All articles tagged with #quarterback development
The Steelers brought back Aaron Rodgers for 2026 to mentor young QBs Will Howard and Drew Allar. A broadcaster quoted former Steelers coach Danny Smith saying Howard isn’t ready to start and would benefit from Rodgers’ tutelage, with Rodgers intending to help both young QBs as he finishes his career. Preseason reps will help gauge readiness, with the goal of having one of the young quarterbacks start next season rather than rushing them.
Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion says Jalen Hurts has the arm strength, accuracy, athleticism and work ethic to execute whatever the new offense demands, praising his fundamentals and willingness to learn. He cautions the key question is Hurts’ willingness to conform to the scheme, as lingering past dysfunction and A.J. Brown trade rumors loom into the fall.
The Steelers made Drew Allar the only quarterback at rookie minicamp to push him through 35 snaps and gauge his ability to handle tempo, formations, and pre-snap decisions. With Mason Rudolph and Will Howard ineligible for rookie minicamp, Allar carried the workload and viewed the experience as a chance to ask questions and learn McCarthy’s philosophy. McCarthy, who has prior familiarity with Rudolph and Howard, is optimistic about Allar’s potential and development path after an injury-affected season at Penn State.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, entering his seventh season, is being tasked by coach Mike McDaniel to truly own the position by refining quick-throw efficiency and maintaining his playmaking ability, with McDaniel saying Herbert is ready to embrace changes that could elevate him from good to elite after years of inconsistent postseason success.
The Steelers drafted Drew Allar as a high-upside quarterback project, with coach Mike McCarthy praising his first impressions, arm talent, size, and intangibles and signaling a plan to groom him for the AFC North and cold weather rather than immediate starting duties.
In a surprise move, the Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick, signaling plans to groom him as Matthew Stafford’s successor in Sean McVay’s offense, despite Simpson being widely viewed as the second-best QB behind Mendoza.
Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy says Jaxson Dart has impressed him with accuracy, toughness, and running ability, and he’s been a fan since before taking the Giants job; Nagy watched Dart at the 2025 Combine and in Giants games, and now plans to build an offense around him to develop Dart into a franchise quarterback.
Signings of Kyler Murray and the re-signing of Carson Wentz, coupled with ongoing development concerns about J.J. McCarthy, have fueled speculation Minnesota may move on from McCarthy sooner rather than later. A Breer piece noting the Vikings’ QB options as far back as 2023, along with contract timelines and questions about McCarthy’s on-field growth, suggest the team is weighing longer‑term plans more than a quick fix, potentially impacting McCarthy’s role beyond his rookie deal.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell aims to revitalize Minnesota’s quarterback situation by pursuing Kyler Murray, betting on Murray’s athletic gifts to spark a bold, high-ceiling rebuild even as the organization confronts past draft missteps and leadership changes.
Vikings officials reportedly worry J.J. McCarthy isn’t ready to be the franchise quarterback, prompting talks of adding a veteran in free agency or via trade even after drafting him in 2024. McCarthy’s 2025 season was inconsistent (10 games, 11 TDs, 12 INTs, 1,632 yards), and Minnesota is focusing on development and a competitive offseason to determine his long-term trajectory while weighing outside options.
Once written off as a Jets bust, Sam Darnold rebuilt his career with stops in San Francisco and Minnesota before Seattle gambled on him; through steady play, growth in a system that suits him, and a dominant defense, he avoided costly mistakes in the postseason and helped the Seahawks win a title, underscoring the power of sustained belief and resilience in quarterback development.
Breer highlights Sam Darnold’s breakout with Seattle (4,048 passing yards, 25 TDs, 99.1 passer rating) and identifies three takeaways: Seattle moved quickly to sign him at a favorable price, a quarterback’s development benefits from a stable environment, and teams should be wary of falling in love with the next great prospect. The column also covers other offseason moves (Vikings GM shift, Klint Kubiak to the Raiders, Bills’ Brady hire, Browns’ Monken, Falcons’ Cunningham, Epstein-file fallout, Senior Bowl logistics) and a series of quick-hits on coaching hires and league news.
The column argues Drake Maye has been shaky in his three playoff games against top-5 defenses, with turnovers and low efficiency, and the Patriots still rely on a strong defense. Now he must elevate his decision-making and ball security at altitude in Denver to beat the Broncos; a clean game with a few elite plays could push New England toward San Francisco, while another turnover-prone performance could doom the trek. The piece also notes the Broncos’ pass defense may be overrated and that blocking them could be key if Maye can manage the game.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as head coach after a formal interview process, citing his winning track record and success developing quarterbacks; the decision wasn’t framed as a Rodgers reunion, and McCarthy will assemble a staff and evaluate the quarterback room with the aim of developing a young passer and winning a championship.
Tom Brady praised quarterback Fernando Mendoza on Fox, calling him a bright future and emphasizing the development path for young QBs, while the Raiders’ No. 1 pick looms as either Mendoza’s selection or a trade asset, highlighting Brady’s dual role as analyst and team figure.