QB Blame Game
How much blame do the quarterbacks of struggling teams deserve? Let’s find out.
Aaron Rodgers New York Jets
Blame: 100%
After entering New York with aspirations to be their savior he might ironically be the person responsible for the collapse of the Jets organization. This morning the Jets fired Robert Saleh and Bleacher Report put out a post saying he wasn’t allowed to address the team and was escorted by security which is a disgrace to put it lightly. So what put the Jets in this position to fire their coach? Aaron Rodgers. He called for Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, and Billy Turner to come to New York who all are players that just don’t bring much to the table and it hasn’t really worked out since his arrival. He’s a statue in the pocket this year after his achilles tear and his move that brought in Nathaniel Hackett as his playcalling prodigy has turned into the Jets having no ability to move the football whatsoever. How does Nathaniel Hackett have a job after what he did with the Denver Broncos? This guy’s play calling is allergic to being in a rhythm and their production clearly highlights that notion. Rodgers has looked God awful yet the Jets GM chose to hand him the keys and it might just be the worst decision he’s made at the helm rivaling only the selection of Zach Wilson within the top five picks of the NFL draft. It’s incredibly ironic that the Jets would choose to fire Salah after he said his next move was to give Hackett the boot. Despite reports from the Jets GM indicating it was his decision and his only to fire Salah, I just don’t really believe that considering Salah’s rocky relationship with Rodgers. Everyone is curious about how New York’s season will unfold and essentially everything needs to change and improve on the offensive side of the ball. Hall needs to get going, the Jets need to have the ability to strike down the field in the passing game, and Garrett Wilson needs to get on the same page with Aaron Rodgers. It’s hilarious to see Rodgers act like everything is good in New York on Pat Macafee’s show and then watch him turn around and put out weak production every single week. This offense is leading the league in turnovers and Rodgers inability to move at his old age restricts what he can do to escape pressure and avoid big hits. My prediction is that he either dies in the pocket on a horrendously hard hit, the Jets implode and hold onto Hackett as their play caller for too long, or somehow the Grace of God swoops in and helps them turn it around in a division that is mightily struggling at this current date. Rodgers has been one of the worst QB’s in the NFL so far, only ripping apart a two high shell against the New England Patriots that wasn’t all too impressive in a primetime game. One thing is for certain though. No one is rooting for Rodgers. The guy is an absolute tool. His greatest accolade this season might be holding onto the title of being the NFL’s biggest chauvinist in the league.
Daniel Jones New York Giants
Blame: 60% Daniel Jones, 40% Giants Front Office
I’m not going to sugarcoat anything with this football player. His contract might be one of the biggest overpays at the quarterback position and he turns over the ball at a historic clip when combing through six seasons as the Giants main man. Jones has been relatively hot as of late. Taking care of the ball, using his legs, and avoiding harm's way at all costs, which is needed when lining up behind the Giants’ pass protection unit. He has had quite favorable matchups as of late carving up the Browns who have systematically failed at every level, the Cowboys who snuck out of a primetime matchup with the G Men, and the Seahawks who have been destroyed by the injury bug in their secondary. What impressed me and many was how the Giants found a way to sneak out a win with the absence of Malik Nabers considering they essentially have warm bodies only in their receiving room. Darius Slayton is a serviceable WR2/3 and Wandale will give you a dozen receptions and seventy yards like it’s nothing, which makes Jones win on the road in Seattle quite impressive. Jones has been booed in abundance by his own fan base, but what has this front office done for Jones throughout the course of his career? He’s had one real wide receiver in six seasons, being Nabers and his offensive line has been an absolute atrocity. So much so that the media peddled out the thought that Saquon might be en route to regression as last season passed. If you look across the league and focus on teams with bad offensive lines and elite quarterback play one thing is a common factor. Two elite level wideouts. The Rams with Puka and Kupp, The Bengals with Chase and Higgins, and even Seattle with DK, Lockett, and JSN. My point here is that Joe Schoen has been nothing short of an awful GM. He’s whiffed on Toney and Hyatt as options who could fill a WR2 role, he hired Joe Judge as head coach to no avail, has played a part in the greatest demise of an offensive line I’ve ever seen, and even let his superstar running back go to a division rival for a phenomenal price. The organization is failing this fanbase, don't let the media try and tell you otherwise. Investing everything into this defensive line that is quite formidable is a smokescreen to keep Schoen from intense ridicule. He needs to draft another receiver to allow Coach Daboll a shot to formulate the same type of offensive identity he had in Buffalo. The Giants have definitely gotten better since the offseason, it’s just a matter of whether or not the Giants can become a real contender in these next couple years with the Cowboys staring at the Grim Reaper directly in the eyes. Jones needs to continue to play turnover free ball and pepper Nabers with targets leaning on his elite ability to elevate Jones’ game. I will say though sometimes Jones misses wide open reads in high stakes passing downs. It would be easy to equate these mishaps to the pressure he has to perform from fans and the media.
