Russell Wilson enjoying for a brand new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers ranks among the many prime quarterback storylines heading into the 2024 NFL season’s remaining weeks. There are numerous others of curiosity, which makes this a superb time to verify in on all 32 quarterback conditions.
As I normally do that time of yr, I’ve grouped all 32 quarterbacks into buckets primarily based on how their groups ought to really feel about them, from “Dedicated With out Reservation” at one finish to “We’re Trying For A Manner Out” on the different.
The New York Giants’ present starter (Drew Lock) is just not listed, however their former one (Daniel Jones) does seem. I’ve included contract period and wage rank, together with the place every ranks in EPA per move play among the many 40 quarterbacks with at the least 100 move makes an attempt this season.
1. Dedicated With out Reservation
We have now top-five QBs of their primes, signed to long-term contracts.
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Signed via: 2031 | APY Rank: 12 | QB EPA Rank: 10/40
There’s been an attention-grabbing statistical tradeoff for Mahomes in current weeks. After tossing eight landing passes with 9 interceptions within the first seven video games, the TD-INT ratio has flipped to 11-2 in 5 subsequent video games. His sack charge has additionally jumped from 5.1 p.c to 9.0 p.c, whereas his charge of passes gaining greater than 15 yards has dropped. Not that any of these items have an effect on how the Chiefs really feel about their quarterback, who leads the league in fourth-quarter comebacks (4) and game-winning drives (six), per Professional Soccer Reference.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Payments
Signed via: 2028 | APY Rank: 14 | QB EPA Rank: 4/40
Allen has change into the betting favourite for MVP honors in current weeks and is every thing the Payments hoped they had been getting after they traded as much as draft him in 2018. His sack charge has fallen and his explosive move charge has risen throughout all three offensive coordinators throughout his seven seasons.
GO DEEPER
Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley, Lamar Jackson and a scorching MVP race: Sando’s Choose Six
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Signed via: 2027 | APY Rank: 8 | QB EPA Rank: 1/40
The Ravens are successful the massive wager they made on Jackson after they signed him to an extension earlier than the 2023 season. Jackson’s manufacturing, in decline earlier than he signed the deal, has reached new highs. He has 41 extra complete touchdowns than turnovers since signing the deal, tied with Allen for one of the best differential within the league. Jackson ranked twenty first (+13) throughout the 2021-22 seasons.
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Signed via: 2029 | APY Rank: 4 | QB EPA Rank: 6/40
Burrow handed for 820 yards with 9 touchdowns and one interception in 41-38 and 35-34 defeats to Baltimore this season, capturing the essence of this Bengals season. Cincinnati ranks fifth in offensive EPA per play however solely thirtieth on the defensive facet. That’s the largest differential between offensive and defensive rankings by Week 13. The opposite groups with comparable disparities embrace the 8-5 Ravens (-24), 8-5 Commanders (-24) and 6-6 Buccaneers (-23).
GO DEEPER
QB Betrayal Index: Lamar Jackson acing his hardest take a look at; Justin Herbert lastly will get a break
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Signed via: 2029 | APY Rank: 7 | QB EPA Rank: 21/40
Herbert was fifth in Quarterback Tiers voting earlier than the 2023 and 2024 seasons regardless of slipping from Tier 1 to Tier 2 coming into 2024. He’s throwing fewer passes and taking extra sacks for a staff that’s successful on protection. It’s troublesome to think about coach Jim Harbaugh straying too removed from his run-heavy philosophy.
2. Dedicated And Hoping The Sky Is The Restrict
We expect our younger QBs can change into stars (and there’s some proof to show we’re proper).
Jordan Love, Inexperienced Bay Packers
Signed via: 2028 | APY Rank: 3 | QB EPA Rank: 13/40
Evaluating Like to predecessor Aaron Rodgers would appear unfair if Love weren’t beginning his profession with comparable manufacturing.
