There are a handful of NFL groups with quarterback competitions this summer season.
With the preseason in full swing, let's dive into the place the league's quarterback battles stand.
Pete Carroll proclaims Geno Smith will begin at QB within the Seahawks' Week 1 matchup in opposition to the Broncos.
Carroll made the announcement following the workforce's closing preseason recreation Friday evening, which resulted in a 27-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Smith began the sport and led the Seahawks to a discipline purpose in his lone collection earlier than giving solution to Drew Lock, who threw a landing cross and three interceptions within the loss.
"Geno was stable in his outing and he is gonna begin," Carroll mentioned following the sport. "He is earned it."
Smith and Lock had been alternating first-team reps all through coaching camp practices. Lock was supposed to begin Seattle's second preseason tilt in opposition to the Chicago Bears, however these plans have been foiled after Lock examined optimistic for COVID-19. It robbed the 25-year-old QB of a essential alternative to push Smith for the beginning job.
"The time-frame acquired tousled for us for Drew," Carroll mentioned. "He simply ran out of time in making his bid for it."
Smith mentioned he realized that he could be the Seahawks' Week 1 starter when Carroll addressed the workforce within the locker room following Friday evening's recreation.
"Clearly I am grateful for the chance and grateful, however I've quite a lot of work forward of me," Smith mentioned. "It is actually about successful and none of this is able to matter if we do not exit and win the video games we're presupposed to win."
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 enjoying 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 ranking.
Whereas Mitchell Trubisky acquired 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 mentioned. "We all know extra about Mason [Rudolph]. Mitch has been across the skilled recreation, clearly. So, it is a massive week for [Pickett] by way of perhaps getting within the first half of this recreation and I might think about getting the chance to see frontline defenders for Jacksonville."
Pickett has nonetheless largely taken snaps with the Steelers' second unit in follow.
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 evening 4-for-7 on passing makes an attempt with 63 yards and the landing.
Rudolph, getting into his fifth season with the Steelers, picked up the place Trubisky left off, finishing 9-of-15 passes for 93 yards. His evening was highlighted by a 26-yard landing cross to rookie huge receiver George Pickens.
Pickett, the No. 20 choose within the 2022 draft, had a glowing debut. The College of Pittsburgh product completed the evening 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 items," Mike Tomlin mentioned of his QBs. "They did the casual issues related to the place from a management and communication standpoint. They have been engaged. It was a superb first day out for all three."
Carolina's Matt Corral doubtless out for the season
Rookie QB Matt Corral suffered a "vital" Lisfranc harm late within the Panthers' second preseason recreation in opposition to the New England Patriots this previous Friday. Coach Matt Rhule mentioned 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 one in all 4 candidates for the beginning quarterback spot getting into camp, together with Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker. Mayfiled and Darnold have 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 just 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 briefly 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, acquired essentially the most enjoying 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 mentioned he would not identify a starter till after the workforce's Aug. 19 matchup with the New England Patriots.
Mayfield and Darnold appear to be the front-runners to begin, nonetheless, given Mayfield's 4 years of expertise beginning for the Browns and Darnold getting into his second season with the Panthers.
"They have been each in command," Rhule mentioned of Mayfield and Darnold. "Sam acquired us ultimately zone, Baker led us down the sector, so it appeared like each guys performed nicely by way of manufacturing. We’ll return and look and see the place they're."
