As the 2024 NFL season unfolds, the performance of quarterbacks has become a focal point for teams and fans alike. Among the myriad of challenges facing teams this season, the inconsistency of certain quarterbacks stands out. Last year in particular, five quarterbacks garnered attention for their struggles, marked by high interception rates, inability to escape pressure, and subpar completion percentages. This article delves into the difficulties faced by these players, their statistics, and why today's starting QB could be tomorrow's backup (looking at you Bryce Young).
5. Desmond Ridder (Old Team: Atlanta Falcons, New Team: Arizona Cardinals)
2023 Statistics Breakdown
Interception Percentage (INT%): 3.1%
Sack Percentage (SK%): 7.4%
Completion Percentage: 64.2%
QB Desmond Ridder, once seen as a promising prospect for the Atlanta Falcons, ultimately proved to be too error-prone for the franchise's aspirations. Ridder's inability to escape pressure and his tendency to throw interceptions led the Falcons to reconsider their quarterback situation. While he showed flashes of potential, his performance was marred by inconsistency. The Falcons’ decision to move on from Ridder was not taken lightly; they opted to sign Kirk Cousins this past offseason, a veteran known for his more reliable decision-making skills. Furthermore, the Falcons invested in the future by drafting Michael Penix Jr., a quarterback touted for his higher ceiling and potential to lead the team effectively.
Ridder's time as a starter highlighted significant issues. He struggled particularly against aggressive defenses that capitalized on his vulnerabilities. With the added pressure from opposing players, Ridder's mechanics faltered, often leading to poor throws and ill-advised decisions. His average of 3.1% in interception percentage places him among the riskier quarterbacks in the league. The Falcons, seeking stability and leadership, clearly felt it was necessary to pivot from Ridder to more seasoned options. In turn, they traded him to the Arizona Cardinals, where he is now currently on the practice squad.
4. Justin Fields (Old Team: Chicago Bears, New Team: Pittsburgh Steelers)
2023 Statistics Breakdown
Interception Percentage (INT%): 2.4%
Sack Percentage (SK%): 10.6%
Completion Percentage: 61.4%
Justin Fields, the former Chicago Bears quarterback, has faced substantial challenges over the course of his NFL career. Initially drafted for his dynamic playmaking ability, Fields has struggled to evolve as a quarterback, especially in terms of decision-making and passing accuracy. His inclination to extend plays often resulted in him taking more sacks, as his offensive line was unable to provide adequate protection against fierce pass rushes.
Fields' downfield mentality, while exciting, became a double-edged sword. His attempts to make big plays have frequently backfired, leading to a notable increase in interceptions. With an interception percentage of 2.4%, Fields has shown that while he has potential, he still lacks the refinement needed to be a consistently effective quarterback. His completion percentage of 61.4% underscores his struggles, demonstrating that his passing skills are still developing.
The Chicago Bears ultimately decided to move on from Fields, hoping to find a quarterback who can better execute their offensive strategy. This decision reflects a growing frustration with Fields' inability to mature into the franchise quarterback the team envisioned. The Bears have since drafted USC QB Caleb Williams and are letting him drive their new look offense. Fields was traded to the Steelers in the offseason and currently is starting for Pittsburgh due to an injury to incumbent Russell Wilson, where many of his inconsistencies that haunted him during his time in Chicago currently remain.
3. Jake Browning (Old Team: Cincinnati Bengals, New Team: Cincinnati Bengals)
2023 Statistics Breakdown
Interception Percentage (INT%): 2.9%
Sack Percentage (SK%): 8.9%
Completion Percentage: 70.4%
Jake Browning, filling in as a quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, faced the daunting challenge of stepping into a system that required quick decision-making and precision. Despite boasting a respectable completion percentage of 70.4% in 2023, Browning struggled to translate those statistics into impactful plays. His performance was characterized by a tendency to make safe, conservative throws, often leading to a lack of offensive explosiveness.
