MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Jets announce Sam Darnold will start at quarterback...

Todd Bowles was able to announce the obvious. And he apparently did it without getting mad at anybody.

According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, Bowles acknowledged that rookie quarterback Sam Darnold will be his starter.

Of course, that was #asexpected, and apparent the moment they traded Teddy Bridgewater. They’re perfectly content paying Josh McCown $10 million to be a backup and a mentor.

The move will make Darnold the youngest player to start the opening game for his team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

And it also harkens back to the time when an AFL quarterback led the Jets to great things, at least they hope so. (PFT)

 

That makes it 11 years in a row with a rookie starter. And if I'm not mistaken it's 21 in that span . There were 21 before then since the merger.

 

Paxton Lynch to work out for Bills...

Former Broncos first-round draft pick Paxton Lynch is looking for a fresh start in his NFL career, and the first place he’ll look is Buffalo.

Lynch has scheduled a workout with the Bills, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Broncos cut Lynch yesterday and he passed through waivers unclaimed. No one wanted him on his rookie contract sight unseen, but perhaps if he looks good in a workout the Bills will give him a chance on a league-minimum salary.

The Bills have Nathan Peterman starting in Week One, with rookie Josh Allen as the backup. If they decide to go with three quarterbacks on the roster, Lynch may be the third. (PFT)

 

Doug Pederson says Carson Wentz is close to returning...

Eagles head coach Doug Pederson officially named Nick Foles the team’s starting quarterback for Thursday night’s game against the Falcons and it really wasn’t much of a decision.

Pederson reiterated on Tuesday that Carson Wentz has yet to be cleared for contact by the Eagles medical team after tearing his ACL late last season and changing that status isn’t going to be up to the coach. Pederson did say he believes Wentz’s clearance is coming sooner rather than later, however.


“Close,” Pederson said, via Eliot Shorr-Parks of WIP. “I’m no doctor, no expert. Still leaving it up to the medical team. He’s had some great workouts here in the last few days. We’ll see.”

Pederson said Wentz wants to be on the field, “but he also knows that the longevity of his career, he and I, hopefully we’re in this thing for the long run.” In the short run, the offense still belongs to the guy who piloted it well enough to be named the Super Bowl MVP in February. (PFT)

 

Report: Bills bench Nathan Peterman, Josh Allen will start...

The Bills have made another change at quarterback.

Nathan Peterman has been benched and Josh Allen will start on Sunday against the Chargers, Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports.

Allen was obviously going to start eventually, considering that he was a Top 10 draft pick and Peterman was terrible in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Ravens. But it wasn’t clear whether the Bills wanted to make the move this soon, as there are concerns about whether the Bills have a good enough team around Allen to protect him from getting thrown to the wolves early in his rookie year.

Apparently Bills coach Sean McDermott decided, however, that Peterman just isn’t getting the job done, and the Bills have to try something else. With the Chargers coming to town, Allen will show the Buffalo fans what he can do. (PFT)

 

Patrick Mahomes is the first 2018 AFC offensive player of the week...

The Chiefs’ decision to turn their offense over to quarterback Patrick Mahomes paid off in Week One.

Mahomes was a 2017 first-round pick who backed up Alex Smith for most of last season before starting the regular season finale. Mahomes played well in that outing and moved into the starting lineup when the Chiefs traded Smith to Washington this offseason.


Mahomes went 15-of-27 for 256 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-28 road win over the Chargers last Sunday. He also ran five times for 21 yards in a performance that earned Mahomes recognition as the first AFC offensive player of the week for the 2018 season.

He’ll try to post another big game against the Steelers and AFC defensive player of the week T.J. Watt this Sunday. (PFT)

 

Aaron Rodgers to work in rehab group Wednesday...

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said on Tuesday that he will be taking it one day at a time this week when it comes to figuring out whether he will play against the Vikings after hurting his knee in last Sunday night’s victory over the Bears.

The first day will not feature a full slate of practice work. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said on Wednesday morning that Rodgers will spend the day’s practice session working with the group of players rehabbing injuries.


“It’s not a setback,” McCarthy said, via Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. “This is how it goes during the season. You have players in different categories.”

The Packers will practice again on Thursday and Friday before submitting their final injury report before the game against Minnesota. If Rodgers is listed as anything other than out for that game, it seems unlikely that the Vikings would expect anyone other than Rodgers in the lineup. (PFT)

 

Mike Zimmer on Aaron Rodgers: He walks on water so I’m sure he’s playing...

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was hobbled by a knee injury in Week One, but Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has no doubt that Rodgers will play when the teams meet in Week Two.

“Yeah, well, you know he walks on water, so I’m sure he’s going to play,” Zimmer said.

Officially, the Packers haven’t said whether Rodgers can play through what he said was a sprained knee. But Rodgers came back from the injury and led the Packers on a comeback win over the Bears, and he said afterward that he had no doubt he’d be able to play against the Vikings.

