National Football League

[SHAD0W93]

Huh? So they could have just as easily made the playoffs with Rudolph or Big Ben's pick Will Howard at the helm? Sure, they got some help with the Ravens & Bengals collapse because of the injuries to LJ to Burrow, but that alone doesn't undermine their 10 win season and the performance of Rodgers.

Did you look at Rodgers' stats before throwing him under the bus? 3322 yds, 66 pct, 24 TDs/ 7 INTs, 94.8 Rtg, 3 4th QT/GWDs. The 94 Rtg puts him at #14 overall - better than half of the other starting QBs:

NFL Qb Passer Rating Leaders 2025 | StatMuse

Drake Maye had the highest passer rating by a quarterback in 2025, with a 113.5 rating.

www.statmuse.com

Ask any OC and they'll tell you those are above average stats. Of course sub-par by Rodgers standards, but we're dealing with a 42 yr QB with declining physical skills. You can't expect him to perform like he did in his prime. In fact, Rodgers has been downgraded to a Tier 3 QB after several years as a Tier 1. Again - expected because of his age (happens to the best of them).

The general consensus on Rodgers from HCs/GMs around the league is that he's no longer dynamic & has lost some arm strength, but can still throw well enough & see the field to be an effective starter. And there are other Tier 3 QBs out there who aren't playing as good as Rodgers despite being much younger (e.g., Murray, Tua, Young, Smith, etc). And he still has a little snap in his legs:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/7q_vUDcppOQ?si=XGdqAs_H9pjEkXo3

Okay, so Rodgers was one & done in the playoffs. So were the following other QBs:

Chargers (Herbert) loss to Patriots
Jacksonville (Lawrence) loss to Buffalo
Packers (Love) loss to the Bears
Eagles (Hurts) loss to the 9ers
Panthers (Young) loss to the Rams

Hmmm....shouldn't you be hammering on those guys as well?

Again, stats don’t mean everything compared to the film put on tape. Rodgers continued to make the same mistakes that has plagued him. With those quarterbacks they wouldn’t, with an actual starter from another team most likely. He’s been playing as an average quarterback back with the experience of an elite one.

I was critical of them when discussed.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Well, there's a reason teams weren't lining up to sign Rodgers, at all, this free agency. I wonder how many calls his agent even is getting.

 

[Nomad]

Again, stats don’t mean everything compared to the film put on tape. Rodgers continued to make the same mistakes that has plagued him. With those quarterbacks they wouldn’t, with an actual starter from another team most likely. He’s been playing as an average quarterback back with the experience of an elite one.

I was critical of them when discussed.

You're right, they don't mean everything but they mean enough to rank a QB's passing efficiency & crown a champion every year. The current passer rating ranking system used by the NFL:

80-89 Average
90-99 Above Average
100-119 Excellent/Top Tier
120+ Elite

As I said before, Rodgers finished this year at 94.8 = above average. Maye was top gun at 113.5 with Staffy a close 2nd at 109.2.

Of course Rodgers isn't playing at his elite level (his career passer rtg is 102!). As I said many times, he's been downgraded from Tier 1 most of his career to a Tier 3 currently (no surprises there given his age at 42). Tier 3 QBs are still starting material in the league (Tier 4 & 5 are generally backups). Here's the description of a Tier 3 from the current & former GMs/HCs & coordinators that compiled the list:

"A Tier 3 quarterback is a legitimate starter but needs a heavier running game and/or defensive component to win. A lower-volume dropback passing offense suits him best."

Here's the link of last year's (2025) rankings & comments made on each QB as to why he's in a certain ranking (a new list will come out this August). The list is comprised of current & former GMs/HCs & coordinators - guys in the know. Read the comments on Rodgers from those experts. Go argue with them that they don't know what they're talking about...maybe they don't?

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6514160/2025/08/11/nfl-qb-rankings-tiers-2025-jackson-daniels/

It's funny Shadow because all I said initially was that Rodgers, to my complete surprise, played a full 17 game schedule leading the the team to a 10 win playoff season & all heck breaks lose. Lol.

 

[Nomad]

Well, there's a reason teams weren't lining up to sign Rodgers, at all, this free agency. I wonder how many calls his agent even is getting.

