2023 Stat Predictions for Every Projected Starting NFL QB
After the most recent Super Bowl saw the familiar storyline of two of the game's best signal-callers going head-to-head in a thrilling clash, the 2023 NFL season will again be defined by the quarterback position. Teams with elite quarterbacks have the best chances to win a title, while those without are likely to find themselves desperately searching for a franchise passer next offseason.
Although the usual suspects such as two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes and the surging Jalen Hurts are projected to guide their respective organizations on another deep postseason run, there are plenty of teams who aren't exactly sure what they have in their current starter. We'll do our best to see what is on the horizon for these quarterbacks, projecting what their final regular season stat line will look like at the end of 2023.
With that in mind, here are some stat predictions for the 32 quarterbacks projected to start most games for their team this coming season. These lines are based on a combination of past production, projected development, the supporting cast surrounding them, the offensive scheme they play in, their health and other relevant factors.
Atlanta Falcons: Desmond Ridder
1 of 32
The Atlanta Falcons were linked with several veterans and were seen as a potential trade-up candidate during the 2023 draft, but the organization ultimately opted to stand pat and give 2022 third-round pick Desmond Ridder a fair shake to show he's a viable NFL quarterback.
Ridder got some run at the end of his rookie year, replacing an ineffective Marcus Mariota for the final four games of the campaign. He scored an "incomplete" mark for his uninspiring efforts, but he did throw for 708 yards and a pair of scores while avoiding any interceptions.
It may be a long shot, but if Ridder can keep those turnover numbers low and get the most out of two rising star pass-catchers in Kyle Pitts and Drake London, he has a chance to keep this job for a while longer.
Projection: 63 percent completion rate, 2,811 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions, 49 carries, 212 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns.
Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray
2 of 32
The Arizona Cardinals are projected to be a non-factor in 2023, with one of the main reasons being a potential lengthy absence from starting quarterback Kyler Murray. The polarizing signal-caller suffered a torn ACL late last season and could miss up to half the upcoming campaign while he recovers.
At his best, Murray is one of the NFL's most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks. He's shown capable of posting video game numbers with both his arm and legs, but he'll struggle to play at a high level upon his return. Even if he's fully recovered and showing no lingering ill-effects from that knee injury, there's simply not enough talent on this rebuilding roster right now.
Projection: 66 percent completion rate, 1,943 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, seven interceptions, 55 carries, 305 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns.
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson
3 of 32
Lamar Jackson finally earned the contract extension he had been seeking and its now time for the star quarterback to deliver for the Baltimore Ravens. After his last two seasons were cut short with injury, Jackson will need to stay healthy if he's going to return to MVP form and get the Ravens past the Divisional round for the first time since they won Super Bowl XLVII over a decade ago.
Thanks to his dual-threat capabilities, Jackson has the potential to put up some of the gaudiest statistics of any player at his position. He earned MVP honors in 2019 after he threw for 3,127 yards and 36 touchdowns while rushing 176 times for 1,206 yards and seven scores. While he hasn't eclipsed the 3,000-yard passing mark since that season or rushed for more than 800 yards since 2020—largely due to injuries costing him five starts in each of the last two seasons—that will change if he can stay on the field in 2023.
The Ravens have installed what looks to be Jackson's best receiving corps ever. While the team underwhelmed at that position last year, the unit was heavily reinforced by the signing of Odell Beckham Jr. and first-round selection of Zay Flowers.
That additional firepower combined with new offensive coordinator Todd Monken's arrival from Georgia may result in a career-best passing display from the 26-year-old signal-caller.
Projection: 63 percent completion rate, 3,302 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 142 carries, 987 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns.
.png?w=256)
Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen
4 of 32
The Buffalo Bills are entering year six of the Josh Allen era and will be hoping their quarterback can finally take this team to the promised land. While he's been statistically dominant since emerging as a star, Allen has struggled in the playoffs and has thus far failed to lead his squad past the AFC Championship Game.
