| If The Season Ended Today – thru Week 6 – the conference byes would go to the Buccaneers and Colts. If The Season Ended Today NFC ConfTampa Bay South 5-1 3-1Green Bay North 3-1-1 2-0-1San Francisco West 4-2 4-1 Philadelphia East 4-2 3-1Seattle WC1 4-2 2-2Detroit WC2 4-2 1-1LA Rams WC3 4-2 0-2Minnesota 3-2 1-1Atlanta 3-2 2-2Chicago 3-2 2-2Carolina 3-3 2-1Washington 3-3 1-3 The loss to the unpenalized Chiefs sent the Lions all the way down to the second Wild Card. AFC ConfIndianapolis South 5-1 4-0Pittsburgh North 4-1 3-0LA Chargers West 4-2 4-0New England East 4-2 2-2Buffalo WC1 4-2 3-1Jacksonville WC2 4-2 2-2Denver WC3 4-2 3-2Kansas City 3-3 1-2Houston 2-3 2-1 – – – With the disposal of Brian Callahan in Tennessee, this is now true: The last four quarterbacks taken with the first overall pick have had their head coaches fired before the end of their first season: 2021: Trevor Lawrence – Urban Meyer (JAX)2023: Bryce Young — Frank Reich (CAR)2024: Caleb Williams — Matt Eberflus (CHI)2025: Cam Ward — Brian Callahan (TEN) The first overall pick in 2022 was EDGE TRAYVON WALKER, also by Jacksonville. |
| NFC NORTH |
| DETROITS BRIAN BRANCH gets a game for instigating postgame hostilities after Sunday night’s loss in Kansas City. ESPN: The NFL on Monday suspended Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch for one game without pay for unsportsmanlike conduct after he struck Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and set off a brief fight Sunday night. “Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players,” NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan wrote in a letter to Branch. “Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game.” Branch plans to appeal the suspension, a source confirmed to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The appeal would be heard by a hearing officer jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFL Players Association. Branch is set to miss the Lions’ game next Monday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will be eligible to return to the active roster the following day. After Detroit’s 30-17 loss at Kansas City on Sunday night, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tried to give Branch a high-five as they met near midfield. Branch walked past Mahomes, and Smith-Schuster took umbrage with the move, walking up to Branch and having a few words with him. Branch responded by striking Smith-Schuster in his facemask, sending him to the ground. Smith-Schuster leaped to his feet and went after Branch. Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco tried to get between them, but Branch succeeded in ripping off Smith-Schuster’s helmet as dozens of players from both teams converged on the scrum. Eventually, coaches and players separated the parties, and they finally left the field for the locker room. “It was a childish thing, but I’m tired of people doing stuff in between the play and refs don’t catch it,” Branch said after the game. “They be trying to bully me out there. I should have never did it. It was childish.” Branch also was fined $23,186 for facemask and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against the Green Bay Packers last month. Unmentioned above, but Branch was peeved by a vicious block from Smith-Schuster, that, like every other action the Chiefs took on Sunday night, went unpenalized. Andy Nesbitt of SI.com: After the game Branch spoke about what led to his frustrations, saying: “I got blocked in the back illegally. It was in front of the ref and the ref didn’t do anything. And stuff like that. I could have got hurt off of that play. I still shouldn’t have done that.” This new video below from the end zone angle shows the hit Smith-Schuster put on Branch and it sure looked like the wide receiver should have been flagged for it. The Chiefs didn’t get called for a single penalty all night against the Lions so you could understand why the Branch was a bit frustrated after the game. |
| NFC WEST |
| SAN FRANCISCOSubtract LB FRED WARNER, but add TE GEORGE KITTLE (and maybe WR RICKY PEARSALL and QB BROCK PURDY). Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com: One day after losing linebacker Fred Warner to a season-ending right ankle dislocation, the San Francisco 49ers got some positive injury news Monday as coach Kyle Shanahan said tight end George Kittle will return to practice this week. Kittle, who has been on injured reserve since Week 2 because of a strained right hamstring, will begin his 21-day practice window this week with a chance to play against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. “That’s the hope,” Shanahan said. Quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) and receiver Ricky Pearsall (right knee) also could return to practice this week, Shanahan said. After getting evaluated Wednesday, both will be day-to-day from there. Kittle injured his hamstring in the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 7. He left that game with 10:06 remaining in the second quarter, hobbling off the field after running a deep route during a play in which Purdy was sacked by Seahawks safety Julian Love. Kittle was soon ruled out for the game and placed on injured reserve that week. The day after Kittle’s injury, Shanahan announced that Purdy had injured his toe against Seattle. Purdy returned in Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars but aggravated the injury and has missed the past two games. Mac Jones, who is also battling injuries, has filled in. Pearsall also suffered his injury against the Jaguars, landing hard on his right knee while attempting a difficult catch down San Francisco’s sideline. Shanahan said Warner is scheduled to undergo ankle surgery Tuesday. The team hopes that after Warner fully rehabs the injury, he will return for the offseason program in the spring. “I think usually things like this are around three months,” Shanahan said. “But, I haven’t asked all the questions you guys are asking me yet, but I assume he’ll be good for the offseason workouts and stuff like that.” |
| AFC WEST |
| KANSAS CITYA scientific study conducted by a researcher at the University of Texas at El Paso confirms what most casual, and not so casual, observers of the NFL knew/suspected. Bret Bloomquist of the El Paso Times: Evidently, the Kansas City Chiefs have benefited from biased officiating, according to a study conducted by a team from UTEP. Research done at UTEP found evidence that the Chiefs benefited from slanted officiating from 2015 to 2023, when they were becoming one of the most popular teams in the league. The results were published in the Financial Review, and claim it provides “one of the clearest empirical looks at how financial pressures can influence real-time rule enforcement,” the UTEP research team said. “Our findings suggest that when the league’s financial health is at stake, rule enforcement may subtly shift to protect market appeal,” said Spencer Barnes, Ph.D., assistant professor of finance in UTEP’s Woody L. Hunt College of Business and the author of the study. “The fact that postseason penalties consistently favored one franchise, while similar dynasties showed no such pattern, points to the powerful role of financial incentives in shaping supposedly neutral decisions.” The study found that in playoffs from 2015 to 2023, penalties against defenses playing against the Chiefs were significantly more likely to result in first downs and cover more yardage. The league suffered a sharp decline in TV viewership during the 2015-17 seasons and the study said the bias toward the Chiefs may be a response to that. Patrick Mahomes became the Chiefs’ starting quarterback in 2018, and Kansas City quickly became one of the most popular teams in the league. With all due respect to assistant professor Barnes and his team, while the bias in favor of the Chiefs may be real – we don’t see what evidence he is offering to his conclusions for the cause of it (NFL financial woes). If, and we see if, results are manipulated due to the NFL’s financial concerns, we are a bit uncertain why they would have singled out only the small-market Chiefs to receive the benefit of the shady calls. We would think big market teams or teams with influential owners would get the calls. We would think the NFL actually would not want one team to so obviously receive all the calls, but to have the results be more balanced to create interest. And the study only covers the postseason (a small sample size) in a period that the Chiefs did indeed lose a number of important games. |
