As the NFL gears up for mandatory minicamps, there is a spotlight on 5 teams’ QB situations. From seasoned veterans looking to rebound to promising rookies poised to make their mark, these signal-callers are a central element to the drama that unfolds during these pivotal practices. It’s the dawn of an exciting new chapter in the NFL narrative, promising an array of quarterback storylines that demand your attention.
Jordan Love – Green Bay Packers
There’s a significant amount of intrigue surrounding Jordan Love as he steps into the role of starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. Following the departure of Aaron Rodgers to the Jets, Love is left with the substantial task of filling the shoes of the reigning MVP. Despite showing promise during his time as backup, Love’s true potential remains largely untested.
As Love prepares to take the helm, all eyes will be on him to see if he can live up to the Packers’ traditionally high standards at the quarterback position.
Aaron Rodgers – New York Jets
After a period of lingering grievances with the Packers, Aaron Rodgers now finds himself in the green and white of the New York Jets. The Jets are working on revising Rodgers’s contract, with the structure of the final deal potentially shedding light on whether Rodgers is all in for the next two years. The Jets have cleared $45.2 million in salary-cap space this offseason, leaving them with $24.5 million to spend. As it stands, they hold a contract that has Rodgers on the books for only the minimum salary in 2023.
With the numbers aside, the real fun is watching to see if Aaron Rodgers is going to vibe with his WRs as much as he was vibing at the Taylor Swift concert.
Anthony Richardson – Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson, drafted fourth overall by the Indianapolis Colts in April, is in a league of his own when it comes to athleticism. His rise from offering late first-round upside to cementing himself as a top-five “cornerstone” pick has brought both excitement and unease.
Some see him as the “next Josh Allen” due to his immense athletic talent and potential, while others worry about the pressure that comes with such a high draft position and the expectations of a franchise that is eager to see him start games in 2023.
As a Colts fan myself, I can tell you that the expectations for the duo of Steichen and Richardson are high in terms of “seeing what we’ve got.”
Russell Wilson – Denver Broncos
Veteran quarterback Russell Wilson stands poised for a notable comeback with the Denver Broncos. Last season, Wilson saw a performance dip with a career-low passer rating of 84.4, contributing to the Broncos’ offense ranking at No. 32 in scoring. However, with his team-friendly $28 million salary this year, there’s a collective expectation that Wilson will return to his top 10 ranking form, characteristic of his initial years with the Seattle Seahawks.
He has to bounce back. He has a fortified Broncos’ offensive line, the strategic genius of new head coach Sean Payton, and he comes into camp leaner and quicker after enduring an NFL-high of 55 sacks last season which suggests better agility and resilience.
If he’s not all the way on, they may look to see what they’ve got in Jarrett Stidham. Let’s not forget Payton used multiple QBs in New Orleans, so he knows how to navigate these situations.
Purdy/Lance/Darnold – San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are in an interesting quarterback situation that is set to continue. Brock Purdy, a 2023 draft pick and the 2020 Olympic gold medalist, has been billed as the 49ers’ starting quarterback for 2023. He was a late first-round pick who has yet to fully live up to expectations.
Behind him, Trey Lance, who was plagued by injuries during his rookie season, is still considered a potential starter. Lastly, Sam Darnold, acquired in a trade from the New York Jets in 2021, is largely seen as a placeholder in the third quarterback spot for now.
It’ll be interesting to see who ends up being the starter. They’ll likely just have to manage the game and hand the ball to one of their stud RBs, so whoever is the starter will keep their job as long as they aren’t the reason for losing games.
Watching These QBs
As the NFL mandatory minicamps continue to unfold, the excitement and anticipation surrounding the league’s quarterbacks has taken center stage. Each practice session offers insights into the potential shape of the upcoming season, whether it’s the chance of a veteran making a comeback, or a rookie making waves, every throw and play adds to the evolving narrative.
1 Comment
Bit confused about Brock Purdy being “a late first-round pick”… Not sure how you mess up the Mr Irrelevant turned golden boy story line…