2027 NFL Draft QB Power Rankings: Has Trinidad Chambliss Usurped Arch Manning?

So much attention is paid to the physical characteristics players possess. When evaluating quarterbacks, though, poise is every bit as critical as arm strength, accuracy or athleticism. Its presence – or lack thereof – is the single biggest factor in why there is a need to update my QB Power Rankings for the 2027 NFL Draft after six weeks of college football. Like many others, I had Arch Manning and Dante Moore atop my preseason QB board. At that time, I considered them well above other projected first-round candidates and made that clear by listing each in their own unique category as "Top 5 Talents." So far this season, Manning and Moore have failed to justify this lofty perch, which is why these rankings have the quarterbacks listed in tiers, with players simply projected as First Round, Day 2 or Day 3 prospects (albeit in reverse order). While the preseason favorites have faltered a bit, others have emerged, legitimizing optimism that the 2027 draft could boast quite the quarterback class. Day 3 Prospects Previous ranking: 13 Previous ranking: 7 Previous ranking: 12 Previous ranking: 5 Previous ranking: 14 Previous ranking: 6 There have been 69 quarterbacks drafted on Day Three over the last decade. Of them, only the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott (fourth round in 2016) and the 49ers' Brock Purdy (seventh round in 2022) have become long-term starters. Given the financial windfall that comes if a team is fortunate enough to hit a Day 3 lottery ticket on a quarterback, we can expect several more to be selected in 2027. These are typically players with ideal physical traits but sporadic accuracy. South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, LSU’s Sam Leavitt and Oklahoma’s John Mateer are examples from this class. Each is currently a better runner than a passer but has the arm strength and intangibles that some NFL coaches will find intriguing. With just a little fine-tuning, that coach will be thinking, "I can turn this kid into a pro." After pulling off the upset over Manning and top-ranked Texas, Mateer is especially topical. He’s not developed as a passer to nearly the extent the Sooners hoped he would after flashing early in his college career at Washington State, but scouts remain intrigued by his improvisational skills, strength and resiliency. He’s often been criticized for his lack of poise, but his composure late against Texas stood out. And while on the topic of poise, how about yet another terrific demonstration of this trait by Georgia’s Gunner Stockton, who was brilliant in the Bulldogs’ 20-17 win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa? Stockton has made a career out of playing well in big games, especially on the road. Over the past two seasons, Stockton is now 8-1 in games played on the road or on a neutral field, with a 14-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio and five more touchdowns on the ground. And while the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Bulldog may not possess the height or elite arm strength of his peers, he's a quality athlete, reads defenses well, and throws a really catchable ball, adjusting the trajectory and velocity for the occasion. In Saturday’s win, Stockton completed 18-of-22 passes and was especially good on third down, connecting on nine of his 10 attempts. I still think of this throw – on fourth down in Neyland Stadium – that eventually led to Georgia winning in overtime. Stockton is the type of quarterback who NFL coaches will love, even if scouts question his "upside." It will be interesting to see how teams view him, compared to other quarterbacks with more unique physical traits. UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava and Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby are similarly gifted dual-threats but also have to convince NFL teams that they possess the leadership and accountability expected of a pro quarterback. Watching from the sidelines is a slice of humble pie that not every young quarterback can handle. Due to his well-documented suspension and brief admittance into the subsequently canceled Supplemental Draft this summer, most draft fans are familiar with Sorsby. Iamaleava has also been in the news for the wrong reasons, most recently for a significant knee injury suffered Saturday against Oregon that might be season-ending. Prior to that, he flourished as a redshirt freshman at Tennessee in 2024 before a dispute over NIL dollars led to a messy public divorce with the Vols and a transfer to UCLA. Iamaleava faces a significant decision next season. If he were to give up his final year of college eligibility to enter the 2027 draft, he’d need to overcome a relatively poor 17-11 touchdown-to-interception ratio since leaving Knoxville. Those numbers have dropped him off the radar for some – but not NFL scouts. Iamaleava will need to prove his health, of course, but the 6-foot-5, 215-pound QB certainly has the traits worth developing, including rare athleticism for the position and plenty of arm talent. He can drive the ball through tight windows and shows great touch and trajectory on the deep ball. Day 2 Prospects Previous ranking: 8 Previous ranking: 10 Previous ranking: 3 Previous ranking: 4 While the aforementioned Iamaleava’s statistics have scouts searching for more, the play so far this season of Miami’s Darian Mensah has been downright Heisman-worthy and could ultimately make him a first-round selection. Mensah leads the FBS with a ridiculous 84.2% completion rate and, entering Miami's Oct. 17 game against Florida State, hasn't thrown an interception. He led the ACC with 34 touchdown passes a year ago while leading Duke to its first conference title since 1962, and he’s doing the same for Miami this year with 15 touchdowns for the undefeated Hurricanes. Clearly, Mensah has played well for Miami this season, but he has sometimes been more lucky than good. That was the case with back-to-back poor throws in the red zone during last weekend’s win over Clemson. Still, the good has far outweighed the bad. Mensah is very good at reading coverage at the line and he throws a very catchable ball. He anticipates well and is willing to throw the ball into space in a way that allows his receivers to go make plays. But make no mistake, Mensah’s receivers have rewarded him. Pro Football Focus has Miami pass-catchers dropping just one pass through the first five games this season. Texas receivers, by comparison, have dropped 11 of Manning’s passes. And therein lies the debate scouts have with Mensah, as well as Ohio State’s Julian Sayin. There is simply no denying that playing quarterback is easier when you’re throwing to first-round NFL draft picks at wide receiver. Sayin has that, of course, with Jeremiah Smith, who I’m projecting as the No. 1 overall pick in my latest mock draft. Mensah has that in Malachi Toney, who will be a first-round selection next year, when he’s eligible for the NFL. