Tag: starting quarterback

Broncos have 3 quarterbacks set to compete for starting job

“These guys are all going to compete,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of the battle between Bo Nix, Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham.

After trading for Zach Wilson and using a first-round pick to draft Bo Nix, the Denver Broncos have a crowded quarterback room.

Wilson and Nix will join veteran Jarrett Stidham, who replaced Russell Wilson for the final two games of the 2023 season, and Ben DiNucci, who spent last season on Denver’s practice squad.

Following the first round of the draft last week, Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked about drafting Nix right after acquiring Wilson in a trade.

“These guys are all going to compete,” Payton said on April 25. “We were really happy to bring Zach on board. … We really like his traits. Of course we have Jarrett Stidham here and Ben [DiNucci]. So Bill [Parcells] taught me a long time ago [to] just let them play. We have to maximize the reps that we have, and let them develop, and that stuff will sort itself out.”

Nix said he knows it’s going to be competition, and he’s eager to meet his new quarterback teammates.

“Obviously, they’ve had great careers this far,” Nix said last week. “They’re all different, but I feel like we’re kind of all made up the same —just ultimate competitors and excited to grow as players. I followed Jarrett at Auburn, and I didn’t get a chance to be his teammate, but [I] looked up to him on my way through.

“I’ve obviously watched a lot of Zach as he went through the process, and I’m really excited to get to know Ben. I can’t wait to be around those guys. I know we’re going to have a really good group. A group that’s going to push each other and make each other better and support one another, too.”

The competition will start to heat up when training camp begins in late July, followed by preseason games in August. Nix will be considered the early favorite given his first-round draft status, but he won’t be handed the job. It’s going to be an interesting summer in Denver.

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Steelers will start Russell Wilson in 2024 after trading Kenny Pickett

After agreeing to trade Kenny Pickett to the Eagles, the Steelers have made Russell Wilson their new starting quarterback.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed quarterback Russell Wilson, the initial expectation was that he would compete with Kenny Pickett for the starting job this summer.

Pickett apparently wasn’t very enthused about that, so Pittsburgh has agreed to trade the QB and a fourth-round draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for third- and seventh-round picks.

Now, instead of getting a chance to compete with Wilson, Pickett will serve as Jalen Hurts’ backup in Philadelphia.

Wilson is now left without competition, making him the Steelers’ starting quarterback by default going into the summer. The 35-year-old quarterback officially signed his one-year contract on Friday.

Pittsburgh will get a bargain in 2024 because the Broncos are still paying $37.79 million of the QB’s salary, allowing the Steelers to pay him the league minimum ($1.21 million).

Denver has quickly moved on, already giving away Wilson’s old jersey number, but the team is still seeking a replacement. The list of free agent quarterbacks available is shrinking every day, but the Broncos also hold the 12th overall pick in this year’s draft.

Signing and/or drafting a QB remains in play for Denver, and Jarrett Stidham is also under contract for one more year. Regardless of who lines up under center for the Broncos in 2024, their game against the Steelers will be must-watch television when Wilson returns to Denver this fall.

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Social Media Reacts: Baker Mayfield named Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting quarterback

After a rocky start to his career, Oklahoma legend Baker Mayfield has found a new home and was named the starting quarterback.

Former [autotag]Oklahoma Sooners[/autotag] legend [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag] found out Tuesday he has won the quarterback job for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mayfield will be taking the spot of future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, who announced his retirement this offseason.

Head Coach Todd Bowles made the announcement during his press conference. Bowles said Kyle Trask found out he would be the backup but needs to be ready at any point in time to play.

As for Mayfield, Bowles said, “Baker’s our guy. I like where we’re at Baker is one & Kyle is two.” Mayfield has thrown for 16,288 yards, 102 touchdowns and 64 interceptions in his career.

His biggest issue has been consistency which can also be attributed to a number of coaches and offenses he’s had in his career. He started his career with the Cleveland Browns and then spent time between the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams a season ago. Baker hopes to have found his home in Tampa.

Mayfield is on a prove-it deal signing a one-year deal worth up to $8.5 million. He has mentioned before he hopes this will be his home for years to come.

Mayfield has shown signs in his career of being a franchise guy. In his rookie year, he set the rookie touchdown passes record with 27. In his third year, he took Cleveland to the postseason and helped the Browns win a playoff game for the first time since 1994.

That season Mayfield completed 62.8% of his passes for 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns to only eight interceptions. The following season with a lot of hype, Mayfield was injured in the second game of the season and tried to play through it. Following that season, he was traded to the Panthers.

Things weren’t much better with Carolina and he was released during the season, ultimately signing with the Rams. He had some success starting in place of an injured Matthew Stafford. He orchestrated a beautiful two-minute drive, which included a game-winning touchdown pass against the Raiders in his first start.