| AFC NORTH |
| PITTSBURGHTyler Sullivan of YahooSports.com on the smooth play of QB AARON RODGERS in 2025 and the Steelers big bulge in the AFC North: Don’t look now, but the pieces are falling into place for Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. When the four-time NFL MVP decided he’d be heading to the Steel City for his latest stop in the NFL just before the start of mandatory minicamp this summer, I wasn’t exactly rushing to put them in the Super Bowl conversation. After all, Rodgers, 41, was seemingly limping to his career finish line. His two-year stint with the New York Jets featured a season-ending Achilles tear in 2023 and then a 2024 campaign where we saw him post career lows (as a starter) in yards per attempt (6.7) and passer rating (90.5). If that’s who Pittsburgh was going to have start under for them in 2025, he’d be an upgrade in name only while still producing middling results at the position that the organization has endured for the last handful of years. After taking down the Cleveland Browns in Week 6, Pittsburgh finds itself 4-1 on the year and atop the AFC North. For his park, Rodgers completed 21 of his 30 throws in the win for 235 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions against one of the toughest defenses in the NFL. This is the third time this season Rodgers has registered a passer rating of at least 115.0, and his third multi-passing touchdown day. On the year, Rodgers has thrown for 1,021 yards, 10 touchdowns, three interceptions, and has a passer rating of 105.4. Rodgers’ current 34-passing touchdown pace would be the seventh highest of his career, which also falls in line with where his passer rating would be if it holds. While this isn’t a vintage MVP version of Rodgers reborn in Pittsburgh, it’s far closer to the median production of his career, which could be enough for the Steelers in 2025. With that said, he’s still sprinkling in some of those Hall of Fame-worthy throws. Pulling the Rodgers lever has proven to be a smashing success for the Steelers, but they are also getting some luck outside of the organization. The seas have parted in the AFC North with injuries paving a smooth runway to a division title. Joe Burrow is sidelined until at least December, which drove the Bengals to trade for Joe Flacco and have since fallen to 2-4 after a defeat to the Packers. Meanwhile, injuries have also demoralized the Baltimore Ravens, who have been without Lamar Jackson for the past two games and are now 1-5 entering their bye week. And Cleveland is well … Cleveland. AFC North standings1. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1)2. Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)3. Baltimore Ravens (1-5)4. Cleveland Browns (1-5) This is quite the cushion that they’ve built up, and they are now the betting favorite (-125) to win the AFC North. Their improved play on defense in recent weeks, coupled with the play they are getting from Rodgers, should help them navigate the rest of the season. At this stage, if they are not hosting a playoff game this winter, there is a much bigger conversation that’ll likely need to be had. So far, however, the Rodgers experiment in Pittsburgh has left skeptics looking foolish, and in a depleted AFC, they are one of the more dangerous teams in the conference at the moment. Rodgers may have a shot to end his career with a serious Super Bowl push, which felt impossible after his offseason divorce with the Jets just months ago. Whispers: They are +1700 (FanDuel Sportsbook) to win the AFC, behind teams like the Ravens and Jaguars. |
| AFC SOUTH |
| TENNESSEELane Mills of SI.com on the firing of coach Brian Callahan: After months of swirling rumors and demanding fans, the Tennessee Titans have officially fired head coach Brian Callahan. Now 1-5 this season, after last year’s 3-14 finish, Callahan had amassed his own personal disastrous record of 4-19 at the team’s lead-position. Given six games played in the 2025 season, the Tennessee Titans have scored a meager total of 83 points. The statistic represents their fewest through such a stretch since 1985, according to research conducted by ESPN. After Tennessee’s latest loss on the road versus the Las Vegas Raiders, granting the similarly struggling team their second win of the year, he took his frustrations out on his own team in what retrospectively feels like a salty farewell. Lack of accountability is one thing, but outright pinning your franchise’s repeated failure on a constantly changing roster is a completely different ordeal. “I am incredibly discouraged by the outcome,” Callahan said to media members following the defeat. “We felt good coming into the game. And to not be able to perform well on offense, to not be able to score points and then lose the game, it’s disappointing. We’ve all got to be better.” Not only did Callahan sweep the heels out from under his roster in broad strokes, but he specifically targeted rookie quarterback Cam Ward for his more recent shortcomings under center. “Cam’s a part of that too. Cam’s gotta play better football.” Against the Raiders, Ward completed 26 of his 38 pass attempts, collecting a fair 222 yards and splitting his touchdown-to-interception ratio at one a piece. On paper, it may look like a rather average turnout for the first overall pick, but when taken with Tennessee’s mere 10 point total, his performance appears more underwhelming than basically perfunctory. “It’s not all just him (Ward), but he is a part of it.” Callahan sheepishly clarified. “You’d like to see some more good football being played, and we’ve gotta do a better job.” The Titans’ next chance to play more good football and do a better job, now without the coach that charged the team with such a task, comes in an unfavorable (to say the least) matchup with the visiting New England Patriots next week. To boot, Tennessee’s former head coach Mike Vrabel, in a painful ironic twist, will be on the opposite sideline As the Patriots’ head coach, Vrabel has as many wins through six games in New England as Callahan had through 23 in Tennessee. Whatever happens next week, the Titans’ franchise has taken a breath of fresh air by way of losing dead weight. Will Chad Brinker get to make the next hire? Paul Skrbina of The Tennesseean: Brian Callahan is just the latest person with a big title to be fired by the Tennessee Titans and owner Amy Adams Strunk. Consider: In the past four years, the franchise has