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds and 6-foot-1, 214 pounds, respectively, neither Mensah nor Sayin possess eye-popping physical traits. Each can make every throw expected of an NFL quarterback, but their arm strength is more good than great, and they have more of a game-manager style rather than the "field general" mentality some believe is critical to becoming a true franchise-changer in the NFL. Notre Dame’s CJ Carr has shown more of a willingness to attack downfield and has more of the offense relying on him this season with star running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price now in the NFL. He processes defenses quickly and has an excellent deep ball passer. He has also thrown 16 touchdowns so far this season and just one interception. And some would argue that just by playing for a program as high-profile as Notre Dame, Carr is already learning about poise on and off the field. But I struggle to stamp a first-round grade on a quarterback until he shows the ability to win close games. Notre Dame has simply outclassed each of its opponents so far this season, outscoring Rice, Michigan State, Purdue, North Carolina and Stanford by a combined 173 points. As the scoring differential suggests, Notre Dame provides Carr with an excellent supporting cast. Carr and the Irish will get their first test of the season this Saturday, on Oct. 17 in Provo, Utah, against a quality BYU Cougars team that enters the weekend ranked No. 8 in the AP Top 25. The regular season game I have circled to get a true evaluation of where Carr fits into the quarterback conversation next spring won’t come until Nov. 3, when Mensah and Hurricanes come to South Bend. USC’s Jayden Maiava possesses the body armor the NFL is looking for at a prototypical 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds. And he’s been even more productive this season than last, currently leading the Big Ten with a sparkling 18 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions, which is happening despite losing dynamic wide receivers Makai Lemon and Jakobi Lane to the NFL. Maiava appears to be answering the "supporting cast" question Mensah and Sayin are currently working through. The concern that could keep Maiava out of the first round, however, is a relative lack of variety with his throws. Most of his best throws require touch, rather than driving the ball through tight windows. Think of it like a shooter in basketball. One needs to be able to drive to the basket, as well as shoot from the perimeter. It's clear from his beautiful throw below from last weekend’s big win at Penn State that Maiava can feather the ball in – including while on the move – but so much of his game is based on fade-away jumpers. The development he’s shown since beginning his career at UNLV, however, is certainly intriguing. Day 1 Prospects Previous ranking: 11 Previous ranking: 2 Previous ranking: 1 Previous ranking: 9 He won’t be old enough to order a beer until January, but in guiding the Oklahoma State to its fourth consecutive win – including a colossal upset of Moore and Oregon back on September 12 – Drew Mestemaker has emerged as one of the biggest risers at any position so far this season. It has been a dizzying ascent for Mestemaker, who didn’t start a single game at quarterback in high school and was sixth on the depth chart at North Texas just two years ago. He’s proven a remarkably quick study since, however, leading the entire country with 4,379 passing yards for the Mean Green last year and following head coach Eric Morris to Stillwater. Mestemaker has all the physical traits scouts look for in a future NFL starter, including a solid 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame, plus athleticism and a strong, accurate arm. Belying his lack of experience, he looks comfortable in the pocket and is already among the best in this class, attacking the intermediate and deep levels of the defense by firing throws down the seam. That said, while he’s undeniably gifted, Mestemaker is a long way from being a "sure thing" as a future NFL starter. He’s clearly a terrific fit in Morris’ offense but still leads the Big 12 with five interceptions thrown in as many games because, like most inexperienced quarterbacks, he can get a bit rattled with pressure. That’s notable because he’s barely been touched by opposing pass rushes this season, with the Cowboys allowing just four sacks in 2026. Scouts like to use player comparisons to give their peers (and general managers) a vision of what a prospect could look like in the NFL, if all things go as hoped. The comp you will continue to hear for Mestemaker is another No. 17: Josh Allen. Mestemaker’s emergence is the perfect contrast to Arch Manning, whose lineage has guaranteed he’d have scouts tracking him since he first picked up a football. Like Mestemaker, Manning possesses a blend of size, arm strength and mobility that every NFL team is looking for at the quarterback position. Even if the NFL draft were held this weekend, there is no doubt in my mind that if he were to make himself eligible, Manning would be a first-round pick. The traits and upside are just too rare. But two fourth-quarter interceptions in Texas' Red River Rivalry loss to Oklahoma underscore the fact that Manning remains a very immature quarterback – one who needs plenty more seasoning before he can be expected to lead an NFL team to success. He’s thrown an interception in four of Texas’ first five games this season. The lack of poise he’s shown is concerning, but frankly, not especially surprising. Saturday against the Sooners was just the 19th start of his college career. Unless he makes significant improvement in these three areas, the team that invests a first-round selection this spring in Manning should be resigned to the idea that he’d need to spend his first year learning from the sideline. Criticize Manning all you’d like. I wonder if NFL teams aren’t even more worried about Oregon’s Dante Moore. The fact that Moore suffered a concussion following a blatant late hit against USC is a major concern in itself. That’s the tragic, fickle nature of this game, especially for quarterbacks. There is nothing Moore can do to reassure teams about his health except get back onto the field and play well. Even prior to the injury, though, Moore was not playing as well as his 9-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio might suggest. Frankly, he was outplayed by Mestemaker in Oregon’s stunning road loss to Oklahoma State on Sept. 12, resorting to checkdowns rather than delivering the inspirational downfield strikes that we saw last year. Nevertheless, he remains the most talented pure passer in this class, in my opinion. But talented passers aren’t always the best quarterbacks. The ability to put one’s team on their back in the biggest moments is a separator. And it is that area which has catapulted Trinidad Chambliss into not only the first-round conversation, but the possibility of being the first quarterback off the board in the 2027 draft. I recently took a deep dive into Chambliss’ play, evaluating him in the five categories I’ve learned over my career that are the best indicators of future NFL success for the quarterback position. Chambliss’ numbers are good, but his play has been better than his statistics suggest. After leading the SEC in passing yards last year, he’s improved his completion percentage and has a solid 11-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio that is all the more impressive given that he’s also run for five scores. It is also worth noting that, like Manning, Chambliss has thrown an interception in four of his five games played so far this season, reinforcing two facts: The 2027 NFL Draft won’t be here for another six months. And, if the start of the regular season is any indication, the quarterback who comes off the board first may wind up being more of a matter of personal preference than the consensus top signal-caller – which could result in a handful of quarterbacks flying off the board rapid-fire style as we saw back in 2024.