Buffalo should feel confident about its ability to improve on last year's performance thanks to its first-round acquisition of Dalton Kincaid. The pick gives Allen the elite pass-catching tight end this offense has lacked during the quarterback's first half-decade in the league. The rookie rounds out an offense that already has a star wideout in Stefon Diggs and an up-and-coming running back with James Cook.
Expect Allen to dominate the regular season once again and be in the MVP discussion for his play, which should only improve with Kincaid in the mix. Factor in his impressive rushing skills—Allen became the only QB in league history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 750 yards in a single season last year—and you have the recipe for another memorable statistical campaign.
Projection: 65 percent completion rate, 4,512 passing yards, 35 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 120 carries, 677 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns.
Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young
5 of 32
The Carolina Panthers finally have a potential franchise quarterback again after the position saw a revolving door of middling talent filter through in recent years. The club went all-in to acquire Bryce Young at the top of the 2023 draft and should be eager to deploy the Alabama product as a rookie.
While Young will almost certainly experience a learning curve and is a bit of an injury risk due to his smaller stature, he has a real chance to be special early in his career. The team brought in some veteran wideouts to assist his development, signing DJ Chark and Adam Thielen to complement third-year wideout Terrace Marshall Jr. and second-round rookie Jonathan Mingo.
While it's far from the best supporting cast, it should be enough talent for Young to lean on as he works to turn this rebuilding organization around.
Projection: 63 percent completion rate, 3,575 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 50 carries, 181 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns.
Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson
6 of 32
Deshaun Watson is gearing up for a return to a full-time starting role for the first time in three years. He last held that role for the Houston Texans back in 2020, when he earned the most recent of three consecutive Pro Bowl nods.
While Watson looked shaky after making his Cleveland Browns debut following an 11-game suspension last year, the quarterback did throw for five touchdowns and rushed for 75 yards over the final two weeks of the 2022 campaign. Those performances may be a sign of things to come for a player who the Browns gave up so much to acquire.
Projection: 65 percent completion rate, 3,732 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 105 carries, 502 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns.
Chicago Bears: Justin Fields
7 of 32
It's time for Justin Fields to take a leap. The Chicago Bears clearly believe in the young quarterback's potential after they traded out from the No. 1 overall spot in the 2023 draft and bolstered his protection and pass-catching weapons during the offseason. While his first two NFL seasons have been up-and-down with some memorable displays sprinkled in, the 24-year-old will need to become more consistent if the Bears want to become real contenders.
The addition of first-round pick Darnell Wright should help solidify a shaky pass-blocking unit that contributed to Fields taking a league-worst 55 sacks last season. This group already did a good job when the quarterback scrambled, resulting in Fields leading the league in quarterback rushing yards with 1,143 while scoring eight touchdowns.
With D.J. Moore joining the receiving corps as part of the trade out from the top of the draft, the Bears have the pieces in place for Fields to take major strides as a passer. Look for him to bolster his throwing numbers significantly while regressing slightly in terms of his rushing output this coming season.
Projection: 61 percent completion rate, 3,253 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 135 carries, 898 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns.
Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow
8 of 32
Joe Burrow and his Cincinnati Bengals got off to a rocky start last year, but they were able to right the ship and finished the regular season as one of the league's most dominant teams for the second straight year. While Burrow couldn't take his squad back to the Super Bowl for a second straight year, he cemented his status as one of the league's elite quarterbacks.
Burrow can put up eye-popping numbers on a weekly basis. He posted some ridiculous stat lines last year, including a 481-yard, three-touchdown showing versus the Atlanta Falcons and a 355-yard, four-touchdown outing against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. All the key pieces who contributed to that success—most notably wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins—are back, while new faces such as left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and tight end Irv Smith Jr. could make this offense more dangerous than ever.
