Quarterbacks on the Rise
‘Quarterback’ is widely regarded as one of the hardest positions in all of sports. As a result, the turnover of QBs in the NFL is rapid – with new faces often appearing under center on a weekly basis. 2024 has been no different, with several quarterback changes occurring in just the first three weeks of action. Amongst the changes, drama and constant speculation, Decyfr presents five signal-callers who have shone through since the start of the season.
1 – Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
No quarterback has ascended faster in 2024 than Minnesota Vikings signal-caller, Sam Darnold. When head coach Kevin O’Connell named Darnold the starter ahead of training camp, many around the league questioned the ability of a QB joining his fourth team in just seven seasons. Three weeks into the regular season, however, and Darnold’s consistently stellar performances have not only captivated NFL fans, but have seen his name etched into the history books. With a passer rating of 117.3 and eight touchdowns to just two interceptions, the former third-overall pick has convincingly led Minnesota to an unexpected 3-0 record – becoming the first Vikings QB ever to start a season 3-0 whilst throwing multiple touchdowns in each game. Fresh off of a four-touchdown performance against the highly-touted Houston Texans, it doesn’t look as though Darnold – nor the Vikings – are slowing down any time soon.
2 – Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
The 2024 NFL Draft class saw a record-breaking number of quarterbacks selected in the first round – resulting in immeasurable levels of anticipation as the young QBs entered the league. Despite flashes of excellence, few have lived up to the hype so far this season. One who undeniably has, however, is Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. Through two weeks, Daniels has demonstrated his ability to move the chains both on the ground and through the air. However, it was a historic 38-33 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3 that saw Daniels claim his place atop this year’s class of QBs. En route to 293 total yards and three total touchdowns, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner completed 91.3% of his passes – the highest completion percentage by a rookie in NFL history. With 835 total yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions this season, recognition from around the league has been vast for the second-overall pick. Notably, from Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who told reporters “[Daniels] is a great effing player, I’m not gonna lie” before six-time Pro Bowler Davante Adams told Kay Adams that “he’s one special player.”
Is Jayden Daniels the current front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year? 👑#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/CjbLYCSa9d
— Decyfr Sport (@DecyfrSport) September 25, 2024
3 – Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Chicago Bears’ decision to move on from Justin Fields – in favour of ‘generational talent’ Caleb Williams – was one of the central storylines this offseason, with Fields going on to join Russell Wilson in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ QB room. Fields made it clear that despite being aware of the situation, he fully intended to compete for QB1. When the former 11th-overall pick got his chance ahead of opening week, thanks to an injury to Wilson, he ensured that he capitalised on every snap – leading the Steelers as they became one of only five unbeaten teams in the NFL after three weeks. While his stats don’t necessarily leap off the page – with 608 total yards and a 95.3 passer rating – Fields has clearly shown a notable improvement week-on-week. To the degree, that after Tua Tagovailoa’s devastating Week 2 concussion, NFL Insider Adam Schefter listed Russell Wilson as a potential replacement in Miami.
4 – Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers
Of all the quarterbacks on this list, 14-year veteran Andy Dalton has seen the least field time thus far in 2024. That said, his performance in Week 3 meant that one would be remiss not to include him on this list. Through two weeks, the Bryce Young-led Carolina Panthers were indisputably viewed as one of, if not the, worst teams in the league – after scoring just 13 points to their opponents’ 73. Therefore, when new head coach Dave Canales announced that Dalton would be taking the reins in Week 3, it appeared the Panthers were already waving the white flag. But that was far from the truth. With Dalton under center, the Panthers fired on all cylinders – recording 437 total yards en route to a 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Dalton’s 319 passing yards and three touchdowns, also saw new addition Diontae Johnson finally showcase his talents in Carolina as he posted 122 yards and a TD. Dalton’s impact in Carolina can be clearly surmised with the following: after two games, Bryce Young had recorded 245 passing yards and zero touchdowns. After just one half in Week 3, Dalton had recorded 212 passing yards for 3 touchdowns.
There’s a reason Aaron Rodgers is a 4x NFL MVP 🤩#JetUp | @AaronRodgers12 | @nyjets | @NYJetsinUKandIE pic.twitter.com/zFg89inksv
— Decyfr Sport (@DecyfrSport) September 26, 2024
5 – Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
Despite likely being an undisputed first-ballot Hall of Famer when his time comes, the conditions of Aaron Rodgers’ return to the gridiron in 2024 – 40 years old, returning from an Achilles tear to a historically dysfunctional organisation – warrants his appearance on this list. In spite of these concerns, it took just three weeks for Aaron Rodgers to remind the world why he is a four-time NFL MVP capable of ending the ‘same old Jets’ narrative. While neither were necessarily ideal outcomes, a loss against the San Francisco 49ers and a tight win over the Tennessee Titans in Weeks 1 and 2 respectively showed sparks of what a Rodgers-led Jets team could look like – sparks that became an almighty flame in New York’s 24-3 demolition of the New England Patriots in Week 3. The 10x Pro Bowler completed nearly 80% of his passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns – whilst becoming the first Jets QB to complete three-consecutive games without a turnover-worthy play since 2006, as per PFF. Moreover, with multiple extended plays and completions from outside the pocket, Rodgers reinforced the notion that age really is just a number – telling Pat McAfee: “The work I did in the offseason put me in the position to do stuff I was doing in the mid-2010s.”
https://decyfrsport.com/quarterbacks-on-the-rise/
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