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Top 10 NFL Coordinators Ready To Become Head Coaches

Head coaches are already firmly on the hot seat this season. These coordinators are the names to pay attention to. There were 10 new head coaches entering this season, including a few surprising changes like Sean McDermott being out in Buffalo or John Harbaugh in Baltimore. Veterans like Todd Bowles (Buccaneers), Jim Harbaugh (Chargers) and Dan Quinn (Commanders) are potentially on thin ice after slow starts to the season. Fans will be wondering who might be the next man up to lead their team. Who could be the coordinators who replace those head coaches on the hot seat? Here are the 10 names you need to know before the coaching carousel begins this offseason. Why He’s A Candidate Ruiz: Ulbrich has been a fringe head-coaching candidate since serving as Jets defensive coordinator under Robert Saleh. Nothing has changed since he parted ways with his former boss, and Ulbrich has strengthened his résumé by running the Falcons' defense. He got above-average results from a young Atlanta defense in 2025 and had the unit playing at a top-10 clip by season’s end. Atlanta pummeling Josh Allen and derailing his MVP campaign on "Thursday Night Football" was one of the season's biggest shocks and put Ulbrich back on the head-coaching radar. Ulbrich isn’t a flashy defensive playcaller. You won't find exotic blitzes and fancy coverages on the Falcons' defensive tape. But you will find a defense that’s structurally sound and always plays hard. Atlanta has punched well above its weight defensively since Ulbrich’s arrival. What We’re Hearing Vacchiano: "I’ve always wondered why he doesn’t get more play [in head coaching hiring cycles]. His defenses are always tough, and his players really respond to him," an NFL executive told me. "I mean, what he did with the Jets [as defensive coordinator from 2021-24], when the offense gave them no help at all, was a miracle. I know Robert Saleh gets credit for that, but it was really Ulbrich leading them. "And don’t discount what he did as interim [head coach for the Jets in 2024] either. That team was a mess. The whole organization was dysfunctional. And he kept a team with a lot of strong personalities from completely tearing itself apart. He’s under the radar, but he’s going to be a terrific head coach someday if someone gives him a chance." Why He’s A Candidate McKenna: He first burst onto the scene in 2022 in Denver when his chops with X’s and O’s started to turn heads. But the defense faltered late in the year, in part because of shaky leadership at the top from former Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett. That meant Evero had to find a new home, and the Panthers scooped him up. And it speaks to his impressive acumen that he has remained the DC in Carolina despite coaching turnover, working for former Panthers coach Frank Reich and current coach Dave Canales. The numbers haven’t been pretty for a substantial portion of Evero’s time in Carolina, because the defensive personnel has been … quite bad. But GM Dan Morgan has invested in that side of the ball, and the Panthers have bona fide stars in cornerback Jaycee Horn and defensive lineman Derrick Brown. They also seem to have a few newcomers on the rise, from linebacker Devin Lloyd to edge Jaelan Phillips. Phillips and Horn are dealing with injuries. But this group could ascend quickly — and help the Panthers make the playoffs. If/when that happens, Evero will get the respect that’s overdue. What We’re Hearing Williams: Considered a head-coaching candidate since his time with the Rams under McVay, where he rose from safeties coach to passing game coordinator, Evero has coached a top-10 defense two times over the past five years as a DC. The 45-year-old remains an up-and-coming head coaching candidate. Evero interviewed for vacancies with the Falcons, Steelers and Raiders during the last hiring cycle. "He is a smart, strong leader respected by the team and carries himself like an alpha," one league personnel executive, who worked in the same building as Evero, told me. Why He’s A Candidate McKenna: The more you look at Weaver's work with the Dolphins, the more you’ll see that he achieved something special. We’re seeing former Miami head coach Mike McDaniel’s reputation dissolve with every interception and sack from Justin Herbert. So if you look back, you’ll have even more respect for how Weaver quietly produced a strong Miami defense in 2024. It's even more impressive considering he took over after the strange exit by Vic Fangio, who was Miami's DC in 2023. And so that informs the Ravens’ defensive success. It’s an aging unit — not unlike the rest of the roster. But he (and defensive-minded head coach Jesse Minter) are getting the most out of the players. If Baltimore’s defense keeps getting better as the year goes on, Weaver should graduate to his first head coaching job. What We’re Hearing Vacchiano: "What I hear over and over about him is ‘leader of men,’" an NFL assistant GM told me. "I know it’s an overused cliché, but he comes across as powerful and in charge. I’ve heard that from a bunch of teams that interviewed him in recent years. That can matter almost as much as strategy. And he’s good at that part, too. But when he’s in front of a room, his players listen. And they believe." Why He’s A Candidate Ruiz: It’s easy to write off Klay Kubiak as just another Kyle Shanahan assistant. Having taken his first pro coaching job in 2021, he doesn’t have a long NFL track record. He’s never called plays above the high school level. And with Shanahan calling plays for the 49ers, it’s unclear exactly what Kubiak's job entails as offensive coordinator. But the 49ers offense has taken massive steps forward since Kubiak took over the job in 2025. Shanahan’s run game is more diverse than ever, and the pre-snap motion and player usage have been more creative over the past two seasons. Even if Kubiak isn’t relaying the plays to QB Brock Purdy, he deserves some credit for this recent glow-up. The offense looks like a machine in Kubiak’s second season as the coordinator. And don’t sleep on his Year 1 work, when he helped the offense stay afloat despite numerous injuries, including a high-ankle sprain that knocked Purdy out for seven weeks. What We’re Hearing Williams: The younger brother of Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak and son of former longtime NFL head coach Gary Kubiak, Klay is a former high school teacher and head coach who steadily ascended from defensive quality control assistant to offensive coordinator during his six years with the 49ers. "Klay is one of the best coaches I’ve ever been around," former San Francisco quarterbacks coach Brian Griese told me. "He has a lot of his dad in him — really smart and able to communicate well. He was a teacher, so you have someone who has character and values that he lives every single day, and the players can see he genuinely cares about them. And he has the acumen and the mind to really execute and innovate and be ahead of other coaches on the defensive side." Why He’s A Candidate McKenna: Look at the way Shula had the Rams — without Aaron Donald or Myles Garrett — punishing Eagles QB Jalen Hurts on third down in Week 4. Look at the way Shula had the Rams deceiving Bo Nix in Week 3 to the point where the Broncos QB looked lost — throwing five turnover-worthy passes, even if the Rams only secured one (and errantly got a DPI on the other). Shula has put together some of the more dominant defensive game plans in the NFL over the past two years. That’s no doubt partially because of all the talent he’s had. And given all that talent, Shula’s defenses should probably be a little bit more consistent. But he has demonstrated the acumen and upside that teams will want in a defensive coach. What We’re Hearing Williams: The grandson of the winningest head coach in NFL history in Don Shula, Chris Shula brings a legacy of coaching to the job. He’s coached with good friend and former Miami of Ohio teammate Sean McVay for the past decade, so he’s learned how to build a culture from one of the best. Shula also cut his teeth learning from the likes of Wade Phillips, Raheem Morris and Brandon Staley, so he brings with him a diversity of defensive schemes that he can implement. "He has been on some good staffs at different levels and certainly has been successful with the Rams," a scout who worked in the same building as Shula told me. "But I’ve seen young coaches become head coaches too soon, just from the depth of life and football experience, which is usually a precursor for success as a head coach. But Chris always seemed like a squared-away dude when I knew him." Why He’s A Candidate Ruiz: Anyone in Sean McVay’s orbit is going to get interest during the hiring cycle. After just two years on the Rams' staff, Scheelhaase earned three interviews for head coaching gigs last offseason, and it feels