The Daily Briefing Tuesday, June 14, 2022

NFC NORTH

CHICAGO

DE ROBERT QUINN is not aligned with the Bears at this time.  A Tweet from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com:

@RapSheet

Sources: #Bears star pass-rusher Robert Quinn is not expected to be present for the team’s mandatory minicamp that begins today. Quinn is away from the team training on his own.

NFC EAST

DALLAS

Some progress in contract talks with TE DALTON SCHULTZ is signaled. Kevin Patra ofNFL.com:

Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz will report to mandatory minicamp today.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday that the franchise-tagged Schultz plans to attend the three-day mandatory session after skipping last week’s OTAs, per a source informed of the situation. Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Schultz’s presence during Tuesday’s press conference.

Pelissero added that no long-term deal is imminent, but contract talks have recently picked up.

After attending earlier workouts, Schultz skipped last week’s final voluntary OTA session in an effort to jumpstart stalled contract negotiations.

WASHINGTON

In addition to being fined $100,000, defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio had to apologize to the team for his comments about the treatment of various rioters/protestors. John Keim of ESPN.com:

Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio apologized in front of the team Tuesday for controversial comments he made last week, in which he referred to the events at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as a “dustup.”

Washington coach Ron Rivera said Del Rio’s apology was “well-received” and added that his coordinator has met with several players to discuss his comments.

“Jack spoke to the team this morning during the team meeting and was very open and contrite and apologized and was open to questions,” Rivera said. “He said, ‘Guys, if you have any questions come see me and let’s talk about that.’ It was good. I’m about reconciliation.”

Rivera also said he fined Del Rio $100,000 last week because his comments had caused a distraction for the team. Del Rio deleted his Twitter account Saturday, which Rivera said he did not ask him to do.

“This is not about the fact he exercised his right to free speech,” Rivera said. “This is about what impacted this football team. I believe in the First Amendment very strongly.

“It’s a very serious question and topic, but at the end of the day, it did impact us. That’s why I did what I did.”

Del Rio addressed the team for 10 to 15 minutes. After Washington’s first day of mandatory minicamp, players said they weren’t worried about a negative impact.

Washington defensive tackle Jonathan Allen said, “Everyone makes mistakes. I’m not here to judge; I’m not here to condemn. Obviously he said something he shouldn’t have said. He owned it to the team like a man and that’s all you can ask for.”

Allen also said that while it might be a topic for some players, it wasn’t for him.

“I like to separate my political life and my work life,” Allen said. “Yes we’re a family; yes we’re brothers. But this is a job and you can’t forget that. You can’t forget that no matter your political view we get paid to do a job and we don’t get paid to share our political views. I’m not saying we can’t use our platform to express our political views, but I get paid to play football, dominate double teams and sack the quarterback and that’s what I’m going to do.”

Fellow defensive tackle Daron Payne, when asked if the comments would have any impact on him, said, “No, man, I play football.”

Del Rio used the term “dustup” when he defended a reply he made on Twitter two days earlier. In a reply to Norm Eisen of the Brookings Institute, who promoted a report in advance of the Jan. 6 hearings, Del Rio tweeted, “Would love to understand ‘the whole story’ about why the summer of riots, looting, burning and the destruction of personal property is never discussed but this is ???”

Mike Florio with a long take explaining his thoughts that while he disagrees with Del Rio’s comments, he is disappointed in the massive fine:

Following the recent events culminating in a $100,000 fine imposed by the Washington Commanders on defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio (and the non-stop stream of pointed and hostile emails I’ve received), it’s more clear than ever that the nation is sharply divided. To the point at which it is two different countries residing within the same common borders.

This isn’t about trying to change that depressing reality, or hoping to persuade one or more members of USA Red to defect to USA Blue. (My preferred goal is to carve out a plot of land in USA Purple. That’s where most Americans actually would like to reside but can’t, thanks to a two-party system that requires a blood oath to all planks of the platform.) This is about our shared reality of political discourse that has melted into insults, profanity, and hatred.

