NFL Quarterbacks Under Pressure

By: Joe Cardoso

The NFL season opener is 57 days away and it feels like forever. For most fans it does and for players looking to bounce back the pressure, has to be piling on day by day. The most important position on any team is that of quarterback. They can win or lose a game quicker than any other position. You don’t need a Tom Brady under center but you can’t win with a Micthell Trubisky

With that being said who are the signal callers under the gun to perform this upcoming NFL season? Whether it’s coming back from injury, underperforming last season, or not giving us enough of a sample size. Each team is different some ask their QB to win games others ask them to manage them and don’t screw it up. Let’s get into the list, which is in no particular order.

10. Who: Cam Newton

Why: The last time we saw Cam he was making a comeback from a battle with COVID-19, struggling to gain a grip on the New England offense with zero offseason work. The season started strong for him as Josh McDaniels worked the game plan around what Cam is good at. His 12 rushing touchdowns showed he isn’t done just yet. With a full offseason and the new weapons the Pats have can we see the return of Superman the former MVP? [pickup_prop id=”5374″]

9. Who: Matt Ryan

Why: Is the end near for Matty Ice or was 2020 a glitch in the Matrix? It was a rough year all around in Atlanta as injuries and missed chances killed Falcons fans dreams. Now with Julio Jones gone and the arrival of Kyle Pitts can we see the normal 4 thousand yards and 30 plus touchdowns we have come to expect? With a new head coach in town, all eyes are on number 2.

8. Who: Carson Wentz

Why: You wanted out of Philly you got out of Philly. Frank Reich is the coach you want to play for you got him. No more excuses for Carson. The Colts are a talented young group ready to level up and be a contender. He can’t be the turnover machine he has been and has to stay ON the field. Colts fans have to hope for better confidence and him pushing the ball downfield.

7. Who: Derrick Carr

Why: Is there a quarterback who gets slept on more than Carr? He puts up numbers and has shown he can do it in and outside the pocket. BUT those drive and game-killing fumbles still haunt him. Jon Gruden is known to chew QB’s and spit them out. How long will he stick with Derrick? BIG year coming up.

6. Who: Jimmy Garoppolo

Why: From being in the Super Bowl to see your team make a power move to go up and draft someone who plays your position. If that doesn’t get you motivated to come back stronger I’m not sure what will. Trey Lance has next in San Francisco the question is when. We will learn a lot about Jimmy this season, he can be showing OTHER teams what he’s capable of.

5. Who: Jameis Winston

Why: It is all set up for Jamies to be successful and shutup a ton of people on and off the field. A year to learn from a future hall of fame player. A year and this offseason to pick the brain of Sean Peyton and get to work with this talented roster. If we can NOT lead the league in interceptions this has the makings of a big season. One thing the Saints don’t do is throw deep and with the cannon of an arm, he has that will change.

4. Who: Matthew Stafford

Why: The going-away party the Stafford family threw when they found out it was bye-bye Detriot and hello L.A. was probably along the movie Project X levels. This is the biggest offseason move of the year until/if Aaron Rogers is moved, I would say DeShaun Watson but we have no clue what’s next for him. Back to Matthew, this is everything he didn’t have with the Lions. Just keep him healthy and let him work through the “new team” bumps. The reasons we are excited are also why he is under a ton of pressure.

3. Who: Kirk Cousins

Why: When you have RGIII throwing shots that should be all the wake-up you need. Surrounded by weapons the excuses are far and few between. Offensive line play must improve and don’t forget they drafted a quarterback this year. The money is spent and now it’s time for the Vikings to get bang for their buck.

2. Who: Jalen Hurts

Why:  First things first Eagles fans we all know you benched Jalen as a form of tanking so relax before you say he isn’t good enough to be an NFL starter. Add in DeVonta Smith and what he brings and he has a chance to make fans ask Carson who?

1. Who: Sam Darnold

Why: Some divorces are just good for both parties involved and I think the Jets splitting up with Sam is one of those cases. He can leave the ghosts in Gotham and the Jets get a new head coach and QB. Carolina is the perfect spot for him to jumpstart his career. He has a solid group of wideouts, a young all-world talent in Christian McCaffrey to go with Matt Rhue. Was what we saw at USC and those few games in New York real or not?

The season can’t start soon enough and then we will get answers to all our questions. Honorable mention to Drew Lock and Tua Tagovailoa I will have an eye on you. The NFL is full of exciting storylines and I can’t wait.