The Two-Minute Drill: Where the make-or-break QBs stand
By Brendan Nordstrom
Whether it be a young quarterback’s lack of development, or a veteran signal-caller’s second chance, this season marks a lot of quarterbacks’ last opportunity on their current team. The 2023 Draft is said to have a large amount of QB depth. With Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s CJ Stroud and more highlighting April’s Day 1, NFL GMs must contemplate whether to stick with their current situation or abandon ship and look to the next young talent. Here is where those quarterbacks stand less than a quarter of the way through the NFL season.
Tua Tagovailoa
Tagovailoa is having a career year – err – was having a career year. He started the season red-hot, with eight touchdowns and 1,035 passing yards. In the Week 3 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa was seen unbalanced, leading to a concussion test. He returned to the game, and even started against the Bengals on Thursday Night Football the next week. However, in the second quarter, Tagovailoa’s head was slammed into the turf, causing his body to enter fencing position. He is now out indefinitely as he recovers from what could be two concussions in the span of four days.
Outside of the concussion malpractice, this was said to be a make-or-break year for Tagovailoa. He was less-than-impressive in his first two seasons and was subject to much scrutiny. With an 11:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 44.8 QBR his rookie season, Tagovailoa did not have the most promising of starts. However, this season was a complete jump to eliteness, as Tua has a 77.8 QBR (tied for second in the league) and was on pace for 5,000+ yards and 30+ touchdowns.
Verdict: Made it
Baker Mayfield
Following the Browns’ 0-16 season, Cleveland was looking for anything to bring them out of a franchise low. Enter: Baker Mayfield. Mayfield was the first overall pick in 2018, and he eventually helped the Browns make the jump into the playoffs in the 2020 season, ending an 18-year drought.
Through those three years, Mayfield was praised as the man who made the team do a complete 180. However, last season he seemed to have lost the locker room. Odell Beckham Jr. requested a trade because of Mayfield, which even led to Beckham’s father making a highlight tape of bad plays. Cleveland seemed to move on as well, trading away three first-round picks for the controversial QB Deshaun Watson.
Mayfield wanted out and ended up with the Carolina Panthers. Mayfield has struggled early in the season. With a 4:3 TD-INT ratio, the 27th-most passing yards (747) and the 32nd-best QBR (15.3), Mayfield might have to resign to the life of a backup.
Verdict: Broke it
Jared Goff
Goff was drafted first overall by the Rams in 2016 and just two seasons later, led them to Super Bowl LIII. However, his poor performance led to the accusations that Goff did not have it in him to ever be a champion.
In 2021, the Rams unloaded Goff to the rebuilding Detroit Lions, who intended him to be the bridge quarterback until the Lions could grab a more elite talent – however, #16 is making a case for himself.
With an up-and-down 2021 season, head coach Dan Campbell put his whole faith into Goff this offseason, giving him an arsenal of offensive weapons.
While the Lions have started their season a measly 1-3, Goff is far from the problem. With the third-most yards (1,126) and a tie for the most touchdowns (11), Goff would be an MVP candidate with a better defense. In fact, the Lions offense is currently the most productive in the league, averaging 35 points per game, which is on-pace to tie the 2011 Packers for the fourth-most productive offense in history.
Verdict: Made it
Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones began his career with promise and has somehow managed to become worse with each year. His touchdown totals, passing yards and QBR have trended downwards since his rookie season in 2019. Jones has great mobility and accuracy, but struggles with decision-making and putting it all together.
The problem is that the Giants have failed to produce a winning season, or even a seven-win season, in Jones’ tenure. This is why many believe it to be his last chance wearing the “NY” on his helmet.
To many’s surprise, the Giants have had a fantastic start to their 2022 campaign. Beginning the year 3-1, the Giants are competitive in the NFC East. While it has been an impressive start, Jones is not really the reason why. His 631 yards ranks 30th in the league, his three touchdowns are good for 27th, and he is at a career-low in QBR (46.1). Regardless, if the Giants keep up their winning ways, it is hard to imagine New York moves on from their QB1.
Verdict: Jury is still out
Mitchell Trubisky
The Bears made a bold move when trading up to grab Trubisky in the 2017 draft. However, after four years, Trubisky became another victim to the Bears’ QB carousel.
In 2021, the Bears selected Justin Fields from Ohio State to become their next “quarterback of the future.” This led to Trubisky resigning to the QB2 life, becoming Josh Allen’s backup in Buffalo in that same year.
Signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, Trubisky had his shot at redemption. In a room with Mason Rudolph and rookie Kenny Pickett, Trubisky won the starting job.
His start to the season was far from ideal, only throwing two touchdowns in four games, with two interceptions and a 36.9 QBR. In fact, his play was so poor that Pickett was announced as the Week 5 starter, and rumors have begun swirling about potentially trading the former second overall pick.
Verdict: Broke it