Early on this NFL season, quarterback play has largely regressed to the point where there have even been media members calling for the ban of the Cover 2 concept on the defensive side of the ball. And at least in the eyes of NFL Network’s Kurt Warner, things didn’t exactly improve all that much in Week 3.
With two Monday Night Football matchups still pending, we have seen the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows in terms of quarterback play. Veterans like Aaron Rodgers and Andy Dalton systematically picked apart defenses, while the likes of Anthony Richardson, Caleb Williams, and even last year’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud struggled significantly.
Warner, who was seemingly watching film early Monday morning, largely wasn’t impressed whatsoever by what he saw as a whole in Week 3, taking to social media to share that he was “fighting” the urge to turn off game tape because of the poor quarterback play he saw.
“I rarely turn off the tape without watching every significant snap,” wrote Warner on X. “But right now I am fighting that “rule” bc the QB play I’m watching is that bad (it’s making me physically uneasy)!!”
I rarely turn off the tape without watching every significant snap… but right now I am fighting that “rule” bc the QB play I’m watching is that bad (it’s making me physically uneasy)!!
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) September 23, 2024
As for why we could potentially be seeing poor quarterback play this season, there are several potential factors. Maybe offenses truly haven’t caught onto defenses running more Cover 2 schemes than ever, which Mel Kiper Jr. alluded to in his plea to have it banned.
Warner seemingly isn’t all that happy about the offensive schemes being run either. He also took to social media Monday morning to voice his frustrations about some of the route concepts he is seeing on tape.
“WHY? I just don’t understand the purpose behind some of these route concepts,” wrote Warner. “Will someone please explain what we are trying to get done???”
WHY? I just don’t understand the purpose behind some of these route concepts, will someone please explain what we are trying to get done???
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) September 23, 2024
We also saw three quarterbacks who did not come into the season as starters end up starting in Week 3 (Miami, Green Bay, Carolina) either due to injury or poor performance from the original starter. On top of that, three rookie quarterbacks started in Week 3, in addition to Anthony Richardson, who missed the majority of his rookie season in 2023 due to injury.
Whatever the case may be, Warner certainly knows what to look for when it comes to competent quarterback play. And he is clearly not seeing it early on in the 2024-25 NFL season.