There can be no debate. No middle ground. It’s all black and white. It’s all absolute. And no one will ever take a step back and ask whether their position makes sense or requires refinement. Instead, all energy is devoted to circling the wagons while crafting the talking points aimed at supporting the position we endorse and attacking the one we oppose.

For NFL purposes, the divide is best demonstrated by the reaction to the fining of Jack Del Rio and the shunning of Colin Kaepernick. The free-speech crowd that so fervently supported Kaepernick is now arguing that Del Rio’s fine for speaking his mind was justified, if not insufficient. And the Blue Lives Matter crew that chastised Kaepernick for disrespecting the nation by kneeling during the anthem is now siding with Del Rio’s effort to minimize an attack that put plenty of blue lives in peril.

Regardless of perspective, we’re so caught up in defending our own views and fighting back against the opinions of others that we no longer even try to engage in a reasoned debate. It’s dueling banjos, but the banjos are playing two sharply different tunes at the same damn time. We shout our own views so loudly that we never hear any others. We’re at the point where we don’t want to.

Meanwhile, much of the truth remains, as it always does, somewhere in the middle. Even though much of the middle has become a barren, dry bed — a broad, empty parting of the Red-and-Blue Sea.

I don’t know what to do about any of it. The things that seem obviously right to me and those who think like me seem obviously wrong to others. And it’s getting worse, instead of better.

One side thinks the other side is under a spell. Maybe both sides are under a spell. Whether it’s coming from forces foreign or domestic or both, we’re being driven to spend so much time fighting about the things that make us different that we’re ignoring the things we have in common.

Surely, at our cores, we’re more alike than different. We’re fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers. Cousins, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts. Co-workers. Friends. Neighbors. People who ultimately want to live our finite and fleeting years left in peace, harmony, and happiness.

What we do here is intended to be a diversion from the things that divide us, unless and until those things inevitably overlap with football. You know by now that I think Kaepernick was treated unfairly. But I think Del Rio was, too. It was enough for him to be publicly chastised by those who disagree with his belief that the events of January 6 were a “dustup at the Capitol.” The fine imposed by the team (and placed in the name of Ron Rivera because he’s the only one in the building with the credentials and moral authority to pull it off) was a business decision, no different than the business decision made by the league when it shunned Kaepernick.

The Commanders fear that Del Rio’s words, if unpunished, will keep them from getting free money for a new stadium. The NFL and its teams feared that employing Kaepernick would result in a certain segment of the fan base devoting less time, money, and attention to the sport. Both outcomes were wrong. Kaepernick was within his rights to kneel during the anthem, Del Rio was within his rights to speak his mind about January 6, and those who disagreed with either man were within their rights to voice their disagreement.

I choose to be hopeful that there’s middle ground to be had on the many of the issues that are driving us farther and farther apart. I choose to be hopeful that it will happen without a world war, or a war of the worlds. If we all spend less time focusing on how to spin the latest set of facts through our own prism of political views and more time searching for the common thread that holds people of fair minds and open hearts together, maybe we can eventually end this cold civil war that has us more divided than we’ve been since the hot one.

We would say that “distraction” is not usually justified as a reason to curb “free speech.”

AFC NORTH

BALTIMORE

QB LAMAR JACKSON is sighted at Ravens camp.  Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com:

Lamar Jackson is back with the Baltimore Ravens for the first time this offseason.

Jackson reported to take his physical Monday, a source confirmed, and was at the Ravens’ facility, the team tweeted out Monday. This comes a day before the team’s three-day mandatory minicamp. Jackson had missed all three weeks of voluntary organized team activities for the first time in his five-year NFL career.

The last time Jackson was on the field for the Ravens was back in December, when he limped badly through practice. He missed the last four games of last season with a right ankle injury.

