It seems like we’re in the golden age of quarterback play around the NFL. All-time greats such as Tom Brady and Drew Brees continue to do their thing. Meanwhile, the league’s past two MVP’s, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, are now the faces of the league.
Despite this, there’s still a number of quarterbacks being overrated by both their teams and the broader NFL. Both Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers might already be washed up.
When looking at younger quarterbacks, the top-two picks in the 2016 NFL Draft are playing under contracts that must place them in the overvalued category.
It’s in this that I look at the five-most overrated quarterbacks heading into the 2020 NFL season.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Is Big Ben completely washed? It’s an honest and objective question following a 2019 campaign that saw him miss all but two games with an elbow injury. Now returning from a serious surgery on said elbow and two seasons removed from leading the NFL in interceptions, it seems Pittsburgh is asking too much of Roethlisberger.
The two-time Super Bowl champion is playing under an absurd two-year, $68 million contract. At 38 years and and having averaged nearly 15 interceptions over his past four full seasons, Big Ben is getting overrated big time heading into the 2020 campaign. He’ll likely have once last chance to prove the naysayers wrong.
Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers
Even prior to suffering a serious injury during training camp back in 2016, it seems that people were overvaluing what this former late first-round pick brings to the table. Bridgewater might have led his then Minnesota Vikings squad to a playoff appearance as a rookie in 2015, but his numbers were not great. The Louisville product threw 14 touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions in 13 games.
Since recovering from that life-threatening injury, Bridgewater has thrown 221 total passes over the past three seasons. This did not deter the Carolina Panthers from signing him to a three-year, $63 million contract back in March. Bridgewater will now replace former MVP Cam Newton under center in 2020. Talk about some pressure under rookie NFL head coach Matt Rhule.
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
More than anything, it seems like Rams general manager Les Snead and Co. overrated Goff, both heading into the 2016 NFL Draft and recently signing the Super Bowl quarterback to an extension. Goff, 25, is coming off a 2019 campaign that saw him throw 22 touchdowns compared to 16 interceptions en route to Los Angeles missing the playoffs one season after earning a trip to the Super Bowl.
This came off consecutive seasons under Sean McVay that saw Goff tally 60 touchdowns compared to 19 interceptions. It now seems like the Rams might have buyer’s remorse. Goff is playing under a four-year, $134 million contract. Said deal forced the Rams to make some difficult decisions by releasing Todd Gurley and trading Brandin Cooks. Goff is the literal definition of overrated, and it could ultimately end any potential Rams dynasty in the NFC West before it started.
Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts
Outside of Tom Brady, the 38-year-old Rivers was the most highly-coveted free-agent quarterback back in March. Rivers ultimately signed a one-year, $25 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts before even looking anywhere else.
To be clear, Rivers is an upgrade over former starter Jacob Brissett. But in no way is he going to be a godsend for Indy. The potential future Hall of Fame signal caller was a mistake waiting to happen last season, throwing 20 interceptions and putting the ball on the ground another eight times. Much like Big Ben, it might be time to consider the possibility that Mr. Rivers is washed up.
Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Where to begin? Now four years into his NFL career, Wentz has been unable to finish three of those seasons due to numerous injuries. Sure the concussion he suffered in the playoffs last season was an outlier, but this has to be concerning to the Eagles. How much so? They exhausted a second-round pick on quarterback Jalen Hurts in April’s draft.
To make matters even more interesting in Philadelphia, this former No. 2 overall pick is playing under a four-year, $128 million contract. At least statistically, he’s not even the best quarterback in the NFC East. That honor goes to Dak Prescott with Daniel Jones set to take off as a starter. Could the Eagles already be ruing the decision to extend Wentz despite backing him publicly? It’s more than possible.