Rodgers by 27 begins: 64 p.c completions, 7.8 yards per try, 50 landing passes, 18 interceptions
Love by 27 begins: 63 p.c completions, 7.4 yards per try, 51 landing passes, 23 interceptions
The principle variations: Rodgers added extra EPA on scrambles and misplaced extra EPA on sacks, whereas Love has misplaced extra on interceptions.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
Signed via: 2026 (not counting fifth-year possibility) | APY Rank: 26 | QB EPA Rank: 25/40
To what diploma does Stroud’s decline in manufacturing from his rookie season mirror a weakened offensive line and accidents at receiver?
That will likely be a key query heading into subsequent season for the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Yr.
3. Dedicated And Content material
We have now veteran quarterbacks signed for the long run and are pleased with the state of affairs.
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Signed via: 2028 | APY Rank: 6 | QB EPA Rank: 3/40
Goff is proving to be a terrific good-team quarterback.
Now in his fourth season with Detroit, Goff is replicating his 2018 Tremendous Bowl season with the Rams by 12 video games, besides he’s throwing the ball much less incessantly and throwing it shorter, which implies a better completion charge and fewer explosive positive factors.
Every part else is about the identical: the won-lost document (11-1 each years), the passer score (109.9 then, 109.0 now) and the elevated yards per try (9.1 then, 8.8 now).
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Signed via: 2028 | APY Rank: 9 | QB EPA Rank: 12/40
The Eagles are 31-4 by the primary 12 video games of the previous three seasons with Hurts within the lineup. The massive distinction this season is how way more Philadelphia is leaning on its protection and floor sport, led by Saquon Barkley.
Hurts, in his first season with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, has tried 304 passes in the course of the 10-2 begin this season, down from 403 in the course of the staff’s 10-2 begin final season. That’s a drop from 33.5 makes an attempt per sport to 25.3 per sport.
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Signed via: 2028 | APY Rank: 10 | QB EPA Rank: 14/40
Murray appears to have matured and is not outlined by the “homework clause” Arizona put into (and later faraway from) the contract extension he signed in July 2022.
After lacking components of the previous two seasons with a torn ACL, he has began the primary 12 video games of a season for the primary time since 2020, his second yr within the league.
One huge distinction from then to now: He averaged a career-high 7.6 rushes and scrambles per sport then, in comparison with a career-low 3.9 this season. Whereas he leads the league in ESPN’s Complete QBR metric, groups are blitzing Murray way more successfully than in current seasons.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Signed via: 2028 | APY Rank: 1 | QB EPA Rank: 28/40
The Cowboys have had a successful document six occasions in seven seasons when Prescott began at the least half the video games and by no means had a dropping season (they had been 8-8 in 2019). However the staff fell off in 2024, Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring harm and his new contract is ready to depend $89 million in opposition to the cap in 2025 — his age-32 season — making the longer term look murkier.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Signed via: 2026 | APY Rank: 18 | QB EPA Rank: 11/40
Mayfield has discovered a house in Tampa and is offering a stable return on the Buccaneers’ three-year, $100 million funding in him. Since becoming a member of Tampa Bay final season, he ranks tenth in EPA per move play and is tied with the Ravens’ Jackson for the league lead in landing passes (53).
The Buccaneers have a mediocre document this season (6-6) as a result of the protection ranks twenty ninth in EPA per play. Mayfield has posted career-high totals by 12 video games for passing yards (3,034), passing touchdowns (25), passer score (101.3) and EPA per move play (0.11). He’s carried out it for an offense that ranks fifth in factors per sport (27.2) and sixth in EPA per play.
4. Dedicated And Content material, With No Ensures
We like our QBs and have them signed past this season to offers containing little or no extra assured cash. This offers us extra flexibility to think about our choices.
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Signed via: 2026 | APY Rank: 15 | QB EPA Rank: 17/40
When Stafford sought a brand new contract final offseason, the Rams gave him $40 million absolutely assured, with solely $4 million in ensures after this season. That offers the staff better flexibility to maneuver on from Stafford if some mixture of age/harm/efficiency leads the Rams to think about different choices. Stafford stays the most suitable choice now. His three game-winning drives are his most since having 4 in 2021.
