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ESPN staff
We are done with four weeks of the 2022 NFL seasonWe’ve seen it all when it comes down to quarterback play. Some young rising stars have achieved huge success. Confounding struggles from big-money veterans. Surprise: Former backups are able to put in stellar performances and get a chance to start. Many signal-callers are trying to get a new contract. Now, the Steelers have brought in Kenny Pickett A rookie is given a chance at a start Sunday.
It’s hard to comprehend. We reached out to Jason Reid and Matt Bowen for answers on big questions regarding the game’s most crucial position. This includes which breakouts are true and which early struggles could spell trouble. Next, we reached out to NFL Nation reporters to get insight into 11 different quarterback situations throughout the league. What should we be concerned about? Russell WilsonDenver’s slow start What is the secret to Denver’s slow start? Trevor Lawrence‘s early-season success? Are the Texans already anticipating the 2023 NFL draft’s quarterback class for the Texans?
Let’s get to the bottom of some important QB questions. Bowen and Reid have a ranking of the five top performers in the game at the moment.
Jump to questions specific to your team:
NFL Nation answers
What are the NFL’s top 5 QBs at this moment?
Matt Bowen, NFL analyst:
1. Josh Allen, Bills
2. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
3. Jalen Hurts, Eagles
4. Justin Herbert, Chargers
5. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
We all know about Hurts dual-threat characteristics, his physical element and ability to play outside the structure. It’s his ability as a pocket thrower, which puts him at the top of my list. Hurts reads the ball quickly, accurately catches his targets, and can pinpoint where he is aiming. His quick start is really impressive.
Jason Reid, Andscape senior NFL reporter:
1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
2. Josh Allen, Bills
3. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
4. Justin Herbert, Chargers
5. Jalen Hurts, Eagles
Over the past two seasons, Mahomes has remade himself with great help from Andy Reid, Chiefs coach. Mahomes had to make significant adjustments due to the blanket coverage his opponents started using to limit big passes. He showed that he can adapt, even though it wasn’t always easy. With the Chiefs’ offseason trade of an explosive wide receiver Tyreek HillAnd the adjustments kept coming. He currently holds the NFL record for touchdown throws, with 11 of his four games.
What are the worst quarterbacks?
Bowen:
1. Justin Fields, Bears
2. Matt Ryan, Colts
3. Baker Mayfield, Panthers
Given his physical attributes and playmaking ability, I expected Fields to make a jump in the second year. Four weeks in, the Bears are lacking a true passing-game component. However, some of that can be attributed to their talent-deficient offense. Fields has missed many opportunities to make the most of his pocket vision. His QBR of 26.2 is 31st among NFL players.
Reid:
1. Carson Wentz, Commanders
2. Baker Mayfield, Panthers
3. Matt Ryan, Colts
The Wentz trade was a complete disaster for the Commanders, with only four games. Wentz’s performance has been horrible, even though it was not something that anyone expected after he was traded to two different franchises. Washington’s offense line isn’t the best in the NFL. Wentz has been fired 17 times — but Wentz, the veteran quarterback, holds the ball too long. He has also made many questionable choices.
1:33
Dan Orlovsky describes what Carson Wentz could do to make a difference moving forward.
Which quarterback breakout do you believe is real?
Bowen: Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars. Lawrence’s Week 4 loss against the Philly defense in bad weather won’t change your opinion. Lawrence’s throwing mechanics are much better under Doug Pederson as Jacksonville coach. The Jaguars’ scheme puts him in positive throwing positions. Coaching is crucial. Lawrence has completed 65.7% of his throws and holds an 8-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Reid: Jalen Hurts, Eagles. His continued rise is not surprising considering he has multiple playmakers on offense and a top defense. He has 1,120 total passing yards and eight touchdowns (four passing and four running).
Which quarterback’s season-opening performance is the most worrying?
Bowen: Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers. Garoppolo was a better player than I expected. Garoppolo plays in an offensive with one the NFL’s most heavily planned route trees. He has a QBR total of 33.2, which ranks 27th among NFL players. Garoppolo was forced to play after Trey Lance was hurt. His 61.0% completion rate is far below the numbers he had in previous seasons.
