2024-25 NFL Thread

[Pakuni]

Not trying to be stubbornly argumentative, but that's not the same throw at all.  He rolls the same way, but then sets and completely pivots his body to make a "normal" throw.  Hell of a play and throw, but very different than Williams making that throw and adjusting his body square mid movement/throw.

I don't think you're being argumentative, but if persuading you that Cutler could make that throw requires watching 12 years of video to find a clip of him making that exact same throw, it's not going to happen.
I'm convinced from what I saw over his career he could make that or any throw. In terms of pure arm talent, Cutler to me is one of the 10 best in NFL history (and better than Williams). He obviously didn't make the most of it - like I told a season-ticket holder friend on the day the Bears got him, "Your team just traded for mobile Jeff George" - but his arm was elite+ and he could generate velocity and distance while on the move.

[The Sultan]

What was the hype about Fields? QBs went 1, 2 and 3 in 2021. Fields was the 4th QB taken at #11. Trevor Lawrence (#1) has been better than Fields, Wilson (#2) and Lance (#3) have been much worse. Mac Jones #15 has (like Fields) been up and down but I give Fields a better shot at future success than him. All in all Fields has pretty much met what were mixed expectations.

Caleb Williams, OTOH, has been hyped ala Joe Burrow. #1 overall pick, nobody really close. The bar is much, much higher for him. If he lives up to the hype the Bears will be a playoff team with legit Super Bowl aspirations for the foreseeable future. Hope he does.

You think dumping Fields after using the #11 pick on him three years ago "met expectations?"  Furthermore do you think that met the fanbase's expectations?

[Pakuni]

You think dumping Fields after using the #11 pick on him three years ago "met expectations?"  Furthermore do you think that met the fanbase's expectations?

That trade ended up being incredibly crappy for both teams.

Bears - Justin Fields
Giants - Kadrius Toney, Evan Neal, Aaron Robinson, Dane Belton

This is what it looks like when incompetent GMs swing a deal, I guess.

[Pakuni]

What was the hype about Fields? QBs went 1, 2 and 3 in 2021. Fields was the 4th QB taken at #11. Trevor Lawrence (#1) has been better than Fields, Wilson (#2) and Lance (#3) have been much worse. Mac Jones #15 has (like Fields) been up and down but I give Fields a better shot at future success than him. All in all Fields has pretty much met what were mixed expectations.

Caleb Williams, OTOH, has been hyped ala Joe Burrow. #1 overall pick, nobody really close. The bar is much, much higher for him. If he lives up to the hype the Bears will be a playoff team with legit Super Bowl aspirations for the foreseeable future. Hope he does.

Fields was pretty hyped.
Heading into his final season, he was seen as the clear #2 quarterback behind Lawrence and a top 5 pick. Even heading into draft week, most mocks had him in the top 10. It was very much a surprise he was still sitting there at #11.
On top of that, he was a 5-star coming out of high school and the #2 overall player in his class (again, behind Lawrence).
If going 10-28 as a starter with a QB rating in the low 80s is "meeting expectations" for a #11 overall pick, I feel bad for all the Vikings and Broncos fans who've pinned their hopes on JJ McCarthy and Bo Nix.

[The Sultan]

I kinda think this supports my theory that Bears' fans really have no idea what a good quarterback looks like. Because the idea that Justin Fields met expectations is pretty funny.

And I forgot they traded up nine spots to get him. So the expectations were, when they traded up to #11, was basically a .350 record as a starter and drafting a new quarterback three seasons later.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I kinda think this supports my theory that Bears' fans really have no idea what a good quarterback looks like. Because the idea that Justin Fields met expectations is pretty funny.

As a long-time Packers fan, I also have no idea what a good Bears quarterback looks like.