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
Signed via: 2025 | APY Rank: 19 | QB EPA Rank: 23/40
The best way this Seahawks season has performed out underneath new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, with the staff skewing closely towards the move and Kenneth Walker III rating thirtieth amongst operating backs in rush yards, the main focus might fall extra on the general strategy than it falls on the individual taking snaps from middle.
Regardless of the case, Smith stays underneath contract for 2025 underneath phrases favorable to the staff, as his $24.8 million in compensation is just not assured. That offers the Seahawks flexibility in the event that they determine to think about different choices.
Smith had 30 landing passes with 11 interceptions in his first season because the Seahawks’ starter (2022). He has 13 and 12, respectively, for an offense that has struggled to search out consistency up to now this season.
5. Dedicated With Considerations
We signed our QB to an costly long-term extension however can’t really feel nice about it, for various causes.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Signed via: 2028 | APY Rank: 5 | QB EPA Rank: 2/40
The Dolphins struggled to operate when Tagovailoa was not out there to them, pushing again in opposition to perceptions that the quarterback was principally a product of coach Mike McDaniel’s scheme and the staff’s elite weaponry.
The staff has averaged 0.09 EPA per play on offense with Tagovailoa, in contrast with -0.32 per play with out him. That’s the distinction between being a top-five offense this season and being greater than twice as unhealthy because the last-ranked one (Cleveland at -0.15).
Tagovailoa and the Dolphins paid a heavy worth for studying extra in regards to the quarterback’s worth. The concussion he suffered in opposition to Buffalo in Week 2 spurred one other spherical of questions on his long-term well being and viability as a quarterback.
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Signed via: 2030 | APY Rank: 2 | QB EPA Rank: 27/40
There’s little proof Lawrence can overcome robust conditions, or that the Jaguars may also help him sufficient to make sure success, however the staff nonetheless entered right into a $275 million extension with him earlier than the season, when there was no looming deadline to take action.
GO DEEPER
The Jaguars overestimated themselves. Did they overestimate Trevor Lawrence, too?
Right here’s the place Lawrence ranks in EPA per move play: twenty fifth since 2021, twentieth since 2022, twenty fifth since 2023 and twenty fourth this season. He’ll probably stay among the many prime 5 in common annual wage for years to return. Can he shut the hole?
6. Dedicated Till No Longer Dedicated
Our veteran starters might be on the way in which out, for various causes.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
Signed via: 2026 | APY Rank: 16 | QB EPA Rank: 9/40
The Saints’ subsequent coach will probably assist determine what course the staff follows at quarterback after this season. Releasing Carr might be troublesome given the staff’s salary-cap state of affairs, however all choices would appear to be on the desk because the membership units a brand new course. Designating him a post-June 1 launch would take advantage of sense if the Saints determine to chop ties.
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
Signed via: 2027 | APY Rank: 13 | QB EPA Rank: 16/40
Cousins might be operating out of possibilities to reverse a current slide in manufacturing. How lengthy earlier than first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr. turns into the most suitable choice? It appears becoming that this profession crossroads has Cousins returning to Minnesota in opposition to his former staff in Week 14. Right here’s hoping Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell is miked up throughout pregame, at the least.
GO DEEPER
Falcons sticking with, and standing up for, Kirk Cousins after ugly day in Atlanta
How lengthy earlier than Penix takes over from Cousins because the Falcons’ starter? (Kevin Sabitus / Related Press)
Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
Signed via: 2025 | APY Rank: 17 | QB EPA Rank: 29/40
Rodgers’ contract has a $35 million possibility for 2025. It’s troublesome to see the Jets exercising it when a franchise refresh appears applicable and Rodgers, who simply turned 41, has misplaced athleticism.
As disappointing as this Jets season has been from a quarterback standpoint, this may be worse: The staff’s 88.2 passer score is its second-best by 12 video games since 2008.