Reid: Tom Brady, Buccaneers. Although it is blasphemous for anyone to question the GOAT, Brady has not been able to live up to his high standards. Keep in mind that the seven-time Super Bowl champion is 45 years old. Don’t be fooled! 385-yard, three-touchdown performance Tampa Bay ran for 3 yards against the Chiefs Sunday night to defeat them by double digits.
Which second-tier quarterback is most likely to win MVP in this season’s football season?
Bowen: Justin Herbert, Chargers. Herbert will be included if L.A. is able to overcome its injuries and remain in the playoff discussion. Over 66% of his passes have been completed by the Chargers quarterback and he has thrown nine touchdowns in the first four weeks. Given his arm talent, and movement abilities, he’s more than capable of producing breakout performances.
Reid: Jalen Hurts, Eagles. Hurts is a talented player who can lead the Eagles to a remarkable regular-season record if they remain healthy. He is clearly already in the early discussion.
Which backup is best for a hot start and has the greatest chance of being a regular starter in the NFL?
Bowen: Geno Smith, Seahawks. Smith’s 77.3% completion rate is the highest in the NFL this season. It is the highest ever for a quarterback to have at least 125 pass attempts in four seasons of league history. He makes smart decisions and throws the ball well. As we saw in Week 4, his ability to push the ball downfield is evident. The league’s record holder for most completions of throws over 15 yards is Smith’s 17 The Seahawks are able to compete in the NFC West with Smith at center.
Reid: Cooper Rush, Cowboys. Rush would be a great choice. He has been more that a game manger, making big plays when the Cowboys need him most and posting NFL’s fourth-best QBR (73.9). Add in the fact that the offensive line is without a Pro Bowl left tackle. Tyron Smith, too. Rush is saving Cowboys season.
NFL NATION
Ravens: Is Lamar Jackson Do you think he is playing better than his 2019 MVP Season?
Yes. In many ways. Jackson is the NFL’s leader in touchdown passes (11), and the top 10 in rushing (316). He has been behind three different starting left tackles this season and has not received any help from his running game.
Jackson’s biggest problem has been his inability to finish games. Jackson has thrown three interceptions and no touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, which is a huge blow to a Ravens’ team that could lead by large margins. — Jamison Hensley
Cowboys: Dak Prescott Dallas wants to play in Week 5. But what are the chances Dallas stays with? Cooper Rush?
It won’t be about the hot hand. It will not come down to Prescott being hot. physically able to play. He must not only demonstrate his ability to grasp the ball and make precise throws but also show that he can withstand shock from a snap from the center of his right thumb. Rush’s play allows the Cowboys have been more conservative with Prescott’s returning, but Dak can take the job back when he is ready.
It could be compared to 2016, when Tony Romo (back), was replaced by Prescott. However, the Cowboys were on an 8-game winning streak when Romo returned. Prescott is not able to tackle this offense under Rush. — Todd Archer
Broncos: How concerned should the team be? Russell WilsonIs it slow to start?
Despite a disappointing 44.9 QBR in four games, the team isn’t worried at this point. While the Broncos do want to see better from him, and the whole offense, alarms aren’t sounding. What about the team’s faithful? There is a possibility that the team’s faithful are growing concerned, considering some people were already on the Super Bowl hype train when Wilson was traded to the Broncos.
It takes time to master this playbook. It’s all about timing. The learning curve has been steep due to the Broncos injuries at wide receiver, as well as the inconsistent play at tightend. Wilson isn’t performing at his usual level due to a lot of drops, penalties, and poor clock management. Denver needs solid performances to continue building on his success. — Jeff Legwold
TexansHouston is the favourite to win the No. Houston is the favorite to land the No. 2023. It could target a QB there.
Absolutely. It would be a great honor to have the No. The No.1 pick in a class filled with talented quarterback prospects would give the Texans the opportunity to be the ones who find a long-term solution for the position. Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Alabama’s Bryce Young Kentucky’s Will Levis All names are currently high on draft boards.
