the action.

Judge pulled from fight after controversial card

Howie Booth, the judge who submitted a 30-27 card in favor of Tai Tuivasa in Tuivasa’s fight against Jairzinho Rozenstruik, will not be judging any other fights on the UFC 305 card. He was slated to judge the Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg match.

Jon Anik announced the news on the UFC 305 broadcast.

It was not immediately clear who made the call to yank Booth. But clearly it wasn’t just the internet that was shocked — dare we say disgusted? — by Booth’s 30-27 score for Tuivasa. His fellow judges awarded the fight to Rozenstruik, by 30-27 and 29-28 scores.

Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik result

There will be no celebratory shoey tonight.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik put on a clinic, dispatching Tai Tuivasa in a frankly surprising split decision (30-27 and 29-28 scores for Rozenstruik, a 30-27 score for Tuivasa).

After a relatively quiet opening frame the action picked up considerably in the second round of this heavyweight showdown as Tuivasa found his footing. But Rozenstruik answered the push with some good combos, and went on the attack when Tuivasa hurt his foot with a kick. Tuivasa showed in the third why he’s a fan favorite, gamely going the distance, but he was at a decided disadvantage when it came to significant strikes and clearly was in a worse place than Rozenstruik when the final bell sounded.

Though one of the judges didn’t agree, apparently.

Li Jingliang vs. Carlos Prates result

What. A. Knockout.

Carlos Prates’ power devastated Li Jingliang, who was knocked out for the first time in his career.

The killshot had been building over two rounds. After a measured start to this welterweight bout, Prates began tagging Li, dropping Li multiple times in the first round. Prates continued to rock Li in the second round, eventually getting him on the run and pressed up against the cage. Another strong left hook finally did Li in at 4:02.

Junior Tafa vs. Valter Walker result

It wouldn’t be a UFC event without some controversy! The final preliminary bout of the night, a heavyweight fight between Junior Tafa and Valter Walker, was stopped by the referee at 4:56 of the first round. Tafa was not happy about the stoppage.

Walker had gotten Tafa’s leg in a pretty nasty-looking heel hook. We can deduce that it hurt, because Tafa cried out in pain. It’s what brought the stoppage. (An ‘involuntary scream’ falls under the UFC’s verbal tap guidelines.)

Regardless, Tafa was immediately peeved, and he eventually got in Walker’s face to exchange some words. He even lightly slapped Walker.

Tafa then bobbed his middle finger as the decision, a technical submission victory for Walker, was announced.

Josh Culibao vs. Ricardo Ramos result

This felt like our closest bout of the night, and the scorecards reflected that. Brazil’s Ricardo Ramos ended the run of Australian winners with a split-decision victory over Josh Culibao (two judges scored it 29-28 Ramos, one had 29-28 Culibao.)

Both fighters had moments in the first round, with Culibao appearing to hurt Ramos. But perhaps Culibao was a bit over-aggressive in his pursuit and the fight went to the ground — and Culibao soon found himself in major trouble. Ramos appeared to be on the verge of choking Culibao out, but Culibao found a way to survive after considerable struggle. But then Culibao appeared to have the initiative in the second round, even showing off a bit by hitting a pirouette at one point.

Ramos came out strong in the third, though, bloodying Culibao’s face a little and gaining some more time in control on the ground. Two of the judges awarded him the round for his efforts — and that earned him the win in the featherweight fight.

Casey O’Neill channels Raygun with celebration

Casey O’Neill appeared to channel Raygun, the Australian breakdancer who went viral during the Paris Olympics breaking competition, while celebrating her win over Luana Santos at UFC 305.

Casey O’Neill vs. Luana Santos result

The Australians are rolling now. Casey O’Neill made it three wins in a row for the home country fighters, scoring a 30-27, 30-27, 30-26 unanimous decision victory over Luana Santos in their women’s flyweight fight. O’Neill was in control throughout and might have gotten a submission in the final round if time had not expired.

O’Neill’s victory gets her back on track. After a 9-0 start to her pro MMA career, O’Neill lost both her fights in 2023.

