All articles tagged with #quarterback depth chart
Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was limited with an oblique injury at Thursday’s practice and is listed day-to-day, leaving Cooper Rush taking first-team reps and rookie Jack Strand third on the depth chart as Week 1 vs. the Steelers approaches; the decision hinges on Tagovailoa’s health, with the team prepared to consider Strand if he can’t go.
Pittsburgh kept four true quarterbacks on its 53-man roster—Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Drew Allar—an unusual setup the team intends to carry through the season, according to GM Omar Khan. While the move is feasible in the short term, injuries and roster churn will test it over 18 weeks; historical examples (Jets 2020, Dolphins 2018, Redskins/Raiders/Jets 2013) show four QBs rarely survive an entire season. Pittsburgh is currently healthy aside from DeShon Elliott’s IR stint, but that could complicate the plan when he returns.
Steelers may carry four quarterbacks after the preseason, with Aaron Rodgers as the starter and Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar behind him. Mike McCarthy called the QB room’s status a “very accurate evaluation,” praising two veterans and two young players. Howard's concussion testing could open the door to placing him on injured reserve to start the season, giving the team at least four games to decide whether to keep four QBs long term.
J.J. McCarthy left Minnesota's 13-3 preseason loss to Baltimore after a big first-quarter hit but downplayed long-term health concerns amid trade buzz around his Vikings future; coach Kevin O'Connell had planned more work for him but kept him out, as Carson Wentz came on to go 9-of-11 for 92 yards, while McCarthy finished 5-of-10 for 81 yards. With Kyler Murray named Minnesota's starter for the upcoming campaign, the backup job remains unsettled ahead of the finale against the Broncos.
Kyler Murray is not expected to play in Minnesota's second preseason game against the Ravens, with the Vikings prioritizing joint practices to evaluate the quarterback position. Murray played a brief opening drive against the Giants; J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer rotated at QB, but Brosmer's status is unclear and no additional backups have been brought in. The team will monitor how snaps are divided if Murray remains inactive.
J.J. McCarthy remains in a competition for Minnesota’s No. 2 quarterback behind the incumbent starter, after a subdued preseason showing (4-for-7 for 34 yards) that failed to separate him from the rival, Carson Wentz, who had a stronger outing (9-for-14 for 81 yards, TD) and earned more snaps after fourth-stringer Max Brosmer was injured. With no clear trade partner and questions about McCarthy’s viability as a future starter, the Vikings will be watching closely to prevent him from slipping to No. 3 on the depth chart.
Deshaun Watson left Browns minicamp as the favorite to start Week 1, seeing more reps with the first team than Shedeur Sanders as Cleveland installs a new Todd Monken offense; Watson’s extensive NFL experience gives him the edge, though Sanders could push for the job if he dazzles before training camp.
Joe Flacco remains the top quarterback on the Browns' depth chart despite Shedeur Sanders' strong preseason performance and injuries to other quarterbacks; the pecking order has not changed.
The New England Patriots are in need of a long-term solution at quarterback after a disappointing 2023 season and the departure of Mac Jones. With the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they have several intriguing options to consider, including Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy. These prospects offer a mix of immediate impact and long-term potential, providing the Patriots with an opportunity to revitalize their quarterback room and set the stage for future success.