It’s Thanksgiving week within the NFL and a great time to take inventory of the NFC’s quarterback outlook with a pinch of optimism. For each. Even the New York Giants.
No must beat the stuffing out of groups this week. So off we go along with grateful ideas …
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
I’m grateful that the 2025 NFL Draft is totally loaded with high quality working backs, which goes to be a place Dallas wants to handle in critical style to assist stability out the offense and assist quarterback Dak Prescott. Take a spin across the league and have a look at how a lot working backs have been making a distinction for quarterbacks this season: Derrick Henry in Baltimore, Sequon Barkley pn Philadelphia, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in Detroit, Bucky Irving in Tampa, and many others. The Cowboys haven’t scared anybody or pushed anybody round within the run recreation for the reason that 2022 season. Dallas must get again to that baseline, and there may be an array or working backs on this draft that may get that job carried out.
New York Giants
I’m grateful the Giants did two issues with the discharge of quarterback Daniel Jones. First, they meaningfully dedicated to transferring off a state of affairs that was neither working nor getting higher. Now they will concentrate on no matter veteran quarterback migration presents itself this offseason, in addition to a shallow draft class that’s going to require some very good analysis. The second factor the Giants did was free Jones as much as transfer alongside together with his profession, relatively than burying him on the bench and finishing up a egocentric charade. Jones might not have labored out because the franchise centerpiece that New York was searching for, however he dealt with issues with class and dignity. He earned the suitable to complete the 2024 season studying from another person.
Philadelphia Eagles
I’m grateful the Eagles discovered a technique to stability out their scheme with a dynamic working again in Saquon Barkley who has taken a major quantity of damage and tear (and danger) off Jalen Hurts’ physique. As indispensable as Barkley and wideout A.J. Brown are within the quick time period, Hurts stays the centerpiece that the following decade will probably be constructed round. From the second he began and had the power name his personal quantity within the run recreation, Hurts was cranking the odometer on his legs and incurring extra punishment on his physique than he or the Eagles have been letting on. Basic supervisor Howie Roseman couldn’t let that proceed, so he went and acquired Hurts the most effective working associate he may discover. Hurts will probably be round far longer than Saquon will probably be, however Barkley can have helped make that longevity doable by taking among the punishment off Hurts’ seasonal grind.
Washington Commanders
I’m grateful the Washington Commanders are going to have wherever from $104 to $130 million in cap area subsequent offseason to assist fortify the offense — and most particularly the offensive line — with some depth and expertise round quarterback Jayden Daniels. That money spent in free company will assist to stability out a set of draft picks which are backside heavy, with three of Washington’s seven 2025 picks sitting within the seventh spherical. There can even be some attention-grabbing choices within the vast receiver group, serving to the Commanders to discover a higher-end expertise to pair with Terry McLaurin. Daniels had the Commanders forward of schedule the primary half of the season, however you may really feel the depth chart wants weighing proper about now.
NFC North
Chicago Bears
Whereas I don’t need to have a good time a firing, I’m grateful the Bears made an aggressive transfer in favor of saving the rookie season of Caleb Williams, transferring on from Shane Waldron and elevating Thomas Brown to the offensive coordinator place. Brown acquired caught in a Starvation Video games state of affairs with the Carolina Panthers, with a training workers that was pitted towards itself and a roster that wasn’t superb. For the remainder of this season, he’s the most effective factor that might have occurred for Williams mentally. It has already proven as Brown has pushed Williams to get again to accessing the working a part of his talent set. He’ll engineer confidence again into Williams. Simply watch.
Detroit Lions
I’m grateful that when Sean McVay gave up on Jared Goff, the Los Angeles Rams despatched Goff to a entrance workplace and normal supervisor in Brad Holmes that constructed a monster round him. Take into account the 2024 offensive items that have been all added within the months or years after the Lions traded for Goff in March of 2021: offensive sort out Penei Sewell and offensive guard Kevin Zeitler, wideouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, working backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and tight finish Sam Laporta. That’s seven high-level performers on offense. It’s no surprise Holmes swept the Professional Soccer Writers’ Affiliation and Sporting New Government of the Yr honors in 2023.