While Burrow doesn't contribute as much on the ground as some of the other top quarterbacks, he reached career highs in carries (75), rushing yardage (257), and touchdowns (five) last year, numbers that nearly match his rushing stats from his first two seasons combined. If he can continue on that 2022 pace this coming season, it'll be a nice bonus for fantasy managers and the Bengals.
Projection: 68 percent completion rate, 4,523 passing yards, 34 passing touchdowns; nine interceptions, 69 carries, 262 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns.
Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott
9 of 32
The Dallas Cowboys will be hoping Dak Prescott can bounce back from an injury- and turnover-marred 2022 season to return to a high level of play. Prescott missed five games early in the year but still had a league-worst 15 interceptions in the contests he was active for. That, plus the offense sputtering out in the playoffs, led to some sweeping offseason changes for the Dallas offense.
With Kellen Moore out and head coach Mike McCarthy now running the show, the Cowboys may be reticent to pass as much as they have in recent years. This shift may result in Prescott's numbers coming down slightly, but an improved run game should lead to higher completion percentages and fewer giveaways in 2023.
Projection: 67 percent completion rate, 4,122 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns; 13 interceptions, 55 carries, 223 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns.
Denver Broncos: Russell Wilson
10 of 32
Russell Wilson's first season with the Denver Broncos was a complete bust. The nine-time Pro Bowler regressed significantly after coming over as part of an expensive trade with the Seattle Seahawks, taking a myriad of sacks and leading an offense that scored fewer points than any team in the league last year.
While there's a chance Wilson bounces back with new head coach Sean Payton and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi now in the mix, it's also possible the 34-year-old's best football is behind him. It's likely Wilson will show some improvements over the abysmal numbers he posted last year, but it's tough to envision a scenario in which he returns to a superstar level.
Projection: 63 percent completion rate, 3,752 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns; 11 interceptions, 66 carries, 375 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns.
Detroit Lions: Jared Goff
11 of 32
The Detroit Lions seem to have found a quarterback who fits their system and scrappy style with Jared Goff. Although he has a No. 1 overall pick pedigree, the Los Angeles Rams gave up on Goff and threw him into the trade to acquire Matthew Stafford a few years ago. Instead of wilting away, Goff has thrived and now has this team on the verge of contending as he prepares for his third season in the Motor City.
All the pieces are in place for Goff to build on his first Pro Bowl appearance for Detroit and have his best campaign as a professional. The team has a good mix of wideouts with a superstar in Amon-Ra St. Brown, an up-and-comer in Jameson Williams (who will first have to serve a six-game suspension for gambling) and a reliable veteran in Marvin Jones Jr.. Detroit also added a new weapon at tight end by nabbing Sam LaPorta in the second round and put a high-upside playmaker in the backfield with the first-round selection of Jahmyr Gibbs.
Projection: 66 percent completion rate, 4,254 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns; nine interceptions, 25 carries, 75 rushing yards, zero rushing touchdowns.
Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love
12 of 32
The Jordan Love era is finally beginning for the Green Bay Packers. After making the oft-criticized decision to draft the quarterback in Round 1 following Aaron Rodgers' 2020 Pro Bowl season, it's now time for the Utah State product to prove his value to this organization following three years on the bench.
What Love lacks in in-game experience should be made up for with preparation and practice reps. He's had plenty of time to learn behind one of the best to ever play the position and should be able to translate that to on-field success now that he's finally getting his chance to shine.
Love's upside will be tied to strides being made by sophomore wideouts Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs and the impact that second-round rookie Jayden Reed has in his first season, but this young receiving corps has the talent to quickly establish itself as one of the best in the NFL.
Projection: 64 percent completion rate, 3,791 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns; 12 interceptions, 47 carries, 174 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns.
Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud
13 of 32
The Houston Texans will be pinning their hopes of contending again on C.J. Stroud, the player they selected at No. 2 overall. Stroud has all the tools to be an elite NFL passer, but his ceiling early in his career will be severely impacted by the lack of talent surrounding him.