Is that because Rodgers isn't interested in other teams, IOW, it's play another year with Pittsburgh or just retire? And Rooney desperately seems want to Rodgers back especially with McCarthy back coaching. If he was fed up with Rodgers, he could have pursued Murray, Tua, Smith, Cousins, etc,

And if Rodgers decides to retire, what does Rooney do? Go with Rudolph or Howard? Maybe sign whatever FA is still out there? Big decision for Rooney if Rodgers decides to ride off into the sunset. Lol.

Steelers' Desperate Attempt To Win Now Could Lead To Questionable QB Signing If Aaron Rodgers Does Not Return

The Pittsburgh Steelers are still trying to fill the gaping hole at their quarterback position. Expectations across the league are that Aaron Rodgers will return for one more year,

www.steelernation.com

 

[SHAD0W93]

It's funny Shadow because all I said initially was that Rodgers, to my complete surprise, played a full 17 game schedule leading the the team to a 10 win playoff season & all heck breaks lose. Lol.

Because unless you meant “leading” as in was the starting quarterback, he wasn’t a driving factor or cause.



On him returning is be honestly surprised due to the beef that was reported between himself and McCarthy along with him stating he’d change the plays on purpose to make McCarthy look bad.

 

[movingtarget]

Team USA defeats Wildcats FFC in Fanatics Flag Football Classic

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

NFL players simply out of their league against the FFC guys.

As to the Steelers, Derek Carr is itching to make a comeback...

 

[Nomad]

I don't think Carr is the answer long-term...do you?

They may have to go to the draft next year & take one of the top QBs in the high 1st rd. The Steelers top 2 QBs in the history of their franchise were taken #1 OA (Bradshaw) & #11 OA (Big Ben). Though they drafted Pickett #20 OA in 2022, that for some reason didn't pan out. I don't know if it was a failure in developing him or if he was over drafted and not starting materia to begin with? The kid could sure sling the ball (broke Marino's passing records at Pitt), and was a mobile pocket passer with decent speed.

Sadly, he didn't get along with Tomlin. That day he publicly challenged Tomlin's decision not to start him in the playoffs was the day he signed his death warrant with the Steelers. Lol.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I think Carr believes he can start, and take a team to a winning season. I don't. I absolutely do think he could be a backup though. He honestly hasn't been the same player since 2017 (broken leg then transverse fracture in his back) he went from being a mobile pocket passer who would take off, to somewhat mobile, and prone to injury. He also forced more and more throws as mobility turned into happy feet, or just check downs. One game/quarter/drive he could make as good of throws as anyone in the league, and the next baffling bad decisions killing games/drives. The entire time he was convinced, and convinced many others (many Raider fans) he was on the verge of being a tier 1 QB. Year after year of great/awful play. Granted, for the Raiders he was a hell of a lot better than every QB they've had since. So it's easy to see why Raider fans miss him.

He was a talented, if average starting QB, who managed to keep it together, stay positive, and make a heap of cash. Good person I should say. Personable, family man, seems like a great teammate who simply doesn't say bad things about other people. Geno Smith flipped off Raider fans at Allegiant after a bad game. Carr would never, ever do that in a million years. He owned up to his mistakes, in a similar way that Eli did after Eli's many bad games. Eli was just on better teams, and played clutch big time in big games. Carr never got there. Carr may be closer to Case Keenum (another nice guy) in this regard.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

As to Pickett, I think his light personality didn't fit in Tomlin's system at all. Since Tomlin has left we've heard about a slew of small stories about dysfunction, and how impressive he was to keep it all in the locker room, kept it all together.

I also think Pickett needed better coaching coming out of college. I thought he started week 1, but looked it up, it was week 4. The Steelers OC was Matt Canada then, and he was fired in the middle of Pickett's 2nd season when their offense was the worst in the league. After that season, Pittsburgh was done with him as well.

