Six weeks are in the books, and several teams have already made a change at the quarterback position, whether due to injury or ineptitude. Some backups have flourished after stepping into the spotlight (SEE: New England’s Bailey Zappe), while others have floundered (Cleveland’s Jacoby Brissett).
Today, I’m taking a look at five interesting quarterback situations and discussing whether each team should stick with the current QB1 or make a switch. Let’s dive in:
CLEVELAND BROWNS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Though Zappe has been effective, the fourth-rounder is benefitting from a coaching staff that has figured it out. The Patriots were bad from a schematic standpoint early in the season, leading to Jones’ struggles, but they’re finally leaning on the run game with Rhamondre Stevenson, who’s had 44 carries for 237 yards (5.4 yards per carry) and two TDs over the last two weeks.
When Jones is healthy, I’d put him right back in the game without hesitation. The second-year quarterback practiced all last week but was limited with a high ankle sprain before ultimately being inactive for Sunday’s game in Cleveland. Jones, who took the Patriots to the postseason as a rookie in 2021, has a much higher ceiling than Zappe and is far and away the best QB on the roster. He’s very Tom Brady-like in terms of his poise in the pocket and is as good as anybody in the league from an overall processing standpoint. There is no controversy, as far as I’m concerned.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
Top 15 Offensive Players
Each week in the 2022 campaign, former No. 1 overall pick and NFL Network analyst David Carr will take a look at all offensive players and rank his top 15. Rankings are based solely on this season’s efforts. The Week 7 pecking order is below.
NOTE: Arrows reflect changes from last week’s rankings.
JUST MISSED: Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers (Previously No. 15); Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals; A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles; Derrick Henry, RB, Titans; Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks.
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