like a matter of time before he lands a head job after being promoted to McVay’s offensive coordinator. Scheelhaase is a smart, diligent coach by all accounts, but with just a year of college playcalling experience, it’s unclear what he’ll bring to a team as an offensive mind. Will he even call plays? If so, will he be any good at it? That never stopped teams from hiring offensive coordinators away from McVay’s staff. Kevin O’Connell got the Vikings' job with no playcalling experience. The same goes for Zac Taylor in Cincinnati. Liam Coen and Matt LaFleur had to leave McVay’s nest to call plays elsewhere, but both proved qualified when they got their chance to lead a team. Hiring McVay’s assistants has been a trend for nearly a decade, and teams that jumped on it seem happy with the decision. O’Connell, LaFleur, Coen and Zac Taylor are all still employed. Even if "proximity to McVay" is Scheelhaase’s only notable qualification, that could be enough for coach-needy teams. What We’re Hearing Williams: League sources I spoke with said Scheelhaase interviewed well during the last head coaching cycle. I wrote a profile on Scheelhaase at the start of the regular season, and the head coaches he worked for in college and the pros spoke glowingly of his work ethic and ability to connect with players. "He’s got great organizational skills, great communication skills," Rams head coach Sean McVay told me. "He shows great leadership to be able to bring people together. He’s got a great capacity for the game, and he’s continuing to learn the foundation of some of the things we’ve been doing. But he’s been awesome. I’ve been really pleased with the job he’s done." Why He’s A Candidate McKenna: Ever since Liam Coen arrived, Trevor Lawrence has elevated into the player we thought he’d be: a top-tier and (most importantly) consistent QB. Quietly, behind the scenes, the 30-year-old Udinski has watched and learned. But it’s not a passive gig for him. He has also participated heavily in the quarterback’s progress. Maybe he hasn’t made the move that Doyle made — jumping laterally to a different OC job to take over playcalling — but that doesn’t mean Udinski isn’t turning heads. Last interview season, he impressed people around the league. And with the Jaguars off to an even crisper start on offense, there’s so much to like about Udinski’s candidacy in a league that was — last year at least — starved for young offensive minds. Ultimately, Udinski's candidacy will be based on Lawrence’s performance and upward trajectory. If that holds, he’ll likely be a head coach in 2027. What We’re Hearing "He’s really young — like Sean McVay young when he was hired. There’s no doubt he’s a rising star, and everyone is always looking for the next McVay," an NFL assistant GM told me. "But I think he’s going to need to get a little more experience. He might need to get away from Jacksonville, too. It might be hard for some to get past the perception that Liam Coen is the brains down there. Maybe that’s unfair, but it’s also why he might need to succeed somewhere else first." Why He’s A Candidate Ruiz: Watch Anthony Campanile run one team meeting, and you’ll get it. The guy can fire up a room. And he’s much more than some rah-rah meathead. The dude knows ball. You can see it in the design of the Jaguars' defense. It checks all the boxes for a modern scheme. Jacksonville stops the run without sacrificing coverage. On obvious passing downs, Campanile has several pitches to throw at an opposing quarterback. He’ll play man, he’ll play safe zones, he’ll send overload blitzes and simulated pressures. It is not easy to prepare for. More importantly, Campanile has gotten results wherever he’s been. He was hired as Packers run game coordinator in 2024 and immediately fixed Green Bay’s run defense, which finished third in yards per attempt. Liam Coen brought him to Jacksonville in 2025, and the Jaguars' defense went from one of the league's worst units to an above-average outfit. The results have been even better in 2026. Consistent, linear improvement is a sign of good coaching. What We’re Hearing Vacchiano: "I hate going up against his defenses," an NFL offensive assistant coach told me. "They’re hard to predict. He’s coached under Vic Fangio and Brian Flores and you can see the influence from both of them. And he’s great at adjusting based on what he thinks you’re going to do. The way they’re playing, a lot of NFL teams will take notice." "Still a little light on experience, but you can’t argue with the job he’s done with that Jacksonville defense," an NFL executive told me. "And it’s only a matter of time before the NFL starts picking apart that staff. His defenses are unpredictable, and his players play for him. I’d want to see more, but he’s going to get a lot of interviews." Why He’s A Candidate Henry McKenna: As a case study for how Doyle has been one step ahead of defenses all year, look at his usage of receiver Zay Flowers. The 30-year-old first-year Ravens OC has conceived of seemingly endless concepts to get Flowers open on the same crossing route. Doyle just has a way of putting elaborate window dressing on simple plays — and the flourish and sleight-of-hand have made the Ravens extremely successful. Doyle’s influences include Ben Johnson in Chicago and Sean Payton in both New Orleans and Denver. He spent a few years as a tight ends coach before jumping into an offensive coordinator role in 2025 with the Bears. He then followed Ravens coach Jesse Minter to Baltimore in order to get a playcalling job on top of his OC duties. And it has been a smart move for Doyle to step away from Johnson’s shadow. Neither of them seem to be suffering. What We’re Hearing Ralph Vacchiano: "We love the hot offensive coach in this league, so he’ll get a [head-coaching] job eventually," an NFL executive told me. "Maybe soon. But [next year] might be a little too quick. Let’s be honest, it was Ben Johnson running the [Bears'] offense last year, not [Doyle]. I’m not diminishing what he did. But let’s see him on his own for a couple of years first. "That said, I can see why so many wanted him as offensive coordinator. He learned from one of the best, and he’s obviously got a great offensive mind. But let’s give him a little time to develop into a leader." Why He’s A Candidate Steven Ruiz: No defensive coordinator has done more with less since Flores started calling plays for the Vikings in 2023. Minnesota finished in the top seven in points allowed in 2024 and 2025, and it’s leading the league this season. Flores has accomplished that feat with just one All-Pro player (Danielle Hunter in 2023) and two Pro Bowlers (Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Grennard in 2024). And as the roster continues to churn — Hunter and Greenard have both been replaced with younger, cheaper players — the results just keep on improving. If Flores’ defense isn’t the best in the NFL, it’s certainly the most feared. It’s a nightmare for quarterbacks, who face incessant blitzing from every angle. It’s controlled chaos. Flores isn’t just sending the house recklessly. He has a strong handle on opponents’ protection plans and always finds the weak points. There are no questions about Flores’ X’s and O’s. He’s one of the league's top defensive minds, but that’s just one part of the job. After Flores clashed with several Dolphins players as Miami head coach from 2019-21, including first-round quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, questions remain about his ability to lead a locker room. Flores has said all the right things since his failed stint in Miami. He’s talked about evolving his teaching methods, and players in Minnesota, where he essentially acts as a second head coach under Kevin O’Connell, go to bat for him. When I visited Vikings camp last summer, several veteran players told me they came to Minnesota specifically to play for Flores. The players rave about his coaching style as much as his scheme. What We’re Hearing Eric D. Williams: Arguably the top defensive coordinator in the league, Flores won more games than he lost in two of his three seasons as head coach of the Dolphins. "Not only will he have an opportunity, but he will also be much more selective this time," a league source told me. "He knows what exactly he is looking for. And he has already been a head coach, so being a head coach is not his dream job like it is for other coaches who have never been one before." Flores might already be a head coach if not for his ongoing systemic racial discrimination litigation with the league. And according to sources I spoke with, he has softened his abrasive approach to leading a team from his time in South Beach. "He is one of the most thoughtful and creative coaches I have ever been around," a longtime personnel man who worked in the building with Flores told me. "He deserves a second chance. He learned from his past, but owners are holding his lawsuit against him in my opinion."