Joe Burrow Cincinnati Bengals
Blame: 1% Joe Burrow, 85% Bengals defense, 14% offensive line
Once again Burrow finds himself in a situation where the Bengals are in significant trouble to start the season. Last year it was the injury bug, this year it’s a putrid secondary and run defense. There are no bright spots on the defensive side of the ball aside from Trey Hendrikson, which unfortunately is not enough. It’s incredibly hard to try and chase down teams that score on every possession against you and in every contest this has been a glaring issue. Week 1 their loss was mostly due to rust on the offensive side of the ball and although Burrow is playing some of the best ball in the league at the quarterback position his offensive line seems to always have three to five plays where they miss about two to three blocks leaving him for dead. In these situations, like the one that took place against the Chiefs, Burrow coughed up the football on a brutal sack. This is what accounts for the 1% blame on Joe Shiesty. Higgins' return has been a catalyst for their offense that has gotten a lethal passing attack going. Every Bengals game has been a one possession contest entering the fourth quarter so it’s just a matter of whether or not Cincy can rally in these contests. If their defense doesn’t improve throughout the season though the Bengals may end up missing their shot at the playoffs even a wildcard berth. This last game against Baltimore was painful to watch. I just don’t get it whatsoever. If you are Cincy head coach Zac Taylor and you get a Lamar fumble, work the intermediate passing game. You don’t hand the ball up the gut to Chase Brown every play and attempt a long field goal. Then you mess up the hold on the attempt, shank the kick, and complete a monumental collapse at home in a have to have it divisional thriller. Burrow is seeking vengeance. You can see it in his eyes, his play, and how he addresses the press after these gut wrenching losses. He is a top four QB in the NFL so far in the conversation with Mahomes, Jayden Daniels, and Lamar Jackson and he definitely isn’t to blame for the team’s slow start.
