Thirty-one teams, with the lone exception being the Jordan Love-less Packers, are starting the same quarterback in Week 2 that it started in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Don't expect the shakiest of these starters to keep avoiding the bench.
Who will be the first QB benched this season for non-injury reasons? It's a good question to already ask after the 32 teams combined to start 66 quarterbacks in 2023.
Just begin by looking at the teams that lost to open the season and are hoping to avoid 0-2 starts. Several lost because of disappointing or underwhelming QB play.
Here's ranking the six starters most likely to be deep-sixed on the depth chart soon, in order of bench-ability.
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1. Daniel Jones, Giants
Passing, running, sacks, and turnovers — every which way one measures Jones' Week 1 effort vs. the Vikings, he was terrible. He regressed to his old insecure ways in the first game back from his major knee injury, overwhelmed often by an aggressive Minnesota defense. Jones continues to get shaky support from his line, but the Giants also have given him two young, viable weapons in Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson.
The Commanders' defense was ripped by Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers' explosive passing game. If Jones stinks again and can't help protect the ball and himself better and gets outdueled by rookie Jayden Daniels, offensive-minded coach Brian Daboll will look to call plays for Drew Lock or Tommy DeVito in the interest of his own job security.
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2. Deshaun Watson, Browns
There are $230 million guaranteed reasons why the Browns don't want to bench the QB who was supposed to solve their franchise passer problems. Instead, while Baker Mayfield continues to be a sharp starter in his second season with the Buccaneers, his replacement has been hurt, suspended, or shaky. He also can't shake off those past off-field issues and doesn't look like he will ever regain his prime on-field form.
The Cowboys' defense was a rough draw in Week 1, but he still didn't look competent. Watson needs to rebound, stat, vs. the Jaguars and fellow former Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, or Cleveland will get closer to giving Jameis Winston a shot.
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3. Bryce Young, Panthers
So much for the "Quarterback Whisperer" Dave Canales having an immediate impact on Young's accuracy, decision-making, confidence, and overall efficiency. Instead, he seemed to become even more skittish with his dysfunctional passing against the Saints' defense. Now, he gets a nasty, rising Chargers defense. The only thing keeping him on the field is his No. 1 overall draft status, but patience is running out. Canales turning to Andy Dalton would be waving the white flag and all but cementing Young as a massive bust.
4. Will Levis, Titans
Much like the Panthers, the Titans invested plenty in terms of improved personnel and coaching staff with the hopes of pushing Levis into an upward trajectory in Year 2. He did face a brutal Bears pass defense on the road in Week 1 and now has to face another awful matchup against the Jets at home in Week 2. There's bound to be some patience with new offensive-minded coach Brian Callahan, but Levis needs to protect the ball better for the Titans to not want to give Mason Rudolph an extended look.
5. Jacoby Brissett, Patriots
Brissett led his team to an upset victory over the Bengals as the ultimate caretaking QB in Week 1. The winning score, however, was 16-10, with Brissett throwing for only 121 yards at 5.0 yards per attempt. He was just supporting the dominant running game and defense, not making mistakes. That won't happen in every game, and the Patriots are missing out on some key developmental time with No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye. If they go to 2-0 by beating the Seahawks on Sunday, they won't change a thing and keep on bridging.
6. Kirk Cousins, Falcons
He's on this list just in case he remains ineffective at age 36 coming off his torn Achilles. The Week 1 woes were definitely tied to the disruptive pass-rush presence of the Steelers' T.J. Watt. The Eagles have some defensive firepower under Vic Fangio with pressure and coverage, but Cousins should find more of his 2023 form with his new weapons in Week 2.
Should Cousins keep struggling, however, and the Falcons keep dropping with the Chiefs, Saints, and Buccaneers next, Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson will feel more compelled to just flip the page to first-rounder Michael Penix Jr. now instead of the redshirt plan.
