49ers QB Brock Purdy (13) - AP Photo/Matt York
Is 2024 the year of the QB in the NFL? If 2023 was filled with spectacular moments, then this year should top that. The top passers get paid all the money in a pass-heavy game. Therefore, some Up and Coming QBs in the NFL are pounding the pavement.
Theoretically, they could eventually reach top-dog status among the position’s best.
Let’s take a look at some of the league’s Up and Coming QBs at the game’s most important position.
1. Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers)
Will Brock Purdy accept just being a game controller for his entire career? Or does he want to be the best and develop into an MVP contender?
Undoubtedly, the young 49ers signal-caller has been quite a story since being labeled “Mr. Irrelevant.” This means he was drafted with the last pick in the 2022 NFL draft.
Since he has quickly rounded himself into relevance, the 24-year-old is a smart kid.
He effectively manages Kyle Shanahan’s “ground and pound” system alongside star running back Christian McCaffery.
It’s even more impressive that he’s playing this well on a rookie contract where he’s only making around $850,000. Therefore, it’s only a matter of time before he earns his payday.
Congratulations, young man. You are, indeed, “Brock Solid.” I wish we sports writers could be that successful at a young age, making a minimum NFL salary.
We could all live off of $850,000 a year.
2. C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans)
CJ Stroud took the league by storm last year and never looked back.
Even when his Texans suffered a 34-10 beatdown at the hands of the mighty Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional playoff round, the young man still held his head up high.
Fast forward to this year, and his attitude hasn’t changed.
The number two overall pick is looking to improve on his 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year status and take the Texans to a surprise Super Bowl run.
Stroud and second-year head coach DeMeco Ryans have developed a culture that can help this team reach new heights.
The team has never reached new heights since entering the league in 2002 as an expansion team.
Not only did Stroud immediately become the best rookie quarterback in the 2023 draft class last year, but the 22-year-old can also prove he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL this year.
It also helps that the Texans traded a 2025 second-round pick to the Bills for WR Stefon Diggs, a hype man who could be Stroud’s new go-to guy in this offense.
3. Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis Colts)
Some NFL draft circles considered Richardson to be the best quarterback in the 2023 Draft Class.
The 6’5″, 255 lb. beast played in only four games in his rookie season, which was cut short.
The talent is still there, as the dual-threat quarterback can do it on the ground, in the air, and with his mind.
He also ran an impressive 4.43 forty-yard dash for a quarterback of his size and stature.
The 22-year-old is built similarly to Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Cam Newton.
Of all three of these guys mentioned, Richardson can make throws no other quarterbacks can and flip a game upside down with one big play.
With that comes the responsibility of sliding to the ground safely and avoiding taking bone-crushing hits.
Still, Richardson has the ability to be a better quarterback than Stroud, as the two will hopefully be squaring off for the AFC South crown for years to come.
4. Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins)
Tua Tagovailoa is a leader on the field. The 26-year-old has a gift for throwing the football with his magical left hand.
As for the lefty quartbacker’s stats, he led the league in passing yards with 4,624.
He also threw a career-best 388 passes on 560 attempts (69.3 completion percentage) and 29 touchdowns.
The Dolphins schemed up quick passing plays and strong inside zone runs to keep him upright.
A huge credit beside the scheme is how the offensive lineman executed by blocking well for him all year.
The former Alabama product wanted to better himself by getting into better shape this offseason.
Doing so will allow him to continue getting rid of the ball quickly, giving him enough time to connect on those oh-so-sweet deep balls to his best two targets, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
5. Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers)
In week 18 last year, it was clear who looked and acted the part.
Jordan Love definitely acted the part as he defeated the Chicago Bears. This would end up being Justin Field’s last game in the Windy City.
While Fields looked the part, he is now out of the NFC South division.
In for the Bears comes rookie Caleb Williams. Love is in his second year as a full-time starter.
He also earned the bag this year as one of the wealthiest quarterbacks in the NFL, while Williams is in year one of a rookie contract.
He should thank Aaron Rodgers for this, as he helped guide Love while he was sitting behind him.
The signal caller’s receiving core and top two tight ends are all 25 or younger. Additionally, a majority of the starting offensive line is 26 or younger.
The 25-year-old wants to be a more dual-threat quarterback. This means he wants to be able to make critical throws while also making smart decisions about using his legs.
Last year, Love was the runner up in the NFL with 32 touchdown passes, but this year, Love and his offense are aspiring to be better.
Let’s see where Love can take them.
Hopefully, this year’s Up and Coming QBs can take the next step to become legends. With the NFL preseason starting this week, let’s wish everybody a healthy three games before roster cutdowns.
