Tag: quarterback

Wisconsin quarterback enters NCAA transfer portal

Another Wisconsin quarterback has entered the portal

Wisconsin freshman quarterback Mabrey Mettauer is entering the transfer portal, according to 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

He is the 23rd Wisconsin scholarship player to enter. His departure also completes Wisconsin’s top-down turnover at quarterback, with 2024 starters Tyler Van Dyke and Braedyn Locke also in the portal.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 transfer portal departure tracker

Mettauer originally joined the Badgers as a four-star recruit in the class of 2024, ranked as the No. 462 player in the class, No. 31 quarterback and No. 74 recruit from the state of Texas. He chose Wisconsin over offers from top programs including Florida, LSU, Miami and Ole Miss.

He played sparingly as a true freshman in 2024, appearing in three games and attempting just one pass — a two-yard completion.

Mettauer figured to be next in Wisconsin’s succession plan at the position, specifically in Phil Longo’s air raid scheme. That outlook changed with Longo’s departure, the hire of new coordinator Jeff Grimes and the transfer additions of quarterbacks Billy Edwards Jr. and Danny O’Neil.

He enters the portal with four years of eligibility remaining

Wisconsin’s outlook at quarterback changed drastically over the last month. The program made the mentioned move at coordinator, moving from Longo’s air raid scheme to a more pro-style approach under Grimes. It then added Edwards Jr. (one year of eligibility remaining) and O’Neil (three years remaining) in the portal, plus top-ranked quarterback Carter Smith in the class of 2025. That trio gives the program clear options over the next few seasons. The addition of each made it increasingly unlikely for Mettauer to win the starting job, either in 2025 or beyond.

It will be worth monitoring the performances of Van Dyke, Locke and Mattauer at their new destinations. For where each ends up, bookmark our 2024 transfer departure tracker.

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Broncos QB Bo Nix reliving ‘Groundhog Day’ in his rookie season

“It’s kind of Groundhog Day,” QB Bo Nix said of his rookie season. “You got another game the next week … Same rhythm, same routine.”

Coming off a 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix is eager to get right back to work.

Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17, and Denver is one win away from clinching a playoff berth.

“The good thing is my role is going to be pretty simple because everybody in that locker room wants to already play next week,” Nix said after Thursday’s game. “I think at this point, we’re all competitively frustrated and I think we’re excited for this opportunity. We know, this next one’s the most important and we just want to, I think go out next week and not feel this way again.”

Nix later referenced Bill Murray’s 1993 comedy Groundhog Day as an example of what his rookie campaign has felt like, a routine that he’ll miss once the season wraps up.

“Well it’s kind of, to tell you the truth, it’s kind of Groundhog Day,” Nix said. “You got another game the next week, so you do what you got to do to prepare. Same rhythm, same routine.

“I think by the end of the season when you don’t have a game, when you get in the offseason, it’s going to feel a little weird. You’re out of a rhythm. For right now, we got this next one in Cincinnati.”

If the Broncos manage to beat the Bengals, they will clinch their first playoff berth since 2015. That game will be televised on NFL Network on Dec. 28.

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Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes details the progress of his ankle injury: ‘I can kind of move around’

Kansas City #Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes details the progress of his ankle injury: ‘I can kind of move around’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was able to perform up to his usual standards on Saturday against the Houston Texans while dealing with a high ankle sprain injury. He revealed the status of his ankle after the game to reporters during his postgame press conference compared to the 2023 AFC Championship game.

“I felt like I was ahead of there, that one; it kind of hurt just to walk in general, whereas now, I can kind of move around walking and stuff like that. Now, it’s just trying to get even better for this next game. Mahomes said. We’re playing a good football team that’s got a great defense; they’re going to be getting after it. Try to get in a better spot so I can utilize my mobility and still be able to work within the pocket and outside the pocket as well.”

Mahomes scrambled on the sore ankle for 33 yards (total) and a touchdown carry to start the game. He also tossed a touchdown pass with 260 yards total in the air and no turnovers. The two-time league MVP expressed his reason for playing through the pain: to honor and support his teammates.

