There are a handful of NFL groups with quarterback competitions this summer time.
With the preseason in full swing, let's dive into the place the league's quarterback battles stand.
Seahawks to characteristic Drew Lock in Seahawks' preseason finale in opposition to Dallas
Pete Carroll informed reporters that Lock will play "so much" within the workforce's preseason finale in opposition to the Cowboys subsequent week. The longtime coach is not dedicated to saying a starter quickly after, nevertheless. With greater than two weeks between the exhibition and the season opener, Carroll stated he would possibly use all of that point to find out his QB1.
"I’m going to take the time it takes to determine it out and be sure that now we have all the data that we'd like," Carroll stated.
Lock returned to apply Sunday after a bout with COVID-19. The fourth-year QB alternated first-team reps with Geno Smith. Lock was supposed to start out this previous Thursday in opposition to the Chicago Bears. These plans had been foiled, nevertheless, by Lock testing optimistic. It robbed the 25-year-old QB of a important alternative to push Smith for the beginning job.
Earlier Tuesday, Lock received prolonged reps with the primary workforce in apply and had two notable completions to Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf.
Since buying and selling Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, the Seahawks have had a fluid quarterback state of affairs with Lock and Smith, who began three video games for Seattle final season when Wilson suffered a finger damage. The state of affairs stays all of the extra fluid after the workforce's loss to Pittsburgh.
Serving because the workforce's starter, Smith completed the sport with 101 passing yards on 10-of-15 passing whereas additionally working in a 2-yard landing. The veteran seems to have the higher hand within the quarterback battle given his familiarity with the Seahawks' offense; Smith, 31, is coming into his fourth season with Seattle.
However, Lock completed the sport with 102 passing yards and two touchdowns on 11-for-15 passing. The fourth-year quarterback began on and off in Denver, often flaunting beginning potential.
Kenny Pickett impresses in Pittsburgh Steelers' second preseason recreation
Pickett acquired extra snaps within the Steelers' 16-15 win in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. Whereas taking part in in opposition to higher competitors, Pickett had a productive day, finishing 6-of-7 passes for 76 yards and one landing with a 151.5 passer score.
Whereas Mitchell Trubisky received the beginning nod, coach Mike Tomlin made it some extent to play the rookie alongside the first-team offense.
"We merely wish to see Kenny in additional varsity motion," Tomlin stated. "We all know extra about Mason [Rudolph]. Mitch has been across the skilled recreation, clearly. So, it is a huge week for [Pickett] by way of possibly getting within the first half of this recreation and I'd think about getting the chance to see frontline defenders for Jacksonville."
Pickett has nonetheless principally taken snaps with the Steelers' second unit in apply.
Trubisky began the Steelers' first preseason recreation in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks, main Pittsburgh on an opening-drive landing. The drive was capped off by a 13-yard landing cross to Gunner Olszewski. Trubisky completed the night time 4-for-7 on passing makes an attempt with 63 yards and the landing.
Rudolph, coming into his fifth season with the Steelers, picked up the place Trubisky left off, finishing 9-of-15 passes for 93 yards. His night time was highlighted by a 26-yard landing cross to rookie extensive receiver George Pickens.
Pickett, the No. 20 choose within the 2022 draft, had a glowing debut. The College of Pittsburgh product completed the night time with 95 passing yards and two touchdowns on 13-for-15 passing, taking what the protection gave him. Pickett's effectivity probably tightens Pittsburgh's quarterback competitors.
"They moved their models," Mike Tomlin stated of his QBs. "They did the casual issues related to the place from a management and communication standpoint. They had been engaged. It was a very good first trip for all three."
Carolina's Matt Corral seemingly out for the season
Rookie QB Matt Corral suffered a "vital" Lisfranc damage late within the Panthers' second preseason recreation in opposition to the New England Patriots this previous Friday. Coach Matt Rhule stated afterward that he expects the third-round choose to overlook the season.
Corral threw for 58 yards on 9-of-15 passing and no touchdowns earlier than exiting.
He was certainly one of 4 candidates for the beginning quarterback spot coming into camp, together with Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker. Mayfiled and Darnold had been rested in Carolina's 20-10 loss to the Pats. All 4 QBs performed within the workforce's preseason opener in opposition to the Washington Commanders, with the veterans holding their very own.
Mayfield, who was lately acquired from the Cleveland Browns, began for the Panthers and completed with 45 passing yards on 4-for-7 passing. Darnold, the workforce's major quarterback in 2021, was impactful in short reps. The fifth-year quarterback was 2-for-3, together with an 8-yard landing to Rashard Higgins. Walker, whose roster spot is in jeopardy given the workforce's acquisition of Mayfield, received probably the most taking part in time of the bunch, throwing for 136 yards on 10-for-19 passing.
Corral, who Carolina traded as much as choose with the No. 94 choose within the 2022 draft, completed 1-for-9 for 11 yards.
Head coach Rhule stated he would not identify a starter till after the workforce's Aug. 19 matchup with the New England Patriots.
Mayfield and Darnold seem to be the front-runners to start out, nevertheless, given Mayfield's 4 years of expertise beginning for the Browns and Darnold coming into his second season with the Panthers.
"They had been each in command," Rhule stated of Mayfield and Darnold. "Sam received us ultimately zone, Baker led us down the sector, so it appeared like each guys performed properly by way of manufacturing. We’ll return and look and see the place they're."