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Who Should Be Blamed For Commanders' OT Blunder? NFL Scouts, Execs Differ

The Washington Commanders had a blunder for the ages in their 27-27 tie against the New York Giants on Sunday. Possessing the ball with a winding clock in the final minute of overtime, the Commanders opted to run another play from scrimmage instead of kicking a field goal from the Giants' 24-yard line with 12 seconds left. The result was a disaster, with Jayden Daniels scrambling around before taking a sack at the line of scrimmage. Washington wasn't able to get set on time to spike the ball before time ran out, causing the game to end in a tie. The Commanders were instantly clowned for letting the game get away from them, falling to 1-3-1 on the year. Daniels and head coach Dan Quinn were quick to accept responsibility for the miscue as well, with several analysts pointing the finger at each party for allowing the massive screw-up to happen. But who really is to blame for what transpired in the final moments of Sunday's tie? We asked people around the league, and most of them believe that one of them is more to blame than the other. Here's what we learned from our conversations. Ralph Vacchiano: The reaction around the league to the brain freeze by Dan Quinn, Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders on Sunday was swift and seemingly universal. I received several texts from sources with a variation of "Oh my God!" to "Holy s---" and just "Wow." But assigning who was to blame for the Commanders letting the clock run out in their 27-27 tie with the Giants when they were already within game-winning field goal range at the end of overtime wasn’t universal at all. NFL executives I contacted were much quicker to blame the coach. Coaches, though, were understandably a little more eager to let Quinn off the hook. "I get why Dan gets all the heat," one assistant coach texted me. "It’s ultimately his responsibility. But do you really think he didn’t tell his players to watch the clock?" "Sometimes players do stupid things, no matter how much you coach them," a former coach told me via text message. Days later, it’s still unclear what Quinn and his coaches told Daniels — and, just as importantly, when they told him. But even the coaches understood that Quinn bears the ultimate responsibility and will likely be the one to take the fall. And the executives I spoke to agreed that a "fall" is probably coming, unless Quinn turns the Commanders around really fast. "It’s not a fireable offense because you can’t overreact to one moment," an assistant general manager told me. "But it sure does make you think about it. If your coach isn’t prepared for that, if he hasn’t made his team completely prepared for that, then what is he doing? "Ask any of the best coaches ever. They’ll tell you how much situational preparation matters. It’s not all about Xs and Os and locker-room speeches. It’s making sure all the little things are covered — the little things that can lose you games." "It makes you question everything about his coaching ability," a former NFL general manager told me. "It doesn’t mean he’s a terrible coach. But the best coaches thrive in those situations. I get it. You’ve got time running out, 11 players on the field, multiple assistants in your ear, 20 things to consider. "But he gets the big money to be the beacon in that storm." In many ways, the quarterback is paid to be that beacon too. They are paid not just for their ability, but for their ability to be calm and clear-headed in chaotic, late-game situations. But teams are usually much more committed to their quarterback than they are to their coach. And since Daniels is still just 25 years old and hasn’t even played two full NFL seasons yet, he’ll likely get a much bigger pass. Still, some coaches don’t think he should. "I wasn’t there, so I can’t know for sure, but I’ll never believe [Daniels] wasn’t told to ‘clock’ it, and probably right before the last play," the assistant coach told me. "I understand. He’s young. But this isn’t Pee Wee football. He’s an NFL quarterback. If he doesn’t know what to do by now, when the clock is running down, God help him." Eric D. Williams: Green Bay Packers star edge rusher Micah Parsons made a big claim on his podcast about the futures of Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels following their late-game blunder in Sunday's tie against the Giants. Parsons said that Daniels likely cost Quinn his job, and potentially a rich long-term deal. However, NFL contract negotiators I spoke with believe that Daniels' mess-up won't hinder any extension negotiations down the line. But an NFL agent told me that the head-scratching mistake could affect Quinn's standing with the team. "That’s where this has a bigger impact," the NFL contract negotiator told me. "It’s hard to find QBs, so one is more inclined to give Daniels a pass in this situation. But for a head coach who was already on the hot seat, it’s hard to give him a pass in this regard." As the Commanders fell to 1-3-1 on the year with the loss, Quinn might firmly be on the hot seat in Washington. Ralph placed Quinn third in his hot seat rankings entering Week 5, with some sportsbooks placing him among the betting favorites to be the first head coach fired. Daniels, meanwhile, was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year two years ago and led Washington to the NFC Championship Game, but has struggled to stay healthy since. But when upright, Daniels has still played high-level football. He's thrown for 1,721 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions to go with 481 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in 11 games since the start of last season. In the third year of his rookie deal, Daniels is eligible for a contract extension this upcoming offseason that could pay him north of $50 million at the end of this season. Expect Washington to back up the Brink’s truck. "The wound from the debacle is fresh right now," an NFL contract negotiator told me. "But the emotion/pain from it will eventually subside. That said, it will be one of the MANY considerations when contemplating an extension. "How much weight this particular consideration holds will likely be small by the time they’re negotiating. It’s just a one-time ‘egg on the face’ moment that shouldn’t impact how they view Jayden in totality." While Sunday's mishap might not have an impact on a future deal for Daniels, another NFL agent I spoke with believes Daniels still needs to play well for the rest of the season to earn a new deal. "If he doesn’t play well, it doesn’t help him get a deal," the agent told me. "If he plays consistently like he did in 2024, it won’t affect it. But he hasn’t done that since 2024."