He performed pretty well with a makeshift offensive line and wide receiver group due to injury. But Mayfield has to be consistent to help what many believe to be one of the worst teams in football. With the Bucs, Mayfield will be throwing to arguably the best group of wide receivers he’s played with since his time in Norman.

As for Oklahoma fans, I’m sure they are just glad not to have to wear any more orange Mayfield jerseys. That is unless it’s the 1970s creamsicle look.

Ron Rivera officially announces Sam Howell as Commanders starting quarterback

It’s official — finally.

At long last, Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera has officially named Sam Howell as the starting quarterback for Week 1.

Earlier this week, Rivera was asked after a joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens if he was ready to name a starting quarterback. Rivera said he needed to evaluate the film with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard before arriving at a decision.

Howell had a solid preseason debut last week against the Browns and followed that up with two strong practices against the Baltimore Ravens this week. The decision to name Howell as the starter is not a surprise. After all, how many times this year — since February — has Rivera referred to Howell as “QB1?”

The Commanders host the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 in the first game of the Josh Harris era.

Rivera says Howell “met the challenge,” and the team is confident moving forward with Howell.

 

Sam Howell with the right perspective on the starting quarterback position

Sam Howell says the title of starting QB does not change the work ethic.

It’s no secret that the Washington Commanders have done everything possible to make Sam Howell the starting quarterback in 2023. Washington’s offseason goal was to build around Howell, sign a veteran to compete with him/mentor him and give him all the first-team reps in the offseason and training camp.

Howell didn’t disappoint the Commanders in OTAs. In head coach Ron Rivera’s eyes, he did enough to remain “QB1” heading into training camp.

In training camp, Howell has continued that positive momentum. He performed well in last week’s preseason opener against the Browns. Howell followed that with two strong practices against the Baltimore Ravens this week.

Yet, after Wednesday’s practice, Rivera didn’t want to commit to naming Howell the starting quarterback — yet. Instead, Rivera did the right thing, saying he needed to speak with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard before making any announcements.

Howell met with the media Wednesday and was asked if not being named the starter yet bothered him. He had the perfect response.

“I just take it one day at a time and try to do everything I can to take advantage of the opportunity that I do have and take advantage of those first-team reps that I have right now and try to do everything I can to solidify myself as this title,” Howell said.

“The title doesn’t change anything from a work standpoint, I try to do everything I can to be the best player I can be every single day, no matter who I’m taking reps with.”

The first sentence of the second paragraph is the winner. A title doesn’t change the work. That’s the right attitude.

It’s a foregone conclusion that Rivera will name Howell the starting quarterback for the season-opener against the Arizona Cardinals. Regardless of when Rivera makes that announcement, it will not change Howell’s approach.

Even in success, Seahawks QB Geno Smith is his own toughest critic

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith has been more than impressive to start the season yet the QB remains his own toughest critic.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith has had a successful start to the season as the team’s new starting QB, even earning himself the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award after his impressive outing against the Lions in Detroit.

Despite his stats so far, Smith still sees room for improvement.

“Just everything, everything,” Smith told reporters on Thursday. “I’m always going to be my own toughest critic, so I always feel like I can play better. In that game specifically, I feel like I left a touchdown out there, the one to Tyler Lockett. Then it’s accuracy and things like that. Those are the things, my reads, my footwork, and my accuracy, I’m hard on myself on those things and I still feel like I’m growing in those areas.

“I can definitely get better.”

Through four contests played, Smith has connected on 102 of 132 passes attempted for a completion percentage of 77.3%, the best of any QB in NFL history through his first four games in a season.

Smith is quick to give credit to his teammates for the Seahawks’ early success.

“I feel like as an offense, we have done a great job of moving the chains,” Smith said. “Staying in manageable situations, being really good on first and second downs, and then overall, trying to win games. What I’m good at, I don’t really think about it like that. I think about us as a whole, what are we great at. I think we have done a great job at moving the chains and being consistent in that area.”

Smith and the rest of Seattle’s offense travel to New Orleans this week to take on the Saints.

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Pete Carroll: Seahawks QB Geno Smith was ready for this moment

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith has come a long way in his NFL career, returning to the starting position to beat the Denver Broncos.

The Seattle Seahawks beat Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos on the national stage Monday night, thanks in no little part to their new starting quarterback, Geno Smith.

Smith won the job this summer over fellow QB Drew Lock, earning the chance to square off with Wilson head to head during his return to Lumen Field.

It was Smith who came out on top.