parted ways with general manager Jon Robinson, coach Mike Vrabel, general manager Ran Carthon and now Callahan. The last two were hired by president of football operations Chad Brinker. So, might Brinker be next? That remains to be seen. And he was elusive when asked why fans should believe he can right the ship. For now, he said, his focus is on the present. “I’ve been entrusted to do this job and that’s all I can say is, we’re going to work to get this right,” he said Oct. 13. “Both (general manager) Mike (Borgonzi) and I come from places where we’ve won a lot of football games. We got a front office that I think between all of us, we got nine Super Bowls. We’ve seen what winning football looks like and we know what that looks like . . . You know it’s still early in the season and there’s a lot of work to be done. “I think we’re just as frustrated as our fans are . . . We are going to get this right. And we’re going to build a football program that everyone can be proud of. And we are acknowledging right now, it hasn’t been good enough.” Between the two of them, Brinker and Borgonzi used the word “growth” 11 times in a little more than 18 minutes during their news conference at the Titans’ practice facility. When was Chad Brinker hired as Titans president of football operations?He was promoted in January 2024, the same day the Titans announced they’d hired Callahan. He took over full control of the team’s roster after Carthon was fired. Brinker originally was hired in 2023 to be the assistant general manager. Will Chad Brinker hire the next Titans head coach?Mike McCoy, one of the team’s off-field offensive analysts, was named interim coach. As for the permanent position, Brinker said he, Borgonzi and Adams Strunk will make the decision together, and he and Borgonzi “will lead the search.” Does firing people in leadership roles make the Titans coaching job less attractive?Brinker said no, but added that the team’s leadership is aware of that possible perception. “I think this is a very frustrating situation for everybody involved, including our owner. This job will be attractive, I have no doubt about that,” he said. “But at the same time, I want to keep our focus right now on Mike McCoy leading this football team and focusing on the New England Patriots coming to town this Sunday. And like I said, we’ll have plenty of time to talk about those things at a later time.” Adam LaRose of ProFootballRumors on the appointment of McCoy: In the wake of Brian Callahan‘s firing, it was unclear who would take over head coaching duties for the remainder of the campaign. The Titans now have an internal replacement in place. Senior offensive assistant Mike McCoy is being promoted to interim head coach, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. McCoy has head coaching experience at the NFL level, so he was regarded by many as the top internal candidate to replace Callahan. As such, this move (which is now official) comes as little surprise. McCoy, 53, coached the Chargers from 2013-16. That span began with two straight 9-7 campaigns but ended with records of 4-12 and then 5-11. Callahan managed a mark of just 4-19 during his time with the Titans, but the team will hope for a turnaround of some kind under a more experienced staffer. McCoy returned to his role as offensive coordinator of the Broncos after his Chargers tenure ended. That lasted one season and was followed by another one-and-done run in an OC capacity with the Cardinals. McCoy worked as the Jaguars’ quarterbacks coach for three seasons before the arrival of a new regime this winter led to a number of changes. That resulted in his Titans gig, one which will now consist of head coaching duties to close out the year. Tennessee struggled on both sides of the ball last season under Callahan, and the first six games of 2025 has not yielded much in the way of progress. Quarterback Cam Ward will look to continue developing during his rookie season, but he has already witnessed a change in offensive play-caller and now a switch at the head coaching spot. McCoy will aim to offer stability over the coming weeks while the search for a full-time head coach (presumably) begins. In other coaching news, veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky reports offensive line coach Bill Callahan – Brian’s father – is expected to resign. The elder Callahan is highly experienced, particularly working with O-linemen at the NFL level, and he has operated as an interim head coach in the past. With his son having been dismissed, however, Bill’s future will be something to watch closely. |
| AFC EAST |
| BUFFALOWith the loss to the Patriots, the Bills are only tied (by record, behind by tiebreaker) for the AFC East lead. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: The Bills and Ravens have very different records after the first six weeks of the season, but the two preseason contenders are heading into their Week 7 byes with similar plans. Baltimore is hoping to get healthy enough to make a run at the playoffs despite a 1-5 start to the season. The Bills are 4-2, but those two losses have come in the last two weeks and head coach Sean McDermott was talking about a rebirth as well after Monday night’s loss to the Falcons. McDermott said that his team is “not good enough” after their defense gave up 443 yards and their protection for quarterback Josh Allen consistently broke down in the passing game. Allen was sacked four times and he threw a pair of interceptions in a 24-14 loss that could have been even worse if Falcons wide receiver Drake London had not stepped out of bounds just before scoring on the final play of the first half. In his postgame press conference, McDermott was asked how important the bye week will be. McDermott said he hoped to get some injured players back, but made it clear that won’t be enough to turn the tide for the Bills. “Figure out things on offense, defense and special teams,” McDermott said. “We’ve got to start over and start from ground zero and figure this thing out and work our tails off to do it.” The Patriots and Bills are both 4-2, but New England won their game in Week 5 and that gives them first place in the division after six weeks. It’s been a while since the Bills had serious competition in the AFC East and that will make it even more important that they make the right tweaks in the coming days. |
| NEW ENGLANDWR STEFON DIGGS has emerged as a leader under the tutilige of Mike Vrabel. Andrew Gould of NESN.com: Stefon Diggs has feasted in the New England Patriots’ last two games. The wide receiver showed gratitude to the unheralded group charging the offense. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Diggs had his personal chef cook for New England’s offensive line last week. The unit gathered for their weekly dinner at the home of center Garrett Bradbury. The linemen curated a menu including burgers, wings, steak, baked beans, salad and desserts. Diggs offered to treat the group after holding a similar dinner for New England’s wide receivers. “That food was phenomenal, smelled amazing right when we walked in,” Brown said. “A nice home-cooked meal.” And this from Matt Geagan of CBS News Boston: “I’m just trying to do what I’m asked and be consistent. Having a young quarterback that can ball, just trying to be in the right spot for him, gaining that confidence throughout games, I think is going to pay dividends for us,” added Diggs. When asked about Diggs on Wednesday, Maye said the receiver isn’t just talking a big game in terms of being a leader on the Patriots. “He’s a great teammate. I think that’s the biggest thing. He’s fire on game day, you see him. You see him even in practice, he wants to bring it, rightfully so. He thinks a lot of the guys around him, he wants to be a great teammate, he wants to bring the energy, he’s a leader, and he wants the ball,” said Maye. “I’ve got to do my part of trying to get it to him more, and then from there, still being honest about throwing to the right guy. But getting him the football, and he’s trying to do all the right things and showing up every day, so yeah, pretty cool.” Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels also spoke of Diggs’ leadership on Thursday, and said he brings a unique approach to his methods. “His leadership is intense,” said McDaniels. “It’s the right kind of intense because he wants to win. He’s unselfish.” McDaniels also said Diggs has never demanded the football in New England. “I haven’t heard Stef say one thing about ‘I need the ball’ ever,” he said. “That is not something I’ve ever heard.” |
