It’s been an action-packed month since our last recorded on the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
Since week 8, Kyler Murray (77.3) and Josh Allen (75.4) leads the league in QBR And Tua Tagovailoa And Joe Burrow have a record 10 touchdown passes. Second-year signal callers Anthony Richardson And Bryce Young won back starting jobs. And four rookie first-round picks have made major strides.
Before the end of the regular season, our NFL Nation reporters answered another round of questions about 10 quarterbacks around the league. Has Young done enough to be Carolina’s starter in 2025? How did the Chargers open up the offense to Justin Herbert? Let’s start with Kirk Cousins‘ recent disappointing streak in Atlanta, which is battling Tampa Bay for the title NFC South title. (Questions are listed alphabetically by team.)
Access a team:
ATL | CAR | CHI | KEY | INDIANA
K.C. | LAKE | BORN | DITCH | SEA
What has changed for Kirk Cousins on his recent three-game slide?
Cousins was spoiled earlier this season by matchups against NFC South rivals such as the Buccaneers And Panthers. In three games against those teams, he threw nine touchdown passes and one interception. Against all other teams? He threw eight touchdown passes and 12 picks.
The Falcons played two good defenses in a row: Broncos And Chargers – and one inspired before that in the Saintswho got the new coach move with Darren Rizzi. The results were abysmal: six interceptions and no touchdown passes.
Before this recent streak, Cousins had never gone consecutive games without a touchdown pass in over a decade as a starting quarterback. The Falcons have no plans to bench him as a rookie Michael Penix Jr.., as coach Raheem Morris said Cousins carried the team to first place in its division. — Marc Raimondi, Falcons journalist
HAS Bryce Young has he done enough to be the Panthers’ starter next season?
Coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan were careful not to proclaim Young as their franchise quarterback. Remember, Canales wasn’t there when Young was drafted in April 2023 and Morgan was the assistant general manager.
For as much improvement as Young has shown, especially in the last three matches — he posted a QBR of 54.3 compared to 9.7 through the first two weeks of the previous season his bench – they still use a wait-and-see approach. There could be a scenario in which a bridge quarterback is brought in or Andy Dalton re-signs and competes with Young next season. — David Newton, Panthers reporter
What can bears interim coach Thomas Brown made to help Caleb Williams finish his rookie season strong?
Brown helped get Williams’ young career back on track after running backs coach took over as offensive coordinator in Week 11. With Brown in his helmet encouraging him to “become Superman” when he needs to play out of structure, Williams has helped the Bears win their last three games against Green Bay, Minnesota And Detroit.
Williams’ progress will be judged beyond statistical grades like QBR, completion percentage and yards per dropback, all of which increased with Brown calling the plays. Where Brown can help Williams the most is teaching him to avoid costly sacks and encouraging him to make his layups. Williams acknowledged that some of his league-high 49 sacks were the result of him holding the ball or not throwing it away quickly enough. —Courtney Cronin, Bears reporter
Could James Winston return to Cleveland and compete with Deshaun Watson for the starting position next season?
The more starts Winston makes with the Browns, the more he makes the case for – and against – his return. He ranks first in the league in passing yards per game (336) since take over in Week 8, but also threw the most interceptions (seven) during that span. Winston has always been an upgrade over Watson, who posted the lowest QBR in the NFL (22.6) previously. break his Achilles In Week 7.
Winston said he was ready to return to Cleveland after signature a one-year, $4 million deal in March. The Browns might be inclined to keep him after rental Joe Flacco go this last offseason. The moving parts between Watson’s status and Winston’s potential free agency value make a return difficult to predict. — Daniel Oyefusi, Browns reporter
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What changed in the Colts offense to help Anthony Richardson since he returned as a starter?
The biggest difference is how the Colts lean on Richardson’s strengths as a runner. Although he has continued to be inconsistent as a passer – his 52.4% completion percentage since Week 10 is the lowest in the league – he has increased his impact in the running game.
