The quarterback race at the top keeps getting tighter, and Week 8 only made the picture messier. Entering Week 9, there’s a fresh shakeup in the rankings, with a new face cracking the top five overall and a few quarterbacks sliding after rough outings.
One of the biggest storylines came out of Baltimore, where Lamar Jackson suffered what appears to be a season-ending thumb injury. With Jackson and Tyler Huntley both out, rookie Joe Fagnano was forced into action against the Bills, and the results were predictably rough. He completed 10 of 21 passes, threw an interception and was sacked three times.
Now the Ravens are staring at another difficult setup, because Fagnano is in line to start on a short week against the Jaguars, a team that looks like one of the best in the league.
Philadelphia is dealing with its own quarterback issues, and Tanner McKee has been dropped into a tough spot in the wake of Jalen Hurts’ medical issues. McKee has shown some decent moments, but he’s not changing games at the position. Even against a Washington Commanders defense that has been one of the NFL’s worst, he still struggled, throwing an interception and losing a fumble.
There are signs of growth, though. McKee may be a backup, but he has flashed enough that his performances can’t be judged too harshly given everything around him.
Malik Willis sits near the bottom as well, and the issue there is efficiency. For a quarterback who can be such a threat with his legs, it’s notable that he’s already been sacked 21 times this season. His sack rate of 10.29 percent won’t work when he’s only averaging 32 rushing yards per game.
Miami has at least shown some progress as a team over the past couple of weeks. Willis helped the Dolphins beat the New York Jets in Week 7, and they stayed competitive for a stretch against the Patriots in Week 8. Still, the rushing element wasn’t there in that one, as Willis ran the ball just once for two yards.
In Other News...
Dolphins Trade Deadline Could Force Painful Decisions In Lost Season
With the Dolphins sitting at 1-6, the trade deadline is starting to look less like a chance to patch a playoff run and more like an opportunity to take stock of a season that has already gone sideways. First-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is expected to be active, and the kind of moves under consideration point toward a front office weighing present pain against future flexibility by dealing veterans on expiring contracts for draft capital.
Among the names drawing attention are Jordyn Brooks, Zach Sieler, Austin Jackson, Jaylen Wright and Josh Uche, a group that reflects both the roster's age curve and the reality of where Miami stands right now. The running back situation only adds to the pressure, with the team already thin there after De'Von Achane's season-ending knee injury, making every deadline decision feel like it could reshape more than just the rest of this year. [Read more 🡒]
Lamar Jackson Trade Buzz Reignites A Big Ravens Question
Lamar Jacksons thumb injury only added another layer to the chatter around a quarterback who never seems far from the center of the NFL conversation. Michael Irvin stirred the pot by suggesting Jackson could become an international icon if he landed with the Dolphins, a take that drew plenty of pushback from fans but also underscored how quickly Miami can become part of any big-name quarterback discussion.
For now, the more important detail is what Baltimore believes. Ian Rapoport reported that the Ravens still see Jackson as their franchise quarterback and plan to pick up extension talks again in the offseason, even if the possibility of a trade would have to be considered if no deal gets done. For Dolphins fans, it is the kind of rumor that keeps the imagination running, even if the real decision still sits in Baltimore. [Read more 🡒]
Spencer Browns Back Issue Just Became A Real Bills Concern
Spencer Browns back issue has turned into a genuine concern for Buffalo, and not just because of the pain itself. The Bills offensive lineman said he needed a significant amount of medication, approved by the NFL, just to get through games while managing the injury, a reminder of how thin the margin can be for an offensive line that has to hold up week after week.
For Miami, it is the kind of development worth watching closely because the Dolphins know how quickly one nagging injury can ripple through a division race. Buffalo has leaned on Browns availability and toughness, but the bigger question now is how long that can last if the back continues to be an issue, especially with the season moving into the stretch where every lineup decision starts to matter more. [Read more 🡒]