| NEW YORK JETSMike Sando of The Athletic has some thoughts on the 0-6 Jets: The New York Jets’ 0-6 start feels worse with two of their castoff quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers and Sam Darnold, combining for an 8-3 record so far. Throw in the rival New England Patriots’ 4-2 start under a new coach and Jets fans cannot help but question their direction. It’s not that anyone really thought the Jets should have brought back Rodgers. Darnold wasn’t going to return. It’s just that 0-6 is rough, no matter how low the preseason expectations should have been. And those former quarterbacks’ success, coupled with New England’s best start since the Tom Brady era, is part of the emotional calculus. “I can’t process it now,” Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner said of the winless start. The Pick Six column asks tough questions of the Jets while weaving in thoughts on Rodgers’ Steelers and the Mike Vrabel-coached, Drake Maye-quarterbacked Patriots. Who else was going to pay $20 million per year for Justin Fields? What was the rush for handing out top-five contracts to relatively unaccomplished holdovers? How is coach Aaron Glenn going to elevate this team? 1. The Jets are 0-6. Their head coach does not sound like he’s 0-6. That is good. But we have questions. Rodgers’ Steelers (4-1) have as many victories as the rest of the struggling AFC North combined. It’s early, but with Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow sidelined by injury, The Athletic’s projection model gives Pittsburgh a 72 percent chance of winning that division. Darnold’s Seahawks (4-2, 64 percent chance at playoffs) won at Jacksonville in Week 6 and could be dangerous once they get key defensive players back from injury. Darnold ranks third in EPA per pass play (.27) and first in yards per attempt (9.6). His 11 touchdown passes match the total Fields has thrown in his last 14 starts dating to his days in Chicago. Darnold has taken seven sacks all season, two fewer than Fields took Sunday. Pittsburgh and Seattle could plausibly win playoff games for the first time since the 2010s. Even the Patriots have an 81 percent shot at the postseason, per The Athletic’s model. Like the Jets (0.2 percent playoff chance), they have a defensive-minded CEO head coach in his first season, with a play-calling defensive coordinator working under him. The Patriots rank 12th in defensive EPA per play, compared to 28th for the Jets. The schedule is part of that, but New England did beat Buffalo on the road, 23-20. The Patriots are getting much more from a longer list of defensive additions in free agency, from Harold Landry to Milton Williams to Carlton Davis to Robert Spillane. New England is not getting as much from its additions on offense beyond Stefon Diggs, but Maye is making up the difference. He’s the first Patriots quarterback since Brady in 2011 to string together five consecutive games with a triple-digit passer rating, 200-plus yards passing and 0.1 EPA per pass play, per TruMedia. Brady’s 2011 streak lasted six games. He had an eight-game streak during New England’s 2007 undefeated regular season. Maye’s five-game run is already the third longest for the Patriots since Brady was drafted in 2000. By the way, Ryan Fitzpatrick owns the Jets’ longest such streak this century: three games in 2015, when Todd Bowles, currently coach of the 5-1 Buccaneers, was in charge. As for the Jets, where to begin after their 13-11 loss to Denver in London? The quarterbacking was atrocious. The end-of-half game management was dubious or, at best, a reflection of Fields’ limitations. The result was a sixth consecutive defeat to open Glenn’s tenure as head coach. First, the good: Glenn sounds like he’s built for this, even in the NFL’s toughest market. How is Glenn processing 0-6? “The same way I processed it when I was in Detroit,” Glenn replied. “It is what it is. We gotta keep working. No one is going to feel sorry for you.” Glenn’s boss in Detroit, Dan Campbell, started 4-19-1 with the Lions. Campbell owns the NFL’s best winning percentage since that terrible start (.780 at 39-11). “You have to win enough to put your program in,” an exec from another team said. Campbell’s Lions rallied from a 1-6 start in his second season to finish 9-8. Five of the Jets’ previous six coaches dating to 2001 got a third year. Adam Gase was the exception. But four of the five to get a third season — Herm Edwards, Eric Mangini, Rex Ryan and Bowles — had winning records in Year 1. Glenn’s 0-6 start amplifies questions this team carried into the season: • Why pay $20 million per year for Fields? Before Sunday, Fields was the only player in the past 15 seasons to take at least nine sacks in a game without completing more than nine passes, per TruMedia. He did it with Chicago in 2021 against the Browns. He did it Sunday against the Broncos. No one should be shocked. Thirty-one of 50 coaches and executives polled for 2025 QB Tiers saw Fields as a quarterback who ideally would not serve as a full-season starter. The Jets paid Fields near the bottom of the scale among QBs who were handed starting jobs. Rodgers was the only veteran to sign for less last offseason ($13.7 million) without having to compete for the No. 1 job. Daniel Jones got $14 million to compete with Anthony Richardson. But it was a market-moving contract for a bridge starter. A year earlier, Darnold got one year and $10 million from the Minnesota Vikings. Fields doubled that in annual value and tripled it in guarantees. The Jets fully guaranteed $10 million of his 2026 salary, giving Fields more job security beyond 2025 than Darnold got in Seattle. The table below shows veteran QBs in their first seasons with new teams (minimum three starts in 2025). Fields ranks higher in APY (third among the nine) than he does in EPA per pass play (sixth). In the Jets’ defense, how many veteran quarterbacks were eager to come their way? Darnold and Jones weren’t angling to play in that market again. Still, who else was going to pay Fields as much as the Jets paid him? • Why pay Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner near the top of the market? The Jets made Gardner the highest-paid cornerback by APY. They made Wilson the fifth-highest-paid receiver. Is either a top-five player at his position? Had either built equity with the team’s new leadership? “They haven’t won s— with these guys, and they have already given