Richardson is averaging 7.6 designed QB runs in three starts since he came back in the lineup compared to 3.5 in the previous six games his bench end of October. The Colts also used him more as a runner in the red zone – he had three rushing touchdowns in the last three games after one in his first six. Recent scores include decisive sequences in the final minutes against the Jets And Patriots. — Stephen Holder, Colts reporter
For what Patrick Mahomes have a season that doesn’t resemble Mahomes’?
Some factors beyond Mahomes’ control have limited his effectiveness. The Chiefs have had major protection issues at left tackle, going back and forth between Wanya Morris and rookie Kingsley Suamataia (recent signing DJ Humphries could bring stability to the position). Mahomes was sacked a career-high 32 times. Injuries have kept Mahomes from playing with Hollywood Brown (shoulder) at all this season in front of his favorite target Rashee Rice was excluded due to a knee injury at the end of September. Offshore Rookie Mistakes Xavier Digne That didn’t help either.
Besides those outside inhibitors, Mahomes just hasn’t played well at times. His decision-making and accuracy aren’t up to par in previous seasons – he’s tied for third for most interceptions in the league (11). He missed throws that would have been automatic in the past. — Adam Teicher, Chiefs reporter
How did the Chargers coaching staff open up the offense to Justin Herbert?
During the first month of the regular season, Herbert faced a high ankle sprain he argued in Week 2 against the Panthers. After their bye week, the Chargers opened up the offense, using more play-action. He has used play-action on 36% of his snaps since Week 6, compared to 25% in the first four games.
His healthy ankle also helped him perform better against the blitz. After a 63 QBR against the blitz in the first four games, he has an 86 QBR in the same situations over the last eight weeks. The Chargers have the seventh-most total yards (2,681) in the NFL during that span. — Kris Rhim, Chargers reporter
What is the biggest sign of improvement compared to Drake Maye up to eight departures?
Maye has totaled 1,696 yards with 11 touchdowns since taking the reins Week 6. He also rushed 38 times for 345 yards and a score. And although he led all the rookies with eight interceptions (including one in five consecutive games), Patriots quarterbacks coach TC McCartney said the area he’s seen the most growth with Maye is his confidence.
“He was always a confident guy, but until you get there, until you’re the man and the starter, you kind of take a back seat,” McCartney said. “He’s really stepped up and been the leader and guy we needed on offense.” — Mike Reiss, Patriots reporter
What is the meaning of whether the Steelers will bring back Russell Wilson Or Justin Fields next season?
It’s too early to tell. The Steelers are not negotiating contracts during the season, so anything related to these quarterbacks – both of whom will be free agents – will have to wait until the book closes in 2024. Their ability to bring back one or both of them will largely be dictated by the quarterback market – and each player’s long-term desire.
Wilson, who just turned 36, seems revitalized in six starts. Since he took over the start of employment In Week 7he threw the 10th most touchdown passes in the league (10) and the 11th most passing yards (1,626). Fields, 25, also showed his potential during his six-game stint to start the season, when Pittsburgh went 4-2.
Wilson said last month that he wants to play five to seven more seasons, so if the Steelers aren’t willing to give him a contract longer than three years, it could be difficult to keep him. — Brooke Pryor, Steelers reporter
HAS Geno Smith blocked a contract extension with the Seahawks?
Nothing seems guaranteed in this situation, other than Smith won’t want to enter 2025 without a new deal. After all, he I wanted one last offseason when several other quarterbacks — including some who didn’t play as well as he — cashed in on huge extensions.
Smith played well in difficult circumstances, with an overmatched offensive line and no running game to rely on (fifth worst in rushing yards per game). But 13 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions don’t seem worthy of a long-term commitment of $50 million per year, which would put him in the top 10 among quarterbacks. What seems more likely is a short-term deal that would increase his current average of $25 million per season, giving Seattle the flexibility to continue with him year to year. —Brady Henderson, Seahawks reporter