The NFC South has officially concluded its season without a Lombardi Trophy, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers being the only playoff representative. They were eliminated by the Washington Commanders in the Wild Card round, leaving the rest of the division—Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and New Orleans Saints—watching from home. As the offseason approaches, it's time to evaluate the quarterbacks within the division.
Starting with Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons, he had a brief opportunity to showcase his abilities as the starter. Over three games, he completed 61 of 105 passes for 775 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. His best performance came in the season finale against the Carolina Panthers, where he threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns. However, despite his promising display, concerns about his long-term potential place him fourth among the division's quarterbacks.
Derek Carr, the New Orleans Saints’ quarterback, finds himself in a difficult situation. Despite his ability to maintain possession of the ball, the offense struggled significantly. As he approaches 34 years of age and with a history of injuries, the Saints may need to consider moving towards a younger quarterback for a rebuild.
Meanwhile, Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers has made a remarkable comeback after being benched early in the season. He regained his starting position and excelled in the final eight games, throwing twelve touchdowns against just three interceptions. His performance sparked competition even against top teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, hinting at a brighter future for him.
At the top of the list is Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who finished the season as the standout quarterback in the division. With an impressive 4,500 passing yards, he ranked third in the league, only behind Joe Burrow and Jared Goff, and tied for second in touchdowns with 41. While he did throw 16 interceptions, many were due to flukes rather than poor decision-making. Mayfield’s ability to leverage his offensive weapons has proven essential to Tampa's success this season.
