Quarterback questions for 32 NFL groups: Contracts, QB1 races

You have obtained quarterbacks, we have got questions.

Irrespective of how rock-solid your favourite NFL staff’s quarterback situation is correct now, there’s nonetheless one thing about it that cries out for a solution this offseason. It may be about how he’ll play in 2025. It may be in regards to the caliber of the offensive group round him. It may be about his contract. And it’d even be so simple as the QB1’s id.

As we inch nearer to the beginning of coaching camps and the 2025 regular season, let’s present solutions to our annual 32 questions on 32 quarterbacks.

Bounce to a staff:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH

Can the Kyler Murray–Marvin Harrison Jr. connection ship on its first-round promise in Yr 2?

Harrison’s rookie season was positive — 62 catches, 885 yards and eight touchdowns. However because the fourth choose of the 2024 draft and given his faculty efficiency, he was alleged to take the NFL by storm proper out of the gate. As a substitute, he was the No. 2 possibility within the Cardinals’ passing recreation behind tight finish Trey McBride.

Extra is predicted in Harrison’s second season, and the identical might be mentioned of Murray in his seventh. Arizona made virtually no adjustments on offense this offseason after ending ninth in offensive EPA in 2024. The Cardinals beefed up on protection, hoping that can be sufficient to make them contenders. However Murray and the offense need to take a step ahead if that is to occur, and a breakout for Harrison will assist.

Is there any shot we might see Atlanta return to Kirk Cousins in some unspecified time in the future, absent a Michael Penix Jr. damage?

The majority of the offseason has come and gone, and Cousins is still with the Falcons — although they’ve brazenly mentioned Penix would be the starter in his second season. Cousins is making $27.5 million this season (and has $10 million assured in 2026) to be a backup. If Penix struggles early — 4 of Atlanta’s first 5 video games are in opposition to 2024 playoff groups and three of the staff’s first six are in prime time — it might be tempting to return to the veteran Cousins even after he dissatisfied final season. It is the principle cause the Falcons ought to have labored tougher to unload Cousins this offseason.

When will the subsequent Lamar Jackson contract extension come, and the way will it look?

Jackson has three years left on the extension he signed two offseasons in the past. He is making $43.5 million this 12 months and is scheduled to make $51.25 million in 2026, of which $29 million is at present assured. A two-time MVP who in all probability ought to have received a 3rd in 2024, Jackson might be on the lookout for a brand new deal to place him forward of the Brock Purdy, Trevor Lawrence and Tua Tagovailoa varieties who have not received any MVPs. And with Jackson’s cap numbers set to balloon to $74.5 million in 2026 and 2027, the Ravens have some incentive to get an extension executed to assist with that.

The final time Jackson needed a brand new contract, he dug in on his need to prime Deshaun Watson‘s assured cash numbers. He did not find yourself doing that, and even coming notably shut, however he clearly is aware of the market and the place he believes he ought to stand in it. Asking to prime Dak Prescott‘s $60 million per 12 months would not be ridiculous, given the relative accomplishments of the 2 of them.

Does Josh Allen have to repeat as MVP for the Payments to get to the Tremendous Bowl?

Final season ought to have put to mattress the questions on whether or not the Payments have sufficient round Allen on offense, as they completed second within the league in factors (30.9 per recreation) behind solely the Lions. Nonetheless, it is inescapable that the one first-round offensive participant they’ve drafted since taking Allen in 2018 is tight finish Dalton Kincaid. The large receiver group contains Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer. It is on Allen and offensive coordinator Joe Brady to get probably the most out of this group, as they did a season in the past.

So are we shopping for Bryce Young‘s mini resurgence within the later elements of 2024?

In case you missed Carolina’s considerably forgettable 2024 season, Younger — the primary choose within the 2023 draft — struggled so badly that he obtained benched for Andy Dalton early within the season and solely obtained the job again as a result of Dalton harm his hand in a car accident. However from Week 8 to the top of the season, Younger posted a strong 60.8 QBR and threw 15 landing passes to 6 interceptions. (He additionally ran for 5 touchdowns in that span.) Younger obtained higher because the season went alongside and completed with 10 whole touchdowns and no interceptions in his final three video games.

For those who consider in Carolina coach Dave Canales, who revitalized Baker Mayfield because the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator in 2023, then you might have cause to hope Younger’s breakout second half was an indication of issues to return.

Is it already now-or-never for Caleb Williams?

