It has been an action-packed month since we final checked in on the NFL’s prime quarterbacks.
Since Week 8, Kyler Murray (77.3) and Josh Allen (75.4) lead the league in QBR and Tua Tagovailoa and Joe Burrow have a league-high 10 landing passes. Second-year signal-callers Anthony Richardson and Bryce Younger received again the beginning jobs. And 4 rookie first-round picks have made main strides.
Earlier than the common season involves a detailed, our NFL Nation reporters answered one other spherical of questions on 10 quarterbacks throughout the league. Has Younger carried out sufficient to be Carolina’s starter in 2025? How have the Chargers opened up the offense for Justin Herbert? Let’s begin with Kirk Cousins‘ latest disappointing stretch in Atlanta, which is battling Tampa Bay for the NFC South title. (Questions are listed alphabetically by workforce.)
Bounce to a workforce:
ATL | CAR | CHI | CLE | IND
KC | LAC | NE | PIT | SEA
What has modified for Kirk Cousins over his latest three-game slide?
Cousins was spoiled earlier this season by matchups in opposition to NFC South rivals such because the Buccaneers and Panthers. In three video games in opposition to these groups, he had 9 landing passes and one interception. In opposition to each different workforce? He has thrown eight landing passes and 12 picks.
The Falcons have performed two good defenses in a row — the Broncos and Chargers — and an impressed one earlier than that within the Saints, who acquired the new-coach bump with Darren Rizzi. The outcomes had been ghastly: six interceptions and no landing passes.
Earlier than this latest stretch, Cousins had by no means gone back-to-back video games with out a landing go in additional than a decade as a beginning quarterback. The Falcons haven’t any intention of benching him for rookie Michael Penix Jr., as coach Raheem Morris stated Cousins has carried the workforce to first place of their division. — Marc Raimondi, Falcons reporter
Has Bryce Younger carried out sufficient to be the Panthers’ starter subsequent season?
Coach Dave Canales and common supervisor Dan Morgan have been cautious to not proclaim Younger as their franchise quarterback. Keep in mind, Canales wasn’t right here when Younger was drafted in April 2023, and Morgan was the assistant GM.
For as a lot enchancment as Younger has proven, significantly within the previous three video games — he has put up a 54.3 QBR in comparison with 9.7 within the first two weeks of the season earlier than his benching — they’re nonetheless using a wait-and-see strategy. There might be a situation through which a bridge quarterback is introduced in or Andy Dalton re-signs and competes with Younger subsequent season. — David Newton, Panthers reporter
What can Bears interim coach Thomas Brown do to assist Caleb Williams end his rookie season robust?
Brown helped steer Williams’ younger profession again on observe after the operating backs coach took over as offensive coordinator in Week 11. With Brown in his headset encouraging him to “go be Superman” when he must make performs out of construction, Williams had the Bears in place to win their previous three video games in opposition to Inexperienced Bay, Minnesota and Detroit.
Williams’ progress might be judged past statistical marks corresponding to QBR, completion share and yards per dropback, all of which have elevated with Brown calling the performs. The place Brown will help Williams most is instructing him learn how to keep away from expensive sacks and inspiring him to take his layups. Williams has acknowledged a few of his league-high 49 sacks are a results of him holding onto the ball or not throwing it away rapidly sufficient. — Courtney Cronin, Bears reporter
Might Jameis Winston return to Cleveland and compete with Deshaun Watson for the beginning job subsequent season?
The extra begins Winston makes with the Browns, the extra he makes the case for — and in opposition to — bringing him again. He ranks No. 1 within the league in passing yards per recreation (336) since taking up in Week 8 however has additionally thrown probably the most interceptions (seven) in that span. Winston nonetheless has been an improve over Watson, who posted the bottom QBR within the NFL (22.6) earlier than rupturing his Achilles in Week 7.
Winston stated he was open to returning to Cleveland after signing a one-year, $4 million deal in March. The Browns is likely to be inclined to maintain him after letting Joe Flacco go this previous offseason. The shifting components between Watson’s standing and Winston’s potential free company worth make a return tough to foretell. — Daniel Oyefusi, Browns reporter
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Can Russell Wilson be a dependable fantasy starter?
Subject Yates breaks down Russell Wilson’s 2024 fantasy season.
What has modified within the Colts’ offense to assist Anthony Richardson since he returned as starter?