“I ask a lot from the guys around me; I feel like if I’m going to ask them to play through pain, if I’m going to ask them to play through little nicks and bruises and stuff like that, I’ve got to do it as well,” said Mahomes. “That’s something I pride myself on, is being out there with my guys and playing football. I’m not going to put us in a position to be in a bad spot or lose a football game, but if I feel like I can compete and win, I’m going to be out on that football field.”

Mahomes will be back in action on Christmas Day against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and in the next few days, they will continue to focus on the treatment of the ankle.

Broncos PFF grades: Best, worst players from 34-27 loss to Chargers

Broncos CB Kris Abrams-Draine (75.6) impressed again while LB Justin Strnad (28.7) had a night to forget. View more PFF grades here.

Following the Denver Broncos‘ 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, Pro Football Focus has released grades for each player’s Week 16 performance.

PFF grades players on a 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scale. Check out the best and worst of Week 16 below.

Best Offensive Players 

  • TE/FB Nate Adkins: 79.7
  • FB Michael Burton: 75.3
  • RB Audric Estime: 74.1
  • G Quinn Meinerz: 73. 6
  • RB Blake Watson: 70.6

Adkins and Burton did a good job opening up running lanes and Estime impressed, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. RB Javonte Williams (67.3) received the sixth-best grade on offense after averaging 6.0 yards per tote. Denver should have been more committed to the run.

Best Defensive Players 

  • DL Malcolm Roach 84.9
  • CB Kris Abrams-Draine: 75.6
  • DL Eyioma Uwazurike: 75.5
  • DL D.J. Jones: 74.6
  • LB Drew Sanders: 73.4

One defensive snap, one sack for Sanders. Perhaps we’ll see more of him in the final two games of the regular season. Abrams-Draine, meanwhile, continues to look like a fifth-round gem.

Worst Offensive Players 

  • G Ben Powers: 42.3
  • OT Mike McGlinchey: 47.2
  • OL Matt Peart: 50.3
  • TE Adam Trautman: 52.2
  • WR Troy Franklin: 56.1

Franklin continues to struggle to make an impact. QB Bo Nix (62.6) ranked 11th among Denver’s 19 graded players on offense.

Worst Defensive Players 

  • LB Justin Strnad: 28.7
  • LB Cody Barton: 34.6
  • DB P.J. Locke: 43.7
  • DL John Franklin-Myers: 45.4
  • OLB Jonathan Cooper: 47.5

Strnad had a night to forget. In addition to his foul against a sliding Justin Herbert, the linebacker also allowed seven catches for 103 yards on eight coverage targets. The Broncos will need to make upgrading the inside linebacker position a priority in 2025.

Special Teams 

  • ST JL Skinner: 71.9
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 64.8
  • R Marvin Mims: 61.2
  • K Wil Lutz: 73.5 (FG) 60.0 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 67.5

You can view grades for every player on the paid version of PFF’s website.

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WATCH: Bo Nix highlights from ‘Thursday Night Football’

Broncos rookie QB Bo Nix now has 27 touchdowns through his first 15 games in the NFL.

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix went 29-of-40 passing for 263 yards with two touchdown passes and no interceptions in a 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football in Week 16. Nix also rushed three times for 25 yards.

Check out Nix’s highlights below, courtesy of the NFL’s official YouTube page:

Following Thursday’s loss, Nix and the Broncos will look to bounce back when they go on the road to face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17.

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Saints are making another change at QB, starting Spencer Rattler in Week 16

The Saints are making another change at quarterback this week with Derek Carr likely out, turning to rookie Spencer Rattler

The New Orleans Saints have announced their starting quarterback for Week 16, turning to rookie Spencer Rattler instead of Jake Haener, who got the Week 15 start. The Saints are unsure of the status of Derek Carr for this and the rest of the season, and it seems that he will need more time to recover – something that’s expected given the nature of the injury.

Rattler came in for the second half of the Saints’ Week 15 game against the Washington Commanders and managed to drag the Saints back into that matchup with a strong performance.

However, despite the Saints ultimately falling short of the win, he seemed to give New Orleans a better chance of winning than Haener did.

This will be Rattler’s fourth start of the season. He also started three games that Carr missed earlier in the season, so we will see how he has improved compared to his first few games.

