While many NFL teams are playing for playoff spots, some are just playing out the string. Even for teams who are out of it, there is some incentive to keep playing well. That’s especially true for players who are playing for roster spots, bigger roles, or big contracts. It’s true most of all, however, for quarterbacks in limbo.
There are a number of signal-callers throughout the NFL who have jobs for now, but their situations are unclear heading into 2020. They may be free agents, or they may not have a starting role sewn up, but a strong finish to the season could do a lot to improve their reputation and solidify their job prospects for 2020.
Here are five quarterbacks playing to prove themselves down the stretch in 2020.
The Panthers are in a strange spot with their quarterback situation. They seem unlikely to draft highly enough to bring in one of the top-tier prospects, but it’s an ongoing question whether Allen is good enough to hold down the job. He’s gone 5-6 as a starter, but 12 interceptions in 11 games simply isn’t good enough. Add in the fact that Cam Newton is lurking in the picture, and this is a difficult spot for Allen, who might be able to earn the job going forward but simply hasn’t yet.
The Bears may well stick with Trubisky. However, this is the end of year three, and he still hasn’t really progressed into becoming a top quarterback. If anything, his 2019 season has shown across-the-board regression. Trubisky has turned in three straight wins since his not-benching and two good performances in a row, so his stock has risen and there’s no indication the Bears have lost total confidence in him. Still, a poor finish to the season will increase the volume on people who think the Bears should look in a different direction for their quarterback in 2020.
3. Eli Manning, Giants
Daniel Jones’ injury came at a fine time from Manning’s perspective, as he can essentially get a free audition for some other team in 2020. Manning didn’t look great when we last saw him as a starter, but he has the name and the reputation to potentially get a job next year, and it appears that he wants one. Manning might have an extended period of time to show other teams what he’s capable of, depending on how the Giants handle Jones’ injury. Eli would be wise to seize the opportunity.
Tannehill entered the season as Marcus Mariota’s backup, but when the starter failed, the backup came in and took his chance. Tannehill is now 6-1 as a starter, having thrown 15 touchdowns and just four interceptions in those seven games. It is very clear that he has re-established himself as an NFL starter. He’s on a one-year deal, so he could be in demand next offseason if the Titans can’t lock him down first. Either way, he’s playing to keep improving his credentials at this point, and has done himself a world of good.
1. Gardner Minshew, Jaguars
The Jaguars supposedly had fixed their quarterback situation with Nick Foles’ acquisition, but if anything, it’s even messier now than it was at this time last year. What we know is Foles has looked bad as Jacksonville’s starter. Minshew had a run of seven starts where he went 4-3 with 11 touchdown passes to just one interception. Then he looked terrible, was benched, and returned after Foles failed, though Minshew hasn’t looked any better since returning. In other words, it’s anyone’s guess where this stands. Minshew could probably nail down the Jaguars’ 2020 starting job with a strong finish to the season, but he’s trending in the wrong direction, leaving things deeply unclear.
