The NFL quarterback is the most important position in sports, there is no debate about that. Where the controversy, however, arrives is who is the most important showrunner on a number of rosters this offseason.
Obviously, having a question mark under center isn’t a strong indicator of the health of a franchise, but that doesn’t mean we on the outside looking in can’t entertain ourselves watching the competition play out.
Let’s take a look around the league and rank the 10 most intense showdowns between NFL quarterbacks to watch this offseason.
These NFL quarterbacks are in for an epic battle this season.
10. Tennessee Titans – Mason Rudolph vs. Malik Willis
By definition, the battle between Mason Rudolph and Malik Willis has to be the least intense NFL quarterback competition—because it is for the second-string role behind Will Levis, but make no mistake about it—this duel has serious implications for both players. While neither guy was a first-round pick, both were well-regarded prospects coming out of college and have gained some notoriety, as well as had opportunities to start during their young NFL careers—during which they have had, let’s say, mixed results, to put it politely.
Not only will the winner of this QB competition have a good chance to play this year considering Levis’s injury risks—and his own relative inexperience, but they will also stave off the dreaded third string designation, which at this point in both Rudolph’s and Willis’s career—could be a death sentence to their hopes of ever getting another chance to start… or even another roster spot outside of Tennessee!
9. Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Richardson vs Joe Flacco
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The Colts have already invested a lot in quarterback Anthony Richardson, meaning they likely brought in Joe Flacco to serve as a mentor and a reliable backup after watching what he managed to pull off last year in Cleveland. But that will still ultimately rely on Richardson returning to form from the series of injuries that plagued him last season. It is a long shot, but Flacco is a competitor and he will be gunning for that job heading into the 2024 season.
8. Washington Commanders – Marcus Mariota vs. Jeff Driskel
Similar to what will playout in Tennessee, we have a potential loser leaves town situation with the quarterback competition in the Nation’s capital. Both Marcus Mariota and Jeff Driskel were highly touted coming out of college—albeit Mariota more than Driskel…
But nevertheless, both guys’ NFL careers are in many ways on life support—and with Washington expected to take a rookie QB in the draft, the competition will only get more intense and the stakes will only get higher!
7. New England Patriots – Jacoby Brissett vs. Bailey Zappe
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. For 20 years the New England Patriots were the pinnacle of stability at the quarterback position, but now—they are left with the likes of Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe competing for the starting job. Yikes.
In all likelihood, the Patriots, which, also have a new regime calling the shots now that Bill Belichick was unceremoniously discharged from the organization will add a third name to this competition through the draft, which could spell trouble for Zappe, but he will certainly have a chance to compete in camp and prove that he’s the right guy for job! Only time will tell on this one as there are still a few dominos to fall.
6. Seattle Seahawks – Sam Howell vs. Geno Smith
The Seattle Seahawks have handsomely rewarded Geno Smith for the stability he brought them following the ugly breakup with Russell Wilson, but there is only so long that those kinds of relationships can last. The reality is that Smith is 33 years old and has been a journeyman for most of his career. Don’t be shocked if Sam Howell steals the job out from under him during the offseason—or at some point once the regular season play kicks off.
5. Cleveland Browns – Deshaun Watson vs. Jameis Winston
Okay… Hear me out. Deshaun Watson is almost definitely going to be given the starting NFL quarterback job at the beginning of the season because of how much guaranteed money the Browns have already committed to him, as well as the length of his contract.
That does NOT mean that there won’t be a quarterback competition in camp though. Cleveland showed last year that it was arguably a better team without Watson—and if Jameis can resonate with the squad this offseason, the Browns could have a quick trigger in benching their embattled QB1 for Winston. After all, Jameis is no scrub. This is a former first-overall pick who had a 5000-yard passing season in the NFL. You don’t bring a guy like that into Cleveland if you don’t think there is a chance that he could get the nod.
4. Minnesota Vikings – Sam Darnold vs. Nick Mullens
With the departure of Kirk Cousins from Minnesota, an era of stability in the Vikings locker room has also come to an unceremonious end. With the acquisition of former third overall draft pick, Sam Darnold, albeit to a one-year deal—he is the presumed starter over journeyman Nick Mullens.
We have, however, seen that while error-prone, Nick Mullens can surely sling it. And he is as competitive as it gets. It should be interesting to see the result of these two duking it out in camp.
3. New York Giants – Daniel Jones vs. Drew Lock
Oh, man… How much can change in a year! Heading into the NFL 2023 season, the New York Giants—ownership, players, and fanbase included, were all riding high on the shocking sprint to the playoffs that the G-Men made behind Daniel Jones.
The result? The Giants locking Jones into a four-year, $160 million contract that looks like a horrible decision. He was terrible while healthy last season, then exited with an ACL injury.
The bright side for New York is that they can part ways with Jones at the end of this season with little repercussion because of how the deal was structured, but people still expect New York to give him a chance at earning his NFL quarterback job back this season. This offseason he is going to be going head-to-head with Drew Lock, the spunky QB that we have seen flashes from as a member of the Seahawks and the Broncos. Time will tell if it is just the two of them or if the Giants opt to take a rookie in this year’s draft as well.
2. Las Vegas Raiders – Aidan O’Connell vs Gardner Minshew
Well, I can’t say that I’m shocked the Raiders made a move on Gardner Minshew this offseason. The journeyman quarterback is a great fit for Las Vegas personality-wise and his gritty playstyle will certainly click well with new Head Coach, Antonio Pierce.
That said, it is far from a foregone conclusion that Minshew will secure the starting job, as Aidan O’Connell did resonate with the squad down the stretch of last year—and he will be gunning for QB1 responsibilities. It is also not out of the question that the Raiders bring in a rookie quarterback through the draft that turns this into a three-man showdown.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers – Justin Fields vs. Russell Wilson
Justin Fields vs. Russell Wilson is for sure the main event in terms of quarterback competitions this offseason. Both QBs that the Steelers acquired this offseason, Wilson via free agency and Fields via trade, are fighting for their respective lives—at least in regards to their lives as starting NFL quarterback.
At this point, it looks like Russell Wilson is the leader in the clubhouse. Head Coach, Mike Tomlin, has gone as far as to say publicly that he is in the pole position but added the caveat that Justin Fields will have the opportunity to compete for the starting job when the time is right.
While somewhat cryptic, my Mike Tomlin instincts say that means Fields may not have as many opportunities with the first team in camp, but that if Wilson struggles—or can’t manage to play nice with his teammates, like we saw playout in Denver, Fields will 100% have a chance to seize. And considering the athletic skillset Fields has and the raw deal he got in Chicago coupled with his competitive nature—I wouldn’t be shocked to see him snake this job right out from under Russell Wilson’s unsuspecting nose.
