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.
Drew Lock contracts COVID-19 after rising first-team reps, Geno Smith nonetheless holding QB1 spot
Despite Geno Smith’s lead within the Seahawks’ quarterback derby, head coach Pete Carroll pegged Drew Lock to start out Thursday’s preseason sport towards the Chicago Bears. Those plans have been foiled, nonetheless, as Lock examined positive for COVID-19 and will likely be sidelined for the competition. This robs the 25-year-old QB of a essential alternative to push Smith for the starting job.
Earlier Tuesday, Lock obtained 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 scenario with Lock and Smith, who began three video games for Seattle final season when Wilson suffered a finger harm. 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 operating 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.
On the opposite hand, 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 starting potential.
Pittsburgh Steelers QBs are nonetheless competing after week one of many preseason
After Mitchell Trubisky began the Steelers’ first preseason sport towards the Seattle Seahawks, throughout Tuesday’s apply, Kenny Pickett was seen figuring out with the Steelers’ first unit throughout their two-minute drill.
Pittsburgh has three candidates to start out underneath heart in 2022: Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, and Pickett. All three had their justifiable share of positive 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 choose within the 2022 draft, had a glowing debut. The University 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 items,” Mike Tomlin said 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 great first outing for all three.”
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 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, obtained 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.
Mayfield and Darnold seem to be the frontrunners to start out, nonetheless, given Mayfield’s 4 years of expertise starting for the Browns and Darnold coming into his second season with the Panthers.
“They have been each in command,” Rhule said of Mayfield and Darnold. “Sam obtained us ultimately zone, Baker led us down the sphere, so it seemed like each guys performed properly when it comes to manufacturing. We’ll return and look and see the place they’re.”
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