Answering large questions on NFL quarterbacks: How are 10 signal-callers taking care of 4 weeks?

We have witnessed a tumultuous first month of the 2024 NFL season underneath middle. Quarterback play has been up and down, as evidenced by the league’s 202.8 passing yards per game up to now — the bottom common by 4 weeks in additional than 20 years.

Josh Allen leads the league in QBR (82.3) by 4 begins, adopted by Sam Darnold (73.5). Jordan Love returned this previous weekend after an MCL injury within the season opener, whereas Tua Tagovailoa is on the IR after his third concussion as an NFL participant. Andy Dalton changed a struggling Bryce Young in Carolina, and rookie Jayden Daniels is off to a historic start. So yeah, we have seen all of it.

We determined to examine in on 10 signal-callers after Week 4, and our NFL Nation reporters answered large questions on key conditions on the sport’s most vital place. Let’s begin with Allen’s early success alongside a brand new receiving core. (The ten questions are listed alphabetically by workforce.)

Soar to a workforce:
BUF | CLE | JAX | MIN | NE
NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | WSH

What’s the important takeaway from Josh Allen’s sizzling begin with a much-different supporting forged?

Allen remains to be Allen, irrespective of his targets. Even with the questions surrounding the Payments’ virtually utterly new large receiver room, Allen remains to be exhibiting he is likely one of the greatest NFL quarterbacks. Sunday’s sport against the Ravens was a downturn for an offense that scored 35-plus factors within the first three video games, however the bigger physique of labor is exhibiting Allen has tailored effectively to new targets.

He has performed at an MVP degree, limiting the turnovers general with zero interceptions. It is the primary time he has gone the primary 4 video games with no decide, and it is tied for his second-longest streak at any level in a season over his profession. Whereas there is not a transparent No. 1 receiver like Stefon Diggs was final season, Allen is exhibiting robust connections with Khalil Shakir and tight finish Dalton Kincaid. Rookie Keon Coleman has additionally made a few spectacular grabs. — Alaina Getzenberg, Payments reporter

What’s the Browns teaching workers’s degree of concern about Deshaun Watson’s struggles?

Watson has posted the bottom QBR of all certified passers (23.7) and is averaging 4.9 yards per try by 4 video games. However the teaching workers believes there have been shiny moments to construct on. Against the Raiders, he threw a go-ahead landing that was worn out by a holding penalty, and receiver Amari Cooper dropped one other dime that led to an interception.

Coach Kevin Stefanski has acknowledged Watson could be higher, however he has mentioned the identical about his supporting forged, which has been stricken by drops and leaky safety. — Daniel Oyefusi, Browns reporter

How are the Jaguars addressing Trevor Lawrence’s early struggles as they attempt to get their first win of the season?

They’re making an attempt to get him right into a rhythm to get him rolling. Jacksonville known as some quick, fast throws against Houston, together with play-action on the objective line for a landing. However Lawrence’s largest difficulty is that he is lacking regular throws that ought to be straightforward for NFL quarterbacks — like overthrowing Christian Kirk on a submit route that will’ve been a positive landing and airmailing a go to Brian Thomas Jr. that was intercepted.

It is a mixture of going through a variety of strain (32.6% of his dropbacks) and — as coach Doug Pederson put it — getting too amped up on some performs. Navigating these two points will assist get Lawrence on monitor. And Pederson believes that after Lawrence has a run of success, he’ll seem like the quarterback he was within the first half of 2023, earlier than the accidents piled up. — Michael DiRocco, Jaguars reporter

What’s most shocking about Sam Darnold’s sizzling begin?

Darnold has performed solely 5 snaps — and thrown simply two passes — when the Vikings are trailing. And all 5 snaps got here within the first quarter of Week 1.

We already knew that Darnold landed in a quarterback-friendly spot, from teaching to personnel to scheme. However the Vikings rank second within the NFL with 38 first-quarter factors, they usually have been so good general that Darnold hasn’t been overloaded with demanding conditions.

Darnold has, in fact, made some high-leverage throws and led vital scoring drives late in video games. Third-down passes to receivers Jalen Nailor in Week 2 and Justin Jefferson in Week 4 stand out particularly. However there isn’t any substituting the benefit of taking part in from forward due to the pliability it lends to playcalling and the stress it places on opposing defenses. It’s one more help Darnold has gotten from his new atmosphere. — Kevin Seifert, Vikings reporter

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Have the Vikings handed the Lions as greatest workforce within the NFC North?

Jeff Saturday and Domonique Foxworth break down the NFC North with the Vikings at 4-0 and the Lions at 3-1.

When may we see Drake Maye get his first begin?

Veteran Jacoby Brissett has taken 40 quarterback hits, so Maye might begin as quickly as Week 6 if this tempo continues. It is exhausting to think about Brissett making it by the season this fashion. As coach Jerod Mayo mentioned Sunday: “He’s taking some enormous photographs and continues to get again up. Typically you are like, ‘Man, is he OK?'”