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Will Hill's Parlay Of The Week: Back Dodgers In Game 3; Jags Over Texans

This week in sports features a desperate Dodgers team trying to get in the win column and the last two college football national champions facing off against one another. What better time than now to throw those matchups and a few others into a parlay. Here's what I'm looking at. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. It’s now or never for the back-to-back champs, as they head home trailing the Brewers 2-0. The Dodgers certainly don’t look like the Dodgers of old. Instead, they seem more like just old Dodgers. However, at home, desperate, and with a pitching advantage, I’ll take them to win and get this series to 2-1. The battle of the last two national champions should be a fun one on Saturday, but I’m betting on the Buckeyes to get their points against Indiana. Indiana is at home and hasn’t lost a game since a week before Christmas 2024. However, the Hoosiers' defense looks vulnerable. It gave up nearly 300 yards passing to Northwestern and almost 400 total yards last week against Nebraska. Ohio State star receiver Jeremiah Smith should have yet another big day. It will be an electric atmosphere in Provo, Utah, on Saturday, as BYU gets a rare visit from Notre Dame. The crowd can only take you so far, though. Without running back LJ Martin, BYU and its limited weapons will struggle to find much success offensively against this unforgiving defense of Notre Dame. The Jaguars were sloppy, despite their victory last week in London over the Eagles. I expect a much more efficient performance this week, with an emphasis on eliminating penalties. The Jaguars have been in London all week preparing. Meanwhile, the Texans will head there following a road win against the Titans. There's a big situational and travel edge for the Jags, who can all but finish the playoffs hopes of the Texans with a win. When these teams met a year ago, it was a 40-40 tie. The Cowboys are still just as lethal on offense as they were a year ago and might somehow be worse defensively this season. It’s hard to go wrong betting the Over in Cowboys games.

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Roll The Tape: Why The Eagles' New Offense Is A Bad Fit For QB Jalen Hurts

The Philadelphia Eagles are struggling like never before with QB Jalen Hurts. The Denver Broncos' offense isn't any better. Former blue-chip wide receiver prospect Marvin Harrison Jr. has a new team. The New York Jets have a new star defender. Each week, I dive into the All-22 coaches' film before offering a few insights to watch. Here are four developments that could be long-term storylines involving some of the best teams and players in the NFL. It is rare for a Super Bowl MVP to land on the hot seat shortly after feeling the confetti fall on his shoulders, but Philly natives are growing restless after watching the Eagles’ offense sputter and stall again under Jalen Hurts. The perennial title contenders are sitting at 2-3, with an offense that ranks near the bottom of the league in most major statistical categories. The Eagles’ anemic running game is accompanied by a scattershot aerial attack that doesn’t appear to have any rhyme or reason under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. To be fair, the Eagles are dealing with numerous personnel issues, from injuries (Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith) to departures (A.J. Brown, Lane Johnson, Cam Jurgens) that have wrecked an offensive lineup built to overwhelm opponents with superior talent. Now, Hurts is overseeing a patchwork offense that lacks the star power to roll over opponents, while being asked to do more in a traditional scheme that wants him to operate like a pass-first point guard instead of a playmaker who scores in multiple ways. Without an elite wideout on the perimeter, Hurts is expected to get it done with a wide receiver-by-committee approach that features a borderline WR1 (Smith) and a collection of B-list pass catchers (Hollywood Brown, Dontavyion Wicks, Makai Lemon, and Darius Cooper) who don’t scare opposing defensive coordinators or defenders with their individual or collective talents. Although some Eagles’ supporters might dispute that sentiment based on the first-round pedigrees of Brown and Lemon, neither has made an impact in Philly that demands attention from their opponents thus far. Until they are able to spark the offense with splash plays, the Eagles will rely heavily on Smith and Dallas Goedert as Wicks makes key contributions in a supporting role. While the Eagles have succeeded without a marquee pass-catcher in the past (see: 2017), the lack of five-star perimeter talents puts more pressure on the offensive line and running game to produce results to help the quarterback find positive plays down the field. Barkley has been a non-factor this season due to injuries limiting the bulk of his work to two games (Washington and Chicago). Despite averaging 5.1 yards per carry in those contests, his absence and the losses of Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley have forced the Eagles into a one-dimensional attack that was doomed from the start. In that past, the Eagles’ stellar offensive line could mask their playmakers’ woes because they could dominate the line of scrimmage and allow marginal backs to churn out yards between the tackles. However, the loss of respected offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland and the aforementioned departures of Jurgens and Johnson, leaves the Eagles searching for an identity within the trenches with a bunch of newcomers trying to figure it out in a new system. Speaking of schematics, the addition of Mannion as the offensive coordinator also appears to be a poor fit based on his preferred system and Hurts’ abilities. Mannion, of course, is the fifth OC head coach Nick Sirianni has hired in his six-year joint tenure with Hurts. While the Sean McVay/Matt LaFleur disciple brings over Xs and Os that have helped several quarterbacks flourish in the pocket, Mannion's traditional dropbacks and play-action concepts from shotgun and under center are a far cry from the RPO (run-pass option) concepts that helped turn Hurts into an unstoppable force as the Eagles’ QB1. Although the franchise quarterback should be able to adapt and adjust to a new playbook as an experienced starter with a 59-28 career record, the tactics don’t mesh well with his talent, so his 2026 struggles are not surprising. Watching the Eagles’ operation in Week 5, the disconnect between Hurts and the rest of the offense is startling. From the stagnant ground attack due to lackluster runners plunging into clogged holes, to the "dink-and-dunk" throws to covered receivers, the Eagles’ lack the personnel and playbook to challenge heavyweight opponents right now. Perhaps more time on task and the return of their frontline stars can help revive Philly into a title contender, but the offense’s struggles are destined to continue until Hurts is put in an offense that leans more into his playmaking rather than exposes his flaws as a passer. After watching his offense sputter under new offensive coordinator Davis Webb, Broncos head coach Sean Payton snatched the call sheet from the former NFL journeyman QB to help Bo Nix and Co. find the balance and rhythm that has been missing in 2026. Despite promising to stay out of the way of the first-time playcaller, Payton stepped in to keep the Broncos from missing