NFL Preseason Finale: Simpson Shines for Rams, Mendoza Struggles Again, Seahawks Lock In Williams

The final week of the NFL preseason is underway, and several quarterbacks are making strong final impressions before the regular season begins.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson and Cleveland Browns signal-caller Dillon Gabriel delivered standout performances, while Las Vegas Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza endured another difficult outing. Off the field, the NFC West saw significant movement Thursday as the Rams and Seattle Seahawks finalized key roster decisions ahead of the regular season.

Here are the key developments from Thursday around the league.

After facing considerable scrutiny following his selection at No. 13 overall, quarterback Ty Simpson continued his impressive preseason on Thursday night.

Simpson guided the Rams to three scoring drives against the Los Angeles Chargers, completing 18 of 23 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown while adding 11 rushing yards.

Head coach Sean McVay has yet to officially name a backup behind MVP Matthew Stafford. While Stetson Bennett has familiarity with the system, Simpson’s continued strong play has forced him into the conversation for the primary reserve role.

The Las Vegas Raiders deployed their starters against the San Francisco 49ers, and veteran Kirk Cousins again looked the part of an established starter.

The narrative was starkly different for No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. For the second consecutive week, the former Indiana standout and Heisman Trophy winner struggled, throwing another interception.

Mendoza entered late in the first quarter and played into the third, completing just 7 of 14 attempts for 57 yards with the pick.

Head coach Klint Kubiak has consistently signaled a preference for a redshirt year for Mendoza to develop behind Cousins, meaning Thursday’s performance may have little bearing on his long-term trajectory.

The Cleveland Browns officially named veteran Deshaun Watson their Week 1 starter earlier this week, with Shedeur Sanders securing the backup role. With the top two spots settled, former third-round pick Dillon Gabriel seized a clear opportunity to state his case for the third-string job.

Gabriel was surgical against the New England Patriots on Thursday night, completing 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns. It remains unclear if head coach Todd Monken intends to carry three quarterbacks on the initial roster, leaving both Gabriel’s status and the future of Arkansas rookie Taylen Green uncertain.

If Gabriel aimed to prove he belongs on an NFL roster this season, he answered the bell. Should the Browns not view him in their long-term plans, he likely put sufficient quality on tape to attract interest from other teams ahead of final roster cuts.

The Seattle Seahawks agreed to a three-year, $90 million contract extension with defensive lineman Leonard Williams on Thursday.

The deal carries an average annual value of $30 million, tying Williams with Tampa Bay Buccaneers nose tackle Vita Vea for the fifth-highest mark among interior defensive linemen. Williams was entering the final year of a three-year, $64.5 million pact.

The 32-year-old earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2025 after posting seven sacks, 62 combined tackles, and 58 quarterback pressures.

Originally selected sixth overall by the New York Jets in the 2015 NFL Draft, Williams was acquired by Seattle from the New York Giants during the 2023 season. The extension follows major offseason commitments by Seattle to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon.

The Miami Dolphins agreed to trade wide receiver Tutu Atwell back to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for running back Jarquez Hunter on Thursday.

The move reunites Atwell with the Rams five months after he departed Los Angeles in free agency to sign a one-year contract with Miami in March.

Atwell was originally selected by the Rams in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft and appeared in 64 games over four seasons with the franchise. He rejoins head coach Sean McVay’s offense to complement a receiving corps featuring Davante Adams and Puka Nacua.

Hunter, a 2025 fourth-round pick out of Auburn who appeared in five games as a rookie, joins Miami to provide backfield depth. The Rams open their regular season against San Francisco on Sept. 10, while Miami kicks off against Las Vegas on Sept. 13.

The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are both navigating contract standoffs with their young star cornerbacks ahead of the regular season, according to ESPN.

The Patriots and cornerback Christian Gonzalez remain far apart in negotiations despite early optimism, ESPN reported Thursday. Patriots owner Robert Kraft previously stated the team offered a deal that would make Gonzalez the highest-paid cornerback in franchise history, but Devon Witherspoon’s four-year, $132 million extension with Seattle reset the market benchmark.

Gonzalez acknowledged this week that the process has been “frustrating.” He has two years remaining on his rookie contract.

Meanwhile, the Steelers and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. do not appear close to an extension either, per ESPN. Porter remains on Pittsburgh’s physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a back injury as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.

Injury News & Notes

• Tennessee Titans wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson is being evaluated for a concussion after what head coach Robert Saleh labeled a “cheap” hit during a joint practice with the Chicago Bears.
• Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert played against the Rams during Thursday night’s preseason finale. He led a scoring drive on his only series of action, completing a 65-yard touchdown to wide receiver Quentin Johnston.
• Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters that wide receiver Keenan Allen and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions.
• The Colts are officially activating wide receiver Alec Pierce from the PUP (physically unable to perform) list.

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