All articles tagged with #qb competition
In the Browns’ OTA kickoff, Deshaun Watson and rookie Shedeur Sanders split reps in alternating periods as head coach Todd Monken said nothing has changed in the QB competition—players will be rotated to play the best one, with the goal of naming a No. 1 by the end of spring, though that outcome isn’t guaranteed.
During Falcons offseason practices, quarterback Michael Penix is limited by a torn ACL, while head coach Kevin Stefanski stresses a deliberately intentional QB competition—rotating first reps and drills to bring out the best in each signal-caller. It remains uncertain when Penix will participate in full-team drills, with the full head-to-head competition expected to unfold once he is cleared, potentially against Tua Tagovailoa.
The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback race centers on Deshaun Watson holding an early edge over Shedeur Sanders after minicamp, with coach Todd Monken continuing a two-spotting rotation and helmet-cam practices to give reps. The team drafted Taylen Green in 2026 and plans to keep Dillon Gabriel, while owner Jimmy Haslam signals openness to a fresh start. Sanders must impress in training camp to catch Watson, whose veteran experience and past elite production contrast with a more injury-plagued tenure in Cleveland.
The Steelers drafted Penn State QB Drew Allar in the third round and immediately cast him into a high-stakes competition with Will Howard, under coach Mike McCarthy’s bid to develop a franchise quarterback; Allar brings size and arm strength but needs refinement, while Howard offers leadership and proven intangibles, with the race set to unfold through camps, preseason, and beyond as the team searches for its next QB.
New Iowa State quarterback Jaylen Raynor, formerly of Arkansas State, is introducing himself to the Cyclones by memorizing teammates' names and building relationships as he competes for the starting job this spring with Zane Flores and Connor Moberly; coach Keith Heckendorf praises his leadership, consistency, and effort to elevate the entire squad as they aim to maximize the offense.
Berry’s comments lay out a 2026 QB competition: Deshaun Watson remains on the roster, while Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel will compete and outside options will be considered. Because of Watson’s contract, Cleveland won’t cut or trade him in 2026, instead exploring a restructure to enable a 2027 release while keeping updates through July.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Browns GM Andrew Berry said it’s too early to name a Week 1 starter, keeping an open competition between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson while weighing external QBs like Malik Williams and Ty Simpson under a new coaching staff after a 5-12 season and Watson’s costly, injury-plagued tenure.
Dan Marino says the Dolphins should introduce competition at quarterback to push Tua Tagovailoa but not write him off, stressing that the new coaching staff will evaluate all options while Tua remains on the roster. He notes Tua’s past excellence and current concussion-era concerns, acknowledges the AFC East’s toughness, and suggests Miami may pursue external options or a Tua–Ewers pairing rather than a quick trade or release due to salary-cap realities.
In a press conference, Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acknowledged missteps in Daniel Jones' free‑agency negotiations and said Minnesota drafted J.J. McCarthy with incomplete information, keeping the door open for a quarterback competition in 2026 as Kevin O'Connell builds a deep QB room. Jones had been with the Colts at 8‑4 before a season-ending Achilles injury.
In a live chat, Mike Spofford discusses the Packers' quarterback choices, injury updates, playoff strategies, and player performances, emphasizing the importance of turnovers, the potential for young players to step up, and the team's overall outlook for the postseason.
Anthony Richardson accepted losing the Colts' starting quarterback job to Daniel Jones, emphasizing respect for the decision and his ongoing effort to improve, though his future as a starter remains uncertain.
The Colts' training camp concluded with little change in their quarterback competition, with Anthony Richardson showing marginal improvement but still facing consistency issues, while Daniel Jones performed as expected. The decision on the Week 1 starter seems likely to favor Richardson unless a significant collapse occurs, with Jones serving as motivation and injury insurance. The camp highlighted ongoing offensive line struggles and Richardson's potential as the future, despite current limitations.
The Colts are still undecided on their starting quarterback as Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones compete during training camp, with the coaching staff hoping the competition improves both players' performance. The final decision will be made by head coach Shane Steichen after further evaluation, with the season opener against the Dolphins on September 7.
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson suffered a dislocated finger during a preseason game but has received clean X-ray results and is expected to return to practice soon, keeping him in the team's quarterback competition against Daniel Jones, whose own health issues have also influenced the race.
Buccaneers GM Jason Licht revealed that Teddy Bridgewater was the team's Plan B in 2020 if Tom Brady had chosen another team, and now Bridgewater is close to signing with Tampa Bay, adding experienced depth to the quarterback room alongside Kyle Trask, with competition still ongoing.