While 66 quarterbacks started an NFL game in the 2023 season, seven starting signal-callers had their campaigns end prematurely due to injury. Some exited earlier than others (e.g. Aaron Rodgers after only one series), but all are back this season. With three games behind us on the 2024 schedule, how are all seven looking in their returns?
We called on our NFL Nation reporters to evaluate the positive and concerning signs from each quarterback's play so far. Are they close to their original form, or do they still need more time? Check in with each quarterback below, starting with one struggling team's star passer.
Jump to a quarterback:
J. Burrow | K. Cousins | J. Herbert
D. Jones | A. Richardson
A. Rodgers | D. Watson
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
What happened last season: Torn ligament in right wrist (Week 11 vs. Ravens). The Bengals went 4-3 after Burrow's departure with Jake Browning at quarterback. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and finished in last place in the AFC North.
2024 stats: Five passing touchdowns (tied for fifth), 746 passing yards (seventh), 62.5 Total QBR (eighth), 70.9% completion percentage (eighth)
What has gone right this season: After a training camp that left a lot of questions, Burrow has looked better as the season has progressed. In each of his first three weeks, his QBR and yards per attempt have increased significantly. He said his wrist would continue to improve as the season continues. After the Week 3 loss to Washington, Burrow said he felt great. His two touchdown passes to Ja'Marr Chase were his first on throws of 15 or more air yards since he suffered the torn ligament.
What has gone wrong this season: Traditionally, Burrow has been one of the league's most accurate quarterbacks. After the injury, however, that has taken a slight dip. He has been off target on 14.9% of his throws, according to ESPN Research. That is the highest rate of his career, even if it's only slightly above his career mark of 12.6%. -- Ben Baby
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
What happened last season: Torn right Achilles (Week 8 vs. Packers). Rookie Jaren Hall, Joshua Dobbs (acquired from the Cardinals) and Nick Mullens all started for the Vikings in the second half of the season. Minnesota lost its last four games and missed out on an NFC wild-card spot. Cousins then signed a four-year deal with the Falcons in March.
2024 stats: Four passing touchdowns (tied for ninth), 626 passing yards (18th), 49.1 QBR (19th), 66.7% completion percentage (19th)
What has gone right this season: Cousins can still get it done when his team needs him most and when he's protected. He led a game-sealing drive against the Eagles in Week 2, going 5-of-6 for 70 yards and a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Drake London. When Cousins is not pressured, he's 39-of-55 for 405 yards and four touchdowns, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
What has gone wrong this season: Historically, Cousins has been good against the blitz -- his 51 touchdowns in those situations are tied with Josh Allen for the most over the past five seasons. He doesn't seem to be completely comfortable with pressure since his injury. This season, he's 11-of-22 with a minus-0.7% completion percentage over expectation (CPOE) against a blitz, per NGS. His passer rating drops from 116.1 to 43.1 with three interceptions when he's under pressure. -- Marc Raimondi
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
What happened last season: Fractured right finger (Week 14 vs. Broncos). Easton Stick lost all four of his starts with a 65.3% completion percentage and 53.4 Total QBR. The Chargers finished last in the AFC West, falling under .500 for the first time since 2020.
2024 stats: Four passing touchdowns (tied for ninth), 399 passing yards (29th), 55.2 QBR (13th), 67.2% completion percentage (18th)
What has gone right this season: Herbert's finger hasn't been an issue. His passing stats are down, but that's only because the Chargers have one of the league's best rushing offenses. L.A.'s 459 rushing yards are the seventh most in the league, and starting running back J.K. Dobbins leads the NFL with 7.4 yards per attempt.
What has gone wrong this season: Herbert's 2024 season has already been hindered by two separate injuries. On Aug. 1, he was diagnosed with a plantar fascia injury in his right foot and put in a walking boot for two weeks. Herbert suffered a high right ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Panthers and left the Steelers game in Week 3 in the third quarter after aggravating that injury. His status for Sunday's game against Kansas City is in serious doubt. -- Kris Rhim
Daniel Jones, New York Giants
What happened last season: Torn right ACL (Week 9 vs. Raiders). Jones' injury was the second time he'd had his season end early in three years. The Giants pivoted to Tommy DeVito, who showed some promise by winning three straight games. But DeVito was benched for Tyrod Taylor midway through New York's Week 16 loss to the Eagles, and the Giants finished 6-11.