Inexperienced Bay Packers
I’m grateful Aaron Rodgers completely needed to get himself out of Inexperienced Bay in 2023, clearing the best way for Jordan Like to lastly get his profession transferring. Wanting again, this all may have gone very, very in another way if Rodgers had merely determined that he was going to stay it out with the Packers by means of the 2023 season. If Rodgers had remained within the fold relatively than pushing for a commerce to the New York Jets, the Packers weren’t going to choose up Love’s fifth-year choice for the 2024 season, and he seemingly would have left the franchise in that spring’s free company cycle. As a substitute, Rodgers pushed his method out, Love and the Packers compromised on a two-year extension (relatively than Inexperienced Bay choosing up his fifth-year choice) and the remainder is historical past. However all it could have taken to sink the Packers on the quarterback spot was Rodgers sticking round just a bit longer.
Minnesota Vikings
I’m grateful Sam Darnold selected his backup quarterback alternative very fastidiously in March of 2023, when he was coming off a career-flattening two-year run with the Carolina Panthers. Regardless of Brock Purdy having the beginning job and needing to beat out former No. 3 general choose Trey Lance for backup duties, Darnold trusted his instincts and went to a spot that traditionally had a powerful run recreation dedication below Kyle Shanahan — to not point out a scheme that created a strong provide off open receivers and tight ends. Going to the 49ers and studying Shanahan’s offense resurrected Darnold’s profession and made this 9-2 Minnesota Vikings season doable. The franchise couldn’t have requested for a greater end result following the season-ending knee harm to rookie J.J. McCarthy, who has spent his first season studying from a man that has seen plenty of irritating conditions in his profession.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
I’m grateful Kirk Cousins and the Falcons acquired a bye week simply earlier than arguably a very powerful back-to-back of the season to kick off December — versus the Los Angeles Chargers after which on the highway in an emotional return to Minnesota for Cousins. Cousins’ final two video games for the Falcons stand as his worst two-game stretch thus far in Atlanta, and falling flat within the subsequent two may show disastrous with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers getting Mike Evans again and looking out like a unique crew in Sunday’s commanding win over the Giants. Having the bye to work with Cousins and likewise loads of time to organize for a playoff-contending Chargers crew may find yourself being important. As a result of if the following two video games go in the identical route because the final two, it’s going to get tense in Atlanta.
Carolina Panthers
I’m grateful among the September studies after Bryce Younger’s benching — which advised he may have performed his final snap for the Panthers and was headed for an offseason commerce — will very seemingly turn into flawed. These within the group who nonetheless believed in him after this season’s tough begin have been adamant that Younger simply wanted a psychological pause to reset himself and regain some confidence. Since taking again the beginning job and shedding two underwhelming vast receivers earlier than the commerce deadline, Younger has gotten higher with every passing week, culminating in probably the most encouraging performances of his profession towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs final week. Younger’s measurement is rarely going to vary, however the talent set that made him the No. 1 choose within the 2023 NFL draft continues to be there. And the Panthers’ best-case situation is popping into the suitable route and constructing round it within the offseason.