Nicely, no. Williams was the No. 1 choose within the 2024 draft and has two extra absolutely assured years (plus an possibility season) on his contract after this one. Even when this 12 months is a disappointment, Williams is more likely to get extra probabilities.

However it’s additionally honest to say the honeymoon interval was very quick and is formally over. As soon as it got here out publicly that he didn’t want to play for the Bears at first of the draft course of, it was clear that the fan base will not keep affected person with him if he would not appear to be getting it. A seemingly loaded offense with an improved offensive line below new coach Ben Johnson means Williams ought to have greater than sufficient round him to succeed sooner slightly than later.

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Is the Bengals’ protection improved sufficient to assist Joe Burrow if he repeats his 2024 efficiency?

Burrow was ludicrously good in 2024, finishing greater than 70% of his passes, posting the next QBR than anybody however Allen and Jackson (74.7) and throwing 48 landing passes to only 9 interceptions. However a protection that completed twenty seventh in defensive EPA rendered the offense’s efficiency irrelevant, because the Bengals completed 9-8 and missed the playoffs.

New defensive coordinator Al Golden ought to be capable to overhaul some issues and make enhancements. But when the Trey Hendrickson contract dispute drags into the season, it will be powerful for Cincinnati to cease opposing offenses as soon as once more.

Can any of the Browns’ 4 QBs truly emerge as the reply?

Something’s doable, however the minimal extent to which the Browns have invested assets within the quartet of Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders leaves them ready to get better if the reply seems to be “no.”

Flacco’s assured cash is $3 million. Pickett’s is slightly over $2.6 million. Neither is signed past 2025. Gabriel was a third-round choose, whereas Sanders was taken within the fifth spherical. Positive, the Browns nonetheless owe Deshaun Watson $92 million over the subsequent two years, however there’s nothing they will do about that now, they usually’re clearly on the lookout for a post-Watson reply. Choosing up an additional 2026 first-round choose of their draft day deal with the Jaguars places them in place to maneuver on from their total QB room subsequent 12 months in the event that they wish to achieve this.

Which model of Dak Prescott will we get this season?

The Cowboys hope it is the wholesome model. Prescott has performed six absolutely wholesome seasons in his nine-year NFL profession, and the Cowboys received the NFC East in 4 of these seasons. Even after shedding Prescott to a hamstring injury halfway by means of final season, Dallas nonetheless managed to complete 7-10.

Prescott is predicted again wholesome to start out coaching camp, and the staff added WR George Pickens to pair with prime wideout CeeDee Lamb and increase Prescott’s choices within the passing recreation. If the post-Zack Martin offensive line holds up the way in which the Cowboys anticipate, Dallas has loads of cause to assume it may possibly cope with Philadelphia and Washington within the NFC East.

Can Bo Nix be the quarterback who ends Patrick Mahomes‘ streak of seven straight AFC West titles?

Many have tried, all have failed. The Chiefs have received the division every of the previous eight seasons, the previous seven of which Mahomes has been their beginning quarterback. Nix and the Broncos have been a blocked field goal away from profitable in Kansas Metropolis final season, they usually made the playoffs with a 10-7 report.

This offseason, Denver has added veteran tight finish Evan Engram and second-round rookie operating again RJ Harvey to the offense, and a pair of Tremendous Bowl-seasoned former 49ers defensive gamers in Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga to an already sturdy protection. The offensive line is sweet. The younger WR group round Courtland Sutton exhibits promise. Nix should not have to fret about final September’s rookie rising pains anymore, too. The Broncos (in addition to the Chargers) look poised to supply an actual problem to the Chiefs in what might be a really powerful division.

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Can Jared Goff overcome the entire adjustments in Detroit?

Three of Goff’s prime 4 QBR seasons got here the previous three years with Ben Johnson as his offensive coordinator, and Johnson has left to educate the Bears. A number of different members of the Lions’ teaching employees have moved on to different jobs, too. Middle Frank Ragnow just retired.

The Lions have had a whole lot of success since Goff and coach Dan Campbell obtained there, and they need to nonetheless be anticipated to be one of many prime groups within the league. However issues will look considerably totally different round Goff in some key points this season, and he’ll have to reply a number of the questions himself.

Can Jordan Love attain one other degree?

Love has been very, excellent because the Packers’ starter the previous two years. He completed final season fifth in QBR (69.3) and threw 25 landing passes. However Inexperienced Bay’s 11-6 report in 2024 solely led to a third-place end within the brutally powerful NFC North. The Packers misplaced within the second spherical of the playoffs two seasons in the past after which the primary spherical final season.