 

[movingtarget]

Seahawks signing WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to four-year, $168.6 million contract extension

 

[Nomad]

I think Carr believes he can start, and take a team to a winning season. I don't. I absolutely do think he could be a backup though. He honestly hasn't been the same player since 2017 (broken leg then transverse fracture in his back) he went from being a mobile pocket passer who would take off, to somewhat mobile, and prone to injury. He also forced more and more throws as mobility turned into happy feet, or just check downs. One game/quarter/drive he could make as good of throws as anyone in the league, and the next baffling bad decisions killing games/drives. The entire time he was convinced, and convinced many others (many Raider fans) he was on the verge of being a tier 1 QB. Year after year of great/awful play. Granted, for the Raiders he was a hell of a lot better than every QB they've had since. So it's easy to see why Raider fans miss him.

He was a talented, if average starting QB, who managed to keep it together, stay positive, and make a heap of cash. Good person I should say. Personable, family man, seems like a great teammate who simply doesn't say bad things about other people. Geno Smith flipped off Raider fans at Allegiant after a bad game. Carr would never, ever do that in a million years. He owned up to his mistakes, in a similar way that Eli did after Eli's many bad games. Eli was just on better teams, and played clutch big time in big games. Carr never got there. Carr may be closer to Case Keenum (another nice guy) in this regard.

I would agree those injuries seem to be his undoing. There's nothing worse than a mobile pocket passer/scrambling QB being hit with major injuries to the legs or back area. It completely changes the dynamics of their game.

The interesting thing about Carr is that he only was taken in the 2nd rd (36th). And there have been some very good QBs taken in the 2nd rd over the years (e.g. Brees, Favre, Stabler, Hurts, Eiason). IMO, I'd say Snake Stabler (52nd) was the best QB in your Raider history. It's close with Plunkett (both are SB winning QBs) but Stabler has a league MVP & HOF to his name (I heard Stabler, along with some other teammates, was a carousing, womanizing, party guy during the long & monotonous training camps of those days -- imagine the stories he must have told before he passed. Lol).

 

[Nomad]

As to Pickett, I think his light personality didn't fit in Tomlin's system at all. Since Tomlin has left we've heard about a slew of small stories about dysfunction, and how impressive he was to keep it all in the locker room, kept it all together.

I also think Pickett needed better coaching coming out of college. I thought he started week 1, but looked it up, it was week 4. The Steelers OC was Matt Canada then, and he was fired in the middle of Pickett's 2nd season when their offense was the worst in the league. After that season, Pittsburgh was done with him as well.

Sounds like a bad experience if he didn't fit into Tomlin's system. With Dalton being traded, Pickett is listed now as backup on the depth chart & Carolina has no other QBs listed either on the roster or PS. However, I don't think Canales just handed the backup job to Pickett without him earning it. So, I'm thinking they'll draft a "day 3" QB (which there are a lot of in this draft) to compete with Pickett in preseason.

Nonetheless, it's a fresh start for Pickett who says he has a lot of respect for Canales & is very motivated to play for him (apparently he met Canales & they had lunch together back during Pitt's pro day). And if he can win the backup job that puts in a good spot to play if Young gets injured or if he's struggling & Canales wants to make a change:

Why Kenny Pickett was drawn to Panthers by coach Dave Canales

Pickett hopes his time in Carolina leads to his "ultimate goal" of getting a starting job in the NFL again.

www.espn.com

 

[Oldman]

Well, there's a reason teams weren't lining up to sign Rodgers, at all, this free agency. I wonder how many calls his agent even is getting.

He'll take a call from Raiders. He'd be a great teacher....if he's shows interest in any other player but big Vegas has a BONUS: he's close to Area 51 and the answers to the questions that swarm his mind in the deprivation tank.

 

[movingtarget]

Buccaneers LB Lavonte David announces retirement following 14 seasons, 1,714 tackles

Bengals bringing back veteran QB Joe Flacco on one-year, $6 million deal

 

[Nomad]

You've got to be kidding me -- why does Flacco want to continue to play at his age? He's 41, has a bad back, he's tore his ACL/MCL -- why does he want to risk further destruction to his body? (he dislocated his finger & sprained his AC joint last year). Is he desperate for the money or something? Lol. And he wasn't even that good last year only going 2-8 in the 10 games he started between Cleveland & Cincinnati (compared to the 5-3 record by Mac Jones in relief of Purdy -- now that's a real backup).