[JWags85]

I don't think you're being argumentative, but if persuading you that Cutler could make that throw requires watching 12 years of video to find a clip of him making that exact same throw, it's not going to happen.
I'm convinced from what I saw over his career he could make that or any throw. In terms of pure arm talent, Cutler to me is one of the 10 best in NFL history (and better than Williams). He obviously didn't make the most of it - like I told a season-ticket holder friend on the day the Bears got him, "Your team just traded for mobile Jeff George" - but his arm was elite+ and he could generate velocity and distance while on the move.

Ok, fair.  I guess my angle was the Cutler didn't have the touch to make that throw.  Arm strength?  Absolutely.  Dropping it over the shoulder at 40 yards on the move like that?  I don't think so.  And again, I like Cutler way more than most and I wasn't all-in on Williams until he starts to perform.  Cutler has a better arm than Williams, I just think Williams can make some throws (not necessarily based on pure arm strength) that Cutler couldn't.

Fields was pretty hyped.
Heading into his final season, he was seen as the clear #2 quarterback behind Lawrence and a top 5 pick. Even heading into draft week, most mocks had him in the top 10. It was very much a surprise he was still sitting there at #11.
On top of that, he was a 5-star coming out of high school and the #2 overall player in his class (again, behind Lawrence).
If going 10-28 as a starter with a QB rating in the low 80s is "meeting expectations" for a #11 overall pick, I feel bad for all the Vikings and Broncos fans who've pinned their hopes on JJ McCarthy and Bo Nix.

I think Fields got hyped because not only was he a highly drafted QB, but unlike Trubisky, he had a bunch of college accolades and highlights to excite people and justify his top 5 projection.  He fell but still had a ton of buzz and my OSU fan friends were pumped for me that the Bears got him and thought he'd tear it up.

I'm a Bears homer, but there is no way he wasn't hyped (both in Chicago AND around the league) and no way that he met expectations.  The only expectations he met were a bunch of highlights and flashes that made people think he might become something more than he was.  I think he was the victim of some organization issues outside of his control and I wish him the best the rest of his career, truly hope he becomes a productive starter in Pittsburgh or elsewhere.  But while I don't think he was a "disappointment", his tenure was definitely disappointing.

[muwarrior69]

The NYC teams will suck as always.

[Herman Cain]

Looks like Mac Jones is settling in comfortably as Jags back up quarterback. Great situation for Jones. He is in his hometown and expectations are relatively low.

My guess is Mac will get  plenty of reps , to showcase what he can achieve on the field, as Trevor Lawrence style of play creates a lot of wear and tear and injuries .

Jags likely won't exercise their fifth year option on Jones , which will allow him to test the waters in free agency next year.

https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/mac-jones-jaguars-patriots-drake-maye/641887/

[Herman Cain]

 Bo Nix named Broncos starter Week 1

https://nypost.com/2024/08/21/sports/bo-nix-named-broncos-starting-quarterback-in-blow-to-zach-wilson/

[Herman Cain]

Trey Lance threw 5 Interceptions. Another Draft Class of 2021 Quarterback experiencing some difficulty

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/trey-lance-no-3-pick-2021-nfl-draft-throws-5-interceptions-preseason-game

[The Sultan]

Trey Lance threw 5 Interceptions. Another Draft Class of 2021 Quarterback experiencing some difficulty

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/trey-lance-no-3-pick-2021-nfl-draft-throws-5-interceptions-preseason-game

Dak's agent is pretty excited about that.  I said six years, $300M before? I may need to push that up to $330.

[MU82]

Tomlin didn't name a starter, but The Athletic is quite sure that he'll go with Wilson over Fields.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5721013/2024/08/24/russell-wilson-justin-fields-steelers-qb-competition/?

[wadesworld]

Tomlin didn't name a starter, but The Athletic is quite sure that he'll go with Wilson over Fields.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5721013/2024/08/24/russell-wilson-justin-fields-steelers-qb-competition/?

They both stink. But Fields can play running back next to Wilson.

[Jockey]

Interested in opinions on Rookie of the Year.

Mine is Bo Nix. Williams may have more big plays, but Nix will be better overall.

[jesmu84]

Interested in opinions on Rookie of the Year.

