As NFL Cut Day Looms, Brady and Manning Share Their Top Quarterbacks
The NFL is approaching a critical juncture as Cut Day nears, with teams mandated to trim their active rosters from 90 to 53 players by next Tuesday. This period of high stakes and tense anticipation is par for the course in the league, but a recent event at Fanatics Fest offered a slight diversion, with two of NFL's greatest quarterbacks, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, sharing their rankings of the top quarterbacks in the league.
Brady and Manning's Top Picks
Both Brady and Manning reached a consensus in placing Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes at the pinnacle of their lists. Mahomes' continued excellence and leadership have evidently impressed the duo. Moreover, both legends also included Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow, Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson, and Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen in their top five.
The remaining slots in their rankings stirred a bit of debate. Manning tipped his hat to the Los Angeles Chargers’ young star, Justin Herbert, while Brady chose to spotlight veteran Aaron Rodgers, now leading the New York Jets. This delineation underscores the balance each quarterback sees between emerging talent and seasoned proficiency.
Preseason Performances: Players to Watch
As the preseason unfolds, several players have seized the opportunity to stand out. Buffalo Bills' defensive end Greg Rousseau made a significant impact with 2.5 sacks over just 11 snaps in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, Kansas City receiver Xavier Worthy caught three of six targets for 62 yards and a touchdown against the Detroit Lions, showcasing his potential to be a key asset for the Chiefs this season.
Quarterback performances have also been under scrutiny. New York Giants' Daniel Jones completed 11 of 18 passes for 138 yards but was marred by two interceptions, including a pick-six, in a game against the Houston Texans. Conversely, San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy struggled, completing only two of six passes for 11 yards and suffering a sack against the New Orleans Saints.
Jayden Daniels, playing for the Washington Commanders, completed a modest performance against the Miami Dolphins in a 13-6 loss, later being named the Commanders' starting quarterback. Elsewhere, Malik Nabers made notable receptions for the Giants despite their 28-10 loss to the Texans, and Dallas Turner played 13 snaps for the Minnesota Vikings in their win over the Cleveland Browns, albeit with minimal productivity.
Insights from Tua Tagovailoa
Off the field, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa shared candid reflections on his past experiences with former coach Brian Flores. Describing Flores' stringent coaching style, Tagovailoa stated, “To put it in the simplest terms, if you woke up every morning and I told you that you suck at what you did, that you don't belong doing what you do, that you shouldn't be here, that this guy should be here, that you haven't earned this,” conveying the psychological toll it took on him.
Tagovailoa elaborated, explaining how the constant negativity began to affect his self-belief: “You hear it and you hear it — regardless of what is, the good or the bad — and you hear it more and more and you start to actually believe that... it's basically been two years of training that out.”
Addressing these comments, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell offered a measured response, “I don't particularly have a comment on something that took place with another team or I don't like to comment on comments of other players on other teams, but I can just tell you I know that the players Flo works with, he's got great relationships here.” Flores, now the defensive coordinator for the Vikings, has seemingly fostered strong relationships in his current role.
NFL Player Moves and Predictions
Elsewhere in the league, significant player movements and predictions have stirred discussions. Matthew Judon opted for a trade to the Atlanta Falcons over the Chicago Bears and will not be holding out for a new contract. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert returned to practice after dealing with plantar fascia in his right foot since July 31, bringing a sigh of relief to Chargers fans.
In contract news, Geno Smith secured his future by signing a three-year, $75 million extension with the Seattle Seahawks, which includes $40 million in guaranteed money. This contract underscores the Seahawks' faith in Smith’s abilities to lead the team moving forward.
On the prediction front, CBS Sports' Will Brinson has placed his MVP bet on Buffalo's Josh Allen at +850 odds, while his mid-tier MVP contender is Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford at 30-to-1 odds. These selections highlight the continued intrigue around the league as fans and analysts eagerly await the season's kickoff.
With NFL Cut Day around the corner and the new season on the horizon, both players and fans alike brace for changes and new beginnings, buoyed by the excitement and unpredictability that only professional football can offer.