16. Pittsburgh Steelers
Things will change in Pittsburgh soon. In some ways they already have. Veteran Ben Roethlisberger, who has won two Super Bowls, is out for the season with an elbow injury. Roethlisberger, 37, has said he wants to play again in 2020. But, prior to that, he has talked of retirement several times. Either way, it’s difficult to imagine Roethlisberger playing more than two more years. His contract runs through 2021, but there is an out clause after 2020. Second-year pro Mason Rudolph has gone 4-3 as a starter this season. He has completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 1,551 yards with 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions. “He’s shown he’s efficient. They need to put some more on his plate to see what they’ve really got,” one panelist said.
15. Cleveland Browns
After setting an NFL rookie record with 27 touchdown passes last year, great things were expected from Baker Mayfield, especially after the Browns traded for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. But Mayfield has regressed, throwing more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (11). But the Browns still view Mayfield, whom they drafted No. 1 overall in 2018, as a franchise quarterback. He almost certainly will be in Cleveland through at least 2022, when his fifth-year option kicks in. “He’s not playing at the same level as last year,” a panelist said. “But I blame the coaching more than anything. There’s no doubt he has the talent.”
14. New England Patriots
This might be the most interesting situation in the league. Tom Brady is 42, so retirement is a possibility at any moment. Brady is under contract through 2021, but the last two years void in March. So Brady essentially is in the last year of his contract. He’s always been able to work out cap-friendly pacts in the past, but there have been speculative reports Brady might want to play somewhere else. Would he really wear another uniform? That’s anyone’s guess. It’s impossible to replace Brady with anyone near his level immediately. The Patriots could go out and sign a veteran free agent. But, if and when Brady decides to retire or go somewhere else, the Patriots are high on rookie Jarrett Stidham, who beat out veteran Brian Hoyer for the backup job in training camp. Our panelists declined to discuss Brady’s future, saying it’s just too uncertain.
13. Philadelphia Eagles
It’s all on Carson Wentz now, after the Eagles let insurance policy Nick Foles leave for Jacksonville as a free agent in the offseason. Josh McCown is the perfect backup for now. He’s smart and can play a little. But McCown is 40. The Eagles coaxed him out of retirement this year, and he might be in Philadelphia for only the rest of this season. They’ll have to find a new backup in the offseason. But Philadelphia’s future depends on Wentz. He’s 26 and under contract through 2024. Wentz has been hurt this year by the injury to deep receiving threat DeSean Jackson. When Jackson returns next year, Wentz will have a chance to become elite.