How many teams have yet to figure out their QB rotation?
Coaches around the NFL have a week to trim their rosters to 53 players, but there are a few that will have to name a starting QB on top of making cuts.
With just a week left in preseason teams are starting to taking shape and coaches are getting a better idea of who will be in and who will be out of the 53-man roster that has to be finalized by this time next Tuesday. Decisions will be made, players will be cut and starting quarterbacks will be names.
Daniels, Minshew and Darnold named QB1
It’s not official, but it’s basically a give that No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams is going to be the starter in Chicago, so that leaves us with everyone else. Jayden Daniels was the latest quarterback to be named a Week 1 starter by the Washington Commanders. The rookie gunslinger was taken No. 2 in the draft, and after a couple of convincing preseason performances, Washington coach Dan Quinn has seen enough to name his opening day QB1.
Daniels wasn’t the only one named a starter after the second week of preseason games. The Raiders sorted out their quarterback situation with first year head coach Antonio Pierce naming Garner Minshew as the starter for the Raiders Week 1 game against the Chargers.
The Vikings were another one of those teams that came into training camp with plenty of questions surrounding the quarterback position. Unfortunately, injury has forced Kevin O’Connell’s hand after rookie QB J.J. McCarthy tore his meniscus and was ruled out for the season. It’s looking like Sam Darnold is going to be the starter in Minnesota’s opening game, although nothing has officially been announced.
Who’s left?
There are a few other coaches that are going to have their hands full over the next week. A starting quarterback doesn’t need to be named on the same day the roster is trimmed down, but it does help a team know in which direction they are going and cuts down the media circus leading up to kickoff to the season.
One of the most interesting QB competitions is in Pittsburgh as two veteran quarterbacks are battling for the Week 1 starting role. Justin Fields started the first preseason game as Russell Wilson sat out with a calf injury. Then Wilson started the next game, and Fields came off the bench in a game in which neither really did anything to guarantee themselves the job.
New England’s battle looks like it’s coming down to Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett. Brissett has started both games, but Maye is progressing. No decision has been made by Jerrod Mayo yet, and he may wait it out until the third preseason game.
Nix next up in Denver?
The Denver Broncos are the other team that are yet to name a starter. Bo Nix has looked like maybe the best rookie in the preseason, and got the start over the weekend. Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson are the other gun slingers on the roster, but it seems as though head coach Sean Payton is leaning towards the first year QB to be under center, though nothing is official.
The final week of preseason games is going to be important for coaches, players and fans. This will give everyone a little bit more insight on who will likely make the roster, who won’t make the roster, and who the starters will be in Week 1.