RADIO
Quarterback is the most important position in the NFL. Signal-callers receive many protections that allow them to continue playing for a long time. Some quarterbacks play at a high level for a long time, while others do not.
The starting quarterbacks in the NFL have gotten quite young over the last few seasons. With retirements from Drew Brees, Eli Manning, and Tom Brady, the old guard has faded into the past. Still, there are a few players from the early 2010s kicking around the league.
It is difficult to know when to hang things up. Many players play at least one season too long. Even the greatest quarterbacks of all time have fallen into that trap. Still, many players hang onto the notion that they may reclaim their old playing form. Let's dive into a list that includes a few players with Achilles injuries.
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4. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
Kirk Cousins is a master of business. He has made a significant amount of money in his career despite only ever being a borderline top-10 player at the position. When Cousins became available this past offseason, the Falcons bit and handed him a $180 million contract. Less than a year later, things look dire for Cousins.
Cousins was playing some of the best ball of his career in 2023 before a torn Achilles ended his season. He found himself in the same boat as Aaron Rodgers: an aging quarterback with a serious injury. Quarterback is such a premium position in the NFL that Cousins was guaranteed a starting opportunity despite the injury.
You know the rest. The Falcons got off to a solid start but the offense never looked quite right. Cousins started throwing interceptions instead of touchdowns, which led to his benching in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. in Week 16. Cousins' benching is not so unlike Peyton Manning's benching in his final season.
Kirk Cousins: "I want to retire a Falcon."
The Falcons: pic.twitter.com/U3fAcDMRxK
— The Brohioan (@TheBrohioan) April 26, 2024
Cousins faces a tough road ahead. Every NFL team saw the lack of production and mobility on the field this season. He may have an opportunity to compete for a starting job, but he is certainly not going to walk into a situation where he is the unquestioned starter.
After making so much money, and frankly, putting up huge statistics in his career, it may be time for Cousins to lay things down and move on.
3. Ryan Tannehill, Free Agent
Yes, Ryan Tannehill is still in the league. He was awaiting a call all season but ultimately did not receive one. On one hand, quarterbacks remained fairly healthy in 2024. Tannehill has also dealt with health risks throughout his career.
Tannehill has enjoyed a nice 12-year run with both the Dolphins and Titans. His highlights include a run to the AFC Championship Game with the Titans in 2019. He could provide solid depth for a team in need of a high-end backup. Unfortunately, he was not healthy in his final two seasons in Tennessee. He has not played more than 12 games in a season since 2021.
Tannehill's career statistics include 34,881 yards, 216 touchdown passes, and 115 interceptions. He has also added a lot of value with his legs, having rushed for 27 touchdowns.
It always hurts to see players with a desire to play have to sit out for a year. At that point, it is almost always necessary that they hang it up.
2. Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts
Joe Flacco has been around a lot longer than people may think. The former Super Bowl MVP was drafted by the Ravens in 2008. He can still sling the ball around, but it feels like only a matter of time before the wheels fall off completely.
Flacco has enjoyed some serious highs over the last three seasons with the Jets, Browns, and Colts. However, those highs have all come in small sample sizes. Those small spurts have allowed Flacco to torch the league before he gets figured out by opposing defensive coordinators.
Consider Flacco's Browns stint in 2023. After being called off the couch, Flacco went on a tear. He threw for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns in five starts. However, he had become very prone to interceptions and threw eight over that same span.
The Texans completely stymied Flacco in the Wild Card round. Flacco threw for 307 yards, but that came at the expense of two interceptions. The Browns were trounced by the Texans. Before his run with the Browns, Flacco was a Deshaun Watson injury away from retirement. He hadn't even played in a playoff game since 2014.
Joe Flacco’s advice to Anthony Richardson on what it takes to become the franchise quarterback pic.twitter.com/0lRo0iXoHT
— ColtsFanCole (@ColtsFanCole) January 6, 2025
Flacco latched on with the Colts this offseason as a backup and mentor to Anthony Richardson. Flacco got some playing time when Richardson was benched. However, he played his way to the bench. It was only a matter of time before defenses figured out Flacco once again and slowed him down. The Colts lost four of his six starts.
With Flacco still slinging the ball relatively decently, he should walk away before everything falls apart. If he wanted to continue playing in 2025, he would likely get a job. Unfortunately, the product on the field could end up being ugly.
1. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
It is difficult to have a list like this without mentioning Aaron Rodgers. He is the obvious choice for a player who needs to hang things up. Rodgers' play has declined in each of his last two healthy seasons in the NFL. At some point, you just do not have it anymore.
While Rodgers is certainly statistically not the same player he was in his prime, he also does not pass the "eye test." His mobility betrays him and his accuracy leaves a lot to be desired. There is no discounting the greatness of this once-great player, but he is a shell of what he used to be.
What's worse is that Rodgers truly is an "enigma," as his documentary would suggest. He often deflects blame without taking full responsibility for his own play. It is as if he still believes he is the player he once was.
Let's take Rodgers' last two healthy seasons in 2024 and 2022 as examples. He did not surpass 3,897 passing yards in either season. For a man who made a living on touchdown efficiency, Rodgers was held to 28 or fewer touchdowns in both seasons.
Most notably, Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks of all time at protecting the football. However, he threw 11 and 12 interceptions in both 2024 and 2022, respectively. Rodgers had only thrown more than eight interceptions in a season on two other occasions in his career.
The situation now begs the question of who will want this guy. The Jets seem poised to move away from Rodgers. Potential head coach Rex Ryan does not seem to be particularly thrilled about the prospect of Rodgers sticking around New York.
Rex Ryan says the Aaron Rodgers "country club" will be over if he gets the #Jets job. https://t.co/BoAo34eC85
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) January 6, 2025
The Browns, Titans, Raiders, Saints, and Giants could all be in search of a veteran presence at quarterback next season. None of those situations feels like they would be particularly appealing to Rodgers, given that none of those teams are in a position to win in 2025. Rodgers may be forced to retire due to a lack of opportunities.
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