a potential Super Bowl run while Davis finishes his on-the-job training. With the Broncos ranking 26th in scoring offense and Nix playing the worst ball of his career, the offensive wizard needed to take the call sheet back to help a promising young quarterback rediscover the magic that helped him lead 10 game-winning drives over his first two seasons, while completing 64.8% of his passes with a 54:23 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Most importantly, Nix led the Broncos to back-to-back playoff appearances and last season's AFC Championship Game thanks to his steady play under Payton. Part of his success as a young QB can be attributed to Payton's conservative approach, which eased the pressure on the former first-rounder. The offense blended a movement-based passing game with a diverse running game to keep opponents from attacking Nix with exotic pressures from every angle. Although the Broncos lacked a premier running back in the backfield, their rotation forced opponents to prepare for a creative running game that featured role-playing specialists (Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey) anchoring a mid-ranking running game that was just good enough to keep opponents from loading up against an efficient aerial attack. Stretch zone runs and complementary bootlegs, plus the inside run and various RPO combinations, allowed Nix to maximize his playmaking potential as an athletic passer with plus-running skills. Nix’s impromptu scrambles and occasional designed runs added another dimension to the offense as Payton sought to build a ball-control unit that complemented a disruptive defense. In Week 5, the Broncos returned to a complementary game, with Payton balancing the call log to feature a 50-50 run-pass ratio. The Broncos ran 29 times and passed 27, while capitalizing on the prime scoring opportunities the defense created. Although the stat sheet was far from impressive, with the team amassing just 224 net yards and Nix finishing with the second-lowest passing output of his career (123 yards), the offense’s flow matched his strengths as a "game manager" with a keen understanding of how to play winning football (avoiding sacks and turnovers) for a playoff contender. While Payton must find more ways to incorporate wideouts Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton into the game plan to increase the offense’s explosive potential, he must do it while rebuilding Nix’s confidence with high-completion throws and "chain-moving" plays that keep the offense on schedule. With Nix also thriving in "tempo" situations at the end of games, the Broncos could mix in some no-huddle to help the young quarterback face more vanilla defensive looks that allow him to operate in attack mode from the pocket. After taking back the call sheet to help his franchise quarterback and offense get back on track, Payton must continue to take bold measures to get the Broncos back to playing the efficient brand of ball that has made them title contenders under his direction. Is one's trash another's treasure? That's what the Texans are betting on after acquiring once-ballyhooed Ohio State standout Marvin Harrison Jr. and reuniting him with quarterback C.J. Stroud. Although the football world has seemingly soured on MHJ after posting 1,578 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in 33 career games, the third-year pro needed a winning organization with a demanding culture to get back on track after an up-and-down journey with the Cardinals. The Texans’ impressive track record of turning top picks into stars (see: Stroud, OLB Will Anderson and CB Derek Stingley) bodes well for the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Harrison, who flashed elite receiving skills before falling out of favor amid a slump that exposed his flaws as a playmaker. Harrison’s inability to separate against bump-and-run and tight coverage led to too many 50-50 balls for a big-bodied pass catcher expected to anchor the passing game like Larry Fitzgerald once did in Arizona. With MHJ's effort and concentration waning near the end of his tenure, the Texans are hoping a change of scenery, a new scheme and better connection with his quarterback will help the super-sized pass-catcher regain his swagger as a high-end WR2 for an offense that desperately needs a reliable threat opposite Pro Bowler Nico Collins. Studying the All-22 coaches’ footage from MHJ’s rookie season shows he entered the league with the tools to be a designated playmaker in an offense built around his game. In the second game of his career, he totaled 130 receiving yards and a pair of scores on just four catches against the Los Angeles Rams. The tape reveals a sticky-fingered receiver with outstanding balance, body control, and awareness. As a natural pass-catcher with strong hands, Harrison can climb the ladder on boundary alley-oops or post up smaller defenders on curls and in-breaking routes between the hashes. He also flashes enough speed and quickness to beat squatting defenders on vertical routes that accompany play-action or misdirection fakes in the backfield. For a Texans squad that needs a dependable weapon with big-play potential, Harrison’s revival could resurrect the team’s playoff hopes and ignite an offense that has been looking for a spark plug on the perimeter. If the 2026 regular season ended today, Jets defensive end David Bailey should be the undisputed choice as the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year. The No. 2 overall pick has dominated as expected as a speed-rushing phenom with exceptional first-step quickness and closing burst. Through five games, Bailey has recorded five sacks, including a hat trick against the Cleveland Browns that showcased his speed, quickness and burst around the corner. The 6-foot-3, 251-pounder posted a jaw-dropping 40-yard dash time (4.50) prior to the draft, and his explosive quickness shows up repeatedly as he blows past blockers on simple speed-rushing moves. In studying each of Bailey’s three sacks against Cleveland, the rookie standout showed he can mix force with finesse to keep blockers guessing on the edges. On his first sack, Bailey attacked rookie offensive tackle Spencer Fano with a two-handed bull rush and dog-walked the blocker into Deshaun Watson’s lap. The explosive move exploited the blocker’s fear of his speed by running through him as he waited for a "dip-and-rip" off the edge. Bailey’s second sack came from a cleverly designed blitz from a "Double Mug" (six-man front with linebackers walked up on each side of the center) front that sent Bailey off the edge, with Jarvis Brownlee shooting inside through the B-gap (space between the right tackle and right guard), creating a two-on-one matchup against OT Tytus Howard on the edge. With the veteran opting to protect the inside gap because of the quarterback's proximity, Bailey waltzed in for an easy quarterback takedown. With the Browns unsure how the rookie would attack, given his diverse repertoire of pass-rush moves, the hat trick on his patented "dip-and-rip" rush shouldn’t surprise anyone who studied his game at Stanford and Texas Tech. Bailey exploded off the edge facing OT Dawand Jones, and the veteran couldn't kick-step quick enough to stay in front of the hard-charging pass-rusher. As Jets coach Aaron Glenn continues to find fun and creative ways to deploy Bailey as a designated pass-rusher with elite playmaking skills, the football world can expect to see the rookie continually making splash plays.

