Dak Cashes In

Good morning. This is the Opening Drive, the weekly newsletter that brings you the best of the NFL so you’re always the smartest one at the water cooler.

Football is BACK, Dak got piz-aid, Tyreek Hill was arrested outside Hard Rock Stadium, Daniel Jones looked lost, the field conditions in Brazil were terrible, Bryce Young put on a historically bad performance, and 11.3 million DirecTV subscribers still can’t watch ESPN.

Let’s dive in.

QUICK HITS

• Cowboys and QB Dak Prescott agree on 4-year deal worth a record $240M with $231M guaranteed (SI.com)

• Packers QB Jordan Love to miss 3-6 weeks with sprained MCL (ESPN)

• Caleb Williams bailed out by Bears defense for comeback win over Titans in NFL debut (NY Post)

• Lions win overtime thriller over the Rams (Yahoo Sports)

• J.K. Dobbins rushes for 135 yards as the Chargers beat the Raiders in Jim Harbaugh's debut (ESPN)

• Bucs breeze by Commanders in season-opening win (Pewter Report)

• Baker Mayfield throws four TDs in 37-20 Bucs win (PFT)

• Dak Prescott leads Cowboys to 33-17 romp over Browns (ESPN)

• Seahawks win as Broncos rookie QB Bo Nix has an ugly debut (PFT)

• T.J. Watt Dominates in Steelers win over Falcons (SI.com)

• Brian Daboll’s first game as play-caller was a complete disaster (NY Post)

• Tyreek Hill’s 130 yards help Dolphins beat Jaguars 20-17 (PFT)

• Saquon Barkley shines in Eagles debut victory over Packers (ESPN)

• Multiple players ejected in Raiders-Chargers brawl (ESPN)

• Tyreek Hill was detained by police for driving violation on way to game (PFT)

• The NFL's Brazil debut marred by terrible, slippery turf for Packers-Eagles (Yahoo Sports)

• The Steelers and TE Pat Freiermuth agree to terms on a 4-year, $48.4M deal (PFT)

• All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey and the Dolphins agree on 3-year, $72.3M deal to make him the highest paid CB in the NFL again (NFL.com)

• Commanders guard Sam Cosmi signed a four-year, $74 million contract extension that includes over $45 million guaranteed (Bleacher Report)

• Jets and CB Michael Carter II agree to a 3-year, $30.75M extension (NFL.com)

• Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II agrees to terms on four-year, $96 million extension (NFL.com)

• Ravens-Chiefs reaches 28.9 million viewers, most-watched NFL Kickoff game ever (PFT)

• Bill Belichick would like to return to coaching in 2025, but only in the right situations with good jobs (ESPN)

• Kendrick Lamar will perform at Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in New Orleans (NFL.com)

• ESPN remains blacked out on DirecTV over carriage fee dispute (Forbes)

WHO’S UP? WHO’S DOWN?

Who’s up?
The Green Bay Packers. In a heart-stopping moment during the Packers' season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, Jordan Love, the heir apparent to the legendary Aaron Rodgers, went down with a concerning knee injury. Fans held their collective breath as the young quarterback was helped off the field, fearing the worst for their promising signal-caller.

However, as the dust settled and the medical reports trickled in, the Green Bay faithful could finally exhale. Love had avoided the dreaded ACL tear, instead suffering a less severe MCL sprain. While any injury is cause for concern, this diagnosis was undoubtedly a best-case scenario for the Packers and their future plans.

According to reports, Love is expected to miss anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks, a relatively short timeline in the grand scheme of an NFL season. While his absence will undoubtedly be felt, the Packers can take solace in the fact that their prized quarterback will be back on the field sooner rather than later.

Head coach Matt LaFleur expressed relief at the news, stating, "We're thankful it wasn't more serious. Jordan is a tough kid, and we know he'll work hard to get back on the field as soon as possible."

As Love begins his recovery process, the only question is who will the Packers turn to? Back-up QB Malik Willis was recently traded to the Packers in August. QB Sean Clifford was cut during final roster cuts and is currently on the Packers’ practice squad. Willis is 1-2 in his three career starts with the Titans, while Clifford has only thrown one pass in his professional career, appearing in two games during the 2023 season.

In the world of professional football, injuries are an unfortunate reality. But for the Green Bay Packers and their fans, the news surrounding Jordan Love's knee could have been far worse. With a positive outlook and a dedicated rehabilitation plan, the young quarterback will soon be back in the huddle, ready to lead his team.

Who’s down?
Bryce Young. The hype train for Bryce Young and the retooled Carolina Panthers derailed spectacularly in their season opener against the New Orleans Saints. Young, the much-hyped former number one overall pick, looked more like a rookie making his NFL debut rather than a sophomore primed for a breakout.

From the opening snap, which Young uncorked directly into the hands of Saints defensive back Will Harris, it was a disaster. The former Heisman winner finished a putrid 13/30 for 161 yards, 0 TDs and 2 INTs as the Panthers were embarrassed 47-10. Young’s passer rating of 32.78 is the lowest single-game passer rating since Michael Vick’s 57.6 in week 13 of the 2002 season, and the lowest all-time for any single game.

"It was an abject disaster," remarked color commentator and 3-time Super Bowl champ Mark Schlereth about Young's performance.

The Panthers had spent big this offseason revamping their offensive line and skill positions to better support their young franchise QB. But Young looked just as jittery and inaccurate as his rookie season, when he led the NFL's worst offense.

There were a few bright spots late when the game was out of hand, including Young's first career rushing TD. But those did little to mask what was a nightmarish debut for a player and team with huge expectations in 2024.

"We expected so much more after the moves we made this offseason," said a visibly frustrated head coach Dave Canales. "This is unacceptable."

One game is a small sample, but Young's opening dud raises major concerns about whether he truly is the franchise savior Carolina was banking on.

STAT OF THE WEEK

A QB has only had 270+ passing yards and 120+ rushing yards in the same game three times in NFL history.

All three times were Lamar Jackson.

(H/T @WTFstats)

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