The 2019 NFL MVP told teammates last month that he would return to the Ravens “soon,” and coach John Harbaugh said last week that he expected Jackson to participate in the mandatory minicamp. Jackson has conducted private throwing sessions this spring in Florida and California with wide receivers Rashod Bateman and James Proche, as well as throwing coach Adam Dedeaux.

When Jackson takes the field, he’ll throw to one of the youngest wide receiver groups in the NFL. None of the 12 wide receivers on the roster are older than 25, and none have played more than two seasons in the league.

Jackson, 25, is entering the season on his fifth-year option, which will pay him $23.016 million this season. If the sides are unable to reach an extension by February, Baltimore is expected to place the franchise tag on him.

Ravens officials have repeatedly said they have tried to start contract negotiations with Jackson, who is among the few NFL players not represented by an agent. But Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said Jackson hasn’t been interested in engaging in contract talks and the team will work “at Lamar’s urgency.”

Jackson is coming off his most challenging season in the NFL, finishing with a career-high 13 interceptions while getting sacked a career-worst 38 times. He missed five games, including the final four, as the Ravens missed the playoffs for the first time since he became their starting quarterback.

CLEVELAND

QB DESHAUN WATSON appeared Tuesday before the media – and again proclaims “innocence” while regretting the distraction that has occurred.

Deshaun Watson reiterated Tuesday that he is innocent of the numerous allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct during massage sessions that have been made against him. Yet while the Cleveland Browns quarterback said once again that he has no regrets about any of his actions, he admitted that he does regret the impact the allegations have had on the people around him.

“I do understand that I do have regrets as far as the impact that [it’s had] on the community and people outside of just myself,” Watson said. “And that includes my family. That includes this organization. That includes my teammates in this locker room that have to answer to these questions. That includes the fan base of the Cleveland Browns. That includes males, females, everyone across the, the world. That’s one thing I do regret is the impact that it’s triggered on so many people. It’s tough to have to deal with.”

Just in the past 15 days, two more civil lawsuits were filed against Watson, bringing the total number of active lawsuits against him alleging inappropriate sexual conduct during massage sessions to 24.

Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the women suing Watson, told WEWS-TV in Cleveland on Monday that two more women are planning to file lawsuits against the quarterback. Buzbee said that a lawyer from Atlanta referred one of the women and that the other woman reached out to him after watching the HBO “Real Sports” episode that aired a story on Watson.

The New York Times reported last week that Watson booked appointments with at least 66 different women over 17 months, from fall 2019 through spring 2021. The list of 66 comprises the 24 women who have filed lawsuits against Watson; a woman who sued Watson but then withdrew the complaint; two women who filed criminal complaints against Watson but did not sue him; at least 15 therapists who issued statements of support for Watson at the request of his lawyers; at least four therapists contracted with the Houston Texans; five women identified by the plaintiffs’ lawyers during the investigation for their lawsuits; and at least 15 other women whose appointments with Watson were confirmed through interviews and records reviewed by the Times.

A few of these additional women spoke publicly for the first time to the Times. One woman, who did not sue Watson or complain to the police, told the Times that he was persistent in his requests for sexual acts during their massage.

On March 25 during his introductory news conference, Watson said he had “no regrets” about any of his actions during any of the massage sessions. On Tuesday, Watson continued to deny any wrongdoing: “Like I said, I never assaulted anyone. I never harassed anyone. I never disrespected anyone. I never forced anyone to do anything.”

Although two grand juries in Texas declined to pursue criminal charges against Watson earlier this year, the NFL is investigating whether he violated its code of conduct and interviewed the quarterback in person last month as part of its investigation. At the league’s spring meeting, commissioner Roger Goodell said that he thought the NFL was nearing the end of its investigation but that he couldn’t give a timeline for when a ruling might be made.

