Football is finally back. Sorta.
If you tuned into the 2025 NFL Hall of Fame Game expecting to see Jared Goff or Justin Herbert slinging it, you were probably disappointed. That’s just not how these things work anymore. But for the rest of us who just needed to see a pigskin flying under the lights in Canton, Ohio, it was everything. Honestly, the score—a lopsided 34-7 win for the Los Angeles Chargers over the Detroit Lions—didn't even tell the whole story.
The first preseason game of the year is usually a sloppy mess of rookie jitters and "who is that guy?" jersey numbers. This one was no different. Yet, it gave us our first look at the Jim Harbaugh era in LA, and man, does it look different from the Brandon Staley days.
Why the NFL First Preseason Game 2025 Felt Different
Most people think the Hall of Fame Game is a throwaway. They're wrong. For players like Trey Lance, it was a literal career lifeline.
Jim Harbaugh didn't mess around. He gave Lance three full quarters to prove he belonged on an NFL roster. It’s been a long, weird road for the former No. 3 overall pick, but in the nfl first preseason game 2025, he actually looked like a professional quarterback. He went 13-of-20 for 120 yards and two touchdowns. It wasn't flashy, 50-yard bombs, but it was efficient. He found Will Dissly on a fourth-and-goal rollout that was just... chef's kiss.
On the other side, the Lions looked like a team with a massive "Super Bowl or Bust" hangover. Dan Campbell was visibly annoyed on the sidelines. Can you blame him?
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Detroit's backup QB situation is kind of a disaster right now. Kyle Allen started and threw two "what was he thinking?" interceptions. One of those was jumped by Nikko Reed, a kid who has been the talk of Chargers camp. Reed basically baited Allen into the throw and nearly took it back for six.
The Real Stars of Canton
Preseason is for the grinders. It’s for the guys like Carson Schwesinger and Tre Harris. While the starters were wearing bucket hats and chilling on the bench, these guys were playing for their lives.
- Trey Lance (QB, Chargers): He actually stayed in the pocket. He didn't panic and run the second he felt a breeze. That’s growth.
- Nikko Reed (DB, Chargers): The ball-hawk reputation is real. His interception off Kyle Allen was the highlight of the night.
- Omarion Hampton (RB, Chargers): The rookie out of UNC showed some serious burst. He got stuffed near the goal line, but his vision is clearly there.
- Isaac TeSlaa (WR, Lions): He was one of the few bright spots for Detroit, snagging a late touchdown to avoid the shutout.
The atmosphere in Canton is always special. You’ve got legends like Antonio Gates and Jared Allen being honored, and then you’ve got these undrafted free agents trying to make sure they don't get cut on Monday. It's a weird, beautiful contrast.
The Harbaugh Effect is Real
We have to talk about how the Chargers played. It was physical. It was "blue-collar" in the way Harbaugh always preaches. They ran the ball. They hit hard on special teams. Even in a preseason game, you could see the identity shifting.
Compare that to the Lions. Usually, Campbell has his guys playing like they're ready to eat kneecaps from the jump. This time? They looked sluggish. Maybe it’s just the nature of having such high expectations, but those backup units looked completely unprepared for the Chargers' intensity.
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Quarterback Battles to Watch Post-Canton
While the Hall of Fame Game is the "first," it’s really just the appetizer for Week 1. Here is how the QB rooms are shaking out:
- Chargers: Justin Herbert is the guy, obviously. But the battle for QB2 is over. Trey Lance won it. Period.
- Lions: It’s a mess. Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen are basically in a "who can make fewer mistakes" contest. Right now, nobody is winning.
- Colts: Over in Indy, the Anthony Richardson vs. Daniel Jones battle is the biggest story of the summer. Richardson has the ceiling, but Jones is the "safe" veteran play.
- Browns: Everyone is watching Shedeur Sanders. He didn't play in Canton, but his debut in the following week is the most anticipated rookie moment of the year.
What Most People Get Wrong About Preseason Stats
Don't look at the box score and think you know who's good.
Seriously. A quarterback might go 10-for-10, but if those were all checkdowns against a "prevent" defense of guys who will be selling insurance in September, it doesn't mean anything. Scouts are looking for process.
Did the offensive tackle keep his hands inside? Did the linebacker fill the right gap even if the runner escaped? That's what actually matters. In the nfl first preseason game 2025, the Chargers' process was lightyears ahead of Detroit's.
Key Takeaways for Your Fantasy Draft
If you’re a fantasy football nerd like me, you’re looking for sleepers.
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Watch Omarion Hampton. He’s got that "Harbaugh RB" feel to him. If Gus Edwards or J.K. Dobbins (now in Denver) misses time, Hampton could be a league-winner. Also, keep an eye on Tetairoa McMillan in Carolina. Bryce Young looks much more comfortable in year three, and "T-Mac" is going to be his favorite target.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Now that the ice is broken, here is how you should handle the rest of the preseason:
- Ignore the Score: Focus on the first two drives of Week 2 and 3. That’s when you’ll see the actual starters (briefly).
- Watch the Offensive Line: If a team's backups are getting wrecked, their depth is a major red flag for the regular season.
- Track the "Camp Darlings": Guys like Nikko Reed who show up in practice and the game are usually the ones who stick.
- Check the Injury Reports: The most important stat in preseason is "0 Injuries."
The nfl first preseason game 2025 reminded us that football is a game of depth. The Chargers have it. The Lions might need to go shopping on the waiver wire. Either way, the road to Super Bowl LX has officially started.
Keep your eyes on the roster cuts. The "Turk" comes for everyone eventually, and the performances we saw in Canton just made those decisions a whole lot harder for some coaches—and a lot easier for Jim Harbaugh.