The best quarterbacks in the NFL are recognized as Pro Bowlers, All-Pros, and sometimes even as the MVP. The worst quarterbacks are often replaced and forgotten about. However, the middle tier of quarterbacks–ones like Derek Carr and Drew Lock–reside in quarterback purgatory. They are not good enough to consistently make Pro Bowls (though some still do sometimes, and even better) but they are not bad enough to get replaced.
They exist on a hamster wheel of irrelevance. Sure, some hamster wheels are fancy, but it is still a hamster wheel.
Quarterback Purgatory: Golden Hamster Wheels, Including Drew Lock
There are two basic purgatories for quarterbacks. Some quarterbacks are reliably betrayed by their organizations: broken hamster wheels. Other quarterbacks could be given Hall of Famers everywhere and still be mediocre: golden hamster wheels.
This article will feature golden hamster wheels. Check out the broken hamster wheel article here.
Golden Hamster Wheels:
Philip Rivers – Indianapolis Colts
For much of his career, Rivers has been surrounded with high-quality talent. There is a laundry list of offensive Pro Bowlers that either took handoffs or caught passes from Rivers. However, Rivers has not been to the AFC Title Game since 2007.
While the Chargers are teetering on the brink of being cursed (especially their special teams), Rivers has never been able to capitalize on great talent around him. The 2020 Colts have a terrific offensive line, a great coach, and weapons all over the field. However, the likely result is yet another playoff disappointment.
Drew Lock – Denver Broncos
Jerry Jeudy and Noah Fant have limitless potential, and it seems that Lock’s goal is to discourage them from being better at football. When targeted, Jeudy produces one of the lowest passer ratings in the NFL. Denver has game-breaking potential at pass-catcher, and Lock is undermining potential success with untimely interceptions.
While he is only in Year 2, it has been an ugly sophomore season for the former Missouri Tiger. He will need to improve rapidly to not waste the incredible talent of Jeudy and Fant. Even secondary weapons like KJ Hamler are highly-regarded.
Yes, Drew Lock is without his best target, Courtland Sutton, but he is still sacrificing Jeudy and Fant.
Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons
While Ryan does have an MVP in his trophy case, he benefited massively from Kyle Shanahan and Julio Jones. In 2020, Ryan has one of the deepest receiving corps in the NFL, and the passing offense is far from elite.
Ryan has never had the most talented arm, but it is becoming a problem as he inches closer to 40 years old. Russell Gage probably has the two best throws by a Falcon all season, and he plays wide receiver.
At this point of his career, Ryan is descending so low in this section of quarterback purgatory that he is on the verge of being a bad quarterback. It is quite a fall from grace from the former All-Pro signal-caller.
Jimmy Garoppolo/Nick Mullens – San Francisco 49ers
Speaking of Shanahan, Garoppolo (and current starter Mullens) are extensions of Shanahan. Garoppolo and Mullens have no elite characteristics as passers, and their stats are inflated in the system. While George Kittle has missed much of 2020, his impact dictated the statistical profile of whoever starts for the San Francisco 49ers.
Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are monsters after the catch, and they boost the stats of San Francisco’s quarterbacks. In 2019, 54.3 percent of Garoppolo’s yards came after the catch. In 2020, the figure ballooned to 65.1 percent. Without an elite play caller like Shanahan, Garoppolo would likely be a bottom 10 starter in the NFL.
Mullens creates more of his yards in the air, but he is still boosted with over 53 percent of his yards coming off the catch heading into Week 15.
The best example of this receiver-centered offense is Samuel’s negative air yards on his catches. Even after 33 catches, Samuel has -7 yards on his catches and 398 yards after the catch. That is hardly an endorsement of Mullens and Garoppolo’s skills at quarterback.
Jared Goff – Los Angeles Rams
Goff and head coach Sean McVay are linked. McVay lives vicariously through Goff. Goff, while possessing good arm talent, quickly becomes Jared Goof when the Rams offense goes off schedule. If there is any hiccup within the Los Angeles scheme, Goff often fails to execute.
In his four years as the primary starter of the Rams, Goff’s best years came alongside stars such as Todd Gurley, Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Brandin Cooks. The star players around Goff elevated him to being a multi-time Pro Bowler.
Goff is the only aspect of the Rams that keeps them from being the favorite in the NFC.
Stats are accurate as of Dec. 19, 2020.
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