Jack Jenkins vs. Herbert Burns result

We have another stoppage! Jack Jenkins defeated Herbert Burns via TKO at 0:48 of the third round.

When this featherweight fight was on the feet, Jenkins dominated. He pummeled Burns, repeatedly landing painful body shots. The only way Burns survived was by shooting for takedowns. It’s a well he went to a lot.

In the end, it was a kick that set the stage for Jenkins’ victory. The Australian’s kick to Burns’ leg hurt the Brazilian, who soon crumpled to the mat under Jenkins’ onslaught. After some ground and pound, Jenkins backed off to let Burns up. Burns was unable to rise. Fight over.

Tom Nolan vs. Alex Reyes result

We have our first Australian winner of the night!

Tom Nolan was a massive favorite for this lightweight bout against Alex Reyes but for the first time in his UFC career, one of his fights went the distance. Nolan controlled the action, though, and secured a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). After an uneven start, which included eating an illegal knee in the first round, Nolan began to take over in the second round. He seemed close to securing a submission win in the third round, but Reyes stayed alive.  

Song Kenan vs. Ricky Glenn result

The punching power of Song Kenan was on full display in his unanimous decision victory over Ricky Glenn (30-27, 30-26, 29-28). Perhaps the only surprising thing about this welterweight bout is it went the distance, and credit to Glenn for that.

Glenn actually got off to a good start, but Song soon took over, teeing off on the American with rapid flurries of punches. Glenn appeared to be staggered multiple times, and his face was left a battered mess. A fairly big hematoma also sprouted on the right side of his head.

Stewart Nicoll vs. Jesus Aguilar result

Getting choked out at 6:45 a.m. has to be quite the experience.

Jesus Aguilar slept Stewart Nicoll in the first round with an expert guillotine choke, drawing the stoppage at 2:39. The only blemish with Aguilar’s win over the Australian in the short-but-eventful flyweight bout: he missed weight by 1.5 pounds.

UFC 305 begins

Stewart Nicoll and Jesus Aguilar are in the ring at RAC Arena! Presumably the crowd will fill out throughout these preliminary bouts. After all, it’s not quite 7 a.m. there yet.

UFC 305 start time

Early prelims: 6:30 p.m. ET
Prelims: 8 p.m. ET
Main card: 10 p.m. ET

UFC 305 fight card

Main card

Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya (middleweight championship bout)
Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg (flyweight)
Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan Hooker (lightweight)
Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (heavyweight)
Li Jingliang vs. Carlos Prates (welterweight)

Prelims

Junior Tafa vs. Valter Walker (heavyweight)
Josh Culibao vs. Ricardo Ramos (featherweight)
Casey O’Neill vs. Luana Santos (women’s flyweight)
Jack Jenkins vs. Herbert Burns (featherweight)

Early prelims

Tom Nolan vs. Alex Reyes (lightweight)
Song Kenan vs. Ricky Glenn (welterweight)
Stewart Nicoll vs. Jesus Aguilar (flyweight)

UFC 305 live stream

The early prelims and prelims will be broadcast on TV on ESPN, with a live stream available via ESPN+. The pay-per-view main event can be purchased and streamed through ESPN+.

UFC 305 price

The UFC 305 pay-per-view can be purchased through ESPN+ (which requires a subscription) for $79.99.

UFC 305 odds

All odds are for moneyline bets:

Dricus Du Plessis (-105) vs. Israel Adesanya (-115)
Kai Kara-France (+155) vs. Steve Erceg (-190)
Mateusz Gamrot (-375) vs. Dan Hooker (+300)
Tai Tuivasa (+195) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (-250)
Li Jingliang (+300) vs. Carlos Prates (-400)
Junior Tafa (-120) vs. Valter Walker (+100)
Josh Culibao (-140) vs. Ricardo Ramos (+115)
Casey O’Neill (+125) vs. Luana Santos (-150)
Jack Jenkins (-800) vs. Herbert Burns (+550)
Tom Nolan (-1200) vs. Alex Reyes (+750)
Song Kenan (-210) vs. Ricky Glenn (+170)
Stewart Nicoll (-210) vs. Jesus Aguilar (+175)

Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya: Tale of the tape

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One week after a stunning and controversial end to the race at Richmond – which saw race winner Austin Dillon penalized with the loss of an automatic playoff berth after wrecking Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin on the final lap – the NASCAR Cup Series returns to action.