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Saints Owner Gayle Benson Explains Why She Will 'Not Accept' Team's Slow Start

The New Orleans Saints have lost four of their five games, and owner Gayle Benson is letting them hear about it. "We are 1-4. That is not acceptable to me, and it falls short of what our fans truly deserve. I hear the frustration directed toward our team and our organization. It is not lost on me. Our fans invest their time and their hearts in the Saints. They are right to expect more than we have given them. As an owner, the responsibility does start with me. I will not make excuses, and I will not accept this level of performance as our standard," Benson said Tuesday at a meeting of the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club. "I am committed to making the decisions necessary to improve this team. Everyone in this organization understands the urgency. We must prepare better, execute consistently and correct the mistakes that are costing us the games. Words will not restore our fans’ confidence. Our performance must do better." Following a Week 1 overtime loss on the road to the Detroit Lions where New Orleans failed to convert a game-winning, two-point conversion, the Saints defeated Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on the road in Week 2. However, they've since lost three consecutive games, perhaps low-lighted by a 45-24 loss at home on Monday Night Football to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4, which saw New Orleans trail by as many as 28 points. The aforementioned NFC South divisional loss marked the 20-year anniversary of the Saints' return to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. That stung for Benson. "Twenty years ago, the Saints returned to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina, and we all remember Steve Gleason’s blocked punt. The roar of the crowd and what it meant to see our city come together once again. Losing this year’s anniversary game to Atlanta [was] truly disappointing," Benson said. "Hearing our fans’ memories of that homecoming reinforced how deeply this team is woven into their lives." In last week's loss at home to the Minnesota Vikings, quarterback Tyler Shough threw for just 96 yards and tossed two interceptions, with the Saints registering only 142 yards of total offense. Through five games, the Saints' offense is 29th in the NFL in rushing yards (81.8 per game), 20th in total yards (322.0 per game), 16th in points (23.6 per game) and 11th in passing yards (240.2 per game). Meanwhile, the Saints' defense is 31st in the NFL in opponent points (30.2 per game), 30th in opponent rushing yards (148.8 per game), 25th in opponent total yards (361.0 per game), tied for 20th in sacks (10.0) and 11th outright in opponent passing yards (212.2 per game). New Orleans is coming off a 6-11 season that saw the Saints win four of their last five games in what was their first year with head coach Kellen Moore. But if the losses continue, no one is safe. "Kellen Moore and his coaches are responsible for preparing our players to perform. [General manager] Mickey Loomis and our football staff are responsible for building a roster capable of sustained success. Our players are responsible for their preparation and execution," Benson said. "I am responsible for holding this organization accountable. "There’s a great deal of football ahead of us, but our response must show up on the field." The Saints have a road tilt against the New York Giants (3-1-1) in Week 6 (Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX).

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Mahomes Mountain Week 6: Jared Goff Rises, Patrick Mahomes Remains At The Summit

Nick Wright’s quarterback hierarchy saw a handful of names tumble this week but one signal caller stayed at the top of the mountain: Patrick Mahomes is alone at the summit. Jalen Hurts falls again, Dak Prescott drops after an underwhelming Thursday night, and Matthew Stafford actually climbs despite a loss — while a trio of backups quietly moved up the board. Here’s how Wright sees the league’s quarterbacks this week: Injured: Wright's thoughts: "Off the mountain, injured and off the mountain because of performance. Injured: Lamar should be back, Caleb should be back, Baker should be back. Jaxson Dart won’t be back." Off the mountain: Wright's thoughts: "Cam Ward, Malik Willis, Tyson Bagent — yikes. And Justin Herbert, who I don’t see, how, right now, he’s not one of the 28 best quarterbacks in the league. They got the ball back down six, and I felt like they had no shot whatsoever. I don’t know what’s wrong. We’ll talk about him later." 7th Row: Wright: "Bottom of the mountain. Jalen Hurts has to fall again. I understand there’s a lot working against him, the injuries, the retirement [of offensive tackle Lane Johnson], the head coach — I get it. But the offense is also not functional. His whole thing had been, hey, the stats might not be pretty, but we’re winning. You don’t have that either on a three-game losing streak. He tumbles a bit. "Daniel Jones, Deshaun Watson drop a bit. Bo Nix, Geno Smith and Jacoby Brissett, Jameis Winston — they’re probably bottom-row guys at this point in their careers. Not a problem, probably not going off the mountain, but bottom-row guys." 6th Row: Wright: "Sixth row, fair is fair, move them up. Kyler finally got a little juice in that offense — nice touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson, looked good for his first time in a Vikings uniform. He moves up. Tyler Huntley, maybe he needs to take the mantle as the best backup quarterback in the league. They went about half the games with him, and they didn’t look like a knee-capped operation that had no chance of moving the ball. He moves up. "Sam Darnold has not looked great yet this year, and the benefit of the doubt he’s built up is shrinking just a bit. He drops. Tyler Shough — maybe it turns out a lot of the optimism was from playing the Lions, and playing Detroit can do a lot for whoever’s on the other side. "Shout out to Jalon Daniels for Thursday night and Jalon Daniels' delightful interview with his mother that I liked a lot. "Jayden Daniels is back on the mountain because you're healthy again. The stuff you did with your legs in this game was actually really dynamic, and there were a lot of positive moments. I can't get over the ending. I understand. All probably David Blough's fault. I like my quarterbacks to have you know an idea of what quarter it is, what the rules are, if you have timeouts." 5th Row: Wright: "Look at Drake Maye — back in, back. That’s the steady climb back up the mountain. He almost got row four after a five-touchdown performance. Aaron Rodgers is playing really well — fair is fair, two of his last three games, he’s been excellent. C.J. Stroud stays where he is, even though they finally got a win. It took three quarters against the Titans, but he’s been consistent all year, playing really well. "Penix got hit in the ribs — I don’t know if he’ll miss time, so he’s not off the mountain for injury, but after a shaky early part of that game I thought he looked really sharp against Baltimore. And Kirk Cousins falls to the fifth row. Feels fair." 4th Row: Wright: "Fourth row — Bryce had a bye week, so he stays where he is. Stafford moved up in a loss — I thought Stafford was really good. Dak moves down after an awful Thursday Night Football performance — well, he wasn’t awful, but he wasn’t great. "Jordan Love, holy moly, how about that possession — chucking it deep, offensive pass interference, chucking it deep again, dropped, doing it again, touchdown. Jordan Love looked really good. He moves up." 3rd Row: Wright: "The prince made it onto the ballot but drops on the mountain. I didn’t think Trevor (Lawrence) was great in that game — the fourth-and-five throw to Parker Washington was awesome, an unbelievable catch, but there’s no shame in being on row three. "Look who he’s with: Josh Allen, who, despite only completing 12 passes, was dynamic in the fourth quarter and overtime and deadly with his legs all game, and Joe Burrow. An interesting year where he hasn’t made terrible mistakes and has obviously been good, but by his standards the numbers are just good, not great. Three of the six best plays in the NFL this season are by his receivers in the last few weeks, so Higgins and Chase are doing a lot this year. Burrow’s still great. The team’s good, not great yet." 2nd Row: Wright: "A change in row two: Jared Goff. They’re scoring more points than anyone in the league, they have one of the most efficient offenses ever. He's not turning the ball over. He’s been fantastic; they have to score these kinds of points. "Brock Purdy almost moved up to the top — he was brilliant late in that game. However, it was also the lowest passer rating he’s had this year, the fewest yards, and the first time he’s been intercepted this year. I thought it was not his worst performance of the year, but I’d rather it be next week, when he takes the all-time passer rating lead." 1st Row: Wright: "Still atop the mountain, because unlike Brock Purdy, he was not intercepted this week. Patrick Mahomes."

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