While it’s always challenging to predict the future in the fast-paced world of the NFL, certain circumstances and developments can potentially lead to changes in starting lineups. Due to performance issues, competition from emerging talents, or other factors, these players find themselves in situations where their starting roles are in jeopardy.
Let’s take a look at the 10 NFL Players Who Will Lose Their Starting Jobs In 2024.
Desmond Ridder
The Atlanta Falcons wasted no time jumping into their 2024 NFL offseason with the firing of former head coach Arthur Smith. However, that will not be the only change that the Dirty Birds will make this offseason. Quarterback Desmond Ridder has been underwhelming in his two seasons with the team compiling a TD-INT ratio of 14-12 and a win-loss record of 8-12. Ridder has had no excuses with offensive weapons such as Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson.
The Falcons have been linked as a potential trade partner with the Chicago Bears for quarterback Justin Fields. It should also be noted that the Falcons currently own the seventh pick in the 2024 NFL draft which contains a stacked class of incoming quarterback prospects. Ridder’s days as the starting quarterback for the Falcons are over, now it just needs to be seen whether the Falcons make the transition via free agency, trade, or through the draft.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
When Kansas City signed MVS to a 3-year 30 million dollar contract, he was expected to replace Tyreek Hill as the Chiefs’ deep threat. Scantling has failed to live up to those expectations and has posted two very unforgettable seasons. Scantling’s 2023 NFL season has been a massive disappointment, compiling a career low in receiving yards (315), receptions (21) and touchdowns (1).
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The Kansas City Chiefs have a glaring need at the wide receiver position and with MVS being the highest-paid receiver on the team’s roster look for Kansas City to replace him whether it be through the draft or free agency. Valdes-Scantling is a prime candidate to also be a cap casualty.
Austin Ekeler
Ekeler’s 2023 NFL season was a disappointment, to say the least. Ekeler came into the season requesting a trade out of Los Angeles which was not granted. After a promising start in Week 1, an ankle injury sidelined Ekeler for three weeks and he just didn’t look the same once he returned posting his lowest reception total since 2018 as well as a career-low 3.5 yards per carry while eventually losing carries to Joshua Kelley.
The writing is on the wall for a mutual departure between Ekeler and the Chargers. Ekeler will be 29 by the start of the 2024 NFL season and father time is undefeated. Ekeler’s career in Los Angeles should not be overshadowed as he has had a very successful run as an undrafted free agent.
Sam Howell
Howell was given the keys to drive the Washington Commanders for the 2023 season after showing some promise at the end of the 2022 season. He finished the season throwing for 3,946 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions, guiding the Commanders to a 4-13 record. That record ultimately got Ron Rivera fired and gave the Commanders the #2 draft selection in the NFL draft.
The future for Howell is definitely murky. With a new ownership group taking over and a new head coach, the chance for the Commanders to start fresh with a new franchise quarterback is an opportunity that is too good to pass up whether that be through free agency or NFL draft. It could be very ironic if Drake Maye who was Howell’s predecessor at North Carolina is also Howell’s predecessor in Washington.
Cam Jordan
Father time is undefeated and that may be the case with New Orleans Saints defensive end Cam Jordan. Jordan will be 35 years old at the start of the 2024 NFL season and he is coming off a year where he had 2 sacks while playing in all 17 games which broke an impressive 11 straight season of at least 7.5 sacks Jordan dealt with an ankle injury for most of the season which kept him out for most passing downs limiting him to mostly running plays.
While Jordan has acknowledged that he has no plans to retire, it may be in the Saints’ best interest to give some of their early-round draft picks (Payton Turner and Isaiah Foskey)some more snaps or possibly cut Jordan as he is due $23 million in 2024.
Michael Gallup
Gallup’s production and contract are a prime reason for him to no longer be a member of the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. Gallup is roughly a $13.8 million cap hit for the 2024 season and is coming off a career-low in receiving yards (418) and his second-lowest reception total (34). Gallup has never lived up to the 5-year/ $57,500.00 contract that he signed in the 2022 offseason, only posting one 1,000-yard season in his 6 NFL seasons.
Gallup’s snaps have already begun to diminish to Jalen Tolbert and Kavonte Turpin. Dallas goes into the 2024 season projected $20 million over the cap and the logical choice to start saving some cash has to be cutting or trading Michael Gallup.
Cam Robinson
Cam Robinson’s 2023 season has been one to forget. Robinson started the season off being suspended for the first 4 games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Upon returning, Robinson missed 4 more games due to injury which only allowed him to play in 8 games. Robinson’s ability to stay on the field has always been a problem as he has only played a full season once in his 7 NFL seasons.
The Jaguars already have a replacement available to them in the versatile guard/tackle Walker Little as he filled in for Robinson at tackle while he was out with suspension. Walker was graded by Pro Football Focus as a top 3 tackle for pass blocking efficiency during this stint at left tackle being only behind all pros Penei Sewell and Tristan Wirfs. If the Jaguars were to release Robinson, they would save roughly $16 million towards the salary cap. With Robinson’s inability to stay on the field and the high cap hit, he seems to be a prime target to lose his starting role.
Tyler Lockett
Seattle selected Lockett’s replacement in the 2023 NFL Draft when they selected Jaxson Smith-Njiba in the first round. Lockett is coming off the worst receiving yards and touchdown total since 2017. Lockett will be 32 years old and commands a $26 million dollar cap hit for Seattle which is already projected to be $4 million over the 2024 cap.
Lockett is a very expensive piece to a team that appears to be in transition after parting ways with former coach Pete Carroll. While Lockett may still have a shot elsewhere in the NFL, his starting role with the Seattle Seahawks appears to be coming to an end.
Jawaan Taylor
After signing a 4 year $80 million contract in March, Kansas City expected to have their right tackle position solidified. However, what they received was the most heavily penalized player in the NFL and accounted for 21% of Kansas City penalties. Penalties are not Taylor’s only issues though. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Taylor is the lowest-graded run-blocking tackle.
The 2024 NFL Draft does have some first-round talent at the tackle position with 8-9 tackles having first-round grades on them by draft analysts. Taylor’s performance based on his salary makes him another prime candidate to lose his starting job.
Aidan O’Connell
Fourth-round rookie Aidan O’Connell took over the starting role for Jimmy Garoppolo and finished with a 5-5 record for the Las Vegas Raiders. O’Connell had a decent 2024 NFL where he threw for 2,218 passing yards and 12 TDs considering he was a rookie. Those numbers put the Raiders in the bottom half for offensive scoring.
The Raiders have now named interim head coach Antonio Pierce as their head coach and one could only assume he will want to bring in his guy at quarterback. Now, whether that is through the draft or free agency remains to be seen. One thing is for sure is that the Raiders quarterback is going to be a competition and nothing is going to be handed to O’Connell.
