From week 8, Keller Murray (77.3) and Josh Allen (75.4) lead the league. QBR And Tua Tagovailoa And Joe Bro Catch a league-high 10 touchdown passes. Second year signal callers Anthony Richardson And Bryce Young Get back started jobs. And four rookie first-round picks have made big strides.
Before the end of the regular season, our NFL Nation reporters answered another round of questions about 10 quarterbacks across the league. Has Young done enough to be Carolina’s starter in 2025? How did the Chargers open up the offense? Justin Herbert? Let’s begin. Kirk Cousins‘ Recent disappointing streak in Atlanta, which is battling for Tampa Bay. NFC South title. (Questions are listed alphabetically by team.)
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Changed for what? Kirk Cousins On his recent three-game slide?
Cousins was spoiled earlier this season by matchups against NFC South rivals such as Buccaneers And Panthers. In three games against those teams, he had nine touchdown passes and one interception. Against every other team? He threw eight touchdown passes and 12 picks.
The Falcons have played two good defensive games in a row. Broncos And Chargers — and an inspiration before that Saintswho received New coach bump With Darren Rizzi. The results were terrible: six interceptions and no touchdown passes.
Before this recent stretch, Cousins had never gone back-to-back games without a touchdown pass as a starting quarterback in more than a decade. The Falcons have no plans to bench him for a rookie. Michael Pennix JrAs coach Raheem Morris said Cousins has led the team to first place in its division. — Mark Raimondi, Falcons reporter
is Bryce Young Did enough to be the Panthers’ starter next season?
Coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan were careful not to announce Young. Franchise quarterback. Remember, Canales wasn’t here when Young was drafted in April 2023, and Morgan was the assistant GM.
As much improvement as Young has shown, especially me Last three games — He has posted a 54.3 QBR compared to 9.7 through the first two weeks of the season His benching — They are still taking a wait-and-see approach. There might be a scene in which a pull quarterback is brought in or Andy Dalton Re-signs and competes with Young the following season. — David Newton, Panthers reporter
What can bears do? Interim coach Thomas Browne to help. Caleb Williams Finish his rookie season strong?
Brown helped get Williams’ young career back on track after being the running backs coach. took over as offensive coordinator in Week 11. With Brown urging him into his headset to “be Superman” when he needed to make plays out of formation, Williams was in position to win his past three games against the Bears. Green Bay, Minnesota And Detroit.
Williams’ progress will be measured by statistical markers such as QBR, completion percentage and yards per dropback, all of which have increased with Brown calling the plays. Where Brown can help Williams the most is teaching him how to avoid costly sacks and encouraging him to take his layups. Williams has acknowledged that some of his league-high 49 sacks are a result of him holding onto the ball or not throwing it away quickly enough. — Courtney Cronin, Bears reporter
can do James Winston Go back to Cleveland and compete. Deshaun Watson For the start of next season?
The more starts Winston gets with the Browns, the more he makes the case for — and against — bringing him back. He is No. 1 in the league in passing yards per game (336) since to handle in Week 8 but has also thrown the most interceptions (seven) in that span. Winston is still an upgrade over Watson, who previously posted the lowest QBR in the NFL (22.6). Breaking his Achilles i Week 7.
Winston said he is ready to return to Cleveland after that. signature A one-year, $4 million contract in March. The Browns may be inclined to keep him later. to allow Joe Flacco Go this past offseason. The moving parts between Watson’s status and Winston’s potential free agency value make it difficult to predict a return. — Daniel Oifosi, Browns reporter
1:07
Aikman: Watching Jameis Winston is ‘like an amusement park ride’
Troy Aikman joined Scott Van Pelt after the game to break down Browns QB Jameis Winston’s roller coaster game against the Broncos.
What has changed is the Colts offense to help. Anthony Richardson Since he’s back as a starter?
The biggest difference is how the Colts are leaning into Richardson’s strengths as a runner. While he continues to be inconsistent as a passer — his 52.4% completion percentage is the lowest in the league since Week 10 — he has increased his impact in the running game.