While Houston did make some minor investments in the receiver's room—notably signing Robert Woods and using a third-round pick on Tank Dell—to join incumbents John Metchie III and Nico Collins, there's still more work to be done here in the coming years.
The offensive line could give Stroud's rookie numbers a boost, especially after guard Shaq Mason came over via trade this offseason to join forces with Pro Bowl tackle Laremy Tunsil and 2022 first-round guard Kenyon Green.
Projection: 62 percent completion rate, 3,349 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns; 14 interceptions, 44 carries, 138 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown.
Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson
14 of 32
No quarterback will be tougher to project than Anthony Richardson, the uber-athletic passer who the Indianapolis Colts landed at No. 4 overall in the 2023 draft.
Richardson flew up draft boards after a historic combine performance—posting the rarest blend of testing numbers and measurables that the position has ever seen—but still has a long way to go in terms of tightening up his mechanics and polishing his game before he's ready to be an elite NFL signal-caller.
After completing just 55 percent of his passes during a limited amount of playing time at Florida, Richardson could be a liability on drop backs early in his career. He may be able to make up for that with some game-breaking scrambles, but this could be a rocky year for the Colts as they try to fast-track the prospect's development under new head coach Shane Steichen.
Projection: 59 percent completion rate, 2,664 passing yards, eight passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 125 carries, 822 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence
15 of 32
The Jacksonville Jaguars clearly have a superstar quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, but the best is still yet to come for the No. 1 overall pick in 2020. Lawrence shook off the stink of a rough rookie season and took an impressive leap last year—even guiding the Jags to a playoff victory—but he can still make major strides when it comes to consistency.
Having Calvin Ridley back in the fold will provide a nice boost to the receiving corps after the veteran wideout sat out the entire 2022 campaign with a suspension. The Jags also beefed up their offensive line with the first-round pickup of Anton Harrison and free-agent signing of Brandon Scherff, protection improvements that should help Lawrence post strong stat lines on a weekly basis.
Projection: 65 percent completion rate, 4,061 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns; nine interceptions, 63 carries, 299 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns.
Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes
16 of 32
Patrick Mahomes won his second league MVP award on the way to leading his Kansas City Chiefs to another Super Bowl title last year. He should keep that red-hot pace up, although it will be tough for him to top 2022's 5,250-yard, 41-touchdown passing performance.
While Mahomes didn't experience a fall-off after top target Tyreek Hill was traded away last offseason, he did lose a few key pass-catchers from last year's squad. Both JuJu Smith Schuster—who was responsible for 933 yards and three touchdowns on 78 receptions—and Mecole Hardman, who had a career-best 59-catch, 693-yard, two-touchdown campaign, exited in free agency.
The team didn't make any high-profile additions on the open market, but is instead hoping to see growth from young wideouts like Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore when they step into more prominent roles. Second-round rookie Rashee Rice should also be in the mix due to his blend of size, speed and ball skills.
Despite the inexperience in this receiving corps, Mahomes should have little issues maximizing their talents while also leaning on reliable tight end Travis Kelce heavily each week. Expect the 27-year-old to keep the Chiefs atop the list of Super Bowl favorites all year while posting his usual big numbers for as long as Kelce remains playing a superstar level.
Projection: 66 percent completion rate, 4,892 passing yards, 38 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 55 carries, 325 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns.
Las Vegas Raiders: Jimmy Garoppolo
17 of 32
Jimmy Garoppolo may have never emerged as the star quarterback the San Francisco 49ers had hoped for when they initially traded for him, but he was a serviceable starter who brought the team on several successful runs during his six years in the Bay Area. He'll now get a chance for a gracious third act with the Las Vegas Raiders while reuniting with former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels.
The Raiders have plenty of talent around Garoppolo and should be a respectable offensive force in 2023. Devante Adams, Jakobi Meyers and Hunter Renfrow form the nucleus of one of the league's better receiving corps, while McDaniels' creativity could help get plenty of mileage out of this aging quarterback as long as he can stay healthy.
