GOTTA MAINTAIN HIGH LEVELS OF PLAY
1. Kirk Cousins, Vikings
Kirk Cousins has been serviceable since signing his monster Minnesota deal in 2018, BUT not great. Finally, the Vikings invested in their future and selected Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond in the 3rd round of the 2021 draft. Mond is a mobile quarterback with a big arm who can mesh well with receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. Cousins will need to have a stellar year to hold off the rookie.
2. Andy Dalton, Bears
Andy Dalton has yet to take a snap for the Bears and already his future with Chicago is doubtful. Free agent Dalton signed a one-year deal; meanwhile, the Bears traded up for Ohio State QB Justin Fields who was once considered the draft’s 2nd best QB. Fields, like Dalton, is mobile in the pocket and has a cannon for an arm. Quite possibly, Fields could get the Week 1 start. Dalton will need to work to keep job security.
3. Cam Newton, Patriots
Cam Newton, quite honestly, is likely to be the first benched QB of this list. 2020 was not kind to Newton. He signed for a year, and it was a tough season. Newton threw more interceptions than touchdowns. Although, Newton was resigned for another year, the Pats wisened up and drafted Alabama QB Mac Jones. Reportedly, Jones has had an impressive camp and could take over for Newton after the preseason.
4. Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo was once the assumed successor to Tom Brady, but he was traded to the Niners in 2018. After measurable success, Garoppolo’s combination of injuries and sub-par play led the Niners to select QB Trey Lance 3rd pick in this year’s draft. Lance is a raw, but very skilled prospect who won’t start immediately, but Garoppolo will need to play well to hold off the uber-talented Lance.
5. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger was expected to leave Pittsburgh in free agency this offseason, but decided to stick around. The Steelers have some gaps with the O-line and receivers, which could contribute to Ben’s problems. Behind Big Ben is Mason Rudolph, who stepped in 2019, but did not play well. The Steelers’s QB depth chart also includes Dwayne Haskins Jr., a former first rounder released by Washington due to poor play and off-field issues. However, Haskins is reportedly doing well in camp. If he matures as a QB and a person, he could be an elite QB and a replacement for Ben.
