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The 2024 NFL Draft saw plenty of quarterbacks taken, including six within the first round. These quarterbacks will provide hope and optimism to their fan bases for several years to come, and there's a general buzz around the league that many of the top names can become franchise cornerstones very soon.
However, the addition of a flashy, young rookie means that some veteran quarterbacks are one step closer to losing their jobs.
Let’s look at four veteran quarterbacks who may be close to hitting the panic button based on how their team handled the 2024 draft.
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Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
Cousins' deal with the Falcons was reportedly motivated by the Vikings' plans to draft a rookie quarterback. Now, it seems Cousins is facing that exact predicament in Atlanta after the Falcons stunned the world by drafting Michael Penix Jr. in the first round. Penix will not start right away, and there have even been rumblings that Atlanta is content with him riding the bench for several years if necessary.
Nevertheless, Penix's mere presence threatens Cousins' job security in Atlanta. Having a talented quarterback with high draft capital gunning for your job must trigger plenty of alarms for the veteran signal-caller.
Cousins inked a four-year deal, but the Falcons can free up $45 million in cap space if they cut him after June 1, 2027. Therefore, he only has job security for three years and needs to prove himself worthy of staying in Atlanta for the fourth. With that in mind, it's clear that Cousins' days are numbered and he'll have to fend off Penix once we turn the page to 2025 or 2026.
The Packers replaced Aaron Rodgers with former first-rounder Jordan Love, and we could see a similar situation unfold in the next few years with Cousins and Penix.
Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins take the field together for the first time at OTA’s today.
Raheem Morris said today it’s on Penix to learn from Kirk and by watching and observing his everyday actions #Falcons pic.twitter.com/XguJ95rWUW
— Victor Prieto (@victorprieto_11) May 14, 2024
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys didn't draft a new quarterback, but there were rumors that they might. If this was just a major smokescreen intended to skew teams' expectations for the Cowboys in the draft, then well played, Dallas. However, we have to presume that the Cowboys at least explored the quarterback class with Prescott slated to hit free agency next March.
ESPN's Adam Schefter noted that the Cowboys struck gold with Prescott in the fourth round, and they would have been wise to start looking for his successor with a Day 2 or early Day 3 pick.
Dallas did not make a move at the position, but it also didn't sign Prescott to an extension. Although the draft is a common time for teams to extend high-profile players one season from free agency, the Cowboys stood pat. Barring an extension before Week 1, it's looking like Prescott might have the opportunity to test free agency for the first time in his career.
Contract extension negotiations between Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys have been "passive or even nonexistent", and an agreement appears to be a long way off.
(via @JFowlerESPN)#NFL #DakPrescott #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/pOeEdvE9bv
— Sportskeeda Pro Football (@SKProFootball) May 5, 2024
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
In all fairness, we hit the panic button on Carr several years ago. The draft was not a major benchmark in his downfall. However, he still bears mentioning given that the Saints drafted Spencer Rattler in the fifth round. This was later than expected, and some analysts believe that he could develop into the Saints' eventual starter.
Regardless of whether Rattler ever becomes an impactful player in New Orleans, this move confirms that the front office is looking at its options in the post-Carr era. He still has three years left under contract, but the Saints could create $50 million in cap space by designating him as a post-June 1 cut in 2026.
As Carr gets older, takes more sacks, and closes the gap between his touchdown and interception totals, we will hear some calls for Rattler (or for the Saints to draft another quarterback). By selecting the University of South Carolina product in April, the Saints showed they are preparing for the next chapter of their franchise without Carr.
Don’t be surprised if Dereck Carr eventually loses his job to Spencer Rattler 🤷♂️
— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) May 6, 2024
Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Just like the Cowboys were linked to rookie quarterbacks, the Giants were also a team to watch last month. Several mock drafts and rumors tied them to a quarterback as high as No. 3 overall (which would have required a trade). Instead, they stood pat and selected LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth pick in the first round.
The selection of Nabers bought Jones some extra time in the Big Apple (assuming he holds off Drew Lock during training camp), but the fact that New York heavily considered drafting or trading up for a quarterback suggests that Jones' days as a Giant are numbered.
The four-year, $160 million deal that Jones signed last offseason will go down as one of the wildest contracts in NFL history, but it's worth noting that New York can get out of it. The Giants could take on $22 million in dead cap money to get out of the Jones contract next offseason.
Between perusing the quarterback class and signing a deal that allows them to escape the Jones contract after just two years, it appears that the Giants are getting ready for a new signal-caller to lead the team. Jones' days in New York are numbered, and his fantasy value continues to fall.
"Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no." - Eli Manning on Daniel Jones' interception returned 97 yards for a touchdown. pic.twitter.com/auFeLXiyFm
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 3, 2023
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