Facing the Vikings’ defense won’t be easy for Rodgers. Last year Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone on a hit from Minnesota’s Anthony Barr, and last week the Vikings’ defense looked outstanding in a Week One win over the 49ers.

But Rodgers wants to take on the Vikings even if he’s not 100 percent healthy, and Zimmer has no doubt that Rodgers will be there. (PFT)

 

Aaron Rodgers returns to practice...

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers returned to practice today for the first time since his Week One knee injury, increasing his chances of playing tomorrow against the Vikings.

Rodgers was on the practice field, according to multiple reports, and that would indicate that he should be good to go. The Packers have indicated that they’ll see how he feels tomorrow before making a final decision.

The Packers use a different practice schedule than most NFL teams and do a fuller practice on Saturdays, so Rodgers was able to get in a good amount of work today.

After shaking off his injury and leading the Packers to a come-from-behind victory over the Bears last week, Rodgers said there was no doubt in his mind that he would play against the Vikings. There’s been some doubt in other people’s minds, but today’s news would seem to suggest that Rodgers is likely to play tomorrow. (PFT)

 

Report: Marcus Mariota isn’t able to grip ball normally...

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said on Friday that he expects both of the team’s quarterbacks to play against the Texans on Sunday.

Blaine Gabbert relieved Marcus Mariota in last Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins after Mariota injured his right elbow and the injury has continued to be an issue for Mariota all of this week. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that, as of Saturday night, Mariota “still isn’t able to grip the ball normally.”

Given the nature of the quarterback position, that would seem to make him an unlikely participant in Sunday’s game. Per the report, however, the team has yet to decide which player will start the game and that it is shaping up to be a game-time decision.

Injury issues abound for the Titans offense this week. Left tackle Taylor Lewan and right tackle Jack Conklin have both been ruled out, and Schefter reports top backup Dennis Kelly, who has been hospitalized with a virus, will also miss the game. Tyler Marz, who was promoted from the practice squad Saturday, and Kevin Pamphile are expected to start at tackle for Tennessee. (PFT)

 

Carson Wentz cleared to return, will start Sunday...

Carson Wentz is back.

The Philadelphia Eagles announced Monday that Wentz has been medically cleared and will start Week 3 versus the Indianapolis Colts.

"He's ready, ready to take the reins again and move forward," coach Doug Pederson said Monday.

Sunday will mark the first time Wentz will see the field since tearing his ACL and LCL on Dec. 10, 2017.

The Eagles were patient in bringing back their MVP candidate following knee surgery. Wentz participated early in training camp with the team optimistic he would return for the opener. The quarterback, however, was not medically cleared for contact until Monday.

The Eagles owned the luxury of deploying Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles to open the season, allowing them to tread carefully with Wentz's return.

After two weeks watching an up-and-down Foles lead the Eagles to a 1-1 start while averaging 5.5 yards per attempt and a 78.9 passer rating, Wentz is back under center. The Eagles squeaked by the Falcons in the opener and fell to the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Pederson said he has no plans to hold Wentz back, expects no limitations, and won't "coach scared" with the QB returning from injury.

"He's going to be prepared mentally, now it's a matter of the physical part taking over," Pederson said. "... In my mind, he's cleared, he's cleared. No need to hold back."

Wentz's return will provide a much-needed boost to the Eagles offense that struggled with consistency under Foles. How long it takes Wentz to shake off the rust remains to be seen.

"I think there's going to be maybe an issue or two. It's going to take some time to get back into the rhythm of the flow of game," Pederson said. "The speed of the game is different than the speed of practice. So we do everything we can to try to simulate that during the week and try to prepare him that way.

"He's going to be prepared mentally. Now it's just a matter of the physical part taking over."

When last we saw Wentz on the field, the 25-year-old quarterback was performing at an MVP-level, making breathtaking throws, and using Houdini-like magic to escape rushes.

One issue Wentz must overcome in his return is a battered Eagles receiving corps. Alshon Jeffery (shoulder) remains week-to-week, Pederson said Monday. Mike Wallace fractured his fibula in Sunday's game and is out an undetermined about of time. And Mack Hollins is on IR with a groin issue.

The injuries mean beyond Nelson Agholor, there isn't much in the receiver corps for Wentz to rely on in his return. Kamar Aiken, DeAndre Carter and Shelton Gibson are currently the top receivers in line for outside snaps. It wouldn't be a surprise if Philly looked to bring in help this week.

With the injuries to the receivers, Wentz will look to attack with favorite target Zach Ertz, rookie tight end Dallas Goedert and running back Corey Clement.

Wentz isn't a panacea for all that ills the Eagles' offense, but it sure will be good to see the wunderkind back on the field. (NFL.com)

 

Aaron Rodgers has “concern” his knee will get worse...

