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Tony predicts which quarterback will be starting for every AFC team in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Who will be starting for each AFC team next year?
Days after Championship Sunday, only the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers have a game left this season while the rest continue preparation for next season. The Super Bowl this year features former MVP Patrick Mahomes and 2023 MVP finalist Brock Purdy, highlighting the need to have talent at the league's premier position.
For a chunk of teams, next year's quarterback is obvious as they know they have their franchise guy. For other teams, they have big decisions to make that could make or break their ability to contend in the near future.
Who will be the starting quarterback for every AFC team in 2024? What teams will make a change and bring someone else in this offseason? Let's take a look.
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AFC East Starting Quarterbacks 2024
Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen
Josh Allen has done just about everything you could ask from the quarterback position, other than reaching or winning a Super Bowl. After early turnover issues in the first half of the season, the shift to a more run-heavy team helped the Bills and Allen. They were inches away from knocking off the Chiefs and earning a chance to play the Ravens for a trip to the Super Bowl. He remains the undisputed starter in Buffalo for the foreseeable future.
Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa
Tua Tagovailoa received some MVP buzz early in the season, but the year concluded with a progressive downturn, culminating in a horrendous showing in the playoffs against the Chiefs. Despite a challenging ending, Tagovailoa will get another shot next season due to his proficiency in operating Mike McDaniel's offense when things are going smoothly. To take the next step, he'll need to enhance his ability to play out of structure. However, he is not expected to be replaced in 2024.
New York Jets: Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers attempted just one pass in Week 1 before tearing his Achilles and missing the entire season. The Jets managed to field a Super Bowl-caliber defense this past season, and the presence of weapons like Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson gives fans reasons to be excited. While the offensive line will need improvement, a healthy Rodgers could propel the Jets into contention next year.
New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels
The first debate in this division involves the Patriots, who are slated to pick third overall in the NFL Draft this year. The in-house quarterback options have evidently not panned out, and the overall roster doesn't justify making a move for a quarterback on an expensive deal. Assuming Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are taken with the first two picks, Daniels is expected to go to New England, signaling the start of a new era for the team.
AFC North Starting Quarterbacks 2024
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson is likely the MVP of this past season, showcasing dominance in almost every single game. However, in the AFC title game loss, Steve Spagnuolo and the Chiefs defense executed a fantastic game plan against him, and he appeared overwhelmed. Nevertheless, Jackson secured a significant deal prior to this past season and remains the Ravens' cornerstone moving forward.
Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson's 2023 season was marred by injuries, but his performance in the last few games when he was on the field began to resemble the player the Browns traded for. Despite Joe Flacco's magical run, his tendency to turn the ball over makes sustaining success challenging. If Watson can steer clear of major injuries, the addition of Ken Dorsey as the offensive coordinator could potentially bring out the best in him.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett
The primary debate in this division centers around the Steelers, but the team appears to have confidence in Mason Rudolph or Kenny Pickett heading into the next season. It's probable that Pickett will be given the opportunity to start for the team with the addition of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Although there's a chance he may not complete the entire season, it seems likely that Pickett will receive one more opportunity as the Steelers' starting quarterback.
Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow's 2023 season was plagued from the beginning, starting with a calf injury in camp that altered his style of play. Later, he suffered a torn ligament in his wrist just as he seemed to regain his old form. Despite the challenges, it's evident from his past performances that Burrow is undeniably one of the best talents at the quarterback position in the NFL. The primary concern moving forward is his health, but he is expected to remain in Cincinnati for the long haul.
AFC South Starting Quarterbacks 2024
Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud
C.J. Stroud had one of the best rookie seasons ever seen from a quarterback, elevating the second-worst team from the previous year to a playoff win in just one season. Despite the Texans' struggles after Watson with limited prospects for improvement, Stroud has dramatically altered the team's trajectory, and there's optimism for future improvement. Houston has found their quarterback in Stroud, and it appears he will be the starter for the team for the foreseeable future.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars experienced a season far from their expectations, especially after winning a playoff game in 2023 and having their season ended by the Chiefs. At an 8-3 record 11 games into the season, they were on top of the division with aspirations of securing the number one seed. However, they faltered, losing to the Titans when they had a chance to clinch. Despite more uncertainties arising compared to the previous year, it's unlikely that Jacksonville would consider moving on from Lawrence unless he faces multiple consecutive poor seasons.
Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson
Anthony Richardson played in just four games this year, but he demonstrated why the Colts selected him in the first round. While Gardner Minshew filled in admirably, the team fell just short of making the playoffs. Richardson, with his potential to be a game-changer, is poised to elevate the team to the next level under the guidance of Shane Steichen. He is expected to have his fair opportunity over the next few years and possesses all the tools to become a top player in the NFL.
Tennessee Titans: Will Levis
Will Levis assumed the starting quarterback role when Ryan Tannehill was injured, managing the Titans throughout the 2023 season. As a rookie, he showcased glimpses of the potential that had teams excited about him, but overall, he remains relatively raw. With the appointment of Brian Callahan as the head coach, it's anticipated that the Titans will give Levis an offseason to demonstrate progress. While the entire 2024 season isn't guaranteed in whole for Levis, he displayed enough promise to earn another opportunity next season.
AFC West Starting Quarterbacks 2024
Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes has made the AFC Championship Game every year he's been a starter and he's going to his fourth Super Bowl in six seasons. He's on track to have a career that rivals Tom Brady, and he will be the Chiefs' starter every year for the next 10 plus years.
Las Vegas Raiders: Russell Wilson
The Raiders began the season with Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback, but after the firing of Josh McDaniels, rookie Aidan O'Connell took over and had a decent stint as a starter. However, it seems he didn't showcase enough to secure the starting role for the upcoming season, and he's expected to return as a backup.
With the 13th overall pick in the 2024 draft, there's a suggestion to potentially select a rookie quarterback like J.J. McCarthy and allow him to develop behind a veteran. The idea is then floated that the Broncos might part ways with Wilson, presenting an opportunity for the Raiders to acquire him as a quarterback option that offers an upgrade without a hefty financial burden if the Broncos release him.
Denver Broncos: Bo Nix
It is likely that the Broncos are likely to part ways with Wilson before his contract becomes guaranteed on March 17. According to Sean Payton, Jarrett Stidham gave them the best chance to win last season, indicating a potential disinterest in keeping Wilson on the roster.
With the 12th pick in the draft, Bo Nix is a great option out of Oregon with a lot of playing experience. While the Broncos could explore options like Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins, or Baker Mayfield, the argument is made that given the team's current roster and the desire to build for the future, acquiring a quarterback on a rookie deal like Nix might fit the timeline better.
Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert
In 2023, Justin Herbert and the Chargers fell short of the expectations they had set for themselves, with Herbert's injury adding to their challenges. Brandon Staley was let go, and Jim Harbaugh was brought in as his replacement, viewed as an undeniable upgrade. Despite the setbacks, Herbert's elite talent at the NFL level remains evident, and there's a consensus that the Chargers are likely to stick with him as their quarterback for the foreseeable future under the guidance of Harbaugh.
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