When the 2023 NFL season starts, at least four quarterbacks taken in the 2022 NFL will be in their team’s starting lineup. But with a loaded 2024 NFL draft class, some of these players might be eyeing their last, best shot to stick in the starting lineup.
The one starter who appears to be safe regardless is Pittsburgh Steelers Kenny Pickett. After being named the starter early in 2022, Pickett has the full confidence of the team and a strong cast of skill-position players around him.
But of the other starters, there is much more uncertainty. The Washington Commanders are starting Sam Howell, the Atlanta Falcons have Desmond Ridder and the San Francisco 49ers have Brock Purdy.
With guys like USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and Quinn Ewers would all be upgrades over Ridder, Howell and even Purdy. Unfortunately, the window for quarterbacks to play well is very small and shrinks even more when you are a mid or late-round quarterback starting in a season ahead of a very strong draft class.
