After the Rams said Matthew Stafford, who was having back problems, was cleared to start and the Browns and Saints named Joe Flacco as their starters, the 32 teams all had their starters to open the season. Now we will find out how many to start all 17 games. The 33rd quarterback is likely Kirk Cousins, who still may get a chance to start if a teams winds up deciding to trade for him.
Here is a division-by-division rundown on the quarterbacks:
AFC EAST
Buffalo, Josh Allen; Miami, Tua Tavogailoa; New England, Drake Maye; New York Jets, Justin Fields.
Overview: Allen is easily the best quarterback in the division and should lead the Bills to another division title.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore, Lamar Jackson; Cincinnati, Joe Burrow; Pittsburgh, Aaron Rodgers; Cleveland, Joe Flacco.
Overview: Jackson is trying to make the Super Bowl for the first time while Burrow is trying for the second time. Rodgers and Flacco are stopgaps until the teams find their quarterbacks of the future.
AFC SOUTH
Houston, C.J. Stroud; Jacksonville, Trevor Lawrence; Tennessee, Cam Ward; Indianapolis, Daniel Jones.
Overview: Stroud is the best best in the division, while the Jaguars hope Lawrence can start living up to his potential with new coaching. Ward is a rookie, while Jones got the job because Anthony Richardson has been so disappointing. This is Jones second chance after being a bust with the Giants, but he is probably a stopgap.
AFC WEST
Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes; San Diego, Justin Herbert; Denver, Bo Nix; Las Vegas, Geno Smith.
Overview: Mahomes is trying to bounce back from last year’s Super Bowl loss after failing to get a three-peat and will try to join the select group with four rings. Herbert just wants to prove he can get there. They meet Friday night in Brazil. (The NFL should never take a matchup this good out of the U.S.) Nix will try to get Denver a wild card spot. Smith followed Pete Carroll to the Raiders, who aren’t a contender.
NFC EAST
Philadelphia, Jalen Hurts; Washington, Jayden Daniels; Dallas, Dak Prescott; New York Giants, Russell Wilson.
Overview: Hurts is trying to join the select group of quarterbacks who have repeated. Daniels is a star in waiting, while Prescott needs to bounce back from an injury filled year. Wilson is just a stopgap.
NFC NORTH
Detroit, Jared Goff; Green Bay, Jordan Love; Minnesota, J.J McCarthy; Chicago, Caleb Williams.
Overview: Goff and Love are the two best quarterbacks in the division and McCarthy will start after being injured his rookie season. Williams has a new coach in Ben Johnson, who hopes to help him reach his potential.
NFC SOUTH
Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield; Atlanta, Michael Penix; Carolina, Bryce Young; New Orleans, Spencer Rattler.
Overview: Mayfield is the best quarterback in the division. Penix replaced Kirk Cousins in Atlanta. Young has yet to live up to his billing as the top pick but improved last year after being benched. Rattler is a stopgap.
NFC WEST
LA Rams, Matthew Stafford; San Francisco, Brock Purdy; Seattle, Sam Darnold; Arizona, Kyler Murray.
Overview: Stafford has had a back problem, and it remains to be seen how effective he is. Purdy hopes to lead the 49ers to a rebound season. Darnold joins the Seahawks after turning his career around in Minnesota. Murray is still trying to be more consistent.
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