The NFL QB landscape continues to shift with each passing week. While it is generally considered the most valuable position in football, and for good reason, quarterback is something of a double-edged sword. Great QB play absolves roster-building flaws; poor QB play magnifies them.
We have been treated to plenty of quality QB play in Week 5, but in keeping with tradition, a few stinkers warrant criticism — and potentially an introduction to the bench.
It's still very early in the season, as we aren't even one-third of the way through the schedule. There's more than enough time for narratives to change and for once-discredited players to emerge. That said... there's not much time left, and these QBs could use a dose of hard, cold reality.
3. Bryce Young, Panthers
The Carolina Panthers were obliterated on the road in Detroit, with No. 1 pick Bryce Young turning in another uneven performance under center. He completed 25-of-41 passes for 257 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
It's impossible to blame Young for the entirety of the Panthers' offensive struggles — the line is a problem and he has the weakest collection of playmakers in the NFC — but still, there are red flags that have to be concerning to the Carolina faithful.
Much was made of Young's limited physical tools before the draft. He's supposed to make up that ground with football I.Q. and sheer competitive spirit, but he's making more rookie mistakes than the "more volatile" No. 2 pick, C.J. Stroud, and he's struggling to operate under duress. Young doesn't have elite arm strength and the intangibles haven't quite translated to the NFL.
That doesn't mean the intangibles won't translate eventually, and it's way too early for the Panthers to panic. Even if Stroud appears to have the bolder career arc at the moment, there's time for Young to catch up or at least develop into a quality starter in his own right. His performance Sunday wasn't all bad, and the counting stats look half-decent due to some garbage time fourth-quarter dimes. That said, Carolina has been the pound-for-pound worst NFL team to date.
It's not unreasonable to think, for a moment, that Andy Dalton might be the better option in Carolina. The Panthers have already lost control of the season at 0-5, so there's little reason for a win-now mentality, but Young should feel a bit of pressure.
2. Daniel Jones, Giants
Surprise, surprise! The New York Giants lost to the high-flying Miami Dolphins in the week's most predictable outcome. The final score was 31-16. New York put up a decent fight at points, but the offense ultimately crumbled. Daniel Jones is starting to become a weekly fixture on this column, which isn't ideal considering the four-year, $160 million contract he just signed.
Jones completed 14-of-20 passes for 119 yards on Sunday. He exited the game early in the fourth quarter after taking his sixth sack of the afternoon. He suffered what appeared to be a neck injury, with severe whiplash on a hit from behind.
That is unfortunate and the Giants will have to tread carefully with Jones' health. That is the top priority before we dive back into football.
Still, the performance before the injury was simply not up to par — a recurring trend for Jones this season. He has the misfortune of playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in football, which can be directly correlated to his injury (as well as many mistakes), but his errant decision-making continues to plague the Giants. It's not an offensive line problem or a QB problem. It's both.
New York has little choice but to ride it out with Jones given their financial commitment, but the team is now 1-4 after last season's impressive wild card push. Tyrod Taylor will step in for however long Jones is out and he's a proven NFL commodity with years of starting experience. Maybe if he gets the chance to string together a couple of solid outings, Jones starts to feel the heat.
1. Mac Jones, Patriots
Another weekly candidate for this column, Mac Jones was benched midgame for the second time in as many weeks. Bill Belichick spent the entire preseason undermining confidence in Jones as the franchise's QB, and now we understand why. The dude does not have it, and the New England Patriots' offense will continue to struggle for as long as Jones operates at his current level.
Jones is another player who was sold as the "intangibles" QB before the draft, a player blessed with the football savvy and bright-lights poise to overcome limited physical tools. Unfortunately, you need to have a certain level of zip to your passes to survive in the NFL, and Jones simply doesn't have the arm strength. He's not exactly playing safe football either; he completed 12-of-22 passes for 110 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions before Bailey Zappe took over in a 34-0 loss to the Saints.
New Orleans has a quality defense and there is credit to go around, but it's hard to go scoreless in the NFL. These are professional athletes with 60 minutes to string together at least one scoring drive. Jones couldn't get the job done. He's another victim of a shoddy O-line and a relatively weak supporting cast, but it's clear a bulk of the issues start with Jones.
At this point, there is no good reason for Jones to take the field in Week 6. Not as the starter at least. Belichick circled Zappe as a potential replacement throughout training camp and the second-year QB out of Western Kentucky has now supplanted Jones two games in a row. It's clear the Patriots have lost all confidence in Jones, and frankly, so has everyone else. It can't get much worse. It's time to let Zappe have the run of things for a game; at least see if he can give you something more.