Once more, Love has been very, excellent, and the Packers have been very, excellent with him. However they would definitely wish to be championship good and progress towards that objective can be good to see from Love and Inexperienced Bay in 2025.

What do the offensive coordinator and O-line adjustments imply for C.J. Stroud in Yr 3?

Stroud’s excellent rookie season got here below the tutelage of offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who performed head coach interviews within the 2024 offseason because of this. However a stunning step again by the offense resulted in Slowik’s much more stunning firing this offseason, and Nick Caley comes in with a brand new scheme for Stroud to study. Houston additionally overhauled its offensive line after permitting 54 sacks and ending twenty second in cross block win fee. Gone is veteran left sort out Laremy Tunsil, and Stroud’s safety will look considerably totally different in 2025.

You may argue that each one of this has to be a superb factor, contemplating the way in which the offense carried out final season. However that is nonetheless a whole lot of change for a QB who has received playoff video games in every of his first two years and is predicted to assist elevate Houston into the highest tier of AFC contenders sooner slightly than later.

Have we seen the final of Anthony Richardson because the starter in Indianapolis?

The Colts already brought in veteran Daniel Jones to compete with Richardson for the beginning QB function, and now Richardson is coping with an injury to his throwing shoulder — the identical one which ended his rookie season early in 2023. If Richardson continues to wrestle with well being points and Jones exhibits he can function the offense, it is doable the Colts roll with Jones this season and look into transferring on from Richardson — the fourth choose within the 2023 draft — as early as subsequent offseason.

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How might Liam Coen jump-start Trevor Lawrence‘s recreation?

QB-centric coaches usually say that the very first thing they work on once they get with a brand new quarterback is his toes. To that finish, Coen has this offseason emphasised an overhaul of Lawrence’s footwork.

The concept is that every little thing in regards to the offense works off the quarterback’s skill to time up his toes with the play that is known as. If Coen and Lawrence are already making optimistic progress on footwork, that bodes properly for Lawrence’s possibilities of getting again on observe.

What must occur for Patrick Mahomes‘ stats to return to elite degree?

Nicely, it could definitely assist if the Chiefs might defend him higher. Can the mix of free agent signee Jaylon Moore and first-round rookie Josh Simmons assist shore up the sort out place? Will second-year lineman Kingsley Suamataia be higher at guard than he was final season at left sort out?

Getting Rashee Rice again from his knee injury will assist the WR corps, as ought to a full season from Hollywood Brown. The Chiefs might by no means once more be as explosive as they have been within the early Mahomes days with Tyreek Hill, Kareem Hunt and prime Travis Kelce. However the offense has proven it may be environment friendly and efficient when the O-line is correct.

What ought to we anticipate from the Geno Smith-Chip Kelly pairing?

The Raiders acquired Smith, the well-traveled veteran quarterback, from the Seahawks in one of many sneaky-strong strikes of the offseason. Based mostly on the way in which he performed the previous couple of seasons in Seattle, Smith might be the very best QB addition any staff made this spring or summer time. Kelly, making his return to the NFL as Raiders’ offensive coordinator, has hit it off early along with his new QB, with whom he is apparently had a relationship for a while. And coach Pete Carroll was the Seahawks’ coach when Smith took over the beginning QB job from Russell Wilson and outplayed everybody’s expectations.

This AFC West Division had three playoff groups final season, and all three of them appear to be higher this 12 months, so it is an uphill climb for the Raiders. However do not be stunned in the event that they make it powerful on the groups that completed in entrance of them final 12 months.

Is Justin Herbert‘s safety going to be ok?

The Chargers are engaged on a contract extension for left sort out Rashawn Slater, and whereas there would not appear to be any cause to assume it will not get executed, the longer it drags on, the extra regarding it turns into. Newly signed Mekhi Becton is being counted on to be an improve at proper guard, whereas Zion Johnson and Bradley Bozeman are rotating between left guard and middle this offseason. Proper sort out Joe Alt performed properly final season as a rookie, however there are some questions elsewhere alongside the road.

It looks like we are able to belief coach Jim Harbaugh and coordinator Greg Roman to get it discovered, particularly if the Slater negotiations do not end in any type of holdout. A robust and dependable line is essential to getting probably the most out of Herbert and his run recreation.

Is that this undoubtedly the ultimate 12 months for Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles?

Keep in mind when the offseason began with questions about whether or not Stafford was going to be traded to the Giants? Enjoyable occasions. He wasn’t dealt, in fact. He stayed with the Rams on a new contract that’ll pay him $40 million this 12 months after which enable him and/or the staff to go their separate methods subsequent offseason. Rinse, repeat.

