10 NFL quarterback situations, 10 big questions: Our reporters on Stafford, Purdy, Mayfield and Mahomes

We're down to the final two weeks of the 2023 NFL regular season, and the quarterback position has been ... interesting. Fifty-nine signal-callers have started a game this season, and that number will keep ticking up with Jacoby Brissett and Jarrett Stidham set for Week 17 starts.

That means there is a lot to break down as the season winds down. But we're zeroing in on 10 situations today, asking our NFL Nation reporters big questions about the game's most important position. Let's start with Buffalo, where Josh Allen has the Bills clawing back into the AFC playoff picture. These 10 questions are listed alphabetically by team.



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BUF | CLE | DET | JAX | KC
LAR | NO | PIT | SF | TB

What has been the biggest change in Allen's game since Joe Brady took over as the Bills' playcaller?

Brady has brought energy to the Buffalo offense over the past five games, something that you'll hear throughout the locker room and something that has reflected in Allen's game. His playing style more closely resembles the Allen of the previous few seasons, rather than what we saw earlier this season. That includes him putting together late drives when the offense needs it and an increase in designed quarterback runs (16 over the first 10 games compared to 19 in the past five).

Allen's personality has also been more visible on the field in celebrations, with Brady saying of Allen before last week's game vs. the Chargers, "I know he's having a lot of joy playing ball right now." -- Alaina Getzenberg, Bills reporter



What is the biggest way that Joe Flacco has changed the Browns' offense?

Flacco has brought a veteran confidence to an offense that desperately needed it. But his big arm has also completely transformed the Browns into a dangerous downfield passing attack.

Since Flacco took over, Cleveland ranks eighth in yards per passing attempt (7.4 yards). Before that, it was 31st (5.7). Flacco also leads the NFL over the past four games with 1,307 passing yards. For context, the Browns had passed for only 1,993 in the 11 games prior to Flacco taking over, which ranked 28th in the NFL. -- Jake Trotter, Browns reporter



Will the Lions extend Jared Goff after the season?

He still has to close the regular season out strong, preferably with at least one postseason victory, but after leading the Lions to their first division title since 1993, Goff has proven he's worthy of an extension.

A question remains, though: How long should the Lions extend Goff? Will this be a short-term extension, or something more in the four- to five-year range? Detroit did select quarterback Hendon Hooker in the third round of 2023 draft as a future option. Either way, Goff is certainly the guy for right now, and it makes sense to extend the veteran, who has revived his career in Detroit and made the Lions relevant on the national stage. -- Eric Woodyard, Lions reporter



How can the Jaguars improve their protection for a hobbled Trevor Lawrence down the stretch?

There's not much -- if anything -- the Jaguars can do because they simply don't have any options. The offensive line ranks 30th in pass block win rate (49.4%), and the biggest issue has been center Luke Fortner, who ranks 33rd among centers with an 87.2% pass block win rate. He consistently gets pushed backward into Lawrence's face, which eliminates the quarterback's chances of stepping up into the pocket. Fixing the offensive line has to be the Jaguars' No. 1 priority in the offseason. -- Michael DiRocco, Jaguars reporter





Where would you rank Patrick Mahomes' 2023 season among the six he has started in the NFL?

This one is at the bottom, and it really hasn't been close to any of the others. Things around Mahomes are a mess -- including a lackluster receiver corps -- and he has clearly been affected.

Statistically, it is his worst season, as he is tied for 18th in yards per attempt (6.9), 30th in air yards per attempt (6.3) and seventh in QBR (63.1). He has already thrown more interceptions (14) than in any of his previous seasons. -- Adam Teicher, Chiefs reporter





What has stood out most over Matthew Stafford's recent four-game hot streak?

He hasn't turned the ball over. After throwing more interceptions (five) than touchdowns (three) through the first four weeks of the season, Stafford has not had a game with multiple interceptions since then. In the Rams' past four games -- the only loss coming to the 12-3 Ravens, who have the NFL's best record -- Stafford has thrown 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions. The four-game streak with multiple TD throws and zero picks is his longest since he was traded to Los Angeles, per ESPN Stats & Information. -- Sarah Barshop, Rams reporter