Yesterday brought some starting quarterback news. Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan announced that Tyrod Taylor would be the team's starting quarterback this season. Not long after that announcement came a similar announcement out of Washington D.C. Kirk Cousins will be the starting quarterback for the Redskins. At first glance both are surprises. The Bills traded for Matt Cassel in the offseason to possibly be the veteran leader of the team. They also have former first round pick E.J. Manuel. Some have speculated that Taylor was Ryan's guy all along. As a defensive coach he could better appreciate the stress that the mobile Taylor can put on a defense. The Washington decision might have been more of a surprise. Robert Griffin III was drafted to be the franchise quarterback. He was brilliant as a rookie but injuries have done a number on his magic. It may have done a number on his confidence as well. Cousins was taken later in the same draft and it's his job now. With the Houston Texans tapping Brian Hoyer last week it looks like all 32 of the quarterback jobs are settled. Here's a look at them.
NFC North
Minnesota Vikings-Teddy Bridgewater
Green Bay Packers-Aaron Rodgers
Detroit Lions-Matthew Stafford
Chicago Bears-Jay Cutler
-this is a very talented group especially if Cutler's play matches his talent
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys-Tony Romo
New York Giants-Eli Manning
Philadelphia Eagles-Sam Bradford
Washington Redskins-Kirk Cousins
-Bradford has too stay healthy and Cousins is still an unknown
NFC South
New Orleans Saints-Drew Brees
Carolina Panthers-Cam Newton
Atlanta Falcons-Matt Ryan
Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jameis Winston
-if Winston lives up to his expectations this group is terrific
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks-Russell Wilson
San Francisco 49ers-Colin Kaepernick
Arizona Cardinals-Carson Palmer
St. Louis Rams-Nick Foles
-there's potential here but I'm not sold on Foles
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers-Ben Roethlisberger
Baltimore Ravens-Joe Flacco
Cincinnati Bengals-Andy Dalton
Cleveland Browns-Josh McCown
-there's little wonder why the Ravens and Steelers rule this division
AFC East
New England Patriots-Tom Brady
Miami Dolphins-Ryan Tannehill
New York Jets-Ryan Fitzpatrick
Buffalo Bills-Tyrod Taylor
-well, the Patriots and Dolphins are set even with the ludicrous deflategate nonsense
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts-Andrew Luck
Houston Texans-Brian Hoyer
Jacksonville Jaguars-Blake Bortles
Tennessee Titans-Marcus Mariota
-three of the four are top-3 picks
AFC West
Denver Broncos-Peyton Manning
Kansas City Chiefs-Alex Smith
San Diego Chargers-Philip Rivers
Oakland Raiders-Derek Carr
-there's some talent here
The quarterback situations with the Jets and Browns aren't set in stone. Fitzpatrick and McCown are more caretakers than answers. Changes could still take place with the teams that have made commitments in the past week. Teams will always be looking for a franchise quarterback. Until they find that "guy" the one under center will always be only a placeholder.
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