Coach Darren Rizzi did later clarify that Rattler will only start if Carr cannot. Rattler took first-team reps in practice on Thursday so he seems likely to get the call.

Former Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy announces his transfer portal destination

Former Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy, who hit the transfer portal after the regular season, announced his next school on Thursday.

Former Duke quarterback [autotag]Maalik Murphy[/autotag] announced his commitment to the Oregon State Beavers on Thursday, as first reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Murphy, who started his collegiate career with the Texas Longhorns, transferred to the Blue Devils ahead of the 2024 season. He started all 12 regular-season games for the program, helping lead four fourth-quarter comebacks in a 9-3 campaign.

He set a school record with 26 passing touchdowns, including a 39-yarder to senior star Jordan Moore on the final play against Wake Forest in the finale. The score put the finishing touches on a 14-point comeback, helping the Blue Devils sweep their in-state rivals for the first time since 2013.

Murphy ended the year with 2,933 passing yards, the seventh-most of any ACC quarterback, and he averaged 286.4 yards per game with 14 total touchdowns over his final five starts.

The Blue Devils already landed Tulane’s Darian Mensah from the portal, but he won’t be eligible for next month’s TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against Ole Miss. With sophomore Grayson Loftis also in the portal, Henry Belin IV should get the majority of the work at quarterback for the Blue Devils.

Broncos’ depth chart for ‘TNF’ clash with Chargers

Levi Wallace is still listed above Damarri Mathis and Kris Abrams-Draine on the Broncos’ “unofficial” depth chart.

The Denver Broncos are set to face the Los Angeles Chargers in a Thursday Night Football showdown in Week 16.

The Broncos did not make any official changes to their published depth chart this week, but Damarri Mathis and Kris Abrams-Draine have clearly jumped Levi Wallace, who was a healthy scratch on Sunday. Wallace is still listed above them on the depth chart, though.

With that caveat in mind, here’s a look at Denver calls the “unofficial” depth chart going into Thursday’s game.

Broncos offensive depth chart

WR Marvin Mims Troy Franklin
LT Garett Bolles Matt Peart
LG Ben Powers
C Luke Wattenberg Alex Forsyth
RG Quinn Meinerz Alex Palczewski
RT Mike McGlinchey Frank Crum
TE Adam Trautman Lucas Krull
WR Courtland Sutton Lil’Jordan Humphrey Devaughn Vele
RB Javonte Williams Jaleel McLaughlin Audric Estime Blake Watson
FB Michael Burton Nate Adkins
QB Bo Nix Jarrett Stidham Zach Wilson

Broncos defensive depth chart

DE Zach Allen Jordan Jackson
NT D.J. Jones Malcolm Roach
DE John Franklin-Myers Eyioma Uwazurike Matt Henningsen
SLB Jonathon Cooper Jonah Elliss Drew Sanders
WLB Nik Bonitto Dondrea Tillman
ILB Justin Strnad Zach Cunningham
ILB Cody Barton Levelle Bailey
LCB Pat Surtain Levi Wallace Tremon Smith
RCB Riley Moss Damarri Mathis Kris Abrams-Draine
NCB Ja’Quan McMillian
S P.J. Locke JL Skinner
S Brandon Jones Devon Key

Broncos special teams depth chart

PK Wil Lutz
KO Wil Lutz
P Riley Dixon
H Riley Dixon
LS Mitchell Fraboni
KR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith Jaleel McLaughlin
PR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith

Thursday’s game will be available to stream on Prime. The Broncos are one win away from clinching a spot in the 2024 NFL playoffs.

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All 32 NFL quarterbacks (including Bo Nix) ranked by Total QBR

Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix has a Total QBR rating of 52.2 through 15 weeks. He ranks 21st in the NFL.

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix posted a Total QBR rating of 15.2 in the team’s 31-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15, bringing his season-long Total QBR average to 52.2.

Nix’s season-long rating has dropped since last week (56.2) and his overall rank (No. 21) among starters is also down since last week (No. 19).

Nix’s traditional passer rating this season is 86.1, which ranks 24th.

Unlike a traditional passer rating, the Total QBR “incorporates all of a quarterback’s contributions to winning, including how he impacts the game on passes, rushes, turnovers and penalties,” according to ESPN.

