The regular season is here. I expect that, by the beginning of next season, most of these rankings will be different. For now, let’s finish up the last few quarterback division rankings
Ben Roethlisberger
Another easy no. 1 for his position. Say what you will about Big Ben, his leadership style and the way he treats his teammates, on the field, he’s really good at what he does. In his career, Big Ben has thrown for over 56,000 yards, 363 touchdowns and 190 interceptions. While many can dispute his off-the-field issues, he has managed to appear ten times in the playoffs for the Steelers. Roethlisberger will one day be inducted in the Hall of Fame. Until then, he controls this division. Even after losing the best WR and RB in the game, I think the Steelers still put together a good season. I wouldn’t be surprised if Big Ben is in MVP talks by seasons end. He has something to prove and he has the weapons, coaching and talent to make it happen. Watch out for the Steelers this year.
Andy Dalton
Rankings numbers Andy Dalton and Baker Mayfield was tough. If things continue on the current trajectory, Dalton will easily be below Mayfield by next year. For now, I’m hesitant to rank a consistently average starter before a young gun entering his second year. Dalton has managed to throw for over 28,000 yards, 188 touchdowns and 101 interceptions. Overall, he has been pretty average only making the playoffs four times in his career. Dalton is starting to get to the age were the Bengals will have to start thinking about how they are going to replace him. Can new head coach Zac Taylor help Dalton? My bet is no. The Bengals also lost their first-round pick Jonah Williams to injury and they haven’t even played a snap yet.
Baker Mayfield
Name a quarterback with higher expectations than Baker Mayfield this season. I’ll wait. The flag planter himself has all the weapons anyone could ask for around him. The trade for Odell Beckham Jr., with Jarvis Landry and David Njoku already in place, makes for a menacing receiving corp. Mayfield played well in his first year throwing for 3,700 yards, 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. In my opinion, there is too much expectations on the Browns and especially Baker Mayfield, this season. So many things could go wrong. OBJ has already proven to be a bit too vocal. There is currently a first year head coach in place. Mayfield is only entering his second year. Oh and did I mention, the first five games on their schedule are brutal? It could be tough sledding early on for the preseason Super Bowl darlings of the media.
Lamar Jackson
The first year man only started seven games for the Ravens in 2018. Coming out of college, it was clear he had some things to work on, but few had as much raw talent as Jackson. This season will be his first full season starting for the Ravens. Even with his raw talent and one of the better head coaches in the league, Jackson still has a lot to prove. His stats weren’t jaw dropping. He threw for 1,200 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions, but he did move around quite a bit racking up 695 yards and five touchdowns. Still, Jackson is very young and we really don’t know who and what he is quite yet. For now, the Ravens are planning for the future at other positions. We’ll see if that changes by the end of the season.