Michigan International Speedway hosts a Sunday afternoon race as winless drivers battle for one of the remaining playoff berths as the regular season winds down. Including Michigan, just three races remain before the playoffs begin Sept. 8 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and 12 of the 16 playoff spots have been locked up via wins.

Will a new winner celebrate in victory lane on Sunday? Can Dillon bounce back and take the checkered flag for the second consecutive week? Here is all the information you need to get ready for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway:

What time does the NASCAR Cup race at Michigan start?

The FireKeepers Casino 400 starts at 2:30 p.m. ET Sunday at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.

What TV channel is the NASCAR Cup race at Michigan on?

USA Network is broadcasting the FireKeepers Casino 400 and has a pre-race show beginning at 2 p.m. ET.

Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR Cup race at Michigan?

The FireKeepers Casino 400 can be live streamed on the NBCSports website and the NBC Sports app. The race is also available to stream on Fubo.

How many laps is the NASCAR Cup race at Michigan?

The FireKeepers Casino 400 is 200 laps around the 2-mile track for a total of 400 miles. The race will feature three segments (laps per stage) – Stage 1: 45 laps; Stage 2: 75 laps; Stage 3: 80 laps.

Who won the most recent NASCAR Cup race at Michigan?

Chris Buescher led 52 laps, including the final 12, before edging Martin Truex Jr. by a miniscule 0.152 seconds on Aug. 7, 2023 for his second of three wins last season. Buescher, who is winless in 2024, is currently ranked 13th in the drivers standings and on the bubble to make the playoffs.

What is the lineup for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan?

(Car number in parentheses)

1. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota

2. (45) Tyler Reddick, Toyota

3. (20) Christopher Bell, Toyota

4. (5) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet

5. (23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota

6. (9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet

7. (1) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet

8. (12) Ryan Blaney, Ford

9. (24) William Byron, Chevrolet

10. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet

11. (77) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet

12. (99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet

13. (8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet

14. (22) Joey Logano, Ford

15. (6) Brad Keselowski, Ford

16. (4) Josh Berry, Ford

17. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford

18. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford

19. (54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota

20. (38) Todd Gilliland, Ford

21. (14) Chase Briscoe, Ford

22. (48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet

23. (2) Austin Cindric, Ford

24. (19) Martin Truex, Toyota

25. (10) Noah Gragson, Ford

26. (41) Ryan Preece, Ford

27. (71) Zane Smith, Chevrolet

28. (43) Erik Jones, Toyota

29. (51) Justin Haley, Ford

30. (47) Ricky Stenhouse, Chevrolet

31. (7) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet

32. (31) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet

33. (42) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota

34. (21) Harrison Burton, Ford

35. (16) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet

36. (15) Cody Ware, Ford

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – After finishing off the play, a little flare pass to the flat, the running back turned and casually jogged back to the huddle to set up for the next snap. It was a routine sequence in the middle of the dog days of the Los Angeles Chargers’ training camp.

You see that?

Watching the practice from the family section, I couldn’t help but egg on Jerry Rice.

Of course, he noticed.

If we were in Rocklin, you, J.T. or Roger Craig, would not have stopped until you got to the end zone. You would have run out the play for another 70 yards.

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“I don’t understand how these guys do it these days,” Rice replied, shaking his head.

Rice was at the recent practice checking out his son, Brenden, a seventh-round rookie receiver from USC who has been turning heads in the camp. Despite his modest draft status, Brenden has taken extensive snaps with the first team, a clear indication of his rising stock.

Jerry, the greatest receiver in NFL history, undoubtedly likes what he sees from his son yet realizes that, to a certain degree, he must contain himself.

