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Dress rehearsals are almost over. The exhibition season is drawing to a close. The time for teams to assess their quarterbacks in truly competitive playing environments is coming to an end.
It’s time to go. The day of decision is fundamentally upon us. The shutdown is happening in places like New Orleans, New England and San Francisco.
The reality is that most head coaches and their staff already know who is going to take their first shots of the season in week 1. Many have known this internally for some time, just waiting to see if anything goes. unforeseen event would occur. their course of thought. And for the most part, that did not happen. Things are largely as expected. These quarterbacks are, by and large, what these staffs thought they were.
So with the announcement of the winner, many of those pending quarterback competitions are almost within reach – especially since many teams will choose not to expose the real starter to injury in the final game. , anyway – it seems like a good time to reassess where things stand and try to handicap these QB runs. Ultimately, this will end up being like many of us thought given the lack of preparation of some rookies, the expectations for some of these franchises, and the variation in the supporting cast around many of them. .
We’ll go in order from least suspenseful to most potentially suspenseful, although I think Denver may be the only situation where things could actually pivot depending on the results of the preseason finale. The most important thing to remember is that these scenarios have generally resolved themselves within the past month.
Nothing to see here
Jets – Zach Wilson
There was never any other option. There would never be any other option. They brought no one or nothing that could be interpreted as any degree of competition for the first round pick. It’s about maximizing his reps and having him as ready as possible for week 1. He will take his pieces, but that was never in doubt, except in the event of an injury. And the child is as healthy as he can be right now.
Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence
Don’t believe the hype that this is a breathtaking battle between Lawrence and Gardner Minshew. Dividing their clichés is a little crazy, and I don’t know what advantage Urban Meyer thinks he gains by perpetrating this false mystery. But the overall first choice is ready for professionals; it remains to be seen if this staff and this offensive line is.
Editor’s note: The Jags named Lawrence their Week 1 starter on Wednesday.
Bear – Andy Dalton
You might think Justin Fields is the right choice and I might think Justin Fields is the smart choice… But it never came close to fair fight or open competition. Matt Nagy said from the jump that Dalton is his guy to open the season, he continues to declare that even after Saturday’s debacle and nothing is going to change his mind now. I suspect we are seeing a transition to Fields at some point in October.
The experienced hand would be difficult to dislodge
Saints – Jameis Winston
My reporting on this throughout the spring and summer continually led me to believe that Winston’s ability to push the ball through all quadrants and his superiority over Taysom Hill in special situations would prevail. Sean Payton was eager to open his offense to all quadrants of the pitch and Winston followed a solid first game with a stellar second exposure. He plays with confidence and fearlessness and has spent a lot of time in this system. There is still a role for Hill. But Hill can’t operate an offense like Winston can. It’s obvious.
Patriots – Cam Newton
This may have been set before Newton’s last COVID-related absence, this time by failing to adhere to proper testing protocols over the weekend. This opens up an opportunity for Mac Jones to put on a show this week, but I still don’t think it’s going to be enough to topple the veteran. Newton has had a solid camp, throws down at a better pace than a year ago and actually has some decent pieces around him in this offense this year, as well as a robust offensive line. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Jones in rushed or two-minute situations early in the regular season, and he earned the trust and confidence of these staff. But Newton unlocks some unique things in the racing game, and I predict he’ll be under center when the season begins.
49ers – Jimmy Garoppolo
It reminds me a lot of the situation for the Dolphins a year ago when, while the team was doing pretty well, the staff ultimately wanted to see if the more athletic and dynamic QB could take them to the next level. Trey Lance has had incredible ups and downs, but this ceiling is in a different stratosphere than Jimmy G. Lance will have parts and packages that should allow him to shine as a sidekick from the start, but there is no reason why Kyle Shanahan should. make that change in mid-September and he can continue to develop the first-round pick as his $ 20million veteran shows how he can move that attack with the 49ers healthier than they were he a year ago.
The most open competition
Broncos – Teddy Bridgewater
This one is the most 50/50 between newcomer Bridgewater and Drew Lock. And they’ve basically put in a very similar production throughout the summer. Vegas also finds it pretty. I feel like the wider experience of Bridgewater, the fact that he took a Vikings team to the playoffs when he was young when new Broncos general manager George Paton was manager there. deputy general, and his overall work (more risk averse than Lock) will win out. . If Lock gets the first start, I can’t help but wonder if the leash is short enough, especially if ball control and decision making remains an issue. Vic Fangio is notoriously tough on QB / attacking staff and espouses old school values (hang on to football, play not to lose, and win on defense). Bridgewater has spent most of his career in these types of operations.
Editor’s note: The Broncos made their decision Wednesday afternoon, naming Bridgewater as a starter.
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