them top-of-market deals early,” an exec from another team said. “I get it if you get a good deal, but why are bad teams giving good players top-of-the-market deals? That is a recipe for disaster.” Best-case scenario, the deals bought goodwill with those players as Glenn seeks buy-in to implement his program. • How can Glenn differentiate? Though the Lions ranked 10th in defensive EPA per play during Glenn’s final season with the team, they ranked 32nd across his four-year tenure in the role (31st, 31st and 24th in his first three seasons). Can Glenn elevate a Jets defense that ranked fifth in five games under Robert Saleh last season before dipping to 31st in 12 games under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich? The Jets ranked 29th in defensive EPA per play entering Week 6 before shutting down Denver. Detroit’s reversal required strong drafting, not just a clear vision from the head coach. There was also the small detail of inheriting an upper-tier quarterback in Matthew Stafford, whom the Lions traded for draft picks and Jared Goff. The Jets’ QB options appear slim. (Glenn dismissed the idea of benching Fields.) “Remember last year around draft time when everybody was saying how many good quarterbacks would be coming out next year?” an evaluator from an NFL team said. “What a crock.” • Can anyone overcome the Jets’ organizational culture? While the Jets continue to give off Same Old Jets vibes with a sexual misconduct investigation and players-only meetings, Rodgers has assimilated into the Steelers without incident. No more “Pat McAfee Show” for him. No more blaming the coaching staff for false starts (the Steelers have only two, tied for fewest in the league, while the Jets have 10, sixth most). No more Ryan Clark calling Rodgers a “fraud” for his antics. What antics? “Did you see the Rodgers TD on Sunday?” a coach from another team asked. “Out of the pocket, on the run, directing receivers in the scramble drill, slicing his 500th-and-whatever touchdown pass, while the supposed-to-be mobile Justin Fields can’t get away from Denver’s rush. Nine sacks with minus-10 yards passing!” It’s a lot for an 0-6 Jets fan to stomach. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| 2026 DRAFT QBsJordan Reid of ESPN.com lines up the best QBs likely to be available in the spring, as he seems them, from 1 (Oregon’s DANTE MOORE) all the way down to 14 (Texas QB ARCH MANNING): After a banner 2024 draft in which a record six quarterbacks went off the board in the first 12 picks, only two QBs were drafted in the first round in 2025. Will 2026 end up closer to the record 2024 crop or more like the understated 2025 version? We’ll start the journey to the answer by stacking quarterbacks who are eligible and could get picked in the 2026 class. To clarify, I don’t expect every QB listed below to end up in the 2026 draft pool. Injuries could happen, and players could choose to stay in school and wait until 2027 (or even later in some cases). Conversely, more quarterbacks could hop on the radar between now and April. And these rankings will change and evolve as we get more information. After all, conference play is just starting up in the 2025 college football season, and we still have all-star events, the combine and pro days ahead of us. So let’s get to it, ranking the best QBs in the 2026 class as of now. 1. Dante Moore, OregonHeight: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 206 poundsClass: Redshirt sophomore | Projected range: Round 1Where he excels: Moore has been among the biggest risers in the country regardless of position thanks to his accuracy and poise. After starting his career at UCLA in 2023 and then transferring to Oregon and sitting behind Dillon Gabriel last season, Moore has been given the keys to the Ducks’ attack this season. He has flourished in the first five games, throwing for 1,210 yards, 14 touchdown passes and 1 interception while showcasing a smooth, compact release. Moore was unflappable at Penn State on Sept. 27, completing 74.4% of his passes (29-of-39) and throwing for 248 yards. He was unaffected by the hostile environment, throwing the eventual game-winning touchdown pass in double overtime. “It doesn’t matter if it’s the first play of the game or a deciding play in overtime, his heartbeat remains the same,” said an AFC scouting director from a QB-needy team. Moore is a fluid passer with an above-average arm and the excellent field vision necessary to dissect defenses. Despite his thin, wiry frame, his strength in the pocket and overall calmness are two of his better attributes. His high awareness levels help him not only scan and execute throws accurately but also escape and make plays with his legs when flushed. His uncanny ability to keep his eyes forward on the move allows him to rediscover receivers when scrambling, making him just as dangerous outside the pocket as inside it. Moore’s 0.7% sack rate is the fourth-lowest percentage in the FBS; he rarely panics. Where he needs work: Moore has played at a high level so far this season, but the sample size is still small. He’s also young (doesn’t turn 21 until after the draft), so scouts want to see how he does in more big games, as Penn State is the only high-quality defense he has faced thus far this season. That could happen quickly, as the Ducks host No. 7 Indiana on Saturday and are in good position to make the Big Ten championship game and qualify for the College Football Playoff. As far as on-field things to work on, Moore has been inconsistent driving the ball on underneath throws. There’s plenty of uncertainty about what Moore will decide to do at season’s end. With two seasons of eligibility remaining, he has the option of returning to Oregon in 2026 for his redshirt junior season. But he has put himself in position to be drafted highly if his quality play continues. 2. Fernando Mendoza, IndianaHeight: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 225 poundsClass: Redshirt junior | Projected range: Round 1Where he excels: There always seems to be a quarterback who quickly surges from Day 2-3 consideration before the season into early Round 1 (see Jayden Daniels and Cam Ward). Mendoza is the leading candidate to fill that role this year. He transferred to Indiana in the offseason after spending his first three seasons at Cal. He generated plenty of buzz in the offseason, which has carried over into the first few games of the 2025 campaign. Mendoza’s 16 touchdown passes ranks second in the FBS, and he has thrown for 1,208 passing yards and only one interception. Mendoza is a lanky, decisive pocket passer who makes split-second decisions, which fits perfectly in Indiana’s quick-passing, efficient scheme. Half of his passing yards this season have come on run-pass options or concepts that include zero- or one-step drops. Attaching isolated or singular routes behind run-game concepts has been beneficial for Mendoza, who is comfortable with reads that put single defenders in conflict. His three-quarter throwing motion makes him ideal for the Hoosiers’ scheme. He has also been phenomenal in the red zone. His 13 red zone touchdowns is four more than the next-best FBS quarterback. Where he needs work: While Mendoza is comfortable within the confines of the pocket, he struggles when forced off his original launch point. He has completed only 16.7% of his passes when on the move, showing inaccuracy when flushed outside the pocket, moving his feet or in scramble situations. He has also had issues against pressure, completing only 45.8% of his passes there while being sacked five times. Mendoza has asserted himself as one of the top passers in the 2026 class and is on an upward trajectory, but he will be tested down the road. Along with Saturday’s game against Oregon, Mendoza will also play at Penn State on Nov. 8. Those are prime opportunities for him to stake a claim as this class’s QB1. 