There has been movement all over the NFL. Big names making big gains in the contract department. A look at how the eight divisions compare when it comes to their starting quarterbacks.
8. AFC East
The AFC East took a huge hit this week when Tom Brady left the Patriots for Tampa Bay. That leaves you with Josh Allen in Buffalo, veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick in Miami, Sam Darnold in New York and, for the time being, Jarrett Stidham in New England. The Patriots could add a veteran arm rather than go with Stidham. That won’t erase the deficit created by Brady’s exit.
7. NFC East
The cup is half-full in the NFC East when Carson Wentz is healthy in Philadelphia. He has a Super Bowl ring, courtesy of Nick Foles, and can lead the Eagles … if he can find a way to stay healthy. Dak Prescott has thrown for almost 15,800 yards in four seasons. He’s also tossed 97 TD passes against 36 interceptions. The next step has to be great playoff success, which hasn’t happened in a while for the Cowboys. Daniel Jones showed flashes for the Giants when he was able to hold onto the football. He started 12 games and had 18 fumbles. Jones had six more fumbles than interceptions thrown. Ouch. Dwayne Haskins and Washington have to be praying the first year impression isn’t going to be the one that people remember. Ohio State quarterbacks have not been known to thrive in the NFL.
6. AFC West
As great as Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City) is, he can’t carry the division by himself. He can lead his team to an NFL championship but the fourth-year QB won’t overcome his counterparts in the AFC West. Oakland has Derek Carr and he has become a walking speed bag. There’s nothing to suggest newly signed Marcus Mariota won’t find a way to play in 2020. The Philip Rivers era is over for the Chargers. Tyrod Taylor? A draft pick? What’s next? That doesn’t evoke confidence in the short run. Denver likes what it saw in Drew Luck, but that small a sample can’t push the grade.
5. AFC North
There are a pair of classics in this division. Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh) will likely find his way to Canton. Lamar Jackson (Baltimore) is off to a stunning start and there seems to be no ceiling as he heads into his third season. Baker Mayfield (Cleveland) started on the right path and lost his way in his second season. Still can’t forget he was a No. 1 overall pick and could rediscover stardom. No surprise the Bengals are last after a season that saw them try and replace Andy Dalton with Ryan Finley. Drafting Joe Burrow could change things in a hurry.
4. NFC West
Russell Wilson (Seattle) leads the way with almost 30,000 yards passing and nearly 4,000 rushing. The Seahawks’ QB is a winner in every sense and has a ring. Jimmy Garoppolo (San Francisco) got his team to the Super Bowl and appears to have a team with a stellar future … if people don’t keep trying to trade him for the Niners. Jared Goff (LA Rams) has been to a Super Bowl and needs to find consistency rather than being consistently drawing criticism. And, the final QB, Kyler Murray (Arizona) was just the Offensive Rookie of the Year. He got a gift this week in the form of Deandre Hopkins.
3. NFC North
Another division that gets its place due to some heavy past performances. Nick Foles (Chicago) is the weakest link and he was a Super Bowl MVP. Have to believe he starts over Mitchell Trubisky for the Bears. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay) is a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, one of the all-time greats. Kirk Cousins (Minnesota) has thrown for 24,000 yards and 155 TDs in eight years and comes off a strong season (26 TDs vs. 6 picks). Matthew Stafford (Detroit) doesn’t have the wins to show for his body of work but he has thrown for 41,000 yards in 11 seasons.
2. AFC South
This one is tricky because Gardner Minshew (Jacksonville) brings the rating down, but not far enough to take apart a trio of Deshaun Watson (Houston), Ryan Tannehill (Tennessee) and Philip Rivers (now of Indy). Will slot this quartet in second place based on past performance but it is no lock to remain here throughout 2020.
1. NFC South
Two locks for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Tom Brady (Tampa Bay) and Drew Brees (New Orleans). Matt Ryan (Atlanta) could find his way to Canton. Teddy Bridgewater is no slouch in Carolina. Could be one of the best quarterback divisions in NFL history. The big three have combined for more than 200,000 passing yards.