“I’m just a dad; I’m here watching,” Rice told USA TODAY Sports. “If he wants to ask questions or he wants to do something, I’m fine with it. But I don’t, like…”

Offer unsolicited advice?

“No, I wait for him,” Rice continued. “If I force it on him like that, he’s not going to take it.”

This reminds me of some times with my 22-year-old son.

“They are going to fight you back,” Rice said. “So, you wait for them. That’s the secret. You wait for them.”

When Jerry went to Brenden’s college games, people constantly asked him to share the advice he offered his son.

“I don’t tell him anything,” Rice would maintain. “Unless he asks.”

If Brenden asks his Hall of Fame dad about the awkward play on the field closest to the family section – when he couldn’t haul in a slant pass that was thrown behind him – he’d get an earful. Jerry, father of Brenden, is still prickly about the details that can fuel greatness.

“That pass you dropped? Turn your body!” Rice said. “Turn your body backwards and make the catch. And you’d make the quarterback look good, too.”

It was great to run into Rice and to reminisce. Before joining USA TODAY Sports in 1993, I covered the San Francisco 49ers as a beat writer for three years, which included witnessing the training camp grind amid the sauna-like conditions in Rocklin, California, that Rice, Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott and others from their star-studded unit endured as they ramped up for the twists and turns of the seasons.

Rice was so meticulous, so competitive, so driven. These factors undoubtedly helped bring out the best in his talent and kept his mental game on edge.

Even now, nearly two decades since the final season of his 20-year career, Rice, 61, is a bit miffed that the 49ers failed pull off the three-peat during the 1990 season. And the Super Bowl 37 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when Rice played for the Oakland Raiders, is a bad memory.

“It still sits right there in my stomach that we lost that game,” Rice said. “There were so many factors. I mean, they found Barret Robbins (the Raiders center) in a ditch in Mexico.

“And that little Chucky,” he added, referring to then-Bucs coach Jon Gruden. “He was loving it, too.”

Listen to Rice, and it almost sounds like he feels like there was unfinished business.

“I still never played a perfect game,” he insisted.

Really? Rice was Super Bowl 23 MVP, and his 215 receiving yards against the Cincinnati Bengals still stands as the Super Bowl record. He also owns Super Bowl marks for touchdowns in a game (3, vs. the Chargers in Super Bowl 29), career receptions (33), yards (589) and touchdown catches (8). And his career regular-season records include receptions, yards, TDs, 100-yard games, 1,000-yard seasons and consecutive games with a catch.

Then again, he was the guy who might catch 11 passes for 150 yards with 2 TDs on a Sunday, then come to work on Monday in a surly mood, grumbling about missed opportunities.

Let’s just say his standard for perfection is way up there.

I’m wondering whether Rice thinks his legacy turns up the heat on Brenden, who is set to suit up for his second preseason game on Saturday at SoFi Stadium against the Los Angeles Rams.

“There’s always going to be pressure, no matter what, to play in the NFL,” Rice said. “But he tries to be himself and knows it’s not about what his dad did.”

Brenden, who wears No. 82, certainly doesn’t look like a clone of his dad. Jerry, who wore No. 80, had a sleek physique that suggested he wasn’t as strong as he was physically. Brenden, listed at 6-3, 210, is bigger than his father. He has a resemblance closer to Jerry’s teammate, John Taylor (J.T.), whose bulk suggested he wasn’t as fast as he was.

“Sometimes, I have to bring him down to earth, because he feels he’s so much bigger and faster and all those things,” Rice said. “He tries to rub it in my face.

“I say, ‘Look, you need to go look at my stats.’ That brings him back down to earth.”

Regardless, the legend sees Brenden as poised to make his own name.

“He’s a hard worker,” Rice said. “He’s very talented. He wants to do whatever he can to help this team win. And he’s in an ideal situation with Jim Harbaugh. Because they are going to pound that rock and that’s going to open up the passing game.

“Even Tony Romo told him, the offensive coordinator (Greg Roman) likes to run the ball. So, he needs to get down their and dig those safeties out. That’s the way you get on the field. You go down there and you get dirty and make those blocks, and you’ve got a chance of helping the team. It’s like whoever works the hardest, shows what they are capable of doing, is going to get that job.”