If Brissett does hold getting again up, the eventual passing of the torch to Maye would rely on these components: how Brissett is taking part in, Maye’s continued progress behind the scenes and if the Patriots can assist the rookie with higher offensive line play and constant separation from receivers. For now, it is sensible to view issues by this week-to-week snapshot. Mayo additionally acknowledged Monday that Brissett remains QB1. — Mike Reiss, Patriots reporter

What’s the largest factor that Daniel Jones can do to show he is the Giants’ man past this yr?

Win video games and put up large numbers. It is that straightforward. Jones must be one of many league’s greatest quarterbacks over the ultimate 13 video games to be the Giants’ starter past this season. At present, he is in the course of the pack in QBR (55.7) and ranked twenty fifth in completion proportion (63.2%).

The workforce already appeared to interchange him this previous offseason. It appears virtually sure the Giants will do the identical once more in subsequent yr’s draft, until Jones proves he is a Tremendous Bowl-caliber quarterback. “That is the yr for Daniel,” basic supervisor Joe Schoen mentioned this summer season on “Arduous Knocks.” “Plan all alongside was give him a pair years. Is he our man for the subsequent 10 years? Or do we have to pivot and discover someone else?”

Jones must take his sport to an unexpected degree for New York to not discover someone else. — Jordan Raanan, Giants reporter

Was it formidable to anticipate Aaron Rodgers to already be in high type?

Sure, it was unrealistic to anticipate classic Rodgers on a week-to-week foundation within the first month of the season. He is a 40-year-old quarterback coming off Achilles surgery. Did you assume he’d be 2021 Rodgers out of the gate?

Rodgers has ranked nineteenth in Whole QBR (50.1). He flashed his MVP type in a Week 3 win over the Patriots, highlighted by his skill to increase performs, however he appeared his age towards the blitz-heavy Broncos in Week 4. It is perhaps a sneak preview of what is to come back: dazzling one week, pedestrian the subsequent week. Such is life at 40. — Wealthy Cimini, Jets reporter

What can the Eagles do to mitigate Jalen Hurts’ turnover points?

Hurts threw only one interception throughout coaching camp this summer season whereas he was largely taking part in what he calls “level guard” — getting the ball out of his fingers rapidly with quick rhythm throws to his playmakers. It has been a special story by 4 video games, as Hurts’ common time earlier than throws of three.1 seconds ranks thirty second amongst all quarterbacks. He has 5 fumbles (three misplaced) and 4 interceptions over 4 video games.

The one fixed on this offense has been working again Saquon Barkley, who ranks third in speeding yards (435) and is averaging 6.0 yards per carry. Leaning into the bottom sport and placing Hurts in additional favorable second- and third-down conditions will assist hold the turnovers to a minimal. — Tim McManus, Eagles reporter

What is the newest on the Steelers’ QB1 state of affairs going ahead? Is that this formally Justin Fields‘ job?

Coach Mike Tomlin isn’t touching the depth chart till Russell Wilson is wholesome sufficient to play — so Fields will not be something apart from an interim starter till then. Fields does not thoughts being QB2; as he mentioned, “A list on a pc display? Nah, I am good.”

Since aggravating his coaching camp calf injury on Sept. 5, Wilson has been restricted in follow and inactive for each sport. To get again on the sphere, he’ll should be a full participant in follow and present Tomlin that he is able to being productive whereas additionally defending himself.

Fields has improved with every sport regardless of slow starts and recurring miscues on the snap trade with middle Zach Frazier. He has turned the ball over simply as soon as, and against the Colts, he grew to become the primary participant in Steelers historical past with 300 passing yards, 50 speeding yards and two speeding touchdowns in a sport, per ESPN Analysis. — Brooke Pryor, Steelers reporter

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Is Justin Fields a beginning fantasy QB?

Discipline Yates and Liz Loza study Justin Fields’ fantasy inventory forward of a matchup vs. the Cowboys.

What three phrases greatest describe Jayden Daniels’ rookie marketing campaign up to now?

Poise, accuracy, humility.

It has gotten to the purpose that coach Dan Quinn wants a Thesaurus to discover a phrase in addition to “poise” to explain Daniels’ pocket presence. One instance: Daniels did not flinch underneath duress against the Bengals, delivering a 27-yard dime to Terry McLaurin whereas being hit. He has accomplished 82.1% of his passes, however the accuracy reveals much more in his skill to guide gamers into extra yards after the catch. The poise and accuracy additionally clarify having one turnover.

And the humility comes out when, two days after the Cincinnati win, he referred to it as “simply one other sport” and that he was solely right here to do his 1/eleventh half on offense. It is why teammates gravitate to him. — John Keim, Commanders reporter