2024 stats: Four passing touchdowns (tied for ninth), 600 passing yards (tied for 20th), 52.7 QBR (16th), 59.6% completion percentage (26th)
What has gone right this season: The Giants haven't been shy about using Jones' legs coming off the injury. They have called nine designed runs through three games. Jones has continuously said his knee isn't even a consideration at this point. He's back to his old self physically.
What has gone wrong this season: The one noticeable spot where Jones hasn't quite looked the same has been with his accuracy, which could be a result of not feeling fully confident in his plant leg. It was evident during training camp and has stretched into the season. Jones' off-target rate on passes was 15.5% over his first five years in the NFL. It's at 20.4% this season. -- Jordan Raanan
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
What happened last season: AC joint sprain in right shoulder (Week 5 vs. Titans). After sitting out the Colts' Week 3 game because of a concussion, Richardson injured his throwing shoulder in the first half against Tennessee. Indianapolis elevated Gardner Minshew to the starting role, which he maintained for the rest of the season. The Colts missed out on the playoffs with a 23-19 loss to the Texans in Week 18.
2024 stats: Three passing touchdowns (tied for 16th), 583 passing yards (23rd), 49.6 QBR (18th), 49.3% completion percentage (31st)
What has gone right this season: Any injury to a quarterback's throwing shoulder creates legitimate concern about permanent damage. In the case of Richardson, his shoulder has proven to be as strong as ever. He has displayed the same powerful arm he has long been renowned for, currently leading the NFL in air yards per attempt (11.9).
What has gone wrong this season: Richardson is off to a hot-and-cold start, with his accuracy proving to be a bigger issue than it was throughout his limited rookie season. Richardson is completing 49.1% of his attempts, and there are questions about the inconsistency of his mechanics and its affect on his accuracy. Relatedly, he leads the NFL with six interceptions. Could all of this be linked to his long injury layoff? -- Stephen Holder
Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
What happened last season: Torn left Achilles (Week 1 vs. Bills). Zach Wilson led the Jets to victory in the rest of their season opener against the Bills, maintaining the starting spot through Week 11. Tim Boyle started two games because of Wilson's struggles, but he was released before Trevor Siemian finished out the season. The Jets went 7-10 for the second straight year.
2024 stats: Five passing touchdowns (tied for fifth), 624 passing yards (19th), 60.3 QBR (11th), 67.4% completion percentage (17th)
What has gone right this season: After limited mobility in the first two games, Rodgers made a drastic improvement in Week 3, displaying the ability to escape the pocket and make off-platform throws in a win over the Patriots. He was 6-for-6 when throwing outside the pocket. Father Time has robbed some of his speed and quickness, but he was so encouraged after the game that he said, "I felt like I was myself quite a few years ago." It's unrealistic to expect a 40-year-old coming off Achilles surgery to play this way every week. But this gives defenses something else to think about when preparing for him.
What has gone wrong this season: Rodgers is averaging 6.5 air yards per attempt, easily the lowest of his career. This isn't so much a concern, but it's something that should be watched. For the most part, the passing offense has been dink-and-dunk, with Rodgers averaging a speedy 2.51 seconds from snap to throw. Is that by design or is he unloading the ball quickly to avoid taking hits? So far, it's working fairly well, but you get the feeling there's a dimension to the offense that stills needs to be unlocked. -- Rich Cimini
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
What happened last season: Broken bone in right shoulder (Week 10 vs. Ravens). Watson sporadically sat out through the early half of the season after a rotator cuff strain in Week 3. After he was officially ruled out for the year, the Browns started Dorian Thompson-Robinson for two weeks. Joe Flacco then stepped in and went 4-2 to clinch an improbable playoff berth for Cleveland. The magic ended in a 45-14 loss to the Texans in the wild-card round.
2024 stats: Three passing touchdowns (tied for 16th), 551 passing yards (26th), 22.5 QBR (30th), 57.8% completion percentage (28th)
What has gone right this season: The mobility that made Watson one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks during his time with the Texans appears to still be there. He's 10th among quarterbacks in rushing yards (85) and has used his quickness to evade sacks countless times behind an offensive line that is tied for the seventh-most pass block losses (37).
What has gone wrong this season: Watson and the team have said his shoulder is healthy and back to full strength, but Watson continues to struggle with accuracy. His off-target rate -- 24.5% -- is the third worst in the league and would be Watson's lowest mark in a season in his career. Watson has also struggled pushing the ball downfield, as his 32.3% completion rate on passes that travel 10 or more yards is third worst in the NFL. -- Daniel Oyefusi