Harbaugh, in his first season back in the NFL, lit up when asked about Brenden. The coach insists that draft status – and his famous dad – won’t be a factor when it comes to projecting his potential.

“It doesn’t matter what round a guy was drafted in,” Harbaugh told USA TODAY Sports. “Once they step on that field, that’s out the window. Low draft pick. High draft pick. Free agent. Everybody’s competing. It doesn’t matter what state you’re from, where you are from. The bottom line is this: Competitors welcome at The Bolt.”

That underscores why the coach has been impressed with Brenden.

“I look forward to watching him in practice every day,” Harbaugh said. “He shows up. On the field and on the tape.”

Surely, Brenden landed in a spot that screams opportunity. The Chargers’ top two receivers from recent seasons – crafty and consistent veteran Keenan Allen and big-play artist Mike Williams – departed during the offseason. Told of Jerry’s emphasis on run-blocking being essential in the new system, Harbaugh called it great advice.

“Yeah, receivers that can block. That’s good to hear,” Harbaugh said. “It’s critical. If a guy’s not blocking and giving everything he’s got, is he even going to get the gray T-shirt sweaty? if he’s only giving when the ball’s coming to him…you want to finish the game and have a nice, sweaty T-shirt.”

With approval, of course, from the Hall of Fame father.

Carrying a first-round label in the NFL is quite the double-edged sword.

It conveys cachet, fiscal reward – at least initially – and opportunity, few front offices with the stomach to see a Round 1 investment crater or even flatline. Yet there’s also a microscopic level of football scrutiny that comes with being an early draft pick and certainly a requisite amount of pressure to perform and, increasingly so, to produce near-instant dividends – especially as the antacid provided by a growing salary cap means some executives are growing more willing to cut the cord well before a rookie deal expires.

For those entering a pivotal point in their careers, whether with their original teams or new ones, Week 2 of the preseason could be among the dwindling chances to prove you’re worthy of discussing another contract, securing a fifth-year option, cementing a role and/or even retaining a roster spot in a league notorious for ruthlessly churning on-field personnel.

Giants QB Daniel Jones is clearly among those entering a make-or-break year – and coming off a knee injury that prematurely ended his 2023 campaign. His physical recovery has reached a point where he’ll likely play Saturday when his team faces Houston.

‘He’s made strides every day,’ NYG coach Brian Daboll said of Jones this week. ‘There’s new things, new pieces, new tight ends, new receiver. So, that’s always a work in progress.

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‘Him coming back from the injury, I think he’s done a fantastic job. He’s continuing to grow and he’s done well here these last couple weeks.’

But heading into this weekend and the 2024 season, Jones is among 24 former first-rounders who could find their professional football lives in increasingly tenuous situations:

2021 quarterbacks

A ballyhooed quintet at the time, only the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence – newly enriched with a record-tying five-year contract worth up to $275 million – remains with his original team after three seasons. In fact, Lawrence is now backed up by Duval County native Mac Jones, traded to the Jags during the offseason after seeing his fortunes with the Patriots steadily decline following a Pro Bowl rookie campaign that included a trip to the playoffs. Though it’s not in the plans for Lawrence to get beaten up like he did in 2023, if that recurs, Jones might get a fresh audition to impress the league – in what should be more favorable offensive circumstances.

Elsewhere, Zach Wilson, cast off by the New York Jets after a highly disappointing tenure, finds himself looking out at what’s tantamount to a clean, freshly fallen snowscape with the Denver Broncos – availing himself nicely in his preseason debut with the club (10-for-13, 117 yards) last Sunday. His competition to curry HC Sean Payton’s favor presently consists of rookie Bo Nix and journeyman Jarrett Stidham. Meanwhile, if QB Dak Prescott’s contract situation with the Dallas Cowboys isn’t rectified by the end of this season, perhaps the only beneficiary in North Texas would be backup QB Trey Lance, who’s still hoping to justify the No. 3 overall pick (and more) the San Francisco 49ers invested in him three years ago before trading him.

