The quarterback is the brain of any NFL offense. A good quarterback can make up for shortcomings teams have and keep them within shouting distance of a possible playoff berth. Looking around the NFL, it is easy to see a number of quarterbacks in the league are ageing and/or not performing.
Are these quarterbacks in need of being replaced by their teams or do they have a run to the Super Bowl left in them? It is easy to say a team needs a new signal caller, but getting the right guy under center is more difficult than it seems.
- Eli Manning, New York Giants
Eli Manning will start the NFL season at the age of 38. For the last few years, it feels like the New York Giants have been contemplating whether or not to go in a different direction, but haven’t pulled the trigger.
The former Ole Miss signal caller has a host of physical limitations that make him a hindrance for the Giants. Manning played all 16 games for New York last season and threw 11 interceptions compared to 21 touchdowns.
The Giants are not a good team and Manning’s limitations are made even more noticeable by the lack of quality around him.
- Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger is 37-years old, yet the Pittsburgh Steelers signed him to a new two-year contract for an ungodly $68 million with $37.5 million guaranteed. Either the Steelers do not have a back-up plan for Roethlisberger’s eventual departure or they believe he can continue until he is 40.
While it seems like a lot of money, which it is, Roethlisberger threw for a single season high in yards last season with 5,129. He also tossed a career high 34 touchdowns. While the money seems excessive, the Steelers should be AFC playoff contenders the next two seasons with Roethlisberger under center.
- Joe Flacco, Denver Broncos
Quarterback Joe Flacco hasn’t played a down for the Denver Broncos, but last season he was ranked near the bottom of NFL.com’s index rankings.
Now 34, there have always been question marks around Flacco’s passing. Last season, he completed 61% of his passes and threw 12 touchdowns and six picks in nine games. He led the Baltimore Ravens to a 4-5 record before getting the hook.
Flacco landed in Denver in the offseason and the former Super Bowl winner is now tasked with leading the Broncos back to the playoffs.
- Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan is coming off of his second-best NFL season in terms of touchdowns. He completed 69% of his passes while throwing just seven picks. The Falcons missed out on the playoffs, however, with questions continually raised over his ability to win big games. Remember that Super Bowl implosion against the New England Patriots?
If there is one thing that Ryan is, it is consistent from week to week. Even if he doesn’t win the big games, Ryan gets Atlanta to those games with consistent performances.
- Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
Dalton goes into the 2019 season ranked 26th out of 32 quarterbacks by Chris Simms. The Bengals signal quarterback played nine times in 2019 and threw for his fewest career yards total (2,566) and 11 picks.
Dalton finished 2018 injured and disappointed prior to heading off on the injured reserve list. The Bengals have already said they won’t extend Dalton’s contract and he could find himself on the bench this season. Dalton’s time as a No. 1 under center could be over this season.