On the night Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers returned from a knee injury to lead an historic comeback against the Bears, Rodgers said that doctors told him that his condition couldn’t have gotten any worse. Rodgers now concedes that, as he continues to play on the injured leg, it could.

“Yeah, obviously that’s a concern,” Rodgers said Wednesday, via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. “Hopefully it goes the other way though.”

Rodgers reportedly has a deep bone bruise and a damaged ligament in his knee. He’s wearing a large brace carrying the name “Blue Steel,” and he apparently intends to play as long as he can.

He told reporters on Wednesday that “obviously it won’t be 100 percent, so I’ll just adjust accordingly to how I’m feeling and try to get through.” The Packers didn’t practice on Wednesday, but according to the official injury report he wouldn’t have practiced if they had.

The Packers tied the Vikings on Sunday, but they surely would have lost if Rodgers hadn’t played. Every win while the knee heals is a bonus, because without him last year the Packers fell apart. (PFT)

 

Josh Rosen named Cardinals starting QB...

Baker Mayfield won’t be the only quarterback making his first NFL start in Week Four.

Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks announced at the start of his Monday press conference that Josh Rosen will start at quarterback against the Seahawks in Seattle next Sunday.

“Josh is our starter and it’s his job to lose,” Wilks said.

Rosen came in for his first regular season action after the Bears took a 16-14 lead with 4:31 left to play in the game. Wilks said he was hoping to get Rosen into the game earlier, but the Bears held the ball for just under seven minutes before Cody Parkey‘s field goal put them in the lead.

Wilks said he felt Rosen “handled it well” and did a good job moving the ball. Wilks also talked about Rosen’s mobility being something he feels the team can take advantage of as they look for their first win of the 2018 season.

Rosen threw an interception on fourth down after moving the Cardinals into Bears territory and finished the game 4-of-7 for 36 yards.

 

49ers confirm Jimmy Garoppolo tore his ACL...

The 49ers were holding out hope on Sunday night that an MRI of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo‘s knee would bring better news than expected, but that hope ran out on Monday.

The team announced on Monday afternoon that the test confirmed that Garoppolo has torn his left ACL. Garoppolo will miss the rest of the season as a result of the injury.

C.J. Beathard is now set to take over as the team’s starting quarterback. The 2017 third-round pick made five starts last season after the 49ers traded for Garoppolo before ultimately giving up the job after getting hurt late in a Week 12 loss to the Seahawks.

Beathard, who played in seven games overall, was 123-of-224 for 1,430 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions as a rookie.

The 49ers do not have a third quarterback on their 53-man roster. Nick Mullens is on the practice squad and their plans for a backup to Beathard will likely be among the topics addressed by head coach Kyle Shanahan in a press conference later on Monday. (PFT)

 

Tom Savage is getting a workout

 

Quarterback decision in Tampa seems to be made...

For a while on Monday night, it appeared that Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick may have done that “something dramatically bad” that could have gotten him yanked from the starting lineup upon Tuesday morning’s return of quarterback Jameis Winston. But then Fitzpatrick forget about a forgettable first half and nearly erased a 20-point deficit with what would have been a comeback for the ages.

Along the way, Fitzpatrick became the first player in league history to throw for 400 or more passing yards in three straight games.

And so it appears that Fitzpatrick will be keeping the job, at least for now. The Buccaneers play at Chicago on Sunday, a short-week game that precedes a Week Five bye. After Monday night’s game, coach Dirk Koetter seemed to suggest that the announcement will be Fitzpatrick, whenever the announcement is made.

“I mean, I’d love to get a chance to talk to Jameis face to face before I tell the rest of the world,” Koetter told reporters, via JoeBucsFan.com.

This likely means it’s Fitzpatrick. Because if it were Winston, Koetter would want to talk to Fitzpatrick face to face before telling the rest of the world that Fitzpatrick’s reward for making history will be to get benched. (PFT)

 

Drew Brees likely to break Peyton Manning’s passing yardage record this week...

Peyton Manning’s NFL record of 71,940 career passing yards is about to fall.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees is now just 200 yards away, with 71,740 career yards through Sunday’s game against the Giants.

Brees has topped 200 yards in 11 consecutive games, so he’s likely to top 200 yards again when New Orleans hosts Washington next week on Monday Night Football. When he does that, he’ll move ahead of Manning for first on the all-time list.

The passing yardage record will be the second major career passing record that Brees will break this season, having already broken Brett Favre’s record for most career completions. (NBC's PFT)

 

While not a record Brees will likley pass another milestone in week 6 by becoming the 4th player to pass for over 500 touchdowns. The record is currently held by Manning with 539 but before its said and done the record will likely belong to Brady (500) or Brees (499).

 

I saw that yesterday. I think Brady winds up with the TD record.

 

Let it be Brees
Let it be Brees
Let it be Brees