Sinister Six: Examining the NFL’s worst quarterback situations

Raiders quarterbacks have combined for nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Las Vegas enters Week 11 with the No. 5 pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, but without elite quarterback prospects, it might not have a quick fix.

New York Giants (2-8)

Quarterbacks: Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito

Jones lost the “Bad Quarterback Bowl” in Munich against Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, earning the Giants a spot on this ignominious list.

The 2019 first-rounder has regressed since earning a second NFL contract during the 2023 offseason. Over his past 16 starts, Jones has 10 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Backups Lock and DeVito had memorable “Monday Night Football” wins in back-to-back weeks last season, but neither should be considered viable long-term options since they haven’t surpassed Jones in practice.

Cleveland Browns (2-7)

Quarterbacks: Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Bailey Zappe, Deshaun Watson (IR)

Cleveland’s gamble in trading for Watson and signing him to a five-year, $230M fully guaranteed contract in 2022 is one of the worst front-office decisions in NFL history.

Before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury, Watson was 137-of-216 (63.4%) for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions in seven starts.

Winston provided a spark in a surprising, 29-24, home win against the Ravens in Week 8 but reverted to his turnover-prone form against the Chargers a week later, throwing three interceptions in a 27-10 loss.

New York Jets (3-7)

Quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor, Jordan Travis (injured)

Rodgers, who turns 41 on Dec. 2, has been a disappointment for the Jets. The four-time MVP is averaging his fewest yards per attempt (6.4) in a season he started at least 10 games while also posting his lowest passer rating (86.8), which ranks 23rd among qualifying quarterbacks in 2024.

Taylor is a serviceable backup, and Travis is an unknown after being selected in the fifth round (No. 171 overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. He suffered a lower leg injury last November at Florida State and hasn’t played since.

Chicago Bears (4-5)

Quarterbacks: Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent

Whereas the other teams on this list have bad quarterback situations, the Bears appear to be a bad environment for quarterbacks. 

Williams, the No. 1 overall pick of April’s NFL Draft, has been sacked a league-high 38 times, and Chicago hasn’t scored an offensive touchdown in its last 23 possessions.

The Bears fired first-year offensive coordinator Shane Waldron on Tuesday, potentially the first of many coaching staff changes during the upcoming offseason.

The coaching instability could hinder Williams’ development, potentially making him another Bears quarterback casualty.