3. LaNorris Sellers, South CarolinaHeight: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 240 poundsClass: Redshirt sophomore | Projected range: Late Round 1-Early Day 2Where he excels: Multiple scouts told me before the season that Sellers was one of the favorites to be the top QB in the 2026 class. He has a chiseled frame, a powerful arm and dynamic running ability, making him a high-impact dual-threat prospect. Sellers has 886 passing yards, 4 touchdown throws and 1 interception this season while adding 98 rushing yards and another touchdown. He has greatly improved his accuracy, with his 7.2% off-target percentage ranking 19th in the FBS and a clear upgrade over his 13.6% figure in 2024, which ranked 88th. He can put the ball where it needs to go when operating in structure and trusting what he sees downfield. I think he is equipped to thrive immediately in the NFL. Sellers’ pocket strength to escape and avoid the rush when things are crumbling around him will be among the best in the league as soon as he arrives. He is a powerful runner who is extremely difficult to corral and bring down. Where he needs work: While Sellers is talented, he’s still working through the nuances of seeing, reading and reacting to defenses as a passer. When is it all going to come together? It’s the question that nearly all scouts I’ve talked to continue to ask, and they feel South Carolina’s offense isn’t boosting him. “I like his skill set, but that offense just isn’t helping him grow right now,” an NFC director of scouting said. “If a team with a good offensive playcaller can get their hands on him and be patient, I think he has a tremendous ceiling, but it has to be a long, patient process.” A leaky offensive line hasn’t done Sellers any favors. He has faced pressure on 42.5% of his dropbacks, the eighth most in the FBS. He has also been sacked on an FBS-high 12.4% of his dropbacks, and his 2.95-second average time to throw ranks 120th out of 138 quarterbacks. And he must develop better pace on short-to-intermediate throws, as he routinely makes those passes too hot to handle for receivers. All of this makes him an extremely polarizing passer in NFL circles, but he’ll get plenty of chances to change that narrative. Starting Saturday at LSU, Sellers will face a five-game gauntlet that also includes Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. 4. Ty Simpson, AlabamaHeight: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 205 poundsClass: Redshirt junior | Projected range: Early-mid Day 2Where he excels: Simpson has been a big surprise, especially after a disappointing all-around performance in Week 1 against Florida State. He has looked completely different since, throwing for 1,478 passing yards and 13 touchdowns to one interception in five games. He has shown maturity and calmness for a first-year starter along with B-level arm strength, as nothing seems to faze him in the pocket. Simpson’s 84.2% catchable pass attempt rate ranks 11th in the FBS — he routinely delivers in-stride passes. He has also shown pocket maneuverability that’s near the top of this class, with an underrated athleticism that allows him to make plays out of structure. Six of his 15 total touchdowns (passing and rushing) have come when Simpson was outside the pocket. That, plus a keen ability to recognize and adjust to pre-snap looks, has won him fans in the scouting community. “He’s grown on me a lot over these past few weeks,” an AFC area scout said. “I think he has a chance to get into the Round 1 discussion if he stays on this current trajectory.” Where he needs work: Simpson sometimes doesn’t recognize when a play is over. He tends to hold the ball longer than necessary and run around in circles in the pocket while trying to extend plays that are clearly busted. Therefore, he loses yardage with negative plays that could have been avoided by checking down, running or tossing the ball out of bounds. Simpson also has a small sample size of five career starts. While his past four starts have been very positive, one-year college starters have a low NFL hit rate. Simpson’s ascension is noteworthy, but scouts will remain somewhat wary of him until he provides more tape as a starter. 5. Carson Beck, MiamiHeight: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 220 poundsClass: Sixth-year senior | Projected range: Early-mid Day 2Where he excels: Once regarded as a candidate for the No. 1 pick in 2025, Beck’s inconsistencies resulted in him entering the transfer portal after a disappointing final season at Georgia. But Beck has started to revive his draft stock at Miami. A rhythmic passer who is at his best when allowed to play on-beat, he has 1,213 passing yards, 11 touchdown throws and 3 interceptions this season. Beck has been helped by a more consistent and improved receiving structure around him and is looking more like what he showed in 2023 versus 2024. He is a balanced pocket passer who wants to methodically dissect and deliver against defenses. His game is centered around accuracy and decisiveness, so he wastes little time getting the ball out and remains synchronized with progressions. His 74.4% adjusted completion percentage this season is the 28th-highest mark among all FBS passers. Beck is coming off another standout performance against a ranked opponent. In last week’s win over Florida State, he recorded his fifth career game with four or more touchdown passes. Beck has reentered the early-round discussion and continues to trend upward. Where he needs work: Teams that have been able to consistently generate early pressure against Beck have been able to knock him off his game. Beck’s completion percentage when his feet are planted (75.7%) is significantly better than when he’s forced to move from his original launch point (57.1%). Beck will need to be drafted to a team where he’s the final piece of the puzzle rather than one that lacks surrounding playmakers; he’s more reliant on good infrastructure than most QBs. The Miami offensive line has been key, as Beck’s 17.7% pressure rate faced is the third lowest in the FBS. He gets an average of 3.08 seconds to throw the ball (12th best) and has been sacked only four times (fifth fewest). But can he hold up when conditions are less ideal? 