Luke Altmyer’s performance against the Cincinnati Bengals on August 13 was a complicated tape to judge, and despite some encouraging moments, his roster chances took a serious hit. This preseason opener was a brutal proving ground for guys fighting for a spot, and while some players stepped up, others walked away with more questions than answers.
The Snap Struggles Are Real for Michael Niese
Man, it’s tough out there for Michael Niese at center. You see a flash, right? He had a solid block that opened up a 24-yard run for Raheem Blackshear, and you think, “Okay, there’s something there.” But then the snaps started going sideways. He skipped one off the turf, which instantly turned into a five-yard loss. Another bad snap had to be salvaged by Altmyer, who pulled off a miracle to make it work. Sure, the game-day conditions in Cincinnati were wet, but a center’s primary job is to corral that football. This isn’t a new problem for Niese either. Last season, he came in mid-game, delivered a poor snap that became a safety, and that was his last offensive snap of 2025. With Cade Mays and Juice Scruggs both dealing with injuries, Niese has a realistic shot to make this roster, but he absolutely has to clean up every single aspect of playing center.
Dominic Lovett’s Dropped Chances
Dominic Lovett definitely left a lot to be desired in this game. He actually tied for the team lead in receiving with three catches for 28 yards, which sounds decent on paper. But dig into it: those three receptions came on a team-high eight targets! That means he failed to haul in more than half of the passes thrown his way, and two of those were flat-out drops. Ouch. Lovett also didn’t make much of an impact on special teams, even bobbling one of his two punt returns. He’s battling for both a wide receiver spot and a special teams role, and with the competition being what it is, he needs to separate himself from the pack to justify a roster spot. The only silver lining for Lovett? None of the other receivers really went out there and dominated either.
The Altmyer Conundrum: Poise, But Still Problems
Talk about a mixed bag. Luke Altmyer’s tape is seriously complicated to sort out, because honestly, there was a lot to be encouraged by! He moved the ball downfield with authority, and he delivered some excellent passes. His best throw was a 23-yard dart to Cedrick Wilson, a real beauty. He showed poise in the pocket, which is exactly what you want to see from a young QB. The two interceptions are the glaring issue, but even those have context: one was a clear drop by Isaac TeSlaa, and the other was a “hero ball” thrown in the dying seconds of the game. Yes, it was off-target, but the situation forced it. Still, despite all that, this was perhaps Altmyer’s best opp…
So, what does this mean moving forward? For these guys, the fight for a roster spot is far from over. With more preseason games coming up, they’ve got to show they can correct these issues, and fast. Every snap, every route, every tackle counts when you’re battling for your NFL career.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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