Not only is the league failing to develop 1st round talent, it also can't develop the lower round guys into competent backups. Every year a dozen or so guys are drafted in 5th, 6th & 7th rounds (plus a few UDFAs signed) for the sole purpose of backups. These were college studs that were the top QB at their schools - many performing so well they won conference post-season awards. So, why aren't these younger guys not filling the ranks of the backup jobs?

 

[movingtarget]

You've got to be kidding me -- why does Flacco want to continue to play at his age? He's 41, has a bad back, he's tore his ACL/MCL -- why does he want to risk further destruction to his body? (he dislocated his finger & sprained his AC joint last year). Is he desperate for the money or something? Lol. And he wasn't even that good last year only going 2-8 in the 10 games he started between Cleveland & Cincinnati (compared to the 5-3 record by Mac Jones in relief of Purdy -- now that's a real backup).

Not only is the league failing to develop 1st round talent, it also can't develop the lower round guys into competent backups. Every year a dozen or so guys are drafted in 5th, 6th & 7th rounds (plus a few UDFAs signed) for the sole purpose of backups. These were college studs that were the top QB at their schools - many performing so well they won conference post-season awards. So, why aren't these younger guys not filling the ranks of the backup jobs?

Veterans know the system and are more trusted I guess, not that that means they will win..........

 

[Oldman]

You've got to be kidding me -- why does Flacco want to continue to play at his age? He's 41, has a bad back, he's tore his ACL/MCL -- why does he want to risk further destruction to his body? (he dislocated his finger & sprained his AC joint last year). Is he desperate for the money or something? Lol. And he wasn't even that good last year only going 2-8 in the 10 games he started between Cleveland & Cincinnati (compared to the 5-3 record by Mac Jones in relief of Purdy -- now that's a real backup).

Not only is the league failing to develop 1st round talent, it also can't develop the lower round guys into competent backups. Every year a dozen or so guys are drafted in 5th, 6th & 7th rounds (plus a few UDFAs signed) for the sole purpose of backups. These were college studs that were the top QB at their schools - many performing so well they won conference post-season awards. So, why aren't these younger guys not filling the ranks of the backup jobs?

Well you hit the 2nd paragraph correctly. The league doesn't develop any talent; it's not their job. Rich owners and egotistical or stupid coaches do the job we see screwing up talent.
Flacco is getting paid well to do what he loves. Master's bike racers get nothing for taking worse risks than he does so we are flawed reasoners in this discussion.

 

[Nomad]

Veterans know the system and are more trusted I guess, not that that means they will win..........

Of course not...he sucked; 2-8 in those 10 starts! What a total joke! (and yet the media made him out to be some kind of a hero because he came out of retirement). He's getting free money ($6M with $3M guaranteed!) to be a lousy backup! Lol

 

[Nomad]

Well you hit the 2nd paragraph correctly. The league doesn't develop any talent; it's not their job. Rich owners and egotistical or stupid coaches do the job we see screwing up talent.
Flacco is getting paid well to do what he loves. Master's bike racers get nothing for taking worse risks than he does so we are flawed reasoners in this discussion.

That's what meant - the "league" (i.e. HCs, OCs & QB coaches) are failing miserably in developing talent. And what's with these QB coaches? Every team has a decently paid QB coach who seems to fail more often than not in developing the influx of young talent. The NFL is starting to become a clown show with the pi*s poor level of QB play these days. Lol.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

First, owners are as impatient as a corporate CEO or top shareholder. They expect a quick return on their millions of dollars invested in adults who are just playing a game. They are used to snapping their fingers and getting what they want. And when it doesn't happen? Fire someone and get someone else in there. Even if we look at coaches, I think many look at the NCAA as a developmental league. Find the right guy developed there. If not? You too are fired.

But it is somewhat of a debacle when you have someone like Flacco who can stick around, but Zach Wilson who was once drafted #2 overall, is headed to be the Saints 3rd string QB. Just jumping from team to team. The Jets failed to develop him, and now at 26 he's washed up. Then look at Tre Lance. Also Anthony Richardson. We mentioned Kenny Pickett. Heck, look at Hendon Hooker. Never even really got a chance to show what he had, after being an elite prospect in college. Career basically over at 27. This is also why I say I think there's a chance the Panthers bail on Bryce Young if he doesn't look consistently very good, and win a playoff game this year.