Finally, after his fateful ouster from the Chicago Bears – despite his obvious talent and estimable potential – Justin Fields is starting fresh with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The question is, how long – if ever – will it be before he’s starting for the Pittsburgh Steelers given the presence of veteran Russell Wilson? Though less experienced and, naturally, more error-prone, there’s no question Fields is the more dynamic player at this point.

WR Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans

Drafted on the same night that Tennessee traded WR A.J. Brown in 2022, Burks has hardly been able to fill his predecessor’s void. He has 49 career receptions, finding the end zone once. Maybe Burks can take advantage of this summer’s opportunity with veteran DeAndre Hopkins dealing with a knee injury. But the Titans also signed WRs Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, who knows HC Brian Callahan’s offense from their time together in Cincinnati – meaning Burks is probably ultimately battling Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for the WR4 role in what seems like a crucial fork in the road.

S Lewis Cine, Minnesota Vikings

Honestly, he probably needs a fresh start. The final first-round selection of the 2022 draft, Cine suffered a broken leg his rookie year that limited him to three games, and he only appeared in seven last season. He’s earned just 10 defensive snaps in his NFL career and, buried on the depth chart as a third-teamer, seems relegated to more special teams duties in the Twin Cities … provided he continues to live in Minnesota.

QB Sam Darnold, Vikings

This guy? Running out chances? Darnold’s case is unique, the No. 3 overall pick of the 2018 draft (by the Jets) now with his fourth club entering Year 7. Yet with former NFL quarterback Kevin O’Connell coaching him, All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson among his weapons and an opportunity to play that should be even less restricted given rookie J.J. McCarthy’s season-ending knee surgery, this might be Darnold’s last legitimate shot at proving he’s a viable QB1 in the league – whether for the Vikes or elsewhere, this arguably a scenario similar to the one Baker Mayfield leveraged into a sizable extension with the Bucs last season.

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“Sam’s had a really good camp, and my confidence level in Sam is very, very high at this point,” O’Connell said Tuesday. “I’m looking forward to seeing him continue his progression.”

LB Jamin Davis, Washington Commanders

Since being picked in 2021, he’s played a lot (36 starts, 269 tackles) but had little notable impact for what’s generally been a poor defense. However with his option declined and Washington’s new regime bringing in free agent LBs Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu and Dante Fowler Jr., who are all listed as starters, seems like the writing is on the wall for Davis.

CB Kaiir Elam, Buffalo Bills

Heading into his third season, he has yet to distinguish himself (8 career starts) and currently doesn’t seem ticketed for much more than dime and special teams duties until circumstances evolve or his play improves.

CB Caleb Farley, Titans

Similar to Cine, he probably needs a change of scenery … and seems likely to get one soon. A first-round pick in 2021, his career has been short-circuited by multiple injuries, which have limited Farley to two starts. He didn’t play at all in 2023, when Farley’s house exploded, killing his father. Listed as a third-teamer, Farley will be a free agent in 2025 … it not sooner.

Green Bay Packers defenders

A Pack defense loaded with first-round talent has seemingly been less than the sum of its parts for years. Perhaps it clicks in 2024 with new coordinator Jeff Hafley shifting the scheme and priorities while redeploying some of those assets. Regardless, it’s a fresh chance for CB Eric Stokes, a 2021 draftee whose fifth-year option has already been declined, LB Quay Walker and DL Devonte Wyatt (both picked in 2022) to redeem themselves. However Stokes has missed most of the past two seasons with injuries, while Wyatt has yet to nail down a starting job.

RB Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers

Interestingly, his option for 2025 was declined even though he’s never missed a game and has averaged nearly 1,400 yards from scrimmage though his first three seasons. However that production has steadily declined since Harris’ rookie year – 1,667 yards on a league-high 381 touches in 2022 but down to 1,205 yards last season, when sidekick Jaylen Warren’s role continued to expand. But given the Steelers renounced extended contractual control of Harris at a point when they’re trying to re-establish the smash-mouth elements of the offense, strong suggestion that their resources in 2025 – when another quarterback decision must be rendered – are likely to be redirected from Harris’ bank account unless he has a breakthrough.