The most important distinction is how the Colts are leaning into Richardson’s strengths as a runner. Whereas he has continued to be inconsistent as a passer — his 52.4% completion share since Week 10 is the bottom within the league — he has ramped up his influence within the operating recreation.
Richardson is averaging 7.6 designed QB runs within the three begins since he returned to the lineup versus 3.5 within the six video games earlier than his benching in late October. The Colts have additionally used him extra as a runner within the pink zone — he had three dashing touchdowns prior to now three video games after one in his first six. Among the many latest scores are game-clinching runs within the remaining minutes in opposition to the Jets and Patriots. — Stephen Holder, Colts reporter
Why is Patrick Mahomes having an un-Mahomes-like season?
Some components out of Mahomes’ management have restricted his effectiveness. The Chiefs have had main safety issues at left deal with, biking forwards and backwards between Wanya Morris and rookie Kingsley Suamataia (latest signing D.J. Humphries may convey stability on the place). Mahomes has been sacked 32 instances, a career-high. Accidents prevented Mahomes from taking part in with Hollywood Brown (shoulder) in any respect this season earlier than his favourite goal Rashee Rice was dominated out due to a knee harm in late September. Rookie errors from wideout Xavier Worthy have not helped, both.
In addition to these exterior inhibitors, Mahomes merely hasn’t performed nicely at instances. His decision-making and accuracy aren’t on the stage they have been in earlier seasons — he’s tied for the third-most interceptions within the league (11). He has missed throws that will have been automated prior to now. — Adam Teicher, Chiefs reporter
How has the Chargers’ teaching employees opened up the offense for Justin Herbert?
By the primary month of the common season, Herbert was coping with a excessive ankle sprain he sustained in Week 2 in opposition to the Panthers. After their bye week, the Chargers opened up the offense, utilizing extra play-action. He has used play-action on 36% of his snaps since Week 6, in comparison with 25% within the first 4 video games.
His wholesome ankle has additionally helped him carry out higher in opposition to the blitz. After a 63 QBR in opposition to the blitz within the first 4 video games, he has an 86 QBR in the identical conditions over the previous eight weeks. The Chargers have the seventh-most complete yards (2,681) within the NFL in that span. — Kris Rhim, Chargers reporter
What’s the largest signal of enchancment from Drake Maye by eight begins?
Maye has thrown for 1,696 yards with 11 touchdowns since taking the reins in Week 6. He has additionally rushed 38 instances for 345 yards and a rating. And regardless of main all rookies with eight interceptions (together with one in 5 straight video games), Patriots quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney stated the realm through which he has seen probably the most development with Maye is in his confidence.
“He is at all times been a assured man, however till you are doing it, till you are the person and the starter, you type of take a backseat,” McCartney stated. “He is actually stepped ahead and been the chief and man we’d like on offense.” — Mike Reiss, Patriots reporter
What is the sense on whether or not the Steelers will convey again Russell Wilson or Justin Fields subsequent season?
It is too quickly to inform. The Steelers do not negotiate contracts through the season, so something with these quarterbacks — each of whom might be free brokers — must wait till after the e book closes on 2024. Their potential to convey again one or each will largely be dictated by the quarterback market — and the long-term want of every participant.
Wilson, who simply turned 36, seems to be revitalized in six begins. Since he took over the beginning job in Week 7, he has thrown the Tenth-most landing passes within the league (10) and has the Eleventh-most passing yards (1,626). The 25-year-old Fields additionally confirmed his upside in his six-game stint to begin the season, when Pittsburgh went 4-2.
Wilson stated final month he wished to play 5 to seven extra seasons, so if the Steelers aren’t keen to present him greater than a three-year deal, it is likely to be tough to maintain him. — Brooke Pryor, Steelers reporter
Nothing appears assured on this state of affairs apart from Smith shouldn’t be going to wish to head into 2025 with out a new deal. In spite of everything, he wished one final offseason when a number of different quarterbacks — together with some who have not performed in addition to he has — cashed in with enormous extensions. Smith has performed nicely below robust circumstances, with an overmatched offensive line and no run recreation to lean on (fifth worst in dashing yards per recreation). However 13 landing passes to 12 interceptions does not appear worthy of a long-term dedication in $50 million a 12 months vary, which might put him within the prime 10 amongst quarterbacks. What appears extra possible is a short-term deal that reinforces his present $25 million common per season, leaving Seattle with the pliability to go 12 months to 12 months with him. — Brady Henderson, Seahawks reporter
Has Geno Smith locked up a contract extension with the Seahawks?