In just four weeks, the current starter is still available Davis Mills Has struggled to a QBR 28.4, fourth worst NFL. ESPN’s Football Power Index Houston has 33% chance of landing with the top draft pick. — DJ Bien-Aime
Colts: Does this team really have a better chance? Matt Ryan It was better than it was before Carson Wentz?
The results may suggest that no. This is where context is important. Ryan has been inconsistently slow with turnovers. However, Ryan also lacks Wentz’s greatest advantage: a great running game. Last season, the Colts were second in the NFL in rushing yards per try. Jonathan TaylorThe league record 1,811 rushing yards was achieved by’s.
The Colts are currently 27th in rushing yards (87.8) per game and per run (3.5) for this season’s terrible offensive line performance. Ryan has been under attack from pass-rushers. Ryan is to be commended for his late-game calm, recording a win (come-from-behind) and a tie, which came after a 17-point fourth quarter deficit. — Stephen Holder
Lawrence has done a fantastic job keeping the ball safe and getting it out fast. He only had one turnover in his three games until Week 4, when he made five against Philadelphia (in wet conditions). He is notable for his win with the Jaguars in both of those games.
Doug Pederson’s offensive plan creates mismatches which have allowed Lawrence to make quick throws to open receivers. If you’ve been following this team for the past few seasons, you know how rare multiple open receivers have been on any given play. And the second-year signal caller is taking advantage of that. — Michael DiRocco
Mahomes is now more inclined to run backs and tight ends. Only Justin Herbert and one wide receiver are more impressive than Mahomes’ 52 completions in those positions.JuJu Smith-SchusterChiefs’ third-ranked receiver (#3) is a catcher. Only two of Mahomes 11 touchdown passes to wide receivers, including zero in his two previous games.
Mahomes leans on Travis Kelce Hill is still there, as many had hoped. Clyde Edwards-Helaire involved. — Adam Teicher
1:55
Stephen A. Smith explains the reasons Patrick Mahomes showed that nobody should worry anymore about the Chiefs offense.
We followed the Patriots’ Sunday script in Green Bay. This meant that Zappe wasn’t placed in compromising situations, relied on defense and special team to score points, and supported him with running to prepare for the play-action pass game. Zappe went 4-of-5 for 60 yards and a TD off play-action, according to ESPN Stats & Information research, which was the most yards by a Patriots QB on those throws this season.
Take into account that the Patriots used play action just 12% during the first three weeks, which was second to the Saints’ rate. — Mike Reiss
Giants: How much chance do you think New York has of signing your name? Daniel Jones To an extension?
Let’s go for 28%. Jones has performed well this season so far (five total TDs versus 3 turnovers), while working with a limited number of receivers, and under a lot of pressure. He’d have to be even better. Pretty good The Giants should invest long-term in him. Tyrod Taylor He has already been signed to next season on a fair contract ($5.5 million) as a bridge quarterback. The 2023 draft class offers plenty of options for New York. — Jordan Raanan
Eagles: Call now to get signed up for Philadelphia Jalen Hurts To a long-term agreement in the offseason?
This is a difficult one, but I will say no. Hurts makes a convincing case for why he’s worth the long-term investment. He is an excellent passer and is still a force on the field. At age 24, he is also a leader of this team.
The Eagles like to pay players as soon as possible once they have identified a player as part their roster core. But having a starting quarterback on an rookie contract — Hurts is expected to make $1.3million next season — allows them to stock up to make a strong bid for a title. Philadelphia would likely extend the championship window to 2023, before paying Hurts a huge pay day. — Tim McManus
While the Steelers’ offense will continue to be led by Matt Canada, don’t think that short passes and jet sweeps will disappear. Pickett provides them with more mobility and an aggressive edge that they didn’t have in the first three weeks. Pickett averaged 9.2 yards and 13.1 air yards per attempt in the half-time match. Pickett isn’t afraid of throwing the ball downfield, and asking his receivers for one-on-one matches.
Pickett was rewarded with big-play reward, but also has the possibility of being a bust. Pickett had three interceptions this Sunday. The Steelers acknowledged that these kinds of things can happen to rookie quarterbacks, and that it is their responsibility to make them feel comfortable and to help him grow. — Brooke Pryor