Justin Herbert Los Angeles Chargers
Blame: 0% Justin Herbert, 100% Greg Roman
No one on this planet is more angry with this team than myself. It’s not because I took Dobbins as a joke pick in my twelve man fantasy league, it's the fact that they leave so much on the table. This team could most definitely be 3-1 if Greg Roman could call an offense. Drawing up plays with multiple streaks and a down the field shot to Quentin Johnston should be a federal offense. QJ is allergic to separation, yet Roman tries to force the guy to not be a bust week in and week out. The craziest part is that Ladd McConkey has a skillset in the slot that is comparable to Hunter Renfrow when he was a stud. I don’t get the reluctance to give him the football more. Just use Derius Davis and Josh Palmer as the intermediate crossing route receivers to maximize their skillsets because the guys aren’t polished, but do have solid speed. Joshua Palmer at his best was a deep shot guy and it wasn’t just all streaks like Roman consistently calls. Another issue I have is Roman running J.K Dobbins up the gut, especially against loaded fronts. Against Kansas City with eight guys in the box and the best two Chargers’ offensive lineman out of the contest with injuries they continually ran the ball up the gut. Fourteen carries and forty-two yards later one would think that maybe Dobbins should get more opportunities on outside runs and screen game usage. Dobbins is a phenomenal pass catcher with explosiveness despite tearing everything in his legs after a plethora of major injuries. The one drop he had against the Chiefs would have been the throw of the year by Justin Herbert, but Dobbins didn’t expect Herbert to make the throw into a window that was microscopic at best. What I see is a running back who has great vision, balance, and hands in an offense that is outdated and forced at times. The Chargers have insisted upon maintaining Jim Harbaugh’s hallmark running game up the gut that won his Michigan Wolverines a national championship, but Chargers fans are yearning for some offensive evolution as the season unfolds. Herbert is a special talent. Create a balanced offense for him and I guarantee the Chargers are in the playoffs this season. Herbert hasn’t been bad at all this season, but the scheme has ruined his box score. Coming off the bye week people should be hopeful that the Chargers can fix some of their problems generating an effective offensive attack. I think Dobbins’ stock will rise to new heights after having week five off.
Anthony Richardson Indianapolis Colts
Blame: 20% AR, 5% AR’s durability, Colts defense 75%
They’ve had the issue before with cornerback Isiah Rodgers having his family bet on Colts games and with how flat this defense comes out each week no one would bat an eye if it came out that Colts players are taking the over in their own games. Their secondary is somehow worse than the Commanders of yesteryear and their run defense gives up gaping holes every single time. It’s hard to watch Colts games because of it, but AR’s inconsistency and injury history is painful to stomach considering his limited action and wild inconsistency so far in the NFL. The guy will miss a wide open crossing route five yards in front of him or sail a ball into triple coverage right to the safety and then will turn around and throw a ball 70 yards down the field off his backfoot falling down with pinpoint accuracy. The performance he had against the Texans was a wild watch as a fan. The amount of 50+ yard pass plays that game was almost comical considering he made it look effortless. If he stays on the field and finds consistency he could become one of the best quarterbacks in the entire NFL. Steichen has faith in him and becoming a top QB in the NFL doesn’t just happen overnight. Right now with the Colts and their defense even Richardson’s best ball might not be enough to win them games.
Dak Prescott Dallas Cowboys
Blame: 40% Dak Prescott, 60% Jerry Jones
If there was a blueprint on how not to construct a roster it most definitely would align with the team Jerry Jones has built in Dallas. No real receiving threats outside of Lamb, a solid tight end being Jake Ferguson, and nothing else of note. Dak looks scared each week because his offensive line has worsened a bit, he has absolutely zero running game because Jones made the call to ignore the RB room, and Ceedee is applying pressure to him every week. The future of the Cowboys is effectively in the toilet and this season after receiving a massive contract Dak hasn’t been the gunslinger Jones had envisioned. Dak tends to float balls into coverage, avoid down the field shots, and forces passes that just aren’t there. This guy in the playoffs too is historically bad. Whenever the Cowboys sneak into the postseason Dak completely melts under the pressure and it is hard to not see it as a mental issue with Dak. He’s sapped of confidence and then has to go into pressers when his team gets obliterated and act like there are things they need to clean up in Dallas, but everyone knows they simply suck. Dak has all the talent to be a franchise guy. It's just a question of scheme and when your team has a one dimensional passing attack it’s hard to produce at the rate that the team expects him to. Jerry Jones is just miserable at the helm failing to address Dallas’ interior defensive line, their receiving core outside of Lamb, their running back room, their linebacking core, and their offensive line. This season too, how is the Micah Parsons experience going to go down? Do you pay him and sacrifice every position outside of Lamb, Parsons, and Dak? Or do you just let him walk for nothing? It most definitely is no easy decision to be made and no one knows what Jones is going to do at the end of the day. This team is the NFL’s laughing stock outside of Nick Sirianni’s goofy antics and his poor performance. Everyone’s curious whether or not Jones can swallow his pride and enter a bit of a rebuild getting picks in return for Micah Parsons, but it’s unlikely he’s willing to admit this team is not currently a contender. If they get draft picks for Parsons and use the capital acquired in a good way then the Cowboys could fix this sinking ship. Sorry if you are a Cowboys fan because the product on the field just isn’t what one would expect in one of the NFL’s biggest markets.
