The spring months in the NFL offseason are typically filled with mock drafts and unavoidable hot takes from experts, commentators, and former players.
Former NFL QB Carson Palmer is the latest to receive criticism for a hot take put out into the airwaves. The retired QB played 15 seasons in the NFL, with the first seven as the quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals. Palmer earned three Pro Bowl selections during his career, spending time with the Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals after Cincinnati.
Palmer recently sat down with his brother, former NFL QB Jordan Palmer, on “The QB Room” podcast to give his opinion on the evolution of the quarterback position. He specifically offered up some thoughts about Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes.
“I think Joe is the best quarterback in the league,” said Palmer. “I know Patrick (Mahomes) is phenomenal, but I just think Joe’s more consistent. He’s more consistent. He’s more accountable to run the system and the play that’s called and not feel like, ‘Well, he didn’t win last time and get open for me, so I’m gonna do it with my feet,’ and then before you know it, you’re sacked for a four-yard loss because you tried to make two or three guys miss. Joe is just. talk about not having a weakness. (He’s) mentally strong, physically tough, accurate, can throw it far enough, fast enough. (He) gets the ball out quick, and then he can actually do a lot with his legs.”
There’s no bother comparing resumes here because Mahomes has Burrow beat. The analytics community has taken exception to Palmer’s comments. They’ve specifically pointed out that the comments about playing within the system and taking unnecessary sacks simply don’t hold water.
NFL avg time to throw is 2.66 seconds
on quick throws 2.3 sec or less where the QB is clearly executing the play & not "doing it with his feet"
in 2022:
Mahomes: +0.30 EPA/att (#2)
Burrow: +0.12 EPA/att (#17)in 2021:
Mahomes: +0.29 EPA/att (#3)
Burrow: +0.17 EPA/att (#10) https://t.co/nkJp1sKtun— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 10, 2023
Carson Palmer commenting on Mahomes taking sacks and putting his team in bad position is great.
Pressure to Sack % for both QBs since 2020 (min. 100 pressures faced)
Mahomes — 10.4% (1st)
Burrow — 23.7% (50th)
Carry on.
— Zachary Krueger (@ZK_FFB) April 10, 2023
It’s fine if Palmer likes the way Burrow plays over Mahomes, but there was probably a better way to present his case.
