The franchise quarterback price tag has been getting higher by the year. With the new standard set at fifty million dollars, expect to see more quarterbacks seek this number as their contract negotiations begin. Joe Burrow might be the highest paid quarterback in the NFL right now, but that won’t last.
Looking across the league, in terms of quarterback money, the San Francisco 49ers have the best situation. Brock Purdy is a young star who has proven to be an effective piece of the 49ers’ offense. Purdy was quick to put the antiquated idea of last pick irrelevancy behind him, as he stepped up and proved he has what it takes to be a franchise quarterback.
But Purdy will play on a rookie contract for two more seasons following the current campaign, providing the 49ers with an opportunity to spend elsewhere. When the time comes, the team will need to pay him, but lucking out with a young star to take the snaps on an already stacked team will make the 49ers top level contenders for the next few years.
Purdy is an example of immediate success, but the system always plays its part. Stepping into a starting role for the 49ers is much different than doing so for the Carolina Panthers. The last pick of Purdy in 2022 to the first pick of Bryce Young in 2023 came along with different expectations, and teams on different tiers. It’s too soon to make a call on Young.
The Panthers will need to build around their first overall pick and see where he can take their team. Young might be a star, but he needs more time. On the other hand, a few of Young’s fellow draftees from 2023 have already shined. The days ahead are sunny for some of the NFL’s youngest quarterbacks, while an overcast hangs over others.
WILL BE A STAR: DESMOND RIDDER
The Atlanta Falcons are the most overlooked team in the NFL. A quiet division contender who could find themselves with a home field advantage playoff game. This is due in large part to the play of Desmon Ridder. A quick quarterback with a lot of potential.
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Ridder makes mistakes, like slowing up at the goal line against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and having the ball popped out of the end zone, leading to a touchback. But all things considered, Ridder showed the strength of his legs.
He won’t be in the same conversation as Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, but he will be good. With Bijan Robison in the backfield and Drake London running routes, the youth is strong for the Falcons, and Ridder could turn into their next franchise star.
MIGHT BE A BUST: MAC JONES
Mac Jones has his moments. At times, he looks like a star in the making for the New England Patriots, but then, he gets benched. There’s a Tom Brady hole on the Patriots’ roster that will never be filled, so Jones wasn’t expected to be the next once in a generation quarterback.
But he was expected to work within the system. And while he has seen the playoffs with the Patriots, their current team is not trending in the right direction. There’s a bottom line with quarterbacks: their team needs to be winning games.
Jones, a first-round pick, is up for a contract extension after this season, but it’s unclear if the Patriots believe in him enough to make a large offer. Jones has had a number of big games, and a Pro Bowl appearance, but he tiptoes the line between starter and backup.
WILL BE A STAR: ANTHONY RICHARDSON
This season is over for Anthony Richardson, but his future is bright. The Indianapolis Colts made the right choice for their franchise on draft night. Richardson’s size and mobility will make him a threat on many levels. It was a shame to see his promising rookie year end early.
But regardless of how the Colts finish this season, Richardson will be back in the starting role for 2024. The team has been searching for their next start quarterback, and Richardson will be him. In April, it will be interesting to see how the Colts draft around their future star.
On the plus side for Richardson, signing Jonathan Taylor to a contract extension provides him with a premier back for the length of his rookie deal. Richardson and Taylor will be an exciting combination for the Colts next season.
MIGHT BE A BUST: ZACH WILSON
With the addition of a future first ballot Hall of Fame quarterback, Zach Wilson was already relegated to a backup role for the New York Jets. But when Aaron Rodgers’ season ended on opening night, Wilson was the sudden starter once again.
There were high hopes for the Jets. Rodgers was supposed to get them over the hump, and he might have. But that will have to wait until next season. This year, Wilson must run the Jets’ offense the best he can, which at times, has been good.
Wilson took it the Kansas City Chiefs in prime time this season before the defending Super Bowl champions squeaked out a win. But consistency has been a problem for Wilson, and coming into the league as a second-overall pick comes along with certain expectations.
WILL BE A STAR: C.J. STROUD
The Houston Texans made their share of moves during the 2023 draft, but their most notable selection came second overall. There was a lot of debate heading into the draft. Much discussion about who should be the number one pick.
In the end, C.J. Stroud came in at number two, but he hasn’t played like anyone’s second choice. Stroud is on track to be a star. It’s early in the process, but he has showed so much potential already that it’s hard to see this pick not working out for the Texans.
Stroud set a new NFL record for consecutive passes without an interception to start a career, which is nowhere near easy. Rookies tend to throw picks, but Stroud has showed the poise of an experienced quarterback and should be a star for years to come.
MIGHT BE A BUST: MALIK WILLIS
Last season, in the absence of Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis was given a chance to show the NFL that he should have been a higher draft choice. Expected to go sooner, Willis had his name called by the Tennessee Titans in the third round.
Willis took over a struggling receiving system and didn’t have much to work with, but his own struggles were evident on the field. Third round quarterbacks are not tagged as the future. They’re often a work in progress.
So, it’s not fair to label Willis as anything without giving him another chance. A new look offense might change his trajectory, but as of now, in terms of being a starting quarterback, Willis has a lot of work to do.
WILL BE A STAR: JORDAN LOVE
After sitting behind Aaron Rodgers for three seasons, Jordan Love has been named the new starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers. It’s a fresh start for the team, but one that will come with hiccups, as replacing Rodgers will not be easy.
Love has flashed signs of stardom, and he has struggled. But those struggles are bound to happen, so Love should be afforded some time. In the offseason, the team will need to place a few more pieces around him to help the process along.
For the Packers, their quarterback lineage runs deep, and Love is expected to uphold those standards, which is possible. Considering everything he absorbed from one of the best to ever play the game, Love has a chance to become a star.
MIGHT BE A BUST: DREW LOCK
Geno Smith worked his way into a starting role for the Seattle Seahawks. When the journeyman was signed to a big contract, Drew Lock’s role was made clear: backup quarterback. Smith has proved to be the better option of the two.
But Lock was a starter before, and he’s itching to be one again. His time with the Denver Broncos came to an end when the blockbuster Russell Wilson trade took place, and once with the Seahawks, Lock began competing for their starting job.
Maturity has been an issue in the past for Lock, but he finds himself in system that could help improve his overall approach to the game. It’s a matter of time now. But if Lock finds a new home as a starting quarterback, he will have a lot to prove.
WILL BE A STAR: TREY LANCE
The Dallas Cowboys are Dak Prescott’s team, and that’s not going to change. Prescott is the franchise quarterback and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. While the addition of Lance was unexpected, it wasn’t surprising. Lance now sits behind Prescott and Cooper Rush.
Lance wasn’t ready for the NFL when the San Francisco 49ers drafted him, but learning from the league’s most scrutinized quarterback will go a long way in his development. Lance will learn all about pressure and how to deal with the attention.
The time Lance spends with the Cowboys will be beneficial to both sides. Lance adds an element to practice and will help the Cowboys prepare for teams with running quarterbacks. And when someone comes calling for Lance, he will be more prepared and ready to produce.
MIGHT BE A BUST: BAKER MAYFIELD
enough to be experienced. A former first overall draft pick, Mayfield has been on the fence since he entered the league.
The Cleveland Browns drafted Mayfield expecting him to better their franchise and take them on a run. When it didn’t work out, Mayfield was on the move. Having played for the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams, Mayfield is now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But the Buccaneers just said goodbye to a legend, so Mayfield came in with pressure on him. The next guy after Tom Brady won’t be the next Tom Brady, but Mayfield has to make something happen. His time with the Buccaneers will determine the way reporters settle on his status.