Stafford will flip 38 in February, and if he determined to retire, it would be onerous responsible him. However to try to predict what is going to occur feels silly in a scenario the place the participant and the staff appear to have agreed to take it year-by-year. If the Rams had a clear-cut substitute on the roster, that may be a clue, however they do not. Having two first-round picks in subsequent 12 months’s draft provides them the flexibility to search out mentioned substitute in the event that they so select. It is onerous to essentially reply the query of whether or not Stafford has one 12 months or a couple of 12 months left, and there is definitely no cause to say something is particular.

Is that this a make-or-break 12 months for Tua Tagovailoa?

Probably not, since he has $54 million in assured cash coming in 2026. However the Miami offense took a step again final season, and the Dolphins missed the playoffs for the primary time in three years below coach Mike McDaniel. Tagovailoa’s 60.3 QBR ranked fifteenth. How and whether or not Tagovailoa and McDaniel get better from a down 12 months will go a good distance towards figuring out how pointed subsequent offseason’s questions can be about Tagovailoa.

Ought to we anticipate quick success for J.J. McCarthy simply due to the Kevin O’Connell impact?

Kirk Cousins had one of many higher seasons of his profession in 2022 below O’Connell, who was in his first 12 months because the Vikings’ coach. O’Connell obtained one thing out of men like Joshua Dobbs and Nick Mullens after Cousins obtained harm in 2023. Sam Darnold revived his profession below O’Connell final 12 months. So it is clear why hopes are excessive for McCarthy, even after he missed his total rookie season as a consequence of a knee injury. Now we have no cause to doubt O’Connell primarily based on what we have seen in his first three seasons in Minnesota.

Does Drake Maye have the supporting forged to make the Patriots a playoff staff in Yr 2?

After touchdown Mike Vrabel as their coach, the Patriots started working build up the roster infrastructure round Maye, who confirmed a substantial amount of promise after taking on because the beginning QB six weeks into his rookie season. The offensive line appears like will probably be quite a bit higher (it form of must be, proper?). However there are nonetheless questions in regards to the large receiver group after the Pats swung and missed on Chris Godwin in free company and ended up with Stefon Diggs off a torn ACL. Becoming a member of Diggs are DeMario Douglas and rookie Kyle Williams.

Is that this an actual QB1 competitors?

When the Saints drafted Tyler Shough within the second spherical after which Derek Carr retired a number of months later, it definitely was honest to imagine Shough can be in line to take over because the starter. And he completely may be the QB1. However there are folks within the Saints’ constructing who like Spencer Rattler and wish to give him an opportunity to compete with Shough for the beginning job. And to date this offseason, Rattler has proven enchancment over his poor 2024 rookie efficiency.

As of now, anticipate the Saints to arrange coaching camp as a real competitors between Shough and Rattler. May Shough have the sting because the participant the brand new teaching employees drafted with the fortieth choose? Completely. However it would not sound like something is already a executed deal.

Can the Giants resist Jaxson Dart temptation all season?

Yearly, it appears there’s not less than one staff telling us it needs to sit down its rookie quarterback so long as doable — all 12 months if essential. The Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston to make double certain they’d succesful veteran choices whereas Dart developed into an NFL-ready starter.

However the actuality is, it not often works out. Final season’s Patriots have been beginning Jacoby Brissett and saying lots of the identical issues, however they have been so dangerous early on that Drake Maye took over the beginning job in Week 6. Except the Giants are scoring factors and profitable video games at a stunning fee early within the season, it feels inevitable that they attain a degree the place it is time to see what Dart can do.

Is Justin Fields a bridge to the 2026 draft … or potential longer-term answer?

It sounds just like the Jets are going to offer Fields an actual likelihood to reply this query, in some way. They definitely have not dominated out the concept that he might be their long-term starter at quarterback. He is nonetheless solely 26 years outdated and has a singular mixture of expertise and upside. That mentioned, the $10 million assured cash on his contract for 2026 will not stand in the way in which of the staff drafting or buying somebody it sees as a greater possibility subsequent spring if Fields would not play properly sufficient to persuade it in any other case.

How will the Eagles’ annual coordinator change have an effect on Jalen Hurts this time?

The 2022 Eagles reached the Tremendous Bowl with Shane Steichen as offensive coordinator, however then Steichen obtained employed to educate the Colts, and Hurts and the Philly offense regressed badly in 2023 below Brian Johnson. The Eagles introduced in Kellen Moore final season, constructed one of many all-time nice run video games and received the Tremendous Bowl because of this. However now Moore is coach of the Saints, and Kevin Patullo has been promoted to offensive coordinator.

