Sometimes, it’s just important to see it happen.
Caleb Williams, Brock Purdy and Trevor Lawrence have taken the biggest leap into the top half as they continue to develop their ability to command their respective systems this season. To be honest, they all had legitimate complaints about being so low in Week 1.
After watching each of them blossom in Week 1, it’s clear that each of them is built to continue this success because of their individual talents and overall situation. In the QB Stock Report, we reward quarterbacks who execute their system instead of spending time wondering how they look less.
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson steered Williams toward a controlled chaos that would cost the defense more confusion. Williams and The Bears put up 59 points on the Carolina Panthers.Never expected to compete with the ’85 Bears, their shutout showing from a season ago might just be the beginning.
Great games from the Bears @ Panthers
While the Bears have reason to wonder what Williams could become, Johnson has also made them realize who Williams is now. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft ran a fundamental offense under USC coach Lincoln Riley, so Williams had to make up for lost time.
Johnson accepted that job, narrowing Williams’ vision in his readings and then expanding the 24-year-old’s responsibilities when necessary. Control the controllable. Complicating a system only serves a coach’s ego, and Johnson knows that.
Williams totaled 269 passing yards, 65 rushing yards and four touchdowns against the Panthers and did not turn the ball over. He looks like the player who had 19 total touchdowns and four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble) in the final 10 regular-season games of 2025, more than the guy who was intercepted five times in the first pair of playoff games.
The game’s picks were little more than ritual for the inexperienced QB. Williams wasn’t too worried in Carolina.
in case Purdy still doesn’t need to prove himselfBut in 2025 he was limited to nine games due to grass foot. And to be fair, the San Francisco 49ers’ extensive injury concerns have made them somewhat of a wild card despite their relative stability over coach Kyle Shanahan’s decade.
Purdy played at a high level during his time with the Niners, but he excelled when he was healthy around him. He put up 205 yards and three touchdowns in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams, and Purdy was unstoppable in the second half, even though the opposition’s legs were going limp by then.
Lawrence, like Williams, closed out 2025 heavily in his first year under coach. Liam Coen quickly applied His vision with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the top pick in the 2021 draft had a rebirth. Lawrence had 19 total touchdowns and one interception over the past six regular season games, but was picked off twice in the team’s home loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Great plays from the Browns @ Jaguars
Lawrence, who turns 27 next month, finished 18-23 for 245 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-10 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Lawrence has been teased for his abilities before, only to be held back for reasons beyond his control. His ascension feels more permanent with the cone.
As discussed last week, there wasn’t much separating the quarterbacks in the top half of the rankings, with Williams, Purdy and Lawrence proving to be prime candidates to move up the board.
But on the other hand…
Everyone has a plan until they get hit in the mouth.
Mike Tyson said. Jordan was in love.
The Vikings rallied late to beat the Packers
The Minnesota Vikings sacked Love four times and hit him 15 times; Apparently that’s why. No wonder half of Love’s 42 attempts went incomplete or he threw an interception and fumbled twice (one for a loss). It’s a recipe for a 22-0 lead in the fourth quarter.
The Packers also committed 12 penalties for 98 yards. They blew a 22-10 lead because they couldn’t defend Love or follow the rules from referee Sean Hochuly’s point of view.
At Love’s best, he looked like a real candidate to be a top-five QB. But if he hits 15 times a game, that will never happen.
While Williams, Purdy and Lawrence appear to be in sustainable success situations, Love is among the QBs whose alarm bells should be ringing after Week 1.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was very difficult. The Philadelphia Eagles hit him twice, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. Daniels was under constant pressure, going a meager 18-of-34 for 164 yards and two scores. He also didn’t get much help as the Eagles blocked extra points and went wide. Stefon Diggs later broke down. One of their bids scored a free kick when he jumped the goal kicker to go 2 up.
Top games from the Chiefs @ Eagles
Daniels, the No. 2 pick in 2024, was an easy NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year pick that season before his sophomore campaign was derailed by a sprained knee and elbow. With left tackle Laremy Tunsil on the shelf with a torn triceps, Daniels could be in for more of the same.
Baker Mayfield, Malik Willis and Cam Ward are among the QBs moving a little gingerly this week.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has a different feeling, even though the team can’t declare total innocence after the loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Besides a pair of perfectly executed touchdown plays from the Chargers, they had an interception, a lost fumble, a fumble on a field goal and a blocked punt. The two “normal” hits came after the offense failed to overcome penalties, and a pair of three penalties on the final drive in the final five minutes added a sack and a first down.
By the way, Mrs. Herbert, how was the game?
Quarterbacks can definitely elevate everyone around them. But it should work both ways. If these are any more than opening-week blowouts, they’ll be unbearable.
May Day in New England
Let’s get the important point out of the way first: Drake Maye’s fourth-quarter triple against the Seattle Seahawks was inexcusable. You know this now. It’s important to make sure we’re all on the same page there.
Based on everything we’ve learned about Maye’s inner drive, leadership, and accountability, it’s safe to believe that these three interplays serve her well.
He was bored with simple things and took three unnecessary accidents. Seahawks coach Mike McDonald has established himself as the league’s premier defensive mind with his ability to hide looks and stifle the QB’s reads, and he is at his best in fourth quarter games. Maye stepped into the trap and played.
It’s part of the learning curve. Young ballers with high-level playmaking skills believe they can break any pitch. That’s how they’re wired. Sometimes, those cables need to be rearranged. Maye must learn that he can engineer a winner out of boring stuff.