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Following the Indianapolis Colts’ announcement that they’re benching second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson for veteran Joe Flacco after just 10 games as a starting quarterback, the debate around the NFL’s development of young QBs has been reignited.
Looking at the recent history of highly-drafted quarterbacks, it seems that the NFL has struggled to turn talented college signal-callers into effective pros, as many of them have been benched by the time they’re 25 years old.
In recent seasons, quarterbacks such as Richardson, Bryce Young, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, Will Levis, Zach Wilson, Mac Jones, and Kenny Pickett have been benched — if not outright shipped to a new team — before turning 25 years old.
Anthony Richardson is 22. Benched.
Bryce Young is 23. Benched.
Trey Lance is 24. Benched.
Justin Fields is 25. Benched.
Will Levis is 25. Benched.
Zach Wilson is 25. Benched.
Mac Jones is 26. Benched.
Kenny Pickett is 26. Benched.The NFL has a QB development problem.
— Sam Block (@theblockspot) October 29, 2024
The quarterback development crisis in the National Football League is so bad, in fact, that agents have reportedly been telling their clients not to leave college until they’ve started at least two seasons in order to properly develop as a player.
“Scouts and agents are telling college QBs to not leave school until they’ve started 2+ years. The NFL doesn’t truly develop QBs anymore outside of rare exceptions,” said ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller, whose social media handle is literally @nfldraftscout.
Scouts and agents are telling college QBs to not leave school until they’ve started 2+ years. The NFL doesn’t truly develop QBs anymore outside of rare exceptions. https://t.co/ymhewyDoFw
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) October 29, 2024
Heading into next Spring’s 2025 NFL Draft, the top quarterback prospects are considered to be Jalen Milroe (Alabama), Cam Ward (Miami), Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), Conner Weigman (Texas A&M), Quinn Ewers (Texas), Carson Beck (Georgia) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU). The 2025 Draft will be held at Lambeau Field from April 24 to April 26.