Projection: 68 percent completion rate, 3,822 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 27 carries, 44 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns.
Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert
18 of 32
Justin Herbert quickly made the leap to the league's upper echelon of passers. He earned the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2020 followed by his Pro Bowl nod the following season, but his numbers regressed in 2022.
While Herbert still threw plenty of passes for a ton of yards, his touchdown numbers plummeted and his rushing impact was reduced. The former has a good chance to spike back up thanks to the hiring of Kellen Moore to run the offense in Los Angeles, while the latter could improve if Herbert can healthy following a string of injuries last season.
Much of the same supporting cast from the last few years is here as well, with first-round pick Quentin Johnston being the most notable addition to a potent core that still includes Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler.
Prediction: 67 percent completion rate, 4,443 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 57 carries, 198 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown.
Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford
19 of 32
The 2022 campaign was a trying one for the defending champion Los Angeles Rams, as the campaign was marred by injuries and ineffective play by their biggest stars—including starting quarterback Matthew Stafford. In the span of a year Stafford went from having the best season of his long career and winning a Super Bowl to looking like an over-the-hill veteran on his last legs.
It doesn't seem that better days are ahead for Stafford or the Rams either. The cash-strapped club was forced to part ways with several key contributors from their title run and lacked the draft capital to bring in any true game-changing young talent. Stafford's numbers will improve if he can stay healthy, but don't expect the 35-year-old to return to Pro Bowl form.
Prediction: 65 percent completion rate, 4,010 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 22 carries, 51 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown.
Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa
20 of 32
The Miami Dolphins have assembled a star-studded roster capable of winning a Super Bowl, but those hopes will hinge on the health quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The quarterback suffered numerous head injuries last year, leading him to miss four contests during the regular season and the team's first playoff game since 2017.
Tagovailoa did make a leap when he was on the field, however, which should have come as little surprise given the dynamic receiving duo of Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill supporting the young signal-caller. If Tua can avoid missing time, the sky is the limit for this offense.
Prediction: 66 percent completion rate, 3,968 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 40 carries, 124 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown.
Minnesota Vikings: Kirk Cousins
21 of 32
The Minnesota Vikings are once again going to battle with Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback.
While Cousins has found plenty of individual success during his time with the organization, he's yet to lead the club to any real playoff success. It's possible this will be his final season in the Twin Cities, especially if he's unable to lead this squad on the deep playoff run it's long hoped for.
Regardless of how the team fares, Cousins should post some solid numbers throughout the regular season yet again. He has the league's best wideout in Justin Jefferson at his disposal, a first-round receiver in Jordan Addison and the midseason acquisition of T.J. Hockenson gives the Vikings a legit threat at tight end. Those three should pace a passing attack that should be quite dangerous in 2023.
Prediction: 66 percent completion rate, 4,310 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 25 carries, 92 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown.
New England Patriots: Mac Jones
22 of 32
The New England Patriots seemed to have found a proper heir to Tom Brady following Mac Jones' impressive rookie year, but the Alabama product spiraled in 2022 along with the rest of the New England offense. After making the Pro Bowl in his first season, Jones regressed in almost every major statistical category in Year 2.
There is hope for Jones to chalk that performance up to a sophomore slump and revitalize his career thanks to some major coaching staff changes. Gone are head coaching retreads like Joe Judge and Matt Patricia—who seemed out of their depth working in key offensive roles upon their respective returns to the Pats—and in is Bill O'Brien, who will add an edge to New England's offense as its first official coordinator since Josh McDaniels was hired away.
Factor some offensive line improvements, including a trio of rookies joining on Day 3 of the draft, and JuJu Smith-Schuster's signing to bolster the receiving corps and you have the recipe for a resurgent Jones.
Projection: 67 percent completion rate, 3,994 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns; nine interceptions, 51 carries, 136 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown.
