1 Sentence to Describe Every Team's QB Situation After Anthony Richardson Benching
We're about halfway through the 2024 NFL season, and two of the top four picks from the 2023 draft have already been benched.
That doesn't bode well for quarterback situations in Carolina and Indianapolis, but those teams aren't alone in signal-caller turmoil.
Here's a team-by-team quarterback breakdown in single-sentence form as we wrap up October.
The Ugly
1 of 5
Cleveland Browns: Regardless of the sunk costs associated with his contract, it would be shocking if Deshaun Watson was to start another game for a team that likely has to go back to the drawing board in 2025.
Dallas Cowboys: They're married to Dak Prescott for years to come, and he's regressed considerably in what might have been a prove-it year.
New York Giants: All you need to know is Daniel Jones has failed to throw a touchdown pass in four of his last five games in what appears to be his last shot at proving himself to be a starting-caliber NFL quarterback.
Tennessee Titans: With Will Levis struggling mightily before going down, it's time to officially conclude that they must take a quarterback in the first round of the 2025 draft.
Las Vegas Raiders: It couldn't be clearer that both Gardner Minshew II and Aidan O'Connell are top-notch backups at best for a team that must start from scratch under center.
The Bad
2 of 5
Seattle Seahawks: Geno Smith is doing enough to hold down the starting job but not close enough to merit remaining in that role well beyond 2024.
New York Jets: Soon-to-be 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers isn't doing much at all to help a 2-6 team, and there's little reason to expect that to change.
New Orleans Saints: It probably doesn't make sense for them to waste much more time and money on Derek Carr, and nobody else on the roster looks good enough for the gig.
Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa is a good quarterback, but he's simply not reliable enough at this point and we know they have no other options.
Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young has been a tremendous disappointment, but he's still just 23 and there were signs of life in his return to a starting role in Week 8.
Indianapolis Colts: It's not pretty by any means, but keep in mind Anthony Richardson was always considered to be a project, has started 10 career games and doesn't turn 23 until May next year.
The Average
3 of 5
Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence is still far from where he needs to be considering his status and salary, but the talent is there and he's still just 25, so let's have a little more patience.
New England Patriots: It's far too early to draw any major conclusions on Drake Maye, but he's given the Patriots no reason to panic in promising limited action with poor support.
Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford has done enough to earn the rest of the season for a Rams team that is more than alive, but right now this is a toss-up call for the 2025 offseason.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The overall numbers are strong, but I'm still not convinced Baker Mayfield can remain consistent or bring them significant success following a three-game stretch in which the 29-year-old threw seven interceptions.
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The Good
4 of 5
Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert is quite consistently an upper-middle-class signal-caller, and there's little reason for the team to bail on the 26-year-old anytime soon.
Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray has bounced back to enough of a degree for them to ride him well beyond 2024 as the rebuild continues.
Atlanta Falcons: It's silly what they committed to both Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr., but but that does enable them to not worry about the QB position for several years to come.
Pittsburgh Steelers: I'm cautiously optimistic Russell Wilson is reviving his career, and the jury's not fully out on Justin Fields either, so they've got plenty of reason to believe the right guy is on the current roster.
Denver Broncos: Backed by Sean Payton, rookie Bo Nix is showing serious promise with a triple-digit passer rating over the course of the last four games for a team that is surprisingly competitive.
Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams can't be anointed yet, but the ups have outweighed the downs for this year's No. 1 overall pick.
Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love has to stay healthy and become more consistent, but the 25-year-old appears to have the ingredients and the Packers are understandably committed well beyond 2024.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Hurts may be in the process of saving his career right now, and his overall ability combined with his age (26) and accomplishments (Super Bowl run, MVP candidate in 2022) probably means the Eagles are locked in for a while.
Minnesota Vikings: Even if Sam Darnold isn't the answer (and there's a decent chance he is), they've also got top pick J.J. McCarthy so it's a great spot to be in.
San Francisco 49ers: It's fair not to be convinced entirely of Brock Purdy's excellence, but he's still far and away the highest-rated passer in NFL history among those with 500-plus attempts, which speaks for itself.
Houston Texans: Even during somewhat of a "sophomore slump," C.J. Stroud is putting up solid overall numbers for a competitive team.
Washington Commanders: Meet Jayden Daniels, the 2024 version of Stroud.
The Elite
5 of 5
Detroit Lions: Jared Goff has done a nice job living up to his new contract for a prime Super Bowl contender in 2024.
Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes' numbers haven't been there for more than a year now, but he's won the last two Super Bowl MVPs for a team that is undefeated, so let's not nitpick.
Cincinnati Bengals: Even with the Bengals struggling in 2024, Joe Burrow is putting up exceptional numbers and is firmly entrenched as "the franchise."
Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen is putting up MVP candidate-like numbers for the fifth year in a row, so I believe they're good.
Baltimore Ravens: Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is the NFL's highest-rated qualified passer, so there's not much to discuss in Baltimore.
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