GO DEEPER
Jets proprietor Johnson steered benching Aaron Rodgers in September: Sources
7. Dedicated, However At What Worth?
Our QB has earned an extension, however current occasions have raised questions in regards to the worth.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Signed via: 2025 | APY Rank: 84 | QB EPA Rank: 7/40
Purdy, with lower than $3 million in profession earnings, has a $1.1 million wage in 2024. He’s been the NFL’s largest discount over the previous two-plus seasons and ought to be in line for an enormous elevate, however how huge?
Six weeks in the past, the dialog revolved round whether or not Purdy would possibly money in for $60 million per yr. However because the season slips away and a few of Purdy’s bodily limitations floor, might the 49ers determine to attend? Might they pursue extra of a compromise deal, within the spirit of what Inexperienced Bay did with Love in 2023? There’s time to determine one thing.
8. Heaps to Play For Down The Stretch With Contract Talks Forward
The veteran we signed on a budget will command an extension if this retains up.
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Signed via: 2024 | APY Rank: 63 | QB EPA Rank: 8/40
The one-year, $1.2 million deal Wilson signed with the Steelers (whereas nonetheless accumulating $37.8 million from Denver on his earlier deal) ranks as the largest discount within the league this season.
Wilson’s passing manufacturing in six begins tasks to 4,706 yards with 28 touchdowns and 9 interceptions over a 17-game schedule. The ultimate 5 video games ship some troublesome defenses, however with the Steelers all however assured a playoff berth, Wilson has a terrific alternative to make Pittsburgh his longer-term house.
GO DEEPER
Russell Wilson and the Steelers offense’s sensational day (and the immense implications)
9. Evaluating: Lengthy Runways
Our first-round rookies are simply getting began.
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Signed via: 2027 (not counting fifth-year possibility) | APY Rank: 24 | QB EPA Rank: 5/40
This season has showcased Daniels’ dual-threat prowess together with some preexisting sturdiness considerations, however Washington have to be very pleased with its number of Daniels general. His EPA per move play ranks fifth by 13 begins amongst all rookies since 2000, per TruMedia. Matt Ryan, Robert Griffin III, Ben Roethlisberger and Prescott rank larger. Wilson, Herbert and Stroud rank sixth by eighth, respectively. That’s good firm for Daniels.
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Signed via: 2027 (not counting fifth-year possibility) | APY Rank: 22 | QB EPA Rank: 30/40
Williams has gone from rating among the many backside 10 in EPA per move play underneath former coordinator Shane Waldron to rating among the many prime 10 after three video games with Thomas Brown within the position. Whether or not that’s sustainable, the uptick has been encouraging for the No. 1 decide within the 2024 draft. Who will likely be teaching Williams for the long run?
GO DEEPER
The Bears want to rent the correct head coach this time. 5 suggestions for his or her search
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Signed via: 2027 (not counting fifth-year possibility) | APY Rank: 39 | QB EPA Rank: 26/40
Nix has feasted on the AFC West and NFC South, combining for 15 landing passes with one interception in eight video games, together with six Denver victories. He ranks among the many prime 10 in a variety of passing classes, together with EPA per move play, since Week 8.
Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Signed via: 2027 (not counting fifth-year possibility) | APY Rank: 25 | QB EPA Rank: 22/40
Maye has much less round him than the opposite first-round rookie quarterbacks, one purpose the Patriots had been reluctant to start out him instantly. He has arguably outperformed expectations provided that context, shifting the main focus away from him and onto what New England should do to assist him within the coming offseason.
10. Evaluating: Clock Is Ticking
We haven’t given up on the 2023 first-round picks we benched, however there’s some urgency.
Bryce Younger, Carolina Panthers
Benched after solely two video games this season, Younger has performed effectively sufficient in 5 video games since his return to resume hope for his future. The Panthers are 2-3 and averaging 21.4 offensive factors per sport since Younger’s return. That they had a 2-16 document whereas averaging 11.2 factors per sport on offense in his earlier 18 begins.