6. John Mateer, OklahomaHeight: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 224 poundsClass: Redshirt junior | Projected range: Early-mid Day 2Where he excels: Before arriving in Norman, Mateer had a breakout junior season at Washington State in 2024, finishing with 3,139 passing yards, 29 touchdown passes and 7 interceptions to go along with 826 yards and another 15 scores on the ground. Many scouts identified him as a prime candidate for a jump like what Ward — who also played at Washington State — had in the last cycle. One could argue that Mateer was the hottest QB prospect in the country in September, highlighted by standout performances against Michigan and Auburn. He plays with a “him against the world” mindset, employing a rugged play style and sudden side-arm release. He has plenty of zip on his passes but can also layer the ball with precision in the intermediate to deep areas of the field. Mateer produces at a high level, as his 351.3 yards of total offense ranks second in the FBS while his 23 plays of 20-plus yards is tied for fourth most. Mateer is also an underrated runner. His competitiveness can be used on designed quarterback runs and in creating yards when passing concepts are well-covered by defenses. He rushed for five touchdowns in his first four games before being sidelined with a broken bone in his throwing hand suffered against Auburn, an injury that required surgery. “Ultimate competitor, man,” another NFC scouting director said. “It doesn’t matter if the game is 28-28 or if he’s down 28-0, he’s going to keep firing it with 100% confidence.” Where he needs work: Mateer has a lot of unconventional mechanics and mannerisms in the pocket. There are times when he has random movements in his upper and/or lower body when throwing. Those mechanics, combined with his bouncy nature while allowing concepts to unfold, have resulted in spraying the ball high and outside the strike zone. He must tone down his herky-jerky nature in the pocket and show more patience in structure. Mateer welcomes playing in chaos but sometimes to the point where his impatience unnecessarily increases the degree of difficulty on throws. There are also questions about when Mateer will return to action following his surgery and how it will affect his game. 7. Garrett Nussmeier, LSUHeight: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 205 poundsClass: Redshirt senior | Projected range: Early-mid Day 2Where he excels: Nussmeier entered the season with heightened expectations after a promising first season as starter. He showed flashes in 2024, throwing for 4,052 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. That had many evaluators believing that he had the potential to rise to the top of the 2026 QB class. Through five games in 2025, Nussmeier has 1,159 passing yards, 7 touchdown passes and 3 interceptions. Nussmeier primarily operates from the pocket and plays with fearless anticipation. He throws accurately to spots in the intermediate game while showing an excellent gauge on route depth and where his receivers will finish on passing concepts. Nussmeier has a flexible arm, allowing him to easily alter his arm slots and ball trajectories to fit passes into spots, too. He navigates the pocket well, is aware of outlets and gets the ball out of his hand quickly. Nussmeier is not sacked often, as his 3.9% sack percentage is the 46th lowest in the FBS this season. He was sacked on only 2.9% of dropbacks in 2024. Where he needs work: Nussmeier has been reduced to attacking primarily the short area of the field this season due to LSU’s scheme of quick-hitters and frequent screen passes. While he does get to unleash the occasional go ball, he’s averaging only 6.7 air yards per target (111th in the FBS). LSU’s running game being ranked 120th in the FBS hasn’t helped matters, either. He also has a propensity to be a daredevil with the ball, which can be a gift and a curse. Nussmeier has sporadic moments of carelessness because of his confidence in being able to anticipate throwing the ball to certain areas of the field. 8. Drew Allar, Penn StateHeight: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 235 poundsClass: Senior | Projected range: Early-mid Day 2Where he excels: Allar has prototypical size and arm strength. He also has plenty of experience, having started 34 games and played in 44 overall. He made a noticeable leap from his sophomore to junior season, increasing his completion percentage from 59.9% to 66.5%. Upon announcing his return to school, Allar was immediately expected to be one of the best QBs in this class. Through five games, Allar has thrown for 963 passing yards, eight touchdown passes and two interceptions. He’s an above-average intermediate passer who isn’t afraid to test tight windows and can accurately hit routes in between the numbers. He exhausts progressions and delivers to targets, and he has more than enough arm strength to succeed at the next level. He also has the mobility to navigate the pocket and gain yardage that’s available. Where he needs work: Allar’s accuracy seems to have regressed, as he has completed more than 60% of his passes only once in 2025 (Week 1 against Nevada). His 13% off-target percentage ranks 98th in the FBS, and Allar has moments where he puts the ball too high or low. He tends to make receivers work harder than they should to secure catches. Scouts are also hesitant about his play in Penn State’s biggest games, though he’ll have a chance to change that criticism in November with back-to-back matchups against Ohio State (Nov. 1) and Indiana (Nov. 8). “The biggest issue is that he looks good against the low- and middle-tier teams, but he just hasn’t had that signature performance any time that he plays against the elite ones,” an AFC assistant general manager said. In a traits-based league, I believe that there will be a team that convinces itself to draft Allar early because of his physical attributes and a belief it can reconstruct his lower half to improve his ball placement. Allar will need to be in a true under-center, dropback offense that attacks the intermediate and deeper portions of the field. 9. Sam Leavitt, Arizona StateHeight: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 205 poundsClass: Redshirt sophomore | Projected range: Early Day 3Where he excels: Arizona State was one of the biggest surprise teams of 2024, and Leavitt was a primary reason why, throwing for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns after transferring from Michigan State. Leavitt had lofty expectations heading into his second season as a starter and has thrown for 1,039 passing yards, 8 touchdown passes and 3 interceptions this season. He is a true dual-threat player, coupling his scrambling ability and willingness to go off schedule with a whippy throwing motion that allows him to make throws even when his upper and lower halves aren’t in sync. He also has a flair for drama, which he displayed during the Sun Devils’ run to a Big 12 title in 2024 and in a comeback victory over TCU earlier this season. Where he needs work: Leavitt often plays the game in an unconventional way, as he’s too quick to leave the pocket and puts himself in harm’s way by playing out of structure too often. He’s great at making Houdini-like plays but must understand when to get rid of the ball, as he is sacked 6.3% of the time (43rd in the FBS). He tends to make ill-advised throws both inside and outside of the pocket. While he’s good at putting out fires, Leavitt is prone to creating a lot of them with his impatience. Arizona State’s scheme has fewer pro-style throws and emphasizes stretching defenses out horizontally, with 32.7% of Leavitt’s passing attempts this season being at or behind the line of scrimmage (19th highest in the FBS). 