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.
Drew Lock contracts COVID-19 after growing first-team reps, Geno Smith nonetheless holding QB1 spot
Regardless of Geno Smith's lead within the Seahawks' quarterback derby, head coach Pete Carroll pegged Drew Lock to begin Thursday's preseason sport in opposition to the Chicago Bears. These plans have been foiled, nevertheless, as Lock examined optimistic for COVID-19 and might be sidelined for the competition. This robs the 25-year-old QB of a important alternative to push Smith for the beginning job.
Earlier Tuesday, Lock acquired prolonged reps with the primary workforce in follow 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 scenario with Lock and Smith, who began three video games for Seattle final season when Wilson suffered a finger damage. The scenario 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.
Then again, 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.
Pittsburgh Steelers QBs are nonetheless competing after week one of many preseason
After Mitchell Trubisky began the Steelers' first preseason sport in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks, throughout Tuesday's follow, Kenny Pickett was seen figuring out with the Steelers' first unit throughout their two-minute drill.
Pittsburgh has three candidates to begin below heart in 2022: Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, and Pickett. All three had their fair proportion of optimistic moments within the workforce's 32-25 victory over the Seahawks.
Trubisky began the sport, 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 huge receiver George Pickens.
Pickett, the No. 20 decide 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 doubtlessly 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 great first trip for all three."
Veterans separate for Carolina Panthers
Carolina has 4 candidates for its beginning quarterback spot: Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Matt Corral, and P.J. Walker. All 4 performed within the workforce's 23-21 win over 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 main 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, acquired essentially 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 decide within the 2022 draft, completed 1-for-9 for 11 yards.
Head coach Matt Rhule just lately 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 frontrunners to begin, 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 acquired us ultimately zone, Baker led us down the sector, so it seemed like each guys performed properly when it comes to manufacturing. We’ll return and look and see the place they're."
