Jets' QB Zach Wilson Injures Knee in Preseason Opener
In the same week as losing starting OT Mekhi Becton, the Jets also lose local big cat enthusiast and QB Zach Wilson. Wilson hurt his knee in their game against the Eagles and HC Robert Saleh prayed to the Football Gods that it wasn't his ACL. The Gods heard his prayers and answered them as Wilson's injury resulted in a bone bruise that keeps him out of the remainder of the preseason.
This is one of those prime examples of why you don't play your starters/key players in meaningless games especially if they already know the system. Wilson should be ready for Week 1, but if not they always have backup Mike White that shined in Wilson's absence last season.
Panthers' QB Competition Ramps Up
Surprise, surprise, Baker Mayfield best QB on the roster and is expected to be Carolina's starter for 2022. In their opener against the Commanders, Mayfield showed why he was and still is a solid starter in this league. He went 4/7 for 45yds on a field goal drive, having more completions than Darnold and Corral combined. Former XFL star PJ Walker started most of the game trying to earn the QB2 spot.
Earlier this month trade rumors swirled around disheveled QB Sam Darnold and as expected, no one wanted him. I expect Darnold to be cut from the roster. Leaving Mayfield, Walker, and Corral as the QB room. There's no way Carolina can afford to keep a QB4 and even at Darnold's pricepoint, the jig is up, and if HC Matt Rhule wants to keep his job he needs to admit his faults and end this charade.
Deshaun Watson Returns to the Field
Well-known sex offender and Browns' QB Deshaun Watson finally returned to the gridiron in a preseason debut. Watson did not impress throwing 1/5 for 7yds. Luckily it is looking more and more likely that we will not have to see Watson this year with NFL's appeal process going quite smoothly. If it continues to go swiftly we will see Watson's 6-game suspension jump to a season-long suspension putting him out of play for two years.
Recently, players have not faired well after holding out or suspensions over a season long. This is of course a spectrum like with most things. On one end Watson could go the Colin Kaepernick route and go off a cliff talent-wise or continue to be relevant a la Mike Vick. Only time will tell with Watson and this could end up very badly for the Browns.
Have the Steelers Found the Answer at QB?
The other spicy quarterback competition is happening right now in Pittsburgh. Incumbent QB Mason Rudolph, free agent signing Mitch Trubisky, and 1st round pick Kenny Pickett all want a shot at starting. With the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger and the untimely and tragic death of Dwayne Haskins, the Steelers are in a spot where they have no clue what to do at QB.
Rudolph knows Tomlin's offense, but he cannot produce as a starter and we know what he is in his many starts. Trubisky had a rehab year with the Bills last season under Brian Daboll, but reports suggest that he is not much better than he was the last time we saw him start with Chicago. The shining spot in this position group is rookie QB Pickett. Pickett went 13/15 for 95yds and 2 TDs, including a walk-off TD, in their opener against the Seahawks. While none of these QBs were bad, Pickett definitely stood out and so far makes the best case for being the future of the Steelers.
Update 8/15/22 5:25 EST:
Mason Rudolph has been identified as a trade target for both the Lions and Jets
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