“I can’t control that. I did everything they asked me to do. I answered every question truthfully that the NFL asked me,” Watson said. “I spent hours with the people they brought down. That’s all I can do, is be honest and tell them exactly what happened. They have a job, and so I have to respect that. And that’s what we want to do is cooperate. They have to make a decision that’s best for the league.”

Watson was asked whether he had considered filing countersuits for defamation because of the harm the lawsuits have done to his reputation. He said he has not been focused on that and is just keeping his focus on clearing his name.

“… I haven’t got into any of that. My biggest thing is just wanting to clear my name so I can get back, being in an environment that I’m most comfortable in and that’s being in the community and helping people and being that role model and leader and also being on the football field with my teammates and trying to win ballgames. So that’s something that I haven’t really been focused on. Just really clearing my name and just focusing on doing what’s right and being honest, and whoever I have to answer to, give them the true facts,” he said.

Asked how his legal situation is affecting him, Watson said, “it’s been tough” and said he’s trying to keep a balance with his mental health and social life.

“But I have a great family. I have a great legal team. And I have a great supporting cast here in this organization,” he said. “I go each and every day [focusing] on my task and being the best person I can be,” Watson said. “I can’t control what the other side is doing with the legal process. I just gotta continue to just focus on being the best Deshaun Watson I can be for this organization.”

Plaintiffs attorney Tony Buzbee responds, through Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, to the media availability:

On Tuesday, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson conducted his first press conference since March 25. Thereafter, attorney Tony Buzbee issued his latest press release.

Near the bottom of the one-paragraph commentary resides an ominous remark regarding the possibility of additional lawsuits being filed against Watson. Currently, 24 are pending and two more are expected.

 “We were sent the video of the Watson press conference,” Buzbee said, via Jake Trotter ofESPN.com. “We appreciate the Cleveland market and its fervent support with regard to its new quarterback, Deshaun Watson. But: given the volume of the credible cases filed, the lead detective’s sworn testimony, the undisputed facts, and the heartbreak, pain, and havoc Watson has caused, we think it would be appropriate to see Deshaun Watson express some regret or remorse in the way he treated these women, some of which have sued and many others haven’t, yet. Attending some sort of counseling would be at least some step forward. We have nothing else to say on the subject.”

How many is “many”? That won’t be known until the final statute of limitations passes on the last massage Watson received. That’s two years from the date on which the most person who gave Watson the most recent massage could claim that he crossed the line. Presumably, this means lawsuits could be filed up until the two-year anniversary of the filing of the first lawsuit — assuming that upon learning of the first lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions that Watson stopped arranging private massages via social media.

Thus, the window will be open until the middle of March 2023. Only then will we know how many is “many,” and how many more than 26 women will sue Watson for allegedly engaging in inappropriate conduct during a massage session.

If we were the Browns, we would certainly have expected a significant round of “counseling” or other signs that Watson views his behavior as unacceptable to those who define proper conduct in today’s America, no matter how he might believe he is “innocent” by his personal code.  Is he still getting random “massages”?  Did anyone ask today?

AFC EAST

BUFFALO

This on the health of Bills co-owner Kim Pegula.  Michael Baca of NFL.com:

Buffalo Bills co-owner Kim Pegula is undergoing medical treatment for an unspecified health issue, the Pegula family announced Tuesday.

“Kim Pegula is receiving medical care as a result of some unexpected health issues,” the family said in a statement obtained by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. “We are very grateful for the progress she has made over the past few days. She has an exceptional team of medical experts at her side.

“We ask that you keep Kim and our family in your prayers and ask that you respect our need for privacy.”

Kim and her husband Terry Pegula purchased the Bills in 2014. The Pegulas also own the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres franchise. Kim currently serves as the president of the Bills and Sabres and is the president/CEO of Pegula Sports and Entertainment.