Mine is Bo Nix. Williams may have more big plays, but Nix will be better overall.

Not Jayden?

[Dish]

I think Daniels had the best opportunity to win it.

The media's expectations for Caleb are higher than anyone else. Bears would have to go 11-6, and he'd have to throw for around 4000 yards to get top consideration.

Daniels is in a great spot to put up stats. Washington's defense is bottom five in the NFL, it's way more likely the Commanders will be playing from behind than say the Bears with Caleb. If Washington goes 7-10 and Daniels puts up stats, I think he wins it.

I'll have to see a lot more from Bo Nix and the Broncos.

[Pakuni]

I think Daniels had the best opportunity to win it.

The media's expectations for Caleb are higher than anyone else. Bears would have to go 11-6, and he'd have to throw for around 4000 yards to get top consideration.

Daniels is in a great spot to put up stats. Washington's defense is bottom five in the NFL, it's way more likely the Commanders will be playing from behind than say the Bears with Caleb. If Washington goes 7-10 and Daniels puts up stats, I think he wins it.

I'll have to see a lot more from Bo Nix and the Broncos.

Between his frame, terrible offensive line and propensity to take sacks and big hits (in college, at least), Daniels could spend a lot of time in street clothes this year. QB injuries can be fluky, but I'd be surprised if he plays a full season.

As for OROY, don't overlook MHJ. He's going to get a ton of targets and, assuming Murray stays healthy, has a QB who can get him the ball. Plus, Arizona can expect to be playing from behind often.

[Dish]

Between his frame, terrible offensive line and propensity to take sacks and big hits (in college, at least), Daniels could spend a lot of time in street clothes this year. QB injuries can be fluky, but I'd be surprised if he plays a full season.

As for OROY, don't overlook MHJ. He's going to get a ton of targets and, assuming Murray stays healthy, has a QB who can get him the ball. Plus, Arizona can expect to be playing from behind often.

I agree with all this, as that was my big concern with Daniels (his physical frame). That said though, if he is healthy, Washington will be in a lot of shootouts.

[JWags85]

Interested in opinions on Rookie of the Year.

Mine is Bo Nix. Williams may have more big plays, but Nix will be better overall.

Nix has pretty mediocre options to throw to, IMO.  Daniels has much better WR/TE options and the shootout factor.

[Jockey]

Nix has pretty mediocre options to throw to, IMO.  Daniels has much better WR/TE options and the shootout factor.

I based my pick on the 3 things I think a good/great QB needs. 1) accuracy, 2) reading defenses, and 3) arm strength.

I just think Nix is better at 1 & 2.

[JWags85]

I based my pick on the 3 things I think a good/great QB needs. 1) accuracy, 2) reading defenses, and 3) arm strength.

I just think Nix is better at 1 & 2.

I don't think you're necessarily wrong, but it just shows the insane growth Nix made once he left Auburn.  He was always talented, but half the clips of him from those SEC years were him bailing like crazy and throwing wild balls.  Huge variance in awesome play saving and slapstick comedy errors.  Now his accuracy, composure, and quick decision making are his strengths

[Jockey]

I don't think you're necessarily wrong, but it just shows the insane growth Nix made once he left Auburn.  He was always talented, but half the clips of him from those SEC years were him bailing like crazy and throwing wild balls.  Huge variance in awesome play saving and slapstick comedy errors.  Now his accuracy, composure, and quick decision making are his strengths

A good part of the growth is because he threw 2000 passes in college - as opposed to Trubisky (500) or Fields (600).

[JWags85]

A good part of the growth is because he threw 2000 passes in college - as opposed to Trubisky (500) or Fields (600).

Yea there aren't many high level QBs/NFL prospects that start 60+ games in college.  Fields only started 22, Trubisky 12.  Interestingly enough, Daniels also started 55 between ASU and LSU.

[Pakuni]

Packers acquiring Malik Willis.
Sean Clifford, we hardly knew ye.