Kyler Murray Arizona Cardinals
Blame: 70% Kyler Murray, 30% roster composition.
The inconsistency with this Cardinals offense has to fall on Kyler at the end of the day. Against Green Bay he got absolutely blasted from the jump. No production whatsoever until the game was far out of reach (In the first quarter he had nine yards passing). He has his head coach Jonathan Gannon saying the team is going to fight! Well, they did fight and still lost by 21 points. I mean why is the Cardinals offense so underwhelming to start the season? Here’s an idea. If you check the ball down every single play, have a quarterback with little to no pocket presence, and have his height eliminate any throws over the middle of the field it is hard to get things going. When a team contains Kyler’s legs and forces him to beat them with his passing only the result is quite ugly. I won’t sit here and pretend like their defense isn’t one of the worst in the NFL and that their offensive line is anything of note, but with expectations from Murray he can do more than he is right now. Just look at Burrow who gets blasted every game. He doesn’t make any excuses, he just wills his team into ball games. Now with Marvin Harrison Jr, McBride, and Michael Wilson I expected him to join the MVP conversation. Watching the scores of games you’d think Kyler has had a good season, but the Rams defense is awful, Deejay Dallas kept Arizona in the game with a kick return TD against Buffalo, and the 49ers lost the game in large part due to the fact that they lost their phenomenal kicking talent Jake Moody. This offense needs to evolve and so does Kyler Murray’s ability to blast defenses with the deep ball. The season’s far from over yet and he has time, but I’m a Kyler hater and will not hesitate to talk about him being a fraud. Kyler has nice deep ball accuracy at times and he just has to let it rip in order to keep the Cardinals competitive. The only games Arizona wins are shootout contests or blowouts against inferior defenses. I don’t know whether or not playcalling is to blame or if playcalling is limited due to Kyler’s stature and struggles in different aspects of the passing game aside from escaping the pocket and making outside throws. Another thought is that MHJ has come into the league a far softer player than many would have imagined. He’s not quite the Alpha receiver that everyone expected him to be so far as a rook.
Jalen Hurts Philadelphia Eagles
Blame: 20% Hurts, 80% Coach Sirianni
The team is doing just fine, but honestly expectations are far beyond just fine. The best offensive situation aside from the Detroit Lions maybe, and yet they aren’t producing how you would expect. Hurts throwing ducks is not an uncommon thing and sometimes his decision making is highly questionable. There’s a play I recall from the season opener where Hurts processes the whole field against Green Bay has nothing turns and fires the ball into the flats with a defensive back right next to his intended target. Luckily the Packers DB dropped the pick six and nothing came of it, but it was awfully close to being disastrous. That’s the issue with Hurts. He has great talent with his legs and his ability to launch the deep ball, but sometimes his accuracy and decision making can be called into question. A huge part of the blame is on his head coach, Nick Sirianni, who just is inept at every level. This offense somehow fails to get a rhythm although they have supremely talented wideouts, a formidable tight end, an elite offensive line, and one of the league’s most explosive running backs. With everyone now healthy in Philadelphia they better be dominant in their division and cruise into a top three NFC finish considering how ideal their division’s lack of success has been outside of the Commanders. Even Eagles fans are not taking Sirianni’s BS anymore with chants to fire the man and boos raining down every game at an unprecedented level. The whole world knows it and I don’t think most fans place the blame on Hurts, but he deserves just a bit of it. Never will forget when ESPN ranked Hurts as a top three player in the NFL. Now that is just blasphemous for too many reasons to count.