– – –

S JORDAN POYER wants an extension, but he’s playing nice for now.  Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com:

All-Pro safety Jordan Poyer will attend the Buffalo Bills’ mandatory minicamp this week after skipping the team’s voluntary OTAs amid a request for a contract extension, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Poyer, along with other veterans including fellow starting safety Micah Hyde, has been absent throughout the team’s voluntary portion of the offseason workouts, but will be with the team during the mandatory practices before breaking for the summer. The team has stayed in communication with Poyer’s agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln, a source told Schefter.

“I have not spoken directly to Jordan,” general manager Brandon Beane said last week. “I don’t have any indication that he won’t be here. So, hopefully we’ll get him back in here and be excited to see him.”

While Poyer will be in attendance, his level of participation might be less than normal. He is seeking an extension as he enters the final year of his contract. Poyer, 31, was named a first-team All-Pro for the first time last season. The captain finished on the league’s No. 1 pass defense with five interceptions, tied for most on the team with Hyde, who is under contract through 2023.

Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said that he has stayed in touch with Poyer while he has been absent from OTAs.

“I think Jordan is in a good place mentally,” Frazier said. “He’s still staying in touch with his teammates, and hopefully, we’ll see him soon.”

MIAMI

The Dolphins were willing to break the coach’s salary scale for the services of Sean Payton.  This according to Patrick McGee of the New Orleans Times-Picayune:

The Miami Dolphins were prepared to give former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton a five-year contract that would have paid him $100 million, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Monday.

The Saints, who still have Payton’s contract rights through 2023, did not grant permission for the Dolphins to interview the Super Bowl-winning coach after he decided to step down in January. Any team that attempts to hire Payton through the 2023 season will have to compensate the Saints through a trade.

The Dolphins’ reported contract offer would have become the NFL’s second $100 million deal after the Raiders hired Jon Gruden in 2018 for $100 million, but that deal would have been spread out over 10 years. Gruden was fired by the Raiders during the 2021 season.

At $20 million per year, Payton would have easily been the highest paid coach in the NFL.

Rams coach Sean McVay is reportedly making $15-18 million per year after signing an extension. Patriots coach Bill Belichick makes $12.5 million and Pete Carroll of the Seahawks checks in at $11 million per year.

Fox Sports has hired Payton as an NFL studio analyst for the 2022 season.

NEW ENGLAND

DT DANIEL EKUALE has a 2-game suspension from the NFL – and so far it is for even more secretive reasons than usual.  Nick O’Malley of MassLive.com:

The NFL doesn’t hand down many suspensions in mid-June. But that’s what just happened for a member of the New England Patriots defense

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale has been suspended for the first two games of the 2022 NFL season. The cause of the suspension has yet to be reported.

The 28-year-old Ekuale appeared in seven games with the Patriots in 2021, working his way up from a practice squad player to a part-time piece of the team’s defensive line rotation. Ekuale made some splash plays during his first season in New England, recording two sacks.

Ekuale was a success story for the NFL’s adjusted practice squad rules, which allows teams to promote players from the practice squad to appear in games. Ekuale was elevated eight times and appeared on track to fight for a job this season after signing a futures contract back in January.

The Patriots appeared to think highy of Ekuale, with Bill Belichick speaking positively of the D-lineman’s contributions toward the tail end of the season.

“Yeah, Dan’s done a good job for us. He’s played in multiple situations and as he’s gained experience, he’s given us some good quality depth there,” Belichick said in December.

THIS AND THAT

RANKING THE QB CLASS OF 2021

How do NFL insiders expect the QB Class of 2021 to rank in terms of 2022 performance?  Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com:

The NFL has a shortage of quality quarterback play. Yes, the top-shelf passers are brilliant in their playmaking and true franchise cornerstones, from a 44-year-old somehow getting better (Tom Brady) to a 25-year-old who just got to the Super Bowl (Joe Burrow). But the quarterback pantheon is top-heavy. There’s debate around the league as to whether the NFL has 32 true starters.

