AFC East
New England Patriots: C+
If you live in the Boston sports market like myself, you’d think that the sky was falling. The way in which dipshit reporters like Tom E. Curran and Ben Volin talk about Mac Jones makes it sound like JaMarcus Russell is quarterbacking the Patriots. Mac Jones is a fine, young quarterback who just needs to take the next step. I think that’s possible with who the Patriots added this offseason in JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki. And if Mac Jones does flop a few games in, New England has one of the best backups in the NFL with Bailey Zappe.
New York Jets: A-
Jets fans are partying like it’s 1969. They have an established franchise quarterback who has been to Super Bowls and even won one. With a young core of wideouts and offensive linemen, the missing piece for them was a quarterback like Rodgers. Now, I hate the Jets, but getting a bonafide baller in Rodgers makes them an immediate contender.
Buffalo Bills: A
As long as Buffalo has Josh Allen running their offense, they’ll have an A. He’s one of the leagues most dynamic playmakers with a bazooka of an arm. To make Allen an A+, he needs to get over the playoff hump and get Buffalo to another Super Bowl. I still think he’s the second best quarterback in the league, but reaching a Super Bowl will bolster the legend of Josh Allen.
Miami Dolphins: C+
I’ll be honest, had the Dolphins not added Mike White in free agency, they’d be lower than a C+. Tua’s health is a massive concern along with the fact that he’s not a consistent quarterback. He played in 13 games last season, but the rumors have swirled around a possible early retirement from the Alabama alum. While I could see it happening, I don’t think it will. White is one of the NFL’s best backups and could fill in for Tua if he suffers another injury.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: A
Ravens fans can now rejoice. They’ve locked up one of the league’s best quarterbacks for the foreseeable future on a five year, 260 million dollar deal. As long as Lamar Jackson stays healthy, Baltimore poses as a threat for Kansas City, Buffalo, and Cincinnati in the AFC. We’ve seen what Lamar can do with his legs, but he can sling it too and with added weapons like OBJ and Zay Flowers, the Ravens are ready to fly.
Cincinatti Bengals: A
Since entering the league, Joe Burrow has become one of the best quarterbacks in the the whole league. He’s been available, which is huge playing two full seasons the past two years after tearing his ACL in 2020. He’s brought the Bengals to a Super Bowl and with a revamped offensive line, there’s no reason that Burrow won’t flourish in 2023.
Pittsburgh Steelers: C
While Pittsburgh did use a first round pick on Pickett in 2022, he shouldn’t be the Steelers solidified starter. He threw for 2,404 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions while also being sacked 27 times. With Mitch Trubisky as Pickett’s backup, there will definitely be a quarterback competition in the Steel City, but neither give them a great opportunity to win this season.
Cleveland Browns: B-
I’d have given Cleveland a B+ if their quarterback wasn’t a creep. But that’s beside the point. Deshaun Watson is a good quarterback who is looking to have a huge comeback season. Not many people are rooting for him (myself included), but there’s no denying that when he’s playing his best football, he’s one of the six or seven best quarterbacks in football. Cleveland is in good hands, they should probably just cover their drink.
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts: C-
While I do like that the Colts drafted a quarterback instead of attempting to do a one and done, again, I don’t think they have a strong quarterback room. Anthony Richardson is a poor man’s Cam Newton who is a great athlete, but doesn’t pose a threat as a passer. Even though the Colts took him fourth overall, it’s uncertain if he’ll be their day one starter which leaves Gardner Minshew who passed for 663 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, and Sam Ehlinger who played in four games last year.
Jacksonville Jaguars: B
Trevor Lawrence is turning into one of the league’s most feared passers. He took the leap this past season to becoming an upper echelon quarterback after he passed for 4,113 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also led the Jaguars to a comeback playoff win against the Chargers. Lawrence has all the tools to be one of the league’s great quarterbacks and is close to hitting his full potential.
Tennessee Titans: C
It feels like Tennessee is in quarterback limbo. Ryan Tannehill is aging, declining, and has become less reliable as he played in just twelve games last season. They thought that his successor would be Malik Willis, but according to CBS Sports, the Titans have “lost faith in him”. They also drafted Will Levis in the second round who slid substantially in this draft. It’s a three-way quarterback battle going into camp, but none of the options are ideal to win the AFC South.
Houston Texans: C
Houston was cucked by Carolina who jumped them a few weeks prior to the draft to take Bryce Young. But Houston landed an extremely talented player in CJ Stroud. His test scores are obviously a concern, but when you see him play, you throw that out the window. He passed for 3,688 yards and 41 touchdowns with only 6 interceptions in 2022 which is wildly impressive. Stroud’s most jaw dropping performance was when he passed for 348 yards and 4 scores against Georgia. Houston seems to be in good hands, we just need to see Stroud play NFL competition first.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs: A+
What more is there to say? Its Patrick Mahomes and year after year he’s proven that he’s the leagues best quarterback.
Las Vegas Raiders: C-
The Raiders are in hell. They are drowning. In the offseason, they signed Jimmy Garoppolo to a three year, 48.5 million dollar deal. A gigantic concern is that he hasn’t played a full season since 2019. His production isn’t great and for what the Raiders are paying him, they’re doomed. If he gets injured, which he has a history of, then stepping in to takeover would be Brian Hoyer or Aidan O’Connell. Josh McDaniels is in over his head and this season could push him over the edge turning him into Nicolas Cage in Leaving Las Vegas.
Los Angeles Chargers: B+
Justin Herbert is a silent killer. He hates being photographed and doing media, but he loves lighting up opposing defenses. With the addition of Quentin Johnston and the fact that he already has Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, Herbert is ready to let the ball fly in 2023. He has a huge arm and a cavalcade of deep threat pass catchers. While their division is tough, the Chargers could challenge Kansas City for AFC West supremacy with Herbert at the helm.
Denver Broncos: C+
While Russell Wilson didn’t have a bad season in 2022, you have to factor in everything. A pro is that he threw for 3,524 yards and 16 touchdowns. A con is that he’s atrocious for team chemistry. He’s a menace for stretching on the team plane and we’ve all seen the clip of teammate Mike Purcell screaming at Wilson because the Broncos offense scored ten points against Carolina. They have a good player. Unfortunately, they don’t have a good morale individual.