DB Dax Hill, Cincinnati Bengals

His versatility was seen as an asset coming out of Michigan in 2022, but Hill has yet to establish himself as a safety or nickel and is currently listed as a second-team corner behind former Wolverines teammate DJ Turner II, who was drafted a year later.

Houston Texans cornerbacks

Amazingly, both Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson were top 10 picks in 2020 – no corner has ever been picked higher than Okudah was at No. 3 overall (by the Detroit Lions). Yet both have already become NFL journeymen, Houston the third stop for each. They’re fortunate to play a position that’s always in demand and requires elite athletes. Yet neither is guaranteed to make the Texans’ 53-man roster or hardly a lock to continue knocking around the league hoping their draft pedigree gets them additional tryouts.

QB Daniel Jones, New York Giants

‘We’ve done everything possible to screw this kid up since he’s been here,” owner John Mara pointedly said two years ago. Jones then proceeded to have what seemed to be a breakout 2022 campaign under Daboll – one that earned him a four-year, $160 million extension – before a poor offensive line and torn ACL led to a serious retrograde last season for a passer infamous as a turnover machine. Jones is the rare player to merit a mention here despite already landing a second contract. But if it wasn’t exactly explicit beforehand with the moves they made in free agency and the draft, the Giants’ appearance on the maiden voyage of the offseason version of “Hard Knocks” illustrated in stark terms – GM Joe Schoen openly pondering the possibility of picking a QB this year – that 2024 is all about assessing Jones’ long-term viability … and likely letting him go in 2025 if he can’t get back on track.

RT Evan Neal, Giants

Jones isn’t the only former first-rounder whom the G-Men will be reassessing. Neal, the seventh overall pick just two years ago, appears relegated to a swing tackle role after the team signed OT Jermaine Eluemunor to a two-year deal that likely lands him in the starting role on the right side. “I’m not owed anything, and I can’t feel like I deserve anything,” Neal said Sunday after coming off the PUP list following offseason ankle surgery. “All I want is what I work for.” Appears he has plenty to do after uninspired play 20 games into his career, especially if he has any hope an already skeptical Schoen picks up his option next spring.

New Orleans Saints linemen

DE Payton Turner, the 28th overall pick in 2021, has been limited to 15 games (zero starts) and three sacks during his first three seasons – injuries and his lack of production unsurprisingly causing the club to decline his option for 2025 given he projects as little more than a rotational player in 2024. On the other side of the ball, 2022 first-rounder Trevor Penning seemingly inherits the starting right tackle job with sidelined Ryan Ramczyk’s season already over. However injuries and ineffectiveness have limited Penning to six professional starts, and the team has already drafted a replacement, Taliese Fuaga this spring, as its new left tackle of the present and future. Penning needs to take a quantum leap if the Saints are to keep him beyond the 2025 season … if he even lasts that long.

G Cole Strange, New England Patriots

A head-scratching Round 1 choice two years ago coming out of Tennessee-Chattanooga, he’s been adequate at best through 27 career starts. Problem is, a knee injury suffered late last season threatens to cost Strange a hefty chunk of the 2024 campaign, when he’ll have to earn his job back and hope to perform well enough for the team to activate his option for 2026.

OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

He hasn’t missed a game since being the Bucs’ first pick following their Super Bowl 55 win, starting 34 times. But the impact hasn’t really been there, Tryon-Shoyinka averaging fewer than five sacks and 21 pressures per season. His option declined, he’s scheduled to be a free agent next year and faces increased competition for snaps from more recently drafted OLBs like Yaya Diaby and Chris Braswell.

LT Jedrick Wills Jr., Cleveland Browns

One of the team’s two first-round picks over the past six drafts, Wills is entering his option year, missed the second half of the 2023 season with a knee injury and remains on the PUP list. Durability, penalties and his overall performance have been issues. And while young blind side tackles don’t grow on trees, it seems – at least for now – an eight-figure salary investment would get the Browns a better one next year.

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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.