New Orleans Saints: Derek Carr
23 of 32
The New Orleans Saints have their best quarterback since Drew Brees thanks to their offseason signing of Derek Carr. While Carr fell out of favor with the Las Vegas Raiders at the tail-end of a disappointing campaign last year, he could experience a resurgence in the Big Easy.
With a decent group of wideouts that includes 2022 first-round pick Chris Olave and a once-elite veteran in Michael Thomas—who is trying to prove he has something left in the tank himself—Carr could put up some surprisingly decent numbers for the Saints.
Projection: 68 percent completion rate, 3,901 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns; 13 interceptions, 30 carries, 118 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown.
New York Giants: Daniel Jones
24 of 32
The New York Giants saw enough development from Daniel Jones last year to reward him with a sizable contract extension. The quarterback was far from elite, but he got the job done and guided Big Blue to their first playoff win since their improbable Super Bowl run that followed the 2011 campaign.
Jones may not be brimming with upside at the age of 26, but he has a chance to bring his arm along a little more as he prepares for a second season in Mike Kafka's system while remaining a danger on the ground. The additions of both Darren Waller and Parris Campbell should also help improve Danny Dimes' stats in 2023.
Prediction: 65 percent completion rate, 3,553 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, nine interceptions, 109 carries, 601 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns.
New York Jets: Aaron Rodgers
25 of 32
The New York Jets made the biggest splash of the offseason when they went out and acquired Aaron Rodgers to lead their offense. This team squandered an incredible defensive effort last year relying on the arm of Zach Wilson and decided it couldn't afford to take any more chances on the No. 2 overall pick in 2021's development, leading to Gang Green going all-in on the future Hall of Famer.
While Rodgers took a step back last year following back-to-back MVP seasons, he was lacking a dynamic pass-catching weapon following the Davante Adams trade. That issue is remedied in New York, where Garrett Wilson paces a revamped receiving corps that now features Rodgers' former Green Bay Packers teammate Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman.
Factor in familiarity with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and it's looking like Rodgers is in for a bounce-back season at the age of 39.
Prediction: 65 percent completion rate, 4,098 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions, 28 carries, 92 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Hurts
26 of 32
Fresh off taking his Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl and signing a blockbuster extension, Jalen Hurts is primed for his best season yet. The 24-year-old has taken massive leaps forward in each of his first three professional campaigns and should further improve his game in 2023.
After passing for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns and adding another 760 yards and 13 scores on the ground last year, Hurts has a realistic chance to become the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 4,000 yards and rush for 1,000 or more yards in a single season.
With Miles Sanders now gone, the Eagles may lean on Hurts to shoulder the rushing load more than ever. While they did replace Sanders with D'Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny, the young signal-caller could easily lead the team in ground gains. With Hurts surrounded by plenty of talent in the passing game— including a pair of star wideouts in DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown and tight end Dallas Goedert—and protected by an elite offensive line, he'll have little issues posting video game numbers through the air some weeks.
It's a combination that could very well result in Hurts cinching up his first MVP award when all is said and done.
Prediction: 65 percent completion rate, 4,023 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, seven interceptions, 204 carries, 1,032 rushing yards,14 rushing touchdowns.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett
27 of 32
The Pittsburgh Steelers were the only team to select a quarterback in the first two rounds of the 2022 draft, but they seem to have found a gem in Kenny Pickett. While the Pitt product didn't earn the starting job right away, he was thrust into action following uninspiring play by Mitchell Trubisky and made the most of his opportunity when he finally got on the field.
Pickett has already proved he can be a quality game manager at worst, but he has the potential to take a massive leap in his sophomore season. With a full offseason to prepare as the locked-in QB1, a reinforced offensive line and a solid crop of pass-catchers surrounding him, this 24-year-old could be one of the league's breakout stars in 2023.
Prediction: 65 percent completion rate, 3,681 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 58 carries, 248 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns.