GO DEEPER
NFL QB inventory report, Week 14: Perception into Bryce Younger’s revival; Kirk Cousins nonetheless Falcons’ QB1?
Signed via: 2026 (not counting fifth-year possibility) | APY Rank: 23 | QB EPA Rank: 34/40
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
Signed via: 2026 (not counting fifth-year possibility) | APY Rank: 29 | QB EPA Rank: 31/40
The Colts had been a lot worse on offense in the course of the two video games Joe Flacco began than they had been beforehand or since Richardson returned to the lineup for the previous three video games. Richardson stays a low-percentage passer able to the spectacular however remains to be searching for consistency. How affected person will the Colts be in creating him?
11. Evaluating: Want An Various
Our younger QB might play his means right into a future with us, but it surely’s wanting like we’ll be available in the market for an improve.
Will Levis, Tennessee Titans
Signed via: 2026 | APY Rank: 53 | QB EPA Rank: 35/40
The Titans’ present teaching workers inherited Levis and will preserve him however presumably wouldn’t need to wager its future on him, given the returns up to now. Can Levis end sturdy?
Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders
Signed via: 2026 | APY Rank: 71 | QB EPA Rank: 15/40
The Raiders had O’Connell on their roster coming into this season and most popular signing Gardner Minshew for $12.5 million per yr. Can O’Connell play his means into their future plans over the remaining 5 video games? His 340-yard sport at Kansas Metropolis was a begin.
12. Thank You For Your Service (And The Future Comp Choose)
We’re grateful for our QB however dedicated to a special one.
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
Signed via: 2024 | APY Rank: 21 | QB EPA Rank: 19/40
The idea right here is that Darnold has performed effectively sufficient to earn a possibility better than what the Vikings can promise him in 2025, when first-round decide J.J. McCarthy returns from knee surgical procedure to presumably declare the beginning job.
13. Possible Headed to Free Company as a Bridge Starter/Backup
There will likely be a marketplace for these veterans, however not essentially because the undisputed starter.
Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns
Signed via: 2024 | APY Rank: 42 | QB EPA Rank: 20/40
The Browns are averaging 21.8 offensive factors per sport when Winston begins after averaging 13.4 when Deshaun Watson was within the lineup earlier within the season. Their charge of explosive move performs has greater than doubled from 8.4 p.c with Watson to 17.8 p.c with Winston.
It’s attainable the Browns or one other staff will mission Winston as a starter subsequent season. The 2 decide sixes Winston threw in opposition to Denver on Monday evening tempered a number of the current enthusiasm.
Daniel Jones, Minnesota Vikings
Signed via: 2024 | APY Rank: 90 | QB EPA Rank: 32/40
Jones might fill the Darnold position for the Vikings subsequent season if Darnold finds a greater alternative elsewhere. He might additionally take a look at the market, though further time with O’Connell in Minnesota might be good for his profession long run.
14. We’re Trying For A Manner Out
Assist! Our quarterback couldn’t begin for any staff, however we owe him greater than $90 million over the subsequent two seasons.
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
Signed via: 2026 | APY Rank: 11 | QB EPA Rank: 40/40
The worst contract in NFL historical past isn’t getting higher quickly sufficient for the Browns. Watson, out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, is scheduled to depend $72.9 million in opposition to the cap in every of the subsequent two seasons. These figures might be manipulated in varied methods, however Watson is getting his cash regardless, until he violates the contract indirectly.
GO DEEPER
Deshaun Watson and a Browns escape plan (as soon as they lastly admit it’s over): Sando’s Choose Six
(High picture of Russell Wilson, left, and Aaron Rodgers: Joe Sargent / Getty Photographs)
The story of the best gamers in NFL historical past. In 100 riveting profiles, prime soccer writers justify their alternatives and uncover the historical past of the NFL within the course of.
The story of the best gamers in NFL historical past.
Purchase
