3 QBs worth benching after Week 4 who could start instead

Most of Week 4 of the 2024 season is in the books and we’re getting a clearer picture of which teams are contenders and who are contenders. The success of a team mainly depends on how well the defender plays.

This year, we’re seeing the Minnesota Vikings thrive in part because of the play of Sam Darnold. Yes, that Sam Darnold, who didn’t pan out with the New York Jets as the No. 3 overall pick in 2018. Then there are the expected signal-callers who are playing well on good teams like CJ Stroud of the Houston Texans and Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers.

But when it comes to quarterbacks who played poorly in Week 4, these three stand out and could use a trip to the bench.

3. Daniel Jones, New York Giants

Substitute: Drew Lock

It was the worst kept secret in the NFL that the New York Giants were doing extensive homework on the quarterback prospect in this year’s draft class and were trying to move up in the first round to select one. Ultimately, when there was no way to get a Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels, the Giants opted to stick with Daniel Jones and give him a top wide receiver in LSU’s Malik Nabers.

Yes, Jones has played better since his disastrous season opener, including last week’s win over the Cleveland Browns. But when the Giants needed him to play the most in Week 4, he couldn’t.

The Giants faced the Dallas Cowboys, who are far from the powerhouse they were last season. The defense is a disaster and the offense is non-existent. The Cowboys gave the Giants several opportunities to win and they couldn’t. Yes, drops from the wide receivers played a part in that, as did the play of head coach Brian Daboll. However, when it comes to deep passes, Jones just can’t do it.

Late in games, when you’re one score away from taking the lead, you need a signal caller who can make throws downfield and connect with his wide receiver with precision. The point is that Jones’ throwing power, which was a positive for him coming into the NFL in 2019, is gone.

As ESPN’s Jordan Raanan points out , Jones was two-for-seven for 67 yards and an interception on passes of at least 20 yards. This year, Jones is 4-for-16 this season on those throws.

Jones’ stats were good in Week 4, but he played a relatively safe game. In a winnable game against a team that has struggled for a long time, Jones did little to help the Giants get their second win of the year. It’s time to give Drew Lock a chance to try and save the season, especially with how bad the NFC East has been playing (besides the Washington Commanders).

2. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

Substitute: Jarrett Stidham

It was a disgusting day in the Meadowlands. Oh, and it was raining. The Denver Broncos were on the road to face the New York Jets. Let’s just say the offenses from both teams were sloppy throughout. Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix hasn’t had the best start to his first season. He’s no longer in Oregon, and he’s no longer in a Dan Lanning offense.

At halftime, Nix had completed 7 of 15 pass attempts for seven negative yards. That is correct. Negative seven passing yards. To put it another way, imagine zero passing yards, now subtract seven from that. And here we have Nix’s first half.

But late in the third quarter, Nix gave the Broncos the lead on an eight-yard pass to Courtland Sutton. It was enough as the Broncos held on to beat the Jets 10-9. Nix finished the day 12-for-25 throwing for 60 yards and a touchdown.

Let’s be real here, the Bronco’s defense and the Jet’s inability to do anything positive on offense gave them the upper hand. Nix, so far, has struggled. With the team moving up in the standings, head coach Sean Payton may have to consider what Jarrett Stidham can do on offense.

1. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Hypothetical replacement (we don’t see that happening): Kenny Pickett

Let’s preface this by saying it’s based on performance alone. There is no way the Philadelphia Eagles are going to lock down quarterback Jalen Hurts. No way, no way. But in Week 4, Hurts was a disaster in the team’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sure, the Eagles are without their top two wide receivers in AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith and right tackle Lane Johnson, but Hurts is one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL. He made history in the team’s Super Bowl 57 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs two seasons ago. He is to lead the team. Instead, he hurt them.

Overall, Hurts completed 18 of 30 pass attempts for just 158 ​​yards and one touchdown in the 33-16 loss to the Buccaneers. Hurts also fumbled the football twice and fumbled once. That loss happened to Philadelphia at Tampa Bay’s own 19-yard line. Hurts didn’t notice the approaching linebacker Lavonte David, who knocked the football out of his hands, and Tampa Bay recovered. Tampa Bay marched down the field immediately after and managed to extend their lead to 33-16.

As bad as Hurts has been, he won’t be benched for Kenny Pickett. Let’s be real here. The Eagles will continue to play Hurts throughout the season as long as he is healthy. The thing is, they are not playing well this season under head coach Nick Sirianni and new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. It’s up to Hurts to turn things around and help get Philadelphia back in the win column. Come on, this is a team that was expected to go to the Super Bowl this season. So far, they seem far from competitors.