That’s where the 2021 draft class enters the picture. A group of six talented young QBs — Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, Mac Jones and Davis Mills — have much to prove but will help define the 2022 NFL season. That six players from one draft occupy nearly 20% of the NFL’s starting quarterback jobs entering their second season is a rare occurrence (the 49ers haven’t ensured Lance is the starter as Jimmy Garoppolo remains on the roster, but the move is largely expected).

By unofficial count, the last time six drafted quarterbacks entered Year 2 entrenched as starters was 2000. That class played out like many draft classes before and after — with plenty of hits and misses. Daunte Culpepper and Donovan McNabb ascended, Akili Smith and Cade McNown floundered, and Tim Couch was out of the league after five years. All five players were top-12 picks in 1999. Second-round pick Shaun King guided the Buccaneers to a 10-6 record in his second year but didn’t sustain the momentum.

This year’s group enters 2022 brimming with optimism, but history says a few of them will eventually fall flat. So we surveyed a handful of NFL execs, scouts and coaches on which of the Year 2 quarterbacks are poised for a big year. Each ranked the quarterbacks 1-6, and what follows are the composite rankings based on 2022 expectations — not career arc. That’s an important distinction. Scheme, team fit and supporting cast are part of the criteria.

1. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

Drafted: No. 1 overall

2021 stats: 17 starts, 3,641 passing yards, 12 TD passes, 17 interceptions, 33.5 Total QBR (334 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs)

For many, Lawrence’s NFL career begins now. “This will be like his true rookie year,” an AFC scout said. “Hopefully not too many permanent scars from last year.”

That’s how badly the Urban Meyer experiment went in Jacksonville. Lawrence had minimal offensive help and a poor culture under Meyer, who clashed with players and was fired as coach after 13 games. Injuries sabotaged an already lackluster offense. Lawrence’s go-to targets were a 32-year-old Marvin Jones Jr. and slot receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. Lawrence finished with 17 interceptions, tied with the Rams’ Matthew Stafford for the league high.

A few coaches said they expected more from Lawrence in a quarterback-friendly Darrell Bevell scheme that should have provided its share of easy throws. But Lawrence struggled against the blitz, ranking last in yards per attempt (4.9) and 30th in off-target percentage (26.5%) on 141 attempts.

But evaluators saw enough of the traits that made Lawrence the No. 1 pick. “He didn’t have a chance last year,” the scout said. “But having [coach] Doug [Pederson] and new weapons will help him a ton. He needs support, both in personnel and schematically, and then the natural ability can take over. He should have that now.”

The Jaguars have completely rebuilt their passing game in free agency with the additions of wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones and tight end Evan Engram. The return of Travis Etienne Jr. from the Lisfranc injury on his left foot could also help. Now it’s up to Lawrence to maximize his potential.

“He’s in a tough spot because while on paper they restocked weapons, I don’t believe them to be legitimate enough,” an NFL scout said. “But he’s got enough ability to overcome some of the problems there.”

Added an NFC coach: “I didn’t necessarily see a transcendent talent from him. [He] didn’t look as explosive throwing or on the move as I expected.”

2. Mac Jones, New England Patriots

Drafted: No. 15 overall

2021 stats: 17 starts, 3,801 passing yards, 22 TD passes, 13 interceptions, 50.9 Total QBR (129 rushing yards)

Jones might be atop this list if Josh McDaniels were still his offensive coordinator. Skepticism over the Patriots’ offensive coaching situation for the second-year QB looms large.

“He would be my No. 1 by a lot,” an NFL offensive coach said. “Really efficient and smart player. But who’s coaching him? Is it Joe Judge potentially calling plays?”

The Patriots do not have a true offensive coordinator/playcaller listed on their coaching staff. Bill Belichick disciples and former NFL head coaches Judge and Matt Patricia are serving as offensive coaches, and Patriots reporter Mike Reiss has said he wouldn’t be surprised if Patricia gets playcalling duties based on how the offseason has shaken out. The Patriots also have running backs coaches Ivan Fears and Vinnie Sunseri, wide receivers coach Troy Brown and tight ends coach Nick Caley. Belichick should have a strong presence on the overall operation, too.