While a 70.4% completion rate may seem impressive on the surface, it can be misleading. Many of Browning's completions were short, simple passes that failed to stretch the field or create scoring opportunities. His inability to effectively navigate the Bengals' offensive playbook ultimately raised questions about his readiness to lead an NFL team. The lack of significant yardage gained per completion indicated that the coaching staff did not have full confidence in Browning’s ability to execute more complex plays under pressure.
Moreover, Browning’s offensive line struggles compounded his difficulties. The Bengals' offensive line faced challenges in 2023, and Browning found himself on the receiving end of too many sacks, with a sack percentage of 8.9%. The Bengals have since not only addressed their offensive line woes, but have welcomed back the return of Joe Burrow for 2024, thus relegating Browning back into a backup role, where he will likely remain as long as Burrow is healthy.
2. Sam Howell
2023 Statistics Breakdown
Interception Percentage (INT%): 3.4%
Sack Percentage (SK%): 9.6%
Completion Percentage: 63.4%
Sam Howell of the Washington Commanders exhibited flashes of talent but frequently succumbed to his turnover tendencies. Known for his willingness to throw the ball downfield, Howell's style of play often led to holding the ball longer than necessary, which resulted in numerous sacks and interceptions. With an interception percentage of 3.4% and a sack percentage of 9.6%, Howell’s stats reflect the high-risk nature of his game.
Despite his ability to make explosive plays, Howell's overall performance remained inconsistent. His completion percentage of 63.4% shows potential but also indicates that his decision-making needs improvement. The Commanders hoped for more consistency from Howell, particularly as he faced pressure from opposing defenses that sought to exploit his weaknesses.
Howell's high interception rate raised concerns about his ability to read defenses and make quick decisions under pressure. While he occasionally displayed the talent to succeed in the NFL, the Commanders were ultimately forced to reconsider their quarterback position, searching for a player who could balance risk and reward more effectively. They eventually drafted rookie QB Jayden Daniels from LSU with the 2nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft and traded Howell to the Seattle Seahawks, where he is currently backing up veteran starter Geno Smith.
1. Bailey Zappe (Old Team: New England Patriots, New Team: Kansas City Chiefs)
2023 Statistics Breakdown
Interception Percentage (INT%): 4.2%
Sack Percentage (SK%): 10.5%
Completion Percentage: 59.9%
Bailey Zappe of the New England Patriots encountered significant difficulties throughout the season, particularly in his rookie year. With an interception percentage of 4.2%, Zappe was frequently criticized for his decision-making and timing. As a young quarterback thrown into the deep end, Zappe struggled to develop chemistry with his receivers, leading to numerous miscommunications and turnovers.
Zappe's overall performance was marked by inconsistency, compounded by a high sack rate of 10.5%. This statistic highlights his inability to evade pressure, which often resulted in him holding onto the ball longer than necessary. His completion percentage of 59.9% further underscores his challenges, as it fell below the league average for starting quarterbacks. The Patriots' offensive struggles this season were partly attributed to Zappe’s inability to step up when needed.
The combination of Zappe’s youth and the high expectations of playing for a storied franchise like the Patriots made his struggles particularly scrutinized. As the team evaluated its quarterback situation, Zappe’s tenure served as a learning experience—one that highlights the steep learning curve many young quarterbacks face in the NFL. The Patriots eventually hired a new coaching staff and released Zappe. He currently is on the practice squad for the Kansas City Chiefs, buried behind star QB Patrick Mahomes and unlikely to make much of a fantasy impact at this point in his NFL career.
The performances of these five quarterbacks serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in playing the quarterback position at the NFL level. Factors such as decision-making, the ability to evade pressure, and establishing chemistry with teammates play crucial roles in a quarterback's success. As teams reassess their rosters and make strategic changes, it is clear that finding a reliable and effective quarterback is essential for achieving long-term success.
As the NFL landscape continues to evolve, these quarterbacks represent both the challenges and potential that come with the territory. Their journeys highlight the ongoing quest for stability and excellence within the league. This also shows how short the shelf-life of a starting NFL QB can be. A few of these QBs were at one time considered to be the future of their respective franchises, and this serves as a stark reminder that many highly drafted QB's can quickly become nothing more than 3rd stringers within a few number of years.
