It may be only May, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look ahead at what position battles will take place at training camps across the leagues. As we know, the most important position in football is quarterback. After an offseason filled with multiple moves regarding it, let’s take a look at the quarterback position battles that are going on, and who will win the starting job.
New England Patriots: Drake Maye vs. Jacoby Brissett
After signing Brissett to a one-year deal worth $8 million this offseason, the Patriots drafted the rookie from North Carolina with the third overall pick.
Let’s be honest: this team isn’t built to compete at all this year. The supporting cast around either quarterback is bleak, with the only standout being RB Rhamondre Stevenson. Fellow rookie WR Ja’Lynn Polk is an unknown, and other wideouts like Demario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne don’t exactly scream intimidating.
Plus, the offensive line lost Trent Brown in free agency, leaving the blind protector Chukwuma Okorafor in charge but is an unknown.
As talented as Maye is, he’s still a project that needs some work. Plus, throwing him out there from the jump would be unwise because of injury risk plus unfamiliarity with the team (obviously). Brissett has played for New England before, and his experience could help him get the starting job over Maye for the time being. There’s a reason why the Patriots signed the veteran to a decent-sized deal, even though many of us knew they were going to draft a quarterback. They still see Brissett as a capable starting QB, and until that changes, he will be the week one starter.
Minnesota Vikings: JJ McCarthy vs. Sam Darnold
This one is an easier one, yet debatable. Darnold was brought in also on a one-year deal. The former USC served as the backup for Brock Purdy in San Francisco last season. Just 27 years old, there was a chance the Vikings could have rolled with him as the QB1 the moment they signed him.
That all changed on draft day when Minnesota drafted McCarthy with the 10th overall pick. The national champion ran a pro-style offense back at Michigan and showed he’s a clear winner while impressing many with his traits.
Talk about him being a reach at tenth overall all you want. The Vikings got their quarterback of the future. Now, it’s a matter of choosing between the two in Darnold and McCarthy.
In his only start last year, Darnold threw for 297 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams. Not great, but not bad numbers either. However, there’s a reason why he’s bounced around teams left and right since being drafted by the Jets. Minnesota isn’t going to be the place where he rediscovers himself. Stop it.
McCarthy is efficient on third down and runs play action well. He and head coach Kevin O’Connell will work well together. He can throw into tight windows, has great accuracy, and his arm strength is solid enough for the league. Unlike Maye, this rookie has weapons all over the field (Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, TJ Hockenson). With that said, this team is ready to win now. The rookie should beat out the veteran in this battle and show the doubters why they’re wrong.
New York Giants: Daniel Jones vs. Drew Lock (and Tommy Devito?)
Finally, a battle that doesn’t involve rookies. But, no seriously. How is this a battle?
That’s why I am here. Let’s face it: both guys can be the QB1 and it wouldn’t matter. The Giants were supposed to find their quarterback of the future in this year’s draft. Instead, after failing to trade up for Drake Maye (offering a solid package to jump to third overall), they opted to draft a WR1 in Malik Nabers.
I have no issue with that whatsoever. It’s the person who will be throwing him the passes. Jones is coming off an ACL injury, and even when healthy, was a complete shell of himself in 2023. Overthrowing receivers, underthrowing them, staring down his first target, all of the above. Despite leading the team to the playoffs in 2022, his statistical numbers throughout his career have never been eye-opening or worthy of a first-round pick from 2019.
Though Joe Schoen said Jones will be the starting quarterback when healthy, is it in the best interest of this team?
That’s where Drew Lock comes in. A former second-round pick of the Denver Broncos, Lock appeared in a game against the Giants. He was the backup for the Seahawks last year, but replaced Geno Smith for a bit because he got hurt. He threw for 63 yards in his short appearance before Smith came back in. More notably, Lock beat the Eagles last year as the starter, going 22/33 for 208 yards and a touchdown.
We can go on and on about how Lock is there to push Jones to be at his best. No, just stop. After watching inconsistent play from Jones, it’s time to see a fresh face take over this offense. Lock deserves that shot, and he will beat out the former Duke product for the starting job. If there was a lie detector on Brian Daboll and he answered that he wanted Daniel Jones to be the starter in 2024? The machine would go ballistic.
Denver Broncos: Bo Nix vs. Jarrett Stidham
Nix. No way they’re going back to Stidham.
Atlanta Falcons: Kirk Cousins vs. Michael Penix Jr
“If you would have told me at that time that we would have Kirk Cousins for right now and Michael Penix for the future, I would have told you it was a pipe dream.”
Falcons GM Terry Fontenot on the selection of Michael Penix Jr with the eighth overall pick.
So, they paid $100 million for Kirk Cousins, yet drafted his successor in the same offseason? And this is a good thing?
Let’s talk egos here. Cousins was brought in to be the clear starter from the jump. You don’t think it hurt to see the team he just signed with draft his successor and do so without even warning him?
Here’s the thing. We understand his Achilles injury from last year. But, he’ll be ready to go for week one.
We could discuss the whole “it was not necessary to draft Penix at number eight” and all of that. But, it’s clear Penix will not be the starter in 2024, no matter how well he plays. Cousins is the guy unless he stinks up the joint throughout the year.
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Featured Image: Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images
