NFL quarterback questions: Concerns, standouts, contracts،
We're in the final two weeks of the 2023 NFL regular season, and the quarterback position has been… interesting. Fifty-nine signal-callers have started a game this season, and that number will continue to rise with Jacoby Brissett and Jarrett Stidham set for Week 17 start.
This means there are plenty of things to do as the season draws to a close. But we're focusing on 10 situations today, asking our NFL Nation reporters some big questions about the most important position in the game. Let's start with Buffalo, where Josh Allen has the Bills back in the playoff picture. 'AFC. These 10 questions are listed alphabetically by team.
Access a team:
BUF | KEY | DET | JAX | K.C.
LAR | NO | PIT | SF | tuberculosis
What has been the biggest change in Allen's game since Joe Brady took over as the Bills' point guard?
Brady has brought energy to Buffalo's offense over the last five games, something you'll hear throughout the locker room and that has been reflected in Allen's play. His style of play resembles Allen's from previous seasons more than what we saw earlier this season. That includes running late drives when the offense needs them and an increase in the number of quarterback-designed runs (16 in the first 10 games, compared to 19 in the last five).
Allen's personality was also more visible on the field during the celebrations, with Brady saying of Allen before last week's game against the Chargers: “I know he has a lot of joy playing ball in this moment.” – Alaina Getzenberg, Bills reporter
What is the biggest way Joe Flacco has changed the Browns offense?
Flacco brought veteran confidence to an offense that desperately needed it. But his big arm also completely transformed the Browns into a dangerous downfield passing attack.
Since Flacco took over, Cleveland ranks eighth in yards per pass attempt (7.4 yards). Before that, he was 31st (5.7). Flacco also leads the NFL over the last four games with 1,307 passing yards. For context, the Browns had only managed 1,993 in the 11 games before Flacco took over, which ranked 28th in the NFL. –Jake Trotter, Browns reporter
Will the Lions extend Jared Goff after the season?
He still needs to close the regular season strong, preferably with at least one playoff victory, but after leading the Lions to their first division title since 1993, Goff has proven he deserves an extension.
One question remains, however: How long should the Lions extend Goff? Will it be a short-term extension or a four to five year extension? Detroit selected quarterback Hendon Hooker in the third round of the 2023 draft as a future option. Either way, Goff is certainly the man of the moment, and it makes sense to extend the veteran, who revived his career in Detroit and made the Lions relevant on the national stage. — Eric Woodyard, Lions reporter
How can the Jaguars improve their protection against a hobbled Trevor Lawrence down the stretch?
There's not much, if anything, about the Jaguars can because they simply have no options. The offensive line ranks 30th in pass block success rate (49.4%) and the biggest problem has been center Luke Fortner, who ranks 33rd among centers with a pass block success rate of 87.2%. He's constantly being pushed back into Lawrence's face, eliminating the quarterback's chances of getting into the pocket. Fixing the offensive line has to be the Jaguars' No. 1 priority this offseason. — Michael DiRocco, Jaguars reporter
Where would you rank Patrick Mahomes' 2023 season among the six he's started in the NFL?
This one is at the bottom, and it's not really close to any of the others. Things around Mahomes are a mess — including a lackluster receiving corps — and he's clearly been affected.
Statistically, this is his worst season, as he is tied for 18th in yards per attempt (6.9), 30th in air yards per attempt (6.3), and seventh in QBR ( 63.1). He's already thrown more interceptions (14) than in any of his previous seasons. – Adam Teicher, Chiefs reporter
What stood out most about Matthew Stafford's recent four-game stretch?
He didn't turn the ball over. After throwing more interceptions (five) than touchdowns (three) through the first four weeks of the season, Stafford hasn't had a multi-interception game since then. Over the Rams' last four games — the only loss to the 12-3 Ravens, who have the NFL's best record — Stafford has thrown 10 touchdowns and no interceptions. The four-game streak with multiple TD throws and zero picks is the longest since he was traded to Los Angeles, according to ESPN Stats & Information. -Sarah Barshop, Rams reporter
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How can the Saints help Derek Carr get off to a quicker start and start the first half?
The Saints need to get the running game going. They average just 3.6 yards per carry, which ranks 30th in the NFL. Running back Alvin Kamara hasn't had a 100-yard game this season, and quarterback Taysom Hill has rushed for a combined 3 yards in the last two games. If the Saints could find a way to play complementary football, perhaps they could find more success early on, rather than quickly finding themselves in third-and-long situations on their first drives. -Katherine Terrell, Saints reporter
Do you think Kenny Pickett will enter the 2024 season as the Steelers' QB1?
There's no denying that Pickett's second season was a huge disappointment. His QBR dropped from 53.6 in 2022 to 38.3 in 2023, and he threw just six passing touchdowns in 12 games, one fewer than his rookie season. But the Steelers are not an organization that makes rash decisions. And even after the firing of offensive coordinator Matt Canada and Pickett's sprained ankle and surgery, the QB is poised to begin the 2024 season as the starter in what will be a make-or-break year.
It will then be up to the new offensive coordinator the Steelers hire this offseason to get the most out of Pickett and his offensive supporting cast, giving the franchise another opportunity to evaluate Pickett before the fifth option decision year is not returned in May. 2025. — Brooke Pryor, Steelers reporter
How is the coaching staff approaching Brock Purdy's worst game as a professional?
The 49ers view Purdy's struggles against the Ravens as an aberration and not a worrying sign of future struggles. Coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear that he viewed three of Purdy's four interceptions as the result of some bad luck (tipped passes and hits while throwing) and expressed his belief that Purdy would bounce back quickly. Purdy's example of playing well far outweighs his struggles thus far, and that's why the Niners offered nothing but confidence to the second-year QB after Monday's loss. He still leads the league in QBR with 71.7 and has already thrown for over 4,000 yards. — Nick Wagoner, 49ers reporter
What are the percentage chances that the Buccaneers enter Week 1 next season with (A) Baker Mayfield, (B) a draft pick, or (C) someone else under center.
It's 60% Mayfield, 30% draft pick and 10% someone else. The only reason I'm not giving Mayfield an even higher percentage is because the Buccaneers still have to resolve salary cap issues while trying to re-sign wide receiver Mike Evans, safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs.
Mayfield and his representatives are aware of those cap limits — the Bucs will have about $47 million in cap space — and Mayfield has indicated how much he enjoys being in Tampa Bay. The coaching staff and front office have been equally pleased with what Mayfield has provided. He completes 64.3% of his throws and has 26 touchdown passes and eight interceptions. — Jenna Laine, Buccaneers reporter