New Orleans Saints
I’m grateful Arch Manning may very well be coming within the 2026 NFL Draft class, or probably the 2027 class. The Saints really feel like a franchise that’s on the cusp of a complete rebuild inside one of many subsequent two seasons. It won’t be in 2025, on condition that Derek Carr may nonetheless be the beginning quarterback and maintain the Saints from sinking into the entire abyss. However 2026 may very well be bleak with the age of the backfield and harm historical past of among the talent place items on offense and pillars on protection. There’s a really actual chance that the Saints have have one other top-15 choose within the upcoming draft, begin bottoming out in 2025 and have prime 5 picks in each the 2026 and 2027 drafts. If that’s the case, Manning — who starred at New Orleans’ Isidore Newman Excessive College, and is the grandson of Saints royalty Archie Manning — may find yourself close to the highest at both of these drafts. And the Saints will seemingly have a quarterback want, barring Spencer Rattler blossoming.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I’m grateful Baker Mayfield’s 2023 “show it” 12 months didn’t turn into idiot’s gold and he’s lastly reaching the complete potential that made him the No. 1 general choose within the 2018 draft. Apparently, Mayfield’s first seven seasons and first 100 video games stack up fairly solidly with the primary seven seasons or first 100 video games of Drew Brees in the case of sheer manufacturing. Whereas the three-game stretch with out Mike Evans showcased how a lot he means to Tampa Bay’s offense, it additionally confirmed that Mayfield may nonetheless maintain the Buccaneers aggressive with out Evans and Chris Godwin. Sure, the Bucs had a four-game dropping streak from mid-October to mid-November. However no, they have been by no means actually an embarrassing offense in that span. Mayfield had every little thing to do with that — and the remaining schedule now appears to be like extraordinarily winnable in the case of mounting a playoff run. A 5-1 or perhaps a 4-2 end may win the NFC South.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Regardless of it not being excellent, I’m grateful that Kyler Murray is thru 11 video games of the season and nonetheless taking part in wholesome soccer for the primary time since 2020. That has been one of many huge priorities contained in the franchise, to maintain Murray wholesome as this system pragmatically learns find out how to grow to be a contender. Whereas the Seahawks loss definitely toed the road of letting issues get uncontrolled — and that offensive line has to determine find out how to reincorporate Jonah Williams — Murray stays upright. On prime of that, the Cardinals have as soon as once more discovered find out how to constantly beat unhealthy groups. Subsequent, they should discover ways to constantly beat good groups down the stretch this season. Playoffs or not, that might be a step ahead and momentum right into a 2025 season the place issues can actually flip a nook.
Los Angeles Chargers
I’m grateful Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh sticks to who he’s and protects his quarterbacks by means of funding within the offensive line and the working again room. When Harbaugh took over the Chargers and saved dropping hints that he was going to be the identical man he’s at all times been, it induced some eye-rolling just because it sounded … nicely … outdated. However right here we’re about to enter December with working backs and working video games out of the blue feeling fashionable once more. That method has helped mood the quantity of strain placed on quarterback Justin Herbert after the vast receiver depth chart was retooled with youthful gamers the final two drafts. The outcomes? Herbert is getting again to that dynamic and exiting passer and athlete that had us so inspired his first few seasons within the league. And it’s not going to cease right here, both. Prepare for Harbaugh’s subsequent old skool guidelines addition this offseason: A dynamic tight finish to assist convey all of it collectively.
San Francisco 49ers
I’m grateful the 49ers have a while to proceed figuring issues out with Brock Purdy earlier than he will get his subsequent extension. He’s already had one surgical procedure on the elbow of his throwing arm, and now he’s feeling shoulder soreness. Possibly greater than a few of Purdy’s up-and-down video games as a passer, the well being of his arm — and never totally trusting every little thing the group says about it — has me white-knuckling a little bit bit. Purdy’s subsequent contract has the likelihood to be an astronomical mistake if the well being of his arm goes south or he merely ranges off as a beginning quarterback. Actually, he wanted a clear season with the arrow constantly pointed as much as land the $60-million-per-season deal that’s going to be sought by his illustration. That has not occurred so far. However like Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys earlier than them, the 49ers have a fourth 12 months left on Purdy’s rookie deal to ensure the circumstances for an extension are ideally suited, to not point out franchise tags. Proper now, there’s cause to lean right into a continuation of the measurement.
Seattle Seahawks
I’m grateful the Seattle Seahawks have a lure door to get out of the ultimate 12 months of Geno Smith’s contract if his regression since his banner 2022 season continues. That is the second straight season Smith’s arrow has pointed a little bit additional down. His interceptions have weighed on the Sehawks 4 straight weeks, with the protection being extra chargeable for preserving collectively a 2-2 report in that span. Smith turned 34 in October and it’s truthful to surprise if there’s an upward reversal within the playing cards for him at this stage. The remainder of the season will seemingly dictate the sensation about that. But when it’s wanting like he’s what he’s … and likelier to worsen than higher in 2025, the Seahawks can get out of his cope with a modest $13.5 million in useless wage cap. On condition that Seattle can avoid wasting cash strolling away from Smith after this season — and on condition that Seattle is in tough cap form in the event that they maintain him — it’s a helpful choice on the desk.