NFL quarterbacks have perhaps the hardest job in sports, as only about 15-20 human beings on the planet are capable of playing the position at a high level. It is also the most important position in the game by a wide margin, so players only have a short window of opportunity to prove themselves as capable franchise quarterbacks. These five players will enter the 2024 season as the starter for their respective franchises, but this could be their last year on the job if they don’t show some dramatic improvement in the upcoming season.
5 NFL Quarterbacks With the Most to Prove In 2024
5. Bryce Young
You don’t often see teams give up on the first-overall pick after just one season. However, Bryce Young had a disastrous rookie season, and if he can’t improve in Year 2, then he’s probably a lost cause. The 2023 Carolina Panthers had no playmakers, and no young quarterback could’ve survived in that wretched environment. That being said, Young was historically inefficient, and it’s hard to put all of the blame on the coaching and supporting cast. Carolina added a quarterback-friendly coach in Dave Canales, fortified the offensive line, and brought in Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette to improve the passing game. If Young still can’t improve, then he could go the way of Josh Rosen and be one of the many NFL quarterbacks relegated to backup work.
4. Derek Carr
Last year, the New Orleans Saints signed Derek Carr believing they were a quarterback away from making a playoff run. After 0ne season, the team might’ve been better off sticking with Andy Dalton and his cost-controlled contract. Carr was a borderline top-20 passer last year, and head coach Dennis Allen will not survive if New Orleans misses the playoffs in 2024. If Allen goes, Carr likely goes with him, as no coach will want to take over a team with the former Raider under center.
3. Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins just signed a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million in guaranteed money. Normally, a deal like this would mean multiple years of job security, but then the Falcons used a top-10 pick on a quarterback entering his age-24 season. Only one of these quarterbacks can start for the Falcons, and Atlanta could trade Cousins if the NFL veteran struggles to return from his Achilles injury. The former Viking and Redskin will start somewhere next year, but it might not be with the Falcons.
2. Deshaun Watson
The Cleveland Browns have no choice but to roster Deshaun Watson for the next three seasons. However, they don’t have to start him. The former Texan has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the league since joining the Browns, routinely getting outplayed by guys like Jacoby Brissett and Joe Flacco. The Browns have a championship-caliber roster and last year proved that mediocre quarterback play is enough to get this team into the playoffs. If Watson can’t accomplish that in 2024, then perhaps Cleveland can bring in some cheap NFL quarterbacks to add some competition.
1. Daniel Jones
If the New York Giants had their way, Daniel Jones would no longer be a part of the team. However, the team couldn’t trade up to select Drake Maye, so they’re stuck with him and his bloated contract for one more season. Jones isn’t a franchise quarterback, but he can play well enough to keep this team from earning a top-five pick. Seeing as the 2025 NFL Draft class is supposedly weak at quarterback, so if Jones can keep them from the top of the class, he could earn another shot in 2025.
Main Photo: Bob Donnan – USA Today Sports