The metric takes into account scenarios that a traditional passer rating overlooks and considers “a team’s level of success or failure on every play to provide the proper context and then allocates credit to the quarterback and his teammate to produce a clearer measure of quarterback efficiency.”

With that context in mind, here’s a look at how Nix stacks up against the NFL’s other starting quarterbacks this fall.

NFL QBs ranked by Total QBR after Week 15

  1. Michael Penix: 95.3
  2. Josh Allen: 79.3
  3. Lamar Jackson: 76.0
  4. Joe Burrow: 74.0
  5. Kyler Murray: 68.3
  6. Jayden Daniels: 67.9
  7. Matthew Stafford: 66.4
  8. Jordan Love: 66.3
  9. Jared Goff: 65.6
  10. Jalen Hurts: 65.4
  11. Brock Purdy: 65.2
  12. Patrick Mahomes: 64.6
  13. Tua Tagovailoa: 61.2
  14. Sam Darnold: 60.2
  15. Drake Maye: 58.7
  16. Justin Herbert: 56.5
  17. Baker Mayfield: 56.1
  18. Russell Wilson: 55.3
  19. Aaron Rodgers: 53.9
  20. Mason Rudolph: 53.4
  21. Bo Nix: 52.2
  22. Geno Smith: 52.1
  23. C.J. Stroud: 49.8
  24. Caleb Williams: 48.1
  25. Anthony Richardson: 46.5
  26. Drew Lock: 45.3
  27. Bryce Young: 44.0
  28. Spencer Rattler: 42.0
  29. Aidan O’Connell: 40.7
  30. Cooper Rush: 36.3
  31. Mac Jones: 34.1
  32. Dorian Thompson-Robinson: 16.4

Nix will look to improve his Total QBR rating when the Broncos take on the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football in Week 16.

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Broncos’ 53-man roster for ‘TNF’ game vs. Chargers

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ 53-man roster going into a ‘Thursday Night Football’ clash with the Chargers.

The Denver Broncos made no changes to their 53-man roster ahead of an AFC West showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16.

The Chargers are set to host the Broncos on Thursday Night Football this evening. If Denver wins, the Broncos will clinch their first playoff berth since the 2015 season.

Here’s a look at the active roster going into the game.

Denver Broncos 53-man roster

Position Name Number
QB Bo Nix 10
QB Jarrett Stidham 8
QB Zach Wilson 4
RB Javonte Williams 33
RB Jaleel McLaughlin 38
RB Audric Estime 23
RB Blake Watson 25
FB Michael Burton 20
FB/TE Nate Adkins 45
TE Adam Trautman 82
TE Lucas Krull 85
WR Courtland Sutton 14
WR Marvin Mims 19
WR Troy Franklin 16
WR Devaughn Vele 17
WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey 84
OT Garett Bolles 72
OT Mike McGlinchey 69
OT Frank Crum 73
OT Alex Palczewski 63
OL Matt Peart 79
G/C Quinn Meinerz 77
G Ben Powers 74
C/G Alex Forsyth 54
C/G Luke Wattenberg 60
OL Nick Gargiulo 66
DE Zach Allen 99
DE John Franklin-Myers 98
DL D.J. Jones 93
DL Malcolm Roach 97
DL Eyioma Uwazurike 96
DL Jordan Jackson 94
DL Matt Henningsen 91
OLB Jonathon Cooper 0
OLB Nik Bonitto 15
OLB Jonah Elliss 52
OLB Dondrea Tillman 92
LB Drew Sanders  41
ILB Cody Barton 55
ILB Justin Strnad 40
ILB Levelle Bailey 56
ILB Zach Cunningham 42
CB Pat Surtain 2
CB Ja’Quan McMillian 29
CB Riley Moss 21
CB Levi Wallace 39
CB Kris Abrams-Draine 31
CB Tremon Smith 1
CB Damarri Mathis 27
CB Reese Taylor 35
DB Devon Key 26
S Brandon Jones 22
S P.J. Locke 6
S JL Skinner 34
K Wil Lutz 3
P Riley Dixon 9
LS Mitchell Fraboni 48

With a 53-man roster and a 17-player practice squad, Denver has 70 players under contract, plus several players on injured reserve.

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