Most football analysts and pundits deem the quarterback position as the most important in the game. Being the position that boasts the larger paychecks, expectations for success increase exponentially. Some passers live up to those expectations while others seem to falter. Out of all the 32 starting signal callers in the league, these three starters stand alone with little to no excuse for not thriving in 2015.
Three Quarterbacks who have no excuses this year
Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford has made the playoffs twice in his career so far, but has yet to win a playoff game. With weapons all over the field this year for Stafford–which include wide receivers Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, newly-signed Lance Moore and up-and-coming tight end Eric Ebron–this is his year to not only make the playoffs, but to make the Detroit Lions a serious threat. The team also addressed help for Stafford by getting offensive linemen as well. Not only did they draft one in the first round, but they also acquired one in the offseason in former Denver Broncos guard Manny Ramirez to help bolster the line and give Stafford protection. The Lions are paying him a lot of money, so if he doesn’t show that he is worth every dollar, then expect Stafford to become trade bait.
Geno Smith
Geno Smith has had a roller coaster of a career so far. He has had his moments where he looks like he can be a decent quarterback in the league, and he has had his moments where he looks lost and can’t seem to figure out the pace of the game. This year though, he has no reason not to be productive with the weapons the Jets have gathered in the past two years. In March, the team acquired Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall to compliment Eric Decker and drafted Devin Smith from Ohio State to help the slot position for the team. If Geno Smith struggles early this season, then expect head coach Todd Bowles to make a quarterback change to Ryan Fitzpatrick because with that receiving core, I don’t see how you can struggle. Now, the Jets may not make the playoffs this year, but with the new pieces they have on offense, they should at worst go 7-9.
Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers has already established himself as a top quarterback in the league, but he is playing in a contract year and has everything to prove to not only the San Diego Chargers, but his career. The Chargers have surrounded Rivers with weapons this offseason by picking up free agent receivers Jacoby Jones and Stevie Johnson to go along with Keenan Allen, Malcom Floyd and tight end Antonio Gates. I personally expect Rivers to put up MVP-like numbers this year because he always makes the most of what is around him, and now with formidable targets for him to throw to, he has all the potential to have a great year. Even though San Diego is in a tough division that features the Denver Broncos, the Kansas City Chiefs and the improving Oakland Raiders, the Chargers have every piece to be able to get a wild card spot playoff spot and possibly make a surprising run.
Overall, these three quarterbacks have a lot of pressure on them going into this season, and with the receiving cores these three guys have, they have no reason as to why they shouldn’t have solid years. If they do, expect them to have great numbers, but if they struggle, expect changes real quickly.
