With 2022 NFL training camp right around the corner, many teams are looking to solidify a starting quarterback. Here are four enticing quarterback battles to keep an eye on during training camp.
Atlanta Falcons: Marcus Mariota vs. Desmond Ridder
Atlanta is in what feels like no mans land. Matt Ryan still has some good football left in him, but having him as a starter felt stale. Over free agency, the Falcons signed Marcus Mariota to a 2 year, 18.75 million dollar deal; they then drafted Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder in the third round. Let the competition ensue.
Mariota has the upper hand in many facets of this competition. He is more experienced having played seven NFL seasons and has started two playoff games. Mariota has thrown for over 3,200 yards in two career seasons and is a far better improviser than Ridder. From 2015-2018, the Oregon alum rushed for over 250 yards each season and got a lot of work as the Raiders wildcat quarterback last season, rushing for 87 yards and 1 touchdown on 13 carries.
Where Ridder has the upper hand is that he’s young and saw success as a four year starter at Cincinnati. He led the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff this past season while throwing 3,343 yards and 30 touchdowns.
I think that Mariota will “win” the starting job and hold the reigns for the first few games of the season, but Ridder will eventually slide in to the starting role if Atlanta doesn’t see much success. I love Mariota and it’d be sweet to watch him start again, but it’s not crazy to say that he’s past his prime.
Seattle Seahawks: Geno Smith vs. Drew Lock
When news broke about this being a real quarterback battle, I was shocked yet also concerned about the future of Seattle. Not only is it a competition, but it’s being reported that the 9 year vet Smith has the “early edge” over Lock.
With that news breaking, I’ve got a lot running through my mind other than the fact that Seattle is boned for the 2022 season. I really believed that Lock was a lock (poor pun intended) to start for Seattle, even though he’s a bottom ten quarterback in the NFL. The past three seasons, Lock has played in 19 more games than Smith, but hasn’t been very productive; he’s thrown for 4,740 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions.
Smith hasn’t started more than 10 games in a season since 2014, and from 2015 to now has only played in 15 games. This is a competition of mediocrity and Seahawks fans have to be on the verge of snapping. Overall, I don’t know who is going to start. Even though it’s reported that Smith has an edge, my gut is telling me Drew Lock will win this job.
New Orleans Saints: Jameis Winston vs. Andy Dalton
While the previous two are legitimate battles, this job feels like one guy’s spot to lose. Jameis Winston is coming off of a 2021 season where he tore his ACL and damaged his MCL, but the Saints clearly have faith in him as they gave him a 2 year, 28 million dollar extension… But they did want some insurance so New Orleans went out and signed Andy Dalton to a 1 year, 10 million dollar deal.
When you look at the two quarterbacks success over the last three seasons, it’s close success wise, but I think Winston has the upper hand in the talent department. From 2019 to 2021, Winston has thrown for 6,354 yards and 47 touchdowns through 27 games; the Red Riffle has 7,179 yards and 38 touchdowns in 32 games. I think Winston wins this battle outright and barring any injuries, Winston will be the Saints starter the whole year.
Pittsburgh Steelers, Mitch Trubisky vs Kenny Pickett
I’d have to say of all quarterback battles, this ones the most intriguing. Since 2004, Pittsburgh has been under the Ben Roethlisberger safety net. Now they are forced to move on with a new QB at the helm. This offseason they made two moves in the direction of filling their quarterback vacancy; they signed Mitch Trubisky to a 2 year, 14.2 million dollar deal and drafted Kenny Pickett in round one.
Trubisky has been subpar (to put it lightly) since entering the league. In 57 games, he’s thrown for 10,652 yards, 64 touchdowns, and 38 interceptions; the past two seasons though he served primarily as the Bears and Bills backup.
If Coach Tomlin wants a guy who has some experience in the league then he should start Trubisky. If he wants to spark his offense and give it some flare then he should go with the rookie Pickett. Pickett was a Heisman finalist last season at Pitt after throwing for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns while rushing for 233 yards and 5 scores; the kid is a playmaker. With the weapons he has around him in the Steel City, Pickett has the potential to be successful early on.
My prediction is similar to that of Atlanta’s scenario; the Steelers will start Trubisky who’ll inevitably fail and then give the car keys to Pickett. At this point the playoffs will be out of reach, but it’ll be a good stepping stone for Pickett.