Underestimating Hurts is clearly a silly endeavor at this level, however he and the staff are absolutely hoping issues go higher than they did the final time they promoted from inside to fill the coordinator spot.

Does Aaron Rodgers actually make the Steelers an AFC contender?

Truthfully, I do not see how Rodgers’ signing makes an enormous distinction. If the Steelers actually assume their 2025 season simply obtained saved by signing a QB who was twenty fifth in QBR, twenty sixth in completion share and thirteenth in TD/INT ratio final season, received 5 video games and obtained released by the Jets, they need to step again and ask themselves what they’re doing. A 41-year-old Rodgers might not make the Steelers considerably higher than they have been with out him, and even when he does, they’re more likely to nonetheless be on the lookout for their QB reply subsequent offseason.

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Is all of the strain on Brock Purdy now that he obtained that contract?

It was an offseason of change in San Francisco, the place the 49ers mentioned goodbye to receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and a few key defensive stars. The Niners are carrying greater than $92 million in lifeless cash on their cap this season for gamers now not on the roster, as they determined to make use of 2025 to reset their spending whereas granting a five-year, $265 million contract to Purdy.

The entire plan signifies that they’re going to be asking much more of Purdy, who has been greater than they ever might have anticipated once they took him with the final choose of the 2022 draft. This roster nonetheless has Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, so it is not prefer it’s all on Purdy’s shoulders. However this offseason of change is an indication of issues to return. These guys will not all be round without end, and the pivot into the longer term will depend upon Purdy’s skill to proceed to ship as a high-level franchise QB — even because the items round him shift and alter.

What occurs if the Sam Darnold resurrection wasn’t actual?

The considerably tepid marketplace for Darnold in free company signifies that there was a good bit of skepticism across the league in regards to the sustainability of his breakout 2024 season. Seattle obtained a reasonably good deal — three years, $100.5 million and simply $37.5 million assured — and if Darnold does play the way in which he did in Minnesota, it’s going to appear to be an enormous steal. If Darnold reverts to the jittery, turnover-prone methods of his early profession, Seattle is probably going in for a tough marketing campaign. However not less than the Seahawks aren’t dedicated to him past this season.

Drew Lock and third-round rookie Jalen Milroe are the opposite present choices on the roster if Darnold falters. As of now, coach Mike Macdonald has been very clear Darnold is the starter and that it could take an damage to alter that. Anticipate Darnold to get the 12 months, or not less than the majority of it, to show that 2024 was not a fluke.

Is Baker Mayfield underpaid?

The three-year contract that Mayfield signed with the Bucs final offseason pays him $33.3 million per 12 months. He has $30 million coming this season and $40 million in 2026, although not one of the 2026 cash is assured. The deal is definitely nothing to sneeze at, however contemplate that the highest of the QB market proper now could be $55 to $60 million per 12 months. Contemplate additionally that no quarterback within the NFL has thrown extra landing passes over the previous two common seasons than Mayfield (69).

If Mayfield has one other huge season — with a 3rd totally different offensive coordinator in three years — he might be in line for an excellent greater contract extension subsequent offseason.

How quickly can Cameron Ward reside as much as his No. 1 draft choose standing?

The Titans have been satisfied on Ward early within the course of. Coach Brian Callahan was instrumental in Joe Burrow’s transition to the league when he was the Bengals’ offensive coordinator in 2020. Is Ward’s rookie season going to look something like Burrow’s first 12 months did earlier than struggling a season-ending knee injury? Is he going to wrestle to acclimate? Have the Titans constructed a robust sufficient infrastructure round Ward to assist him succeed early in his profession? And what would success even appear to be for this season’s Titans?

Tennessee is initially of one thing, however the followers and the teaching employees definitely want to see a glimpse this season to offer them confidence in a fast turnaround.

Will we be speaking about Jayden Daniels within the MVP race this season?

The second choose of the 2024 draft, Daniels was a revelation as a rookie, main the Commanders all the way in which to the NFC Championship Recreation. Washington added Laremy Tunsil at left sort out and Deebo Samuel Sr. at large receiver. It saved the teaching employees collectively. And it now enters Daniels’ second season with excessive hopes to go even additional. (Not that there is a lot additional it might go!) Will the league work out Daniels in Yr 2, or will he construct on his historic rookie season and set up himself as one of many NFL’s elites straight away?