Not every voter is panicking about New England, citing Jones’ strong rookie year with a 67.6% completion rate on his way to the Pro Bowl. As far as operating an NFL offense goes, one NFC exec said Jones might be the best in the class. The Alabama product ranked eighth in the NFL in third-down accuracy (63.9%) among players with at least 100 such attempts last season. “Poise and efficiency,” an NFC scout said. “That’s him. It will be largely the same system with the same head coach, and they will streamline things for him.”

Could the Patriots expand the pass game under Jones in 2022? There are differing takes there.

“He was way too protected last year,” the offensive coach said. “They didn’t let him push the ball at all.”

But others wonder if the receiving group holds the offense back. “[Jones is] not a guy you win with because of him at this level yet,” an AFC scout pointed out. “The tight ends will have to produce and the running game. Win with defense, and let him manage the game.”

3. Zach Wilson, New York Jets

Drafted: No. 2 overall

2021 stats: 13 starts, 2,334 passing yards, 9 TD passes, 11 interceptions, 28.2 Total QBR (185 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs)

On paper, Wilson’s rookie year couldn’t have gone much worse. He went 3-10 as a starter and had the league’s lowest completion percentage (55.6%) among full-time quarterbacks. A knee injury cost him four games, and his supporting cast was lackluster.

But he settled down late in the year: Over his final seven games, he had five passing touchdowns and two interceptions. Wilson’s QBR rose slightly during that span — from 24.8 through his first six starts to 31.0 over his last seven — and the Jets were pleased with the progress. Wilson was blitzed 32% of the time over the final two months and had less time to pass (2.9 seconds per attempt, down from 3.1 earlier in the year) yet was more productive.

“He dug himself out of a big hole mentally and physically,” an NFC offensive coach said. “That was impressive. And he has special arm talent.”

Wilson will have more support this year, thanks to the additions of first-round receiver Garrett Wilson and tight ends C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin. The offensive line continues to improve. Second-round running back Breece Hall was considered by many to be a top-20 player in the draft. Elijah Moore appears poised for a Year 2 breakout, and Corey Davis has said he’s more comfortable in the Jets’ offense than he was in 2021. And by all accounts, Wilson has had a banner offseason, bulking up to around 220 pounds and visiting three different states for personalized throwing sessions with teammates.

The Jets want Wilson to make the layups this season — take the easy throw on the plays that are schemed up for him. They already know he can make the spectacular throw with his arm strength and mobility. In Week 4, Wilson’s 54-yard completion to Keelan Cole traveled 59 yards in the air, and he did it off one foot and moving full speed to his right to dodge a defender. Wilson’s five completions of 40 or more yards tied for 22nd in the NFL, which is respectable considering he missed significant time.

“Lots more around him, but it’s still the Jets,” an AFC scout said. “Never know what you’re going to get.”

Added an NFC exec: “They could be a playoff team if he protects the football and stays healthy.”

4. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears

Drafted: No. 11 overall

2021 stats: 10 starts, 1,870 passing yards, 7 TD passes, 10 interceptions, 26.4 Total QBR (420 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs)

Yes, Fields’ supporting cast is a concern for many around the league. It’s usually the first thing brought up.

“God bless him and good luck,” an AFC scout said. “Good thing he can make things happen on his own. Long road ahead.”

Another scout said Fields’ skill set is similar to Lance’s — but with a better intermediate-to-deep ball — yet doesn’t have the supporting cast to maximize his potential in the short term. It appears GM Ryan Poles is taking the long-term approach to building a winner, eschewing expensive short-term fixes in free agency to let the roster breathe. Several big-money contracts from the previous regime will be more manageable in 2023, when the Bears will have a stronger roster. That leaves the playmaking positions fairly thin for Fields, who enters a crucial Year 2. Additions Byron Pringle and third-round pick Velus Jones Jr. should help but aren’t exactly No. 1 options alongside Darnell Mooney.

