Underrated Trio: Three NFL Quarterbacks That Will Affect 2022

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While we all understand the elite NFL quarterbacks excel year after year, 2022 feels like the time where under-the-radar talent surfaces.

Brady, Rodgers, and Mahomes continue to set the standard for the NFL elite, the other twenty-nine franchises still need to field a team. With that said, under the praise and plaudits by the national media, a group of passers exists that will have a direct effect on the 2022 NFL season. Yet, you will only hear of them when their teams play the Sunday or Monday night games. Media laziness aside, these three will play a key role in the 2022 season.

Mac Jones

While Josh Allen rightfully commands the attention and respect in the AFC East, Jones sits as the second-best passer in that division. Granted, Tua Tagovailoa also calls the AFC East home. However, questions whether he can truly use the speed the Dolphins acquired. Meanwhile, two things Jones accomplished during the last twelve months set him apart. First, he arrived at camp in the best physical condition of his life. Jones cut out the junk food trappings of NFL life. Additionally, that effort shows his teammates that a new focus exists in all facets. Lastly, Jones weathered the storm of replacing the greatest quarterback in NFL history. Instead of trying to emulate Tom Brady, Jones chose to be himself. By taking command of the offense, the Patriots look like the only team in that division to test the Bills. Add in that 67 percent completion percentage, New England will be a headache this season.

Jameis Winston

If you erase the thirty-interception season and past failures in Tampa, Winston found himself in New Orleans. Despite the desires of most to replace him with a rookie or veteran, the Saints showed faith in Winston. Faith that most did not share. Yet, Winston does possess a winning record as a Saint. Moreover, New Orleans looks absolutely loaded on offense. With Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram in the backfield, that will give them balance. More importantly, the return of Michael Thomas and the drafting of Chris Olave make that offense dangerous. throw in Tre’Quan Smith, and the Saints will thin defenses out. That 7.7 career yards per attempt should rise for Winston. No one, absolutely no one, but Winston and the Saints believed in him. Now, they are the only team that can prevent the Buccaneers from running the divisional table.

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Jimmy Garoppolo

In all honesty, it looks like the 49ers don’t want Jimmy Garoppolo to start for them. With Trey Lance expected to grab the starting spot, what does that say for Garoppolo? If he completes one long pass in the Super Bowl, the narrative changes completely. Look, the stats bear out that Garoppolo is an above-average quarterback. In 2021 alone, the Niners went 7-2, over their last nine regular season just to make the playoffs. Plus, the Niners won two road playoff games before falling to the Rams. No one said Jimmy Garoppolo is a superstar. However, what he does do is win. Regardless of the time of year or context of the game. 5-2 in the playoff should mean something. San Francisco wants to hand the keys to Trey Lance. As a result, some lucky team could trade for Garoppolo and boost their chances of making the playoffs.

Beyond The Headline

The three NFL quarterbacks won’t adorn a Madden cover, billboard, or headline a TV show. Yet, the fates of their division do rest in their hands. The elite quarterbacks will draw eyes. Meanwhile, this trio and others like them will kick one of your favorite teams out of the playoffs this year.