10. Taylen Green, ArkansasHeight: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 224 poundsClass: Fifth-year senior | Projected range: Early-Mid Day 3Where he excels: Green immediately became the Razorbacks’ starter after transferring from Boise State following the 2023 season. He has 1,398 passing yards, 12 touchdown throws and 5 interceptions this season, along with another 441 yards (most among FBS QBs) and two touchdowns on the ground. His long stride puts teams in a bind when he runs (Green has two 100-yard rushing games in 2025), and he has the arm talent to get the ball to the spots he wants with his elongated over-the-top release. He has shown the ability to make explosive plays with his arm (eight completions of 20-plus air yards) and his legs. He will likely be a popular middle-round target for teams looking to develop a toolsy passer with upside. Where he needs work: Green’s warts have been noticeable in recent weeks, most notably the time he takes to pass the ball. His 3.08-second average time to throw ranks 129th out of 138 quarterbacks in the FBS, and his indecisiveness in the short-to-intermediate areas is a big reason. Green has also struggled facing pressure. The six times he has been sacked have come against true pressure, and he has completed only 38.2% of his passes in those situations. 11. Josh Hoover, TCUHeight: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 200 poundsClass: Redshirt junior | Projected range: Mid-late Day 3 Where he excels: Hoover is one of the most underrated passers in the country despite throwing for a school-record 3,949 yards last season. He’s off to another fast start, as his 1,517 passing yards are 10th most in the FBS. He also has 15 touchdown passes and four interceptions. Hoover can match his quiet feet with an explosive throwing motion, and his quick release allows him to get the ball to the perimeter with a flick of his wrist. That release helps him squeeze throws into tight windows, and he has a high-level understanding on which type of ball speed he needs when attacking all portions of the field. He’s capable of reading out passing concepts and getting to backside options on progressions. That has helped him convert 54.3% of his third-down passes this season, the highest rate in the FBS. Where he needs work: Hoover’s overconfidence in his arm presents some issues, as some of the turnovers this season have occurred when he’s throwing into closing windows despite having better options. This was apparent in his two-interception performance against Arizona State. I’d also like to see Hoover improve on climbing in the pocket instead of always standing at the apex of it. He has already taken 10 sacks this season (35th most in the FBS), and many of those sacks could be avoided by climbing vertically to make it more challenging for pass rushers. 12. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole MissHeight: 6-foot | Weight: 200 poundsClass: Redshirt senior | Projected range: Mid-late Day 3Where he excels: There might not be a better story in college football than Chambliss. After spending four seasons at Division II Ferris State, he transitioned to the SEC. Chambliss started the season backing up Austin Simmons but grabbed the starting job against Arkansas in the third game of the season. He has 1,033 passing yards, 5 touchdown throws and 1 interception while rushing for 266 yards since taking over as the starter. Chambliss throws from a firm, balanced base and has a sudden release that allows his passes to come out in a hurry. Chambliss’ arm strength helps him attack all three levels of the field in Lane Kiffin’s offense, and his mobility puts defenses off-balance. His compact frame makes him a competitive runner who welcomes contact and can be utilized in QB run designs. Where he needs work: There is a lot of projection for Chambliss, who has played only three Division I games. There still are moments when he attempts plays that worked in Division II but are a struggle against SEC competition. Chambliss also tends to pass up safe, easy underneath options in the hunt for a big gain. Understanding that he doesn’t have to go for explosive plays every time is the next step in his development. Scouts have already noted how quickly Chambliss has transitioned to better competition: “He has that Russell Wilson-esque frame, but I think there’s something to him,” an NFC area scout who covers the Southeast region said. 13. Cade Klubnik, ClemsonHeight: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 210 poundsClass: Senior | Projected range: Mid-late Day 3Where he excels: With four starters returning along the Tigers’ offensive line and his top three wide receivers back for another season, I thought Klubnik had the best supporting cast in the country and a prime opportunity to build off a breakout 2024. That’s part of why I had him as the No. 1 pick in my way-too-early mock draft in May. Through five games, Klubnik has 1,250 passing yards, 10 touchdown throws and 4 interceptions. He’s most comfortable operating off play-action, as he has 6 touchdowns, 1 interception and an 80% completion percentage there. Klubnik has stretches of hot and cold play throughout games, similar to a streaky 3-point shooter. His clean throwing release allows him to distribute the ball evenly to all his targets in the underneath areas the Tigers operate in. Klubnik is also a threat as a runner when forced to break the pocket. Where he needs work: Klubnik has a lot of borderline-average traits but doesn’t have one superior trait. Outside of his Week 6 performance against North Carolina (22-of-24, 254 yards and 4 TDs), Klubnik has hesitated throwing the ball on time, too. I saw him up close against LSU in the season opener and noticed that he had timing troubles when reading concepts. His anticipation skills have been lacking, and he has been defaulting to waiting for teammates to get open before throwing. His mechanics tend to wane when facing pressure, and his accuracy becomes scattershot. Klubnik has completed only 46.3% percent of his passes when facing true pressure. There were mixed opinions of Klubnik entering the season, but his performance during the first half has created a late-round consensus. 14. Arch Manning, TexasHeight: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 225 poundsClass: Redshirt sophomore | Projected range: Late Day 3Where he excels: There wasn’t a college player more touted than Manning entering the season. Despite having only 95 career passing attempts before 2025, he was handed sky-high expectations in leading the preseason No. 1 team. Though he hasn’t come close to matching that hype, there have been sprinkles of promise. With prototypical size and a powerful arm, he has 1,151 passing yards, 11 touchdown throws and 5 interceptions this season. And unlike his uncles, Peyton and Eli, he is a dangerous runner. Steve Sarkisian has altered the Longhorns’ offense to fit Manning’s skill set, deviating from an RPO-centric pass game to one that attacks deep. Manning has had some success with that, as his 11.2 air yards per passing attempt is fourth best in the FBS. He also has 15 completions of 20-plus air yards, and six of his 11 touchdown passes have come on these deep throws. Where he needs work: Indecisiveness and inaccuracy have frequently popped up throughout each game this season. Manning’s wonky mechanics and uncharacteristic side-arm throwing style have led to a 17.9% off-target percentage (fifth highest in the FBS). There has been a surprising deterioration of his mechanics from what we saw in 2024, and that has forced receivers into far more difficult catches than necessary. He has been extremely slow in getting rid of the ball, too, as his average time to throw of 3.22 seconds is the second slowest in the FBS. Manning must learn how to release the ball on time. Perhaps that will come with more experience, especially against upper-level competition. But the 2027, or even 2028, draft is a more realistic NFL entry point for Manning, and the hardships he has faced thus far this season have reinforced that. |