The three starts since Richardson have averaged 7.6 designed QB runs. He came back 3.5 in the six games before that to the lineup His benching at the end of October. The Colts have also used him more as a runner in the red zone — he had three rushing touchdowns in the last three games after one in his first six. Recent scores have featured game-tying runs in the final minutes. Jet planes And Patriots. — Stephen Holder, Colts reporter
why is Patrick Mahomes Having unseasonal weather?
Some factors beyond Mahomes’ control have limited his effectiveness. The Chiefs have major protection issues at left tackle, cycling back and forth across the middle Vanya Morris And the rookie Kingsley Swamatia. (Recent signature DJ Humphreys can stabilize the position). Mahomes has been sacked 32 times, a career high. Injuries kept Mahomes from playing. Hollywood Brown (The shoulders) Absolutely Before his favorite goal this season Rashi Chawl was Rejected Due to a knee injury in late September. Rookie mistakes from wide out Xavier Worthy Didn’t help, either.
Aside from those outside blockers, Mahomes hasn’t played well at times. His decision-making and accuracy aren’t at the level they were last season — he’s tied for the third-most interceptions in the league (11). He has missed throws that would have been automatic in the past. — Adam Teicher, Chief Reporter
How the Chargers coaching staff has opened up the offense. Justin Herbert?
During the first month of the regular season, Herbert was dealing with one. High ankle sprain He maintained Week 2 After their bye week against the Panthers, the Chargers opened up the offense using more play action. He has used play-action on 36% of his snaps since Week 6, compared to 25% in the first four games.
His healthy ankle has also helped him perform better against blitzes. After 63 QBR against the Blitz in the first four games, he has 86 QBR in the same situations over the past eight weeks. The Chargers have the seventh-most total yards (2,681) in the NFL over that span. — Chris Ream, Chargers reporter
What is the biggest sign of improvement? Drake May Through eight starts?
May has thrown for 1,696 yards with 11 touchdowns since taking over. Week 6. He has rushed 38 times for 345 yards and a score. And despite all the rookies leading up to it Eight Obstacles (including one in five straight games), Patriots quarterbacks coach TC McCartney said the area he’s seen the most growth with Maye is in his confidence.
“He’s always been a confident guy, but unless you’re doing that, unless you’re the guy and the starter, you kind of hold back,” McCartney said. “He’s really stepped up and is the leader and the guy we need on offense.” — Mike Reiss, Patriots reporter
What it means is whether the Steelers will bring back. Russell Wilson or Justin Fields Next season?
It’s too early to tell. The Steelers don’t negotiate contracts during the season, so anything with those quarterbacks — both of whom will be free agents — will have to wait until the books close in 2024. Their ability to bring back one or both will largely depend on the quarterback market — and each player’s long-term desire.
Wilson, who just turned 36, looks resurgent in six starts. Ever since he took over. Getting started i Week 7he has thrown the 10th most touchdown passes (10) and 11th most passing yards (1,626) in the league. Fields, 25, also showed his upside in his six games to open the season, as Pittsburgh went 4-2.
Wilson said last month that he wants to play five to seven more seasons, so if the Steelers aren’t willing to give him more than a three-year deal, it could be tough to keep him. — Brock Pryor, Steelers reporter
0:48
Can Russell Wilson be a reliable fantasy starter?
Field Yates breaks down Russell Wilson’s 2024 fantasy season.
is Geno Smith Contract extension closed with Seahawks?
Nothing is guaranteed in this situation other than Smith wants to go into 2025 without a new contract. After all, they Wanted one? Last offseason when several other quarterbacks — including some who haven’t even played as well — cashed in with huge extensions.
Smith has played well in tough situations, with an overmatched offensive line and no run game to lean on (fifth-worst in rushing yards per game). But 13 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions don’t seem worthy of a long-term commitment in the $50 million-a-year range, which would put him in the top 10 among quarterbacks. What seems more likely is a short-term deal that raises his current $25 million per season average, giving Seattle the flexibility to go with him from year to year. — Brady Henderson, Seahawks reporter