12 NFL quarterbacks drafted in 2021 and 2022 already on new teams or out of a job, including Malik Willis
cory woodroof
·2-min read
Aug 17, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis (7) throws the ball late in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Gower-USA TODAY Sports
With news that Malik Willis has reportedly been traded to the Green Bay Packers, we got further proof of how the 2021 and 2022 NFL Draft classes have struggled to put starting quarterbacks in the NFL.
Including Willis, 12 quarterbacks drafted in those two draft classes have already been traded to new franchises or cut outright. It just underscores how hard it is to find a franchise quarterback these days, as some of these players were touted as long-term starters before faltering with the teams that drafted them.
Quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence and Brock Purdy have emerged from those draft classes as viable options to start, while these players will try to either re-establish themselves as starting quarterbacks or try to stick around in the NFL as long-term backups.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 10: Zach Wilson #2 of the New York Jets looks on during the second quarter in the game against the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775992458 ORIG FILE ID: 1845453661
Dec 19, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) smiles after defeating the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs off the field after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) reacts after defeating the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2020; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) looks down field to pass against Arkansas during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in College Station, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Sam Craft/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-427305 ORIG FILE ID: 20201031_jla_so6_453.jpg
Dec 28, 2019; Orlando, Florida, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book (12) throws the ball against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-419456 ORIG FILE ID: 20191228_jrs_sv7_010.JPG
Original Team: New Orleans Saints (133rd-overall pick)
Current Team: Free Agent
QB Kenny Pickett (2022)
Dec 4, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Original Team: Pittsburgh Steelers (20th-overall pick)
Oct 22, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAR 02: Malik Willis #QB16 of the Liberty Flames speaks to reporters during the NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 19: Matt Corral #9 of the Carolina Panthers carries during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium on August 19, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Nov 12, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) walks to the locker room following a 29-26 loss against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun (6) runs a play against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Original Team: Pittsburgh Steelers (241st-overall team)