Regardless, I’m told the Bears are happy with Fields’ development this offseason, with better mechanics (quicker release) and some improvement in throwing on the move. The Bears are excited for offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s system, which should give Fields more space to operate.

“They aren’t going to be great, but he’s got big-time ability,” an NFC offensive coach said of Fields. “He’ll be able to make plays.”

Improved accuracy would also be huge for Fields, who threw seven interceptions over his final six games last season.

5. Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers

Drafted: No. 3 overall

2021 stats: 2 starts, 603 passing yards, 5 TD passes, 2 interceptions, 33.4 Total QBR (168 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD)

Lance is easily the toughest evaluation on this list, largely because of the lack of snaps over the past two years (178 in spot duty with San Francisco last season after just one full game with North Dakota State in 2020).

“He’s in the best spot by far, but I don’t know if he’s ready,” an AFC scout said. “Coaching and system will help him tremendously.”

Coach Kyle Shanahan’s attack mixed with Lance’s skill set will be “impressive to watch” in 2022, an NFC scout said. “The throws he makes in flashes are insane,” the scout said. “The athleticism and toughness to go along with it are real. He’s had time to get his feet wet while observing. I think that always ends up well for the ones with high ceilings like him.”

There has been steady speculation about Lance’s readiness after a year mostly behind the scenes developing with 49ers coaches and players in practices. I’ve heard the 49ers are not concerned with Lance’s arm strength and want to see him continue to apply all that he has learned in game-simulated settings, navigating the chaos from inside and outside the pocket. He threw a lot from the pre-draft process right through the regular season, so he took some time off to rest following the season. Over time, the 49ers have seen improvements in his delivery and footwork, two points of emphasis.

Now, some people around the league weren’t overly impressed with his game action, with one offensive coach saying his throwing motion still looked “wonky” and that he didn’t seem comfortable while throwing on the run. The numbers say Lance was fine from outside the pocket, completing nine of 15 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns.

“He will be fine. Talented. Will make plays with his legs,” an NFC exec said. “Best playcaller in the game will put him in a position to succeed.”

Then there’s this from an NFC offensive coach: “I think they were 100 percent taking Mac [Jones] until they saw their fan base [overreact].”

6. Davis Mills, Houston Texans

Drafted: No. 67 overall

2021 stats: 11 starts, 2,664 passing yards, 16 TD passes, 10 interceptions, 35.5 Total QBR (44 rushing yards)

Mills was not a throw-in in these rankings. He pushed Fields and Lance for the fourth and fifth spots, respectively. Evaluators saw good quarterback play from the third-round pick, who completed 66.8% of his passes on a bad team. And Mills ranked 11th in the NFL in third-down passing accuracy among candidates with at least 100 third-down throws, completing 70 of 110 passes (63.6%) and trailing only Jones (63.9%) among rookies.

“He was just playing the position really well,” one NFL assistant coach said. “He didn’t have a lot around him, and he didn’t have many rookie mistakes in the games I saw. He can work through the progressions from the pocket, great mechanics, fundamentally sound, accurate at all three levels, can drive the ball and layer the ball. Really checked a lot of boxes.”

Before the 2021 draft, some teams had concerns about Mills’ injury history, including multiple knee surgeries dating to high school. He appears to have overcome it.

“Talented kid. Love [coordinator] Pep [Hamilton] coaching him, too,” an AFC exec said. “But his team stinks. And his upside isn’t as high as some of the others.”

Added an NFC offensive coach: “Like him a lot, but that organization seems to be in a holding pattern.”

For what it’s worth, for 2022, we have it: Wilson, Jones, Lawrence, Mills, Fields, Lance.

What say you?