Keep in mind last year (or year before?) one reason Flacco gave for keeping playing was so his kids could see him play. He has 5 children, all are young, and he's very much a family man. That's a lot of health insurance to need to cover...

 

[movingtarget]

Of course not...he sucked; 2-8 in those 10 starts! What a total joke! (and yet the media made him out to be some kind of a hero because he came out of retirement). He's getting free money ($6M with $3M guaranteed!) to be a lousy backup! Lol

NFL pension plan............Rodgers can't say enough good things about him, must be the Old Boys Club.......

 

[SHAD0W93]

NFL pension plan............

10000%
Especially on hearing they keep their health insurance for so long.

 

[Oldman]

That's what meant - the "league" (i.e. HCs, OCs & QB coaches) are failing miserably in developing talent. And what's with these QB coaches? Every team has a decently paid QB coach who seems to fail more often than not in developing the influx of young talent. The NFL is starting to become a clown show with the pi*s poor level of QB play these days. Lol.

I'm guessing only a few QB coaches actually control when new talent will play; just that they be ready.
There's also the perk that owner's can't help themselves showing to friends: "look what I bought for $150mil." It's all they have when their franchise sucks.

 

[Nomad]

First, owners are as impatient as a corporate CEO or top shareholder. They expect a quick return on their millions of dollars invested in adults who are just playing a game. They are used to snapping their fingers and getting what they want. And when it doesn't happen? Fire someone and get someone else in there. Even if we look at coaches, I think many look at the NCAA as a developmental league. Find the right guy developed there. If not? You too are fired.

But it is somewhat of a debacle when you have someone like Flacco who can stick around, but Zach Wilson who was once drafted #2 overall, is headed to be the Saints 3rd string QB. Just jumping from team to team. The Jets failed to develop him, and now at 26 he's washed up. Then look at Tre Lance. Also Anthony Richardson. We mentioned Kenny Pickett. Heck, look at Hendon Hooker. Never even really got a chance to show what he had, after being an elite prospect in college. Career basically over at 27. This is also why I say I think there's a chance the Panthers bail on Bryce Young if he doesn't look consistently very good, and win a playoff game this year.

Keep in mind last year (or year before?) one reason Flacco gave for keeping playing was so his kids could see him play. He has 5 children, all are young, and he's very much a family man. That's a lot of health insurance to need to cover...

I think to a certain degree, the NCAA has become a developmental league for QBs because of the emphasis placed on the passing game in this era. With these high-octane shotgun-centric spread RPO offenses that sometimes feature 4 WR sets, good QBs have been routinely throwing for 4000 plus seasons with up to 10,000 - 12,000 yds in a 3-4 yr career (Mahomes in just 3 seasons at Texas Tech threw up over 11,000 yds & 93 TDs in Kingsbury's air-raid offense). By comparison, the old timers (Elway, Marino, Kelly, etc) barely threw for 3000 yd seasons in a more balanced offensive scheme featuring only 2 WRs with instead 2 RBs. In fact, Elway had only one 3000 + plus season in his 4 yrs at Stanford & Marino had none at Pitt!

On Zach Wilson: A colossal failure to develop him...period. I don't know who his QB coach was at NYJ, but he should be run out of the league. Consider this: Both Wilson & Drake Maye received the identical prospect grade score of 6.50 = "Boom-or-Bust Potential." Wilson is clearly a bust while NE hit the jackpot with Maye. Maye's QB coach hired by Vrabel is Ashton Grant (not a whole lot on him - he's a younger coach that cut his teeth in different offensive coaching roles with Cleveland the last 4 yrs). And look at the improvement Maye had from rookie season to his 2nd yr under Grant (the kid almost won MVP!). I think Maye will become one of the great mobile pocket passers of this league while Wilson faces a career as a journeyman backup.

Speaking of QBs coaches, I see the Raiders hired Mike Sullivan to develop Mendoza. However, it doesn't sound good for Fernando because the article says that Sullivan is credited with the development of Pickett when Sullivan was with the Steelers. Lol

Raiders name Mike Sullivan Quarterbacks Coach