Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Hurts, Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson and Joe Flacco are the only projected Week 1 starting quarterbacks to have started and won a Super Bowl. Yet this season could mark the last hoorah for three of them as QB1.
Rodgers already projected during the offseason this is probably his final year.
“I’m pretty sure this is it (my last season),” Rodgers said during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on June 24. “That’s why we just did a one-year deal. Steelers didn’t need to put any extra years on that or anything. This was really about finishing with love and fun and peace for the career that I’ve had. I played 20 freaking years. It’s been a long run and I’ve enjoyed it. What better place to finish than in one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL?”
On his third team in four years, the Pittsburgh Steelers present Rodgers his best opportunity to return to the postseason. After all, Mike Tomlin led the Steelers to a winning record in each of his 18 seasons as head coach, marking the longest such streak to start a head coaching tenure in NFL history. Pittsburgh’s reached the playoffs two-straight years without Rodgers.
Flacco’s on his second stint with the Cleveland Browns. He’s part of an infamous group of 40 quarterbacks who’ve started for the Browns since 1999.
Cleveland’s decision to start Flacco Week 1 is understandable considering five of the Browns’ first six opponents made the playoffs last year. However, it’ll be quarterback management malpractice if the Browns don’t give Dillon Gabriel and or Shedeur Sanders a shot before a 2026 NFL draft in which the franchise has two first-round selections. Albeit, based on the Browns QB history, it’s hard to put anything past them.
In the Big Apple, Giants coach Brian Daboll declared Wilson the starter. But Wilson, who’s on his third team in as many seasons, appears to be on borrowed time, especially after Giants first-round pick Jaxson Dart completed 32-of-47 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns in the preseason.
“I feel like whenever my number is called that I’m gonna go out there and play my game and I’m gonna ball. That’s just my mindset every time I touch the field,” Dart said after the Giants’ preseason finale. “Obviously, Russ is the starter. He’s gonna do amazing. He’s had such a great camp and has played at an elite level. My job is to be the best teammate and be ready whenever it is.”
Daboll’s registered an 18-32-1 record in three seasons as the Giants coach. His job status could be contingent upon Dart’s development. Nevertheless, it’ll be difficult to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of Dart while he’s holding a clipboard on the sideline.
“We are on a day-to-day plan with the young quarterback. Everyday we’re learning something,” Daboll said of Dart after the Giants’ third preseason contest. “Just try to do things that may come up one day with him. We’ll keep on building him…I think he’s done a good job, credit the player first and foremost. Being a rookie quarterback is not easy. Being a quarterback is not easy. He knows that he still has a lot of things to work on, but he’s made progress every day. I’m glad we drafted him. I’m glad he’s our guy.”
Daboll’s words are an indication it’s just a matter of time before Dart becomes the team’s starter.
Rodgers (41), Flacco (40) and Wilson (36) all signed one-year deals for their respective teams. Maybe the three of them had the foresight 2025 is their final opportunity to be QB1. Rodgers already declared it’s likely his last season in the NFL. For Flacco and Wilson, there’s a pretty good chance this year is their final opportunity to be a starting quarterback.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Time is running out for Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco
