NFL Week 13 roundtable: Trevor Lawrence’s return, Aaron Rodgers’ future, second-year QB surge

The house groups feasted on Thanksgiving whereas the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs spent Black Friday rebuffing one other Las Vegas Raiders try at a highway upset.

So, consequently, the vacations go away Sunday’s schedule for Week 13 lighter than standard, however definitely not missing. Our writers Mike Sando, Zak Keefer and Jeff Howe dish on Trevor Lawrence’s return, Aaron Rodgers’ future, a doable leap for second-year quarterbacks, a possible Tremendous Bowl LIX preview in Philadelphia Eagles–Baltimore Ravens and extra on this week’s roundtable.

The Panthers, who almost beat the Chiefs in Week 12, host the Bucs on Sunday. The Titans, who knocked off the Texans, are on the highway towards the Commanders. Do you are feeling second-year quarterbacks Bryce Younger and Will Levis have turned a nook or do you might want to see extra?

Sando: Younger appears to have stabilized to the purpose the place the Panthers can go away him within the lineup and hope he develops. I’d not mistake his progress for a sky-high ceiling, nevertheless. We nonetheless aren’t positive whether or not he may be greater than a mid-tier starter. He does seem viable, nevertheless, and that’s a optimistic reflection on him and coach Dave Canales. In Tennessee, Levis simply grew to become the third participant since 1960 to win a begin whereas taking at the least eight sacks and throwing a pick-six interception. That isn’t a successful formulation. It was additionally the second time this season he had at the least eight sacks and a pick-six in the identical recreation. Undoubtedly must see extra.

Howe: They’ve positively turned a nook, however they haven’t left the neighborhood. Younger is taking part in properly, so the time on the bench appeared to function an excellent reset for the No. 1 decide. I feel it’s honest to be optimistic that Canales has helped Younger elevate his recreation, contemplating his monitor file with previous quarterbacks. However till there’s extra assist round Younger, it’s too quickly to know the place his potential lies. Levis is taking part in higher, too, although I had him ranked because the worst starter within the league for a few weeks earlier than this turnaround so there was clear room for development. Levis nonetheless has to eradicate the essential errors earlier than he may be considered as a long-term starter within the league.

Keefer: Younger deserves a ton of credit score — hardly ever has a high decide who flailed so badly early in his profession, then was benched, bounced again in a extra spectacular means with the identical crew. I nonetheless imagine the Panthers see him as a part of the group’s future, and that wasn’t a assure only a few weeks in the past. As for Levis, Jeff is correct — his game-breaking errors stay a critical flaw. I feel the Titans look lengthy and onerous at including a brand new beginning quarterback within the offseason.

Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) is attempting to come back again from damage and is anticipated to play this week towards the Texans for the last-place Jaguars. Is it price it? Ought to he be shut down for the season?

Sando: If Lawrence is wholesome, he ought to play. I feel that’s the final normal for gamers and wouldn’t maintain him out of video games in any other case.

Howe: It’s completely price it. Lawrence’s job is safe due to his contract, however loads of different jobs within the group are on the road and he owes it to them to be on the sphere. He additionally has to attempt to create optimism for 2025. If Lawrence performs properly beneath the damage circumstances, it should carry weight within the locker room. That may be actually necessary amid a misplaced season.

Keefer: Whenever you signal a $275 million contract that pays you want the most effective quarterbacks within the league, there are particular expectations that include it. For one, in case you’re wholesome, you go well with up. Interval. Lawrence can be looking at his fourth completely different head coach subsequent season if Doug Pederson is finally let go — together with interims — which tells you the way chaotic his tenure in Jacksonville has been. I nonetheless assume the Jaguars have sufficient to tug an upset considered one of these weeks, and it’s not just like the Texans are taking part in properly in the meanwhile.

The Jets host the Seahawks with an opportunity to play spoiler, however the dialog round New York as of late is about Aaron Rodgers, whose future is now in query. What’s finest for the Jets at quarterback? What do you assume will occur at this level?

Sando: Turning the web page could be finest for the Jets given Rodgers’ age and all that comes together with having him on the crew. Buying him was well worth the threat as a result of the upside was excessive and the crew appeared able to win, however his Achilles damage and the general state of the crew makes a reset extra interesting. I’d think about this shall be it for Rodgers and the Jets.

Howe: I requested three high-ranking executives who shall be GM candidates how they’d deal with the Rodgers state of affairs in the event that they ran the Jets. All three stated they might launch him with the post-June 1 designation, and I agree with them. Barring a big turnaround in efficiency, this shouldn’t be a troublesome resolution, particularly for a brand new regime that gained’t want to be anchored by the contract.

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Keefer: It’s time to maneuver on. This gamble has been a bust from the beginning, and in typical Jets vogue, not one of the immense hype — hype this crew welcomed — translated into any actual success. The Jets want to seek out new management and a brand new quarterback for 2025.

The Chargers and Falcons meet Sunday. Los Angeles is attempting to hold on within the AFC wild-card hunt. Atlanta is attempting to hold on within the NFC South race. Each groups have been uncovered considerably within the final week. What’s your present confidence in them?

Sando: I’ve received extra confidence within the Chargers than I’ve within the Falcons. There’s no disgrace in shedding to Baltimore, because the Chargers did to finish a four-game successful streak. Atlanta misplaced to New Orleans after which received blown out by Denver, main coach Raheem Morris to query the crew’s effort. That’s rather more regarding that the Chargers’ slipup Monday night time.

Howe: Nonetheless inconsistent the Ravens have been at instances, the Chargers ran right into a buzzsaw this week. I feel they’re in a great place to make the playoffs as a result of Justin Herbert is taking part in properly and the protection ought to maintain regular, however I don’t view them as a menace to make a run in January. The Falcons have too many sporadic performances. There are weeks when the protection appears fairly good and others when it might’t make a cease, and the offense has handled comparable inconsistencies. They earned the tiebreaker by sweeping the Bucs, which is important with a one-game lead within the NFC South, nevertheless it’s going to be a nervous journey to the end line.

Keefer: I nonetheless don’t see the Chargers as an excellent crew — definitely not on the extent of Kansas Metropolis, Buffalo and even perhaps Pittsburgh within the AFC — however they continue to be a strong playoff contender. All 4 losses this season have come towards a crew within the thick of the postseason race. The Falcons? They continue to be extra of a thriller — adequate to beat the Eagles early within the 12 months and unhealthy sufficient to get blown out by the Broncos the final time they performed. Give me Los Angeles on this one because the NFC South race continues to get muddier.

Working again Saquon Barkley (26) has been a lift for the Philadelphia Eagles’ Tremendous Bowl hopes this season. (Alex Gallardo / Imagn Photographs)

Eagles-Ravens feels prefer it may very well be a Tremendous Bowl preview and one storyline is what Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry have accomplished for his or her respective groups this season. Has their play accomplished sufficient to revitalize the operating again market?

Sando: Working again salaries on the high of the market already rebounded some after declining. I feel these salaries on the high ought to proceed to rebound partly due to the success these gamers have loved. The operating recreation normally has made a comeback and that may probably profit operating backs out there.

Howe: No, they’re considered as exceptions as a result of they’re elite skills who joined sturdy organizations with strong rosters. It could be simply as simple to take a look at Christian McCaffrey and level out how rapidly a operating again may go from the perfect within the league to somebody with probably career-altering damage points. That’s why groups are so reluctant to go all in on a operating again. Final offseason helped to stabilize the second and third tiers of the operating again market, nevertheless it’ll be uncommon to see groups break the financial institution on the place.

Keefer: Not likely. The operating again market as an entire gained’t shift all that a lot, however what Barkley and Henry are doing this season is reminding personnel execs how a lot an elite one actually issues. There’s just one or two in the marketplace every year, however the game-changers at operating again nonetheless matter. Think about the place the Eagles could be with out Barkley this season? His three-year, $37.8 million contract was a steal.

(High picture of Trevor Lawrence: Jorge Lemus / NurPhoto by way of Getty Photographs)