AFC North QB roundtable: Modifications, accidents, trades, chaos

By way of 5 weeks of the 2025 NFL common season, the AFC North and its quarterback panorama doesn't resemble what it appeared like when the season opened on Sept. 7.

As of Friday, three of the 4 groups are anticipated to begin a distinct QB than they did in Week 1. A fast recap for individuals who might need missed the churn at a very powerful place:

Rodgers hasn't been the one QB within the division to battle. In actual fact, AFC North QBs have posted a 44.4 Complete QBR, by the worst of any division. QBs within the division have additionally turned the ball over 29 instances (most of any division) and had 21 interceptions (most of any division).

This is not the way it was alleged to play out when the season began with two-time MVP Jackson in Baltimore and Burrow, who completed fourth for MVP final yr, in Cincinnati.

AFC North reporters Jamison Hensley (Baltimore), Ben Child (Cincinnati), Daniel Oyefusi (Cleveland) and Brooke Pryor (Pittsburgh) break down their respective groups.

Week 6 recreation: vs. Los Angeles Rams (3-2), 1 p.m. ET, Fox

Anticipated QB starter: Cooper Rush

Stats of notice: Jackson led one of many NFL's highest-scoring offenses within the first month of the season by throwing 10 touchdowns and one interception earlier than injuring his hamstring. Final Sunday, Cooper Rush had a forgettable first begin for the Ravens with 179 yards and three interceptions, though just one choose might be blamed on him.

Outlook: Jackson hasn't practiced since injuring his hamstring in a 37-20 loss in Kansas Metropolis on Sept. 28. Rush is in line to make his second begin for the struggling Ravens, who're of their first three-game dropping streak in three years. Baltimore is 4-11 with out Jackson. If the Ravens sit Jackson on Sunday, he'll get a further week of relaxation heading into the Week 7 bye and needs to be able to return for Oct. 26 towards the Chicago Bears.

The Ravens will want a wholesome Jackson to get again into the playoff race. Jackson's 39-11 document (.780) within the remaining three months of the common season is second finest within the NFL since 2018. Baltimore has a projected 40.3% probability to make the postseason, in keeping with ESPN Analytics.

They mentioned it: “Lamar is one-of-one. There is not any one else like Lamar. Nobody's been like Lamar. However, on the finish of the day, we've got a core group of offensive guys, and we will use everyone.” — Ravens tight finish Mark Andrews

Week 6 recreation: at Inexperienced Bay Packers (2-1), 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

QB starter Joe Flacco: Cincinnati acquired Flacco through a commerce with the Browns. He would be the crew's third starter this season after Burrow suffered turf toe in a Week 2 win towards the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Stats of notice: Flacco has the second-worst QBR (27.6) of any certified QB this season, forward of solely Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward (26.5). When it comes to EPA per dropback, the Bengals can be upgrading from the worst QB within the NFL to the second-worst (amongst 33 certified quarterbacks). Flacco has struggled below stress this season, finishing 31% of his passes with no touchdowns and 4 interceptions. The Bengals offensive line has allowed the second-highest stress charge within the NFL this season.

Outlook: Burrow's timetable to return stays unclear. However by buying Flacco, the Bengals are hopeful they will string collectively sufficient wins till the two-time Professional Bowl choice is able to return. Cincinnati has dropped three straight video games however does have a stretch in the course of the season that would assist preserve them within the playoff hunt. After all, Flacco hasn't been good, both. He has thrown six interceptions and simply two touchdowns this season. Nonetheless, the Bengals are hopeful his decision-making and arm energy might be sufficient to elevate a beleaguered offense.

They mentioned it: “We're doing every thing we are able to to hit every thing we are able to presumably hit with him, so that we have got sufficient to go on the market and win a soccer recreation. That is our goal — give our offense sufficient with Joe to have the ability to go on the market and function and rating factors and discover a approach to win the sport.” — Taylor mentioned of getting Flacco on top of things rapidly

Week 6 recreation: at Steelers (3-1), 1 p.m. ET, CBS

QB starter Dillon Gabriel: The rookie (the No. 94 choose in April's draft) was promoted because the starter for the Browns' Week 5 recreation towards the Minnesota Vikings in London, taking up for Flacco, who was benched after turning the ball over eight instances in 4 begins this season.

