Bears QB Caleb WilliamsMichael Reaves/Getty Images
Every high-drafted rookie is going to generate some level of attention during OTAs. However, quarterback remains the most important position in the NFL, and six signal-callers were selected in the first round this year.
All of the top-six rookie QBs will be worth tracking during OTAs, even if they won’t all be competing for starting jobs. Chicago Bears rookie Caleb Williams, for example, has already earned his.
“No conversation,” Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said before the start of rookie minicamp. “He’s the starter.”
No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels should surpass journeyman Marcus Mariota sooner than later. Though he probably won’t be handed the job with the Washington Commanders right away, the early signs are encouraging.
“There’s a good feeling right now. They’ve got to play the games, of course, but high praise so far for Jayden Daniels,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler told SportsCenter (h/t Bleacher Report’s Joseph Zucker).
Drake Maye may not have as clear a path to a starting job with the New England Patriots. According to Fowler (h/t Mike Chiari of B/R), they are comfortable with sitting the third overall pick behind Jacoby Brissett if necessary.
Eighth overall pick Michael Penix Jr. is expected to sit behind Atlanta Falcons free-agent addition Kirk Cousins for the foreseeable future. However, the rookie’s performances in the spring and summer will be intriguing.
Cousins is recovering from a torn Achilles and likely won’t be as active during OTAs as the Washington product. While a full-on quarterback controversy is unlikely at this point in the offseason, things could get very interesting if Penix shines.
The Minnesota Vikings are expected to hold a competition between free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold and 10th overall pick J.J. McCarthy. That could be one of the more fascinating battles to track throughout the summer because the rest of Minnesota’s roster is quite strong.
In Denver, the Broncos are set to hold a competition between Jarrett Stidham, trade acquisition Zach Wilson and 12th overall pick Bo Nix.
However, the rookie has already drawn praise from head coach Sean Payton.
“[He makes] pretty good decisions. With each play, the efficiency of how he’s operating, and all of that,” he told reporters.
Denver’s QB battle may be the least interesting of the bunch, since Nix isn’t facing a high level of competition and the Broncos aren’t widely expected to be a playoff contender.
Each of these situations bears watching, though.
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