San Francisco 49ers: Brock Purdy
28 of 32
The San Francisco 49ers have one of the more interesting quarterback situations in the league. After trying to start up the Trey Lance era last year following a heavy investment into the No. 3 overall pick in 2021, the team instead wound up leaning on Brock Purdy—its selection at the very end of the 2022 draft—to reach the NFC Championship Game.
It's clear that Purdy is far better than his draft position indicated after he led the Niners to five consecutive regular season victories and a pair of playoff wins in his first seven starts.
It remains to be seen if Purdy will be ready to start again in Week 1, however, as he suffered a shoulder injury in his last appearance. Lance could end up overtaking Purdy atop the depth chart if he gets off to a strong start in his third season, making this a situation to watch during training camp and early in 2023.
Prediction: 66 percent completion rate, 3,462 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, seven interceptions, 42 carries, 120 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns.
Seattle Seahawks: Geno Smith
29 of 32
Geno Smith's breakout season was one of the more intriguing storylines of the 2022 campaign. After replacing Russell Wilson as the Seattle Seahawks' starting quarterback, the journey signal-caller had one of the most improbable showings in league history at the age of 31. Smith not only oversaw a high-powered Seattle offense and made the Pro Bowl, but also guided his side to a wildly unexpected playoff berth.
Smith will now try to build on that after he signed an extension to remain in the Pacific Northwest. While it may be tough to keep up his league-best accuracy figures, the offense may be even more potent this year with prized prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba joining a receiving corps that already featured a pair of star wideouts in Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf.
Prediction: 68 percent completion rate, 4,123 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 70 carries, 380 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield
30 of 32
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in for a rough season following the retirement of legendary quarterback Tom Brady. With no heir-apparent on the roster, the Bucs will be left to choose a 2023 starter between free-agent acquisition Baker Mayfield and 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask.
Mayfield has the inside track to win the starting gig thanks to his experience and recent semi-resurgence with the Los Angeles Rams. He'll likely have a short leash, however, and will likely be replaced by Trask at some point during a season that is almost certain to be a trying one for this organization. There are some solid weapons here in Tampa, but even Mike Evans and Chris Godwin won't be able to turn these quarterbacks into elite passers.
Prediction: 62 percent completion rate, 2,387 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, nine interceptions, 31 carries, 99 rushing yards, zero rushing touchdowns.
Tennessee Titans: Ryan Tannehill
31 of 32
The Tennessee Titans couldn't acquire a prized quarterback prospect in the 2023 draft, leaving them no better option than to run it back with Ryan Tannehill again this season. While Tannehill had some nice years shortly after he landed in the Music City, he seemed cooked in 2022.
The veteran signal-caller was hindered by injuries and failed to deliver any remarkable games last year and it's not looking any better this year. The roster is devoid of any notable receiving talent, making it likely the Titans lean even heavier on their Derrick Henry-led ground attack to try and muster some offense.
Projection: 64 percent completion rate, 3,030 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns; nine interceptions, 41 carries, 151 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns.
Washington Commanders: Sam Howell
32 of 32
The Washington Commanders have a quarterback controversy on their hands, but it really won't matter if Sam Howell or Jacoby Brissett wins this starting job. It's unlikely that either player is able to elevate this team beyond its current status as a middling Wild Card contender with no real chance to contend for a title.
Because Washington has fared well enough to put itself in the playoff hunt on a yearly basis but never bottoms out to acquire a high draft pick, the team finds itself in a no-mans land without a path to acquire an elite prospect who could rescue this franchise.
Howell was a dart throw in the fifth-round last year and has some upside at least, which should help him earn the QB1 role over Brissett. Don't expect him to make a Pro Bowl or guide this team to more than a .500 record though.
Prediction: 63 percent completion rate, 2,122 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, six interceptions, 34 carries, 155 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Heisman candidate goes undrafted, accepts camp invite")