Stats of notice: Gabriel threw two landing passes in his first profession begin, however it wasn't sufficient to get the victory because the Browns misplaced to the Vikings, 21-17, on a last-second landing. On Sunday, he accomplished simply 39% of his move makes an attempt to WRs and 82% of his makes an attempt to RBs/TEs. Each of his TD passes went to the TEs. He eliminates the ball fast: averages 2.53 seconds earlier than move makes an attempt, the Third-fastest within the NFL amongst QBs with 30+ makes an attempt.

Outlook: Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was complimentary of Gabriel's efficiency towards Minnesota, and the remainder of the season seemingly serves as an audition with Cleveland possessing two first-round picks within the 2026 NFL draft. In his second begin, Gabriel will attempt to lead a Browns crew to a uncommon street win towards its divisional rival Steelers. The final time Cleveland beat Pittsburgh on the street within the common season was 2003.

With Flacco traded to the Bengals this week, Stefanski was noncommittal if rookie Shedeur Sanders (the 144th choose on this yr's draft), or apply squad QB Bailey Zappe can be the backup going ahead. Browns proprietor Jimmy Haslam, although, has mentioned it is necessary to see each rookies play this season. Deshaun Watson is on the bodily unable to carry out record as he rehabs an Achilles damage, and the crew expects him to overlook a good portion of the 2025 season.

They mentioned it: “I at all times need to be aware of our gamers and our gamers' growth. And I need to make it possible for I am at all times doing what's finest for our gamers and, after all, our crew. However with younger gamers, I am at all times enthusiastic about — final week, making the change to Dillon, you need to assume lengthy and laborious about that, as a result of these are younger gamers that you're so invested of their growth. So, I am going to let the choice play out [and] decide later.” — Stefanski on Sanders and the QB2 spot

Week 6 recreation: vs. Browns (2-1), 1 p.m. ET, CBS

QB starter Aaron Rodgers: After a protracted courtship, the 41-year-old signed with the Steelers previous to the June necessary minicamp. Pittsburgh bypassed rookie quarterbacks earlier within the 2025 draft and spurned including completely different big-name veteran passers not solely as a result of they believed Rodgers would finally land in Pittsburgh, but in addition that the 41-year-old may nonetheless play at a excessive degree two years faraway from an Achilles rupture.

Stats of notice: He has thrown eight touchdowns to 3 interceptions and been sacked 9 instances. He ranks twenty fifth with a 44.5 QBR, however his 68.5 completion share ranks twelfth. He has the shortest common move distance of any certified QB within the NFL (4.7 air yards per try). He has struggled when pressured. He is 9-24 (37.5%) and a 4.0 Complete QBR when pressured and 65-84 (77%) and a 68.2 Complete QBR when not pressured. His completion share when not pressured ranks sixth finest within the NFL and when pressured is third worst within the NFL. His Complete QBR when pressured is second worst and is sixteenth finest when not pressured.

Outlook: The Steelers' offense hasn't precisely been buzzing via 5 weeks, however Rodgers hasn't been the problem. He has taken just a few too many sacks and massive hits, however the passing recreation has improved every week. Previous to the crew's bye, Rodgers and huge receiver DK Metcalf had their finest recreation collectively within the Week 4 win towards the Vikings when Rodgers related with Metcalf on all 5 targets, 126 yards and a landing.

For this partnership to proceed on the proper path, the Steelers have to preserve Rodgers clear within the pocket and restrict his hits — and maybe provide him with one other huge receiver to focus on, particularly with huge receiver Calvin Austin coping with a shoulder damage. Rodgers has offered essential intangibles in his brief stint with the Steelers, too. Elected a captain, he has been a frontrunner within the locker room, and he has restricted potential exterior distractions by doing issues like not showing on ESPN's The Pat McAfee Present since coaching camp.

They mentioned it: “It is the twilight of my profession. I would not say again finish. I used to say 5, six, seven years in the past I used to be on the again 9. I am teeing off on 18 proper now.” — Rodgers after breaking yet one more “longevity” document within the win towards the Vikings in Week 4