“How about Geno? I mean, Geno, 17 for 18 in the first half,” coach Pete Carroll said after the game. “Who does that? Guys just don’t do that. Remember, he did it against Jacksonville. He had, I don’t know, 12, 13 in a row, something like that. Geno played tonight like he has been playing the whole time we’ve been practicing. That’s what he has been looking like. He didn’t look any different than what he has looked like in practice.

“That’s why we had the belief in him, and that’s why he was able to win the job and go out there on Monday Night Football and win the football game.”

Smith finished the outing completing 23 of 28 attempts for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He didn’t throw a single interception and ended the night with a 119.5 passer rating.

“He is the best he has ever been,” Carroll continued. “Because of the four years of being in the system and being loved up and taken care of and looked after, and he did his part in reverse to always be there for us. He is ready. He is ready for this moment. The experience that he had, the guys — he was so poised and calm in this game. It was just fun playing with him. We were talking as the game is going on, and he is having fun and laughing and enjoying it. The moment came to him, and he was ready for it. That’s a really beautiful illustration.

“It’s a great story, I think it’s a great story.”

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Notre Dame starting quarterback out for the year

Pyne time. How you feeling?

One of the most asked questions by Notre Dame fans this offseason was if quarterback [autotag]Tyler Buchner[/autotag] could stay healthy for an entire season. Unfortunately we already have that answer, and we’re only through two games, which means just one thing.

Nope.

Buchner left Saturday’s loss to Marshall with a shoulder injury and we now know he suffered a high grade shoulder strain that will require surgery according to [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag]. The sophomore quarterback’s season is officially done.

Now enter [autotag]Drew Pyne[/autotag], who went 3 of 6 passing with a touchdown and interception in relief duty against Marshall. The junior quarterback stepped in effectively enough to help beat Wisconsin last season, but is just 20 of 39 (51.3%) passing in his career for 256 yards (6.6 average), three touchdowns and an interception.

Since Buchner completed his first pass attempt of 2022 for 54 yards to [autotag]Lorenzo Styles[/autotag], Notre Dame quarterbacks have gone 30 of 55 for 344 yards (6.25 average) with one touchdown and three interceptions.

See Notre Dame’s entire updated depth chart for the Cal game here.

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Pete Carroll names Geno Smith starting QB for Seahawks Week 1

The quarterback competition in Seattle has come to a close now that Pete Carroll announced Geno Smith will start for the Seahawks in Week 1.

The quarterback competition in Seattle is finally over. Following the Seahawks loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Friday night, coach Pete Carroll announced that Geno Smith would get the nod for Seattle in Week 1 against Russell Wilson and his Denver Broncos.

“Geno was solid in his outing, and Geno’s going to start,” Carroll said during his postgame press conference. “He’s going to start the opener. He’s earned it. He’s won the job.”

Smith started Friday’s contest but was quickly replaced by Drew Lock, who played the majority of the game before he was relieved by Jacob Eason in the final minutes. But after battling COVID-19 and missing the Seahawks’ second preseason matchup altogether, Lock couldn’t seal the deal.

“With the timeframes that got us messed up for Drew, Drew he just ran out of time in making his bid for it,” Carroll explained. “I’m clear about that so I just want to let you know, so everybody knows, so you don’t need to ask about it anymore.

Smith and the Seahawks will open the season against the Broncos on Monday, Sept. 12.

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Panthers name Baker Mayfield their starting QB, will face Saints in Week 3

Carolina Panthers name Baker Mayfield their starting QB, will face New Orleans Saints for the first time in Week 3, via @DillySanders:

The Carolina Panthers have finally come to the conclusion that many people have expected for a while now, and named Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback. The starting quarterbacks of the NFC South are now set with Mayfield in Carolina, Marcus Mariota leading the Atlanta Falcons, Jameis Winston quarterback the New Orleans Saints, and Tom Brady returning from another hiatus with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mayfield has achieved career record of 29-30 after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, months after Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy during his senior year at Oklahoma. In Cleveland Mayfield threw for 14,125 yards with a 92-to-56 touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio.

The Panthers traded a conditional 2024 draft pick to the Browns for Mayfield at the beginning of July after acquiring Deshaun Watson earlier in the offseason. If Mayfield plays 70% or more of Carolina’s snaps it will be a fourth round pick, if not it revert to a fifth round pick. Rookie third rounder Matt Corral was lost to a season-ending Lisfranc injury, meaning his backups are Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker.

The New Orleans Saints will play the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte in Week 3 on Sunday, Sept. 25. Mayfield has never played the Saints, as the last time the Saints and Browns faced off was Week 2 back in 2018. Mayfield didn’t play as a rookie until Week 3 when Tyrod Taylor got injured against the New York Jets, and he held the job until Cleveland traded him earlier this summer. We’ll see if he holds it down until the Panthers close out the regular season in New Orleans in Week 18.

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