NFL Check-In: What Has Happened in The Past Six Weeks

Anaylsis by David Thatcher, Clarion Staff reporter

New York Jets See Changes in Coaching Staff

Into a third of the 2024 NFL Season, a head coach has already been fired. Robert Saleh, now former head coach of the New York Jets, was fired October 8. Jets owner Woody Johnson made the decision to fire Saleh after a disappointing 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London (Oct. 6), and elevated Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich as their interim head coach. 

Controversy has arisen from this firing as CBS would report that Saleh was considering firing offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett causing some fans to speculate quarterback Aaron Rodgers had involvement in Saleh’s firing due to the known friendship between Rodgers and Hackett, but Aaron Rodgers has adamantly denied that he had any involvement or influence in the decision. 

Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich has also revoked Nathaniel Hackett’s play calling duties and given the play calling responsibilities to their passing game coordinator Todd Downing. 

Ultimately, the Jets elected to go another route with the future of their franchise ending Saleh’s tenure with a 20-36 record. 

Undefeated Teams

The Minnesota Vikings are arguably the biggest surprise of the season so far. They have started off their season undefeated with a 5-0 record with quarterback Sam Darnold at the helm who has so far completed 87 of the 137 passes (63.5%) for 1,111 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, four interceptions, and has been sacked 14 times so far this season along with having 20 carries for 61 rushing yards (averaging about 3 yards per carry). His performance so far has been very surprising to many fans as his tenures with the Jets, Panthers, and 49ers did not suggest he would be performing at the level he has so far. 

The Vikings also have star wide receiver Justin Jefferson who is arguably the best receiver in the NFL paired with Jordan Addison who is a very capable playmaker along with a defense that has played well under defensive coordinator Brian Flores. 

Head coach Kevin O’Connell hopes to keep the Vikings win streak alive coming off of a bye week and facing their division rivals the Detroit Lions Week 7 (Oct. 20).

The Kansas City Chiefs are the other current undefeated team in the NFL at a 5-0 record. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes has so far completed 111 of his 160 passes (69.4%) for 1,235 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, six interceptions, and has been sacked nine times along with 23 carries for 83 rushing yards (averaging 3.6 yards per carry). 

Kansas City has lost a key player in their offense with wide receiver Rashee Rice being out for the season due to an ACL injury but hope to see other players within their offense to step up. Kansas City’s defense has also played well under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo which has played a huge role in Kansas City’s success. 

Head coach Andy Reid hopes to continue the Chiefs undefeated season facing the San Francisco 49ers in their Week 7 matchup (Oct. 20). 

Benched Quarterbacks

So far three NFL Week 1 starting quarterbacks have been benched so far a third into the season. 

The Panthers benched their 2023 first overall pick Bryce Young following their Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers (Sept. 16) in favor of veteran quarterback Andy Dalton. Bryce Young is the first No. 1 overall pick since 1967 (common draft era) to be benched for non-injury reasons, according to ESPN. 

Three quarters into the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos matchup the Raiders decided to bench quarterback Gardner Minshew after throwing two interceptions and a lack of offensive production after the 1st quarter. Aidan O’Connell played the rest of the Week 5 matchup finishing with 10 of his 20 passes completed (50%), no passing touchdowns, and one interception. Following the 34-18 Week 5 loss head coach Antonio Pierce named Aidan O’Connell the starter last Wednesday (Oct. 9). 

The New England Patriots also made the decision to bench veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett five weeks into the 2024 season. Brissett was expected to be benched eventually in favor of New England’s 2024 third overall pick quarterback Drake Maye who finally made his first official start Week 6 against the Houston Texans. 

The Trade Deadline and Current Trades 

Despite only being a third of the way through the 2024 NFL season the trade deadline is rapidly approaching and teams have already begun to buy and sell.

The trade deadline is always an interesting period of the NFL season as teams make moves for a variety of reasons but typically do so to generally improve their team, add pieces they feel can help them make a postseason push, or sell some of their pieces to acquire draft capital and plan for the future. 

The trade deadline is set on November 5, 4 P.M. EST. 

The first move was between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks where Seattle exchanged a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris (Oct. 14), according to ESPN. 

The New York Jets made a move to acquire star quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ former Green Bay No. 1 receiver Davante Adams. The Jets exchanged a conditional third-round pick that can potentially turn into a second-round pick based on performance and will take the remaining salary on Adams’ contract for the Raiders’ star receiver (Oct. 15), according to ESPN. 

The Buffalo Bills made a move to give star quarterback Josh Allen a true No. 1 receiver in Amari Cooper. The Bills exchanged a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick with the Cleveland Browns for Cooper and a 2025 sixth-round pick (Oct. 15), according to ESPN.

The Minnesota Vikings also made a move trading for Houston Texans running back Cam Akers. The Vikings exchanged a 2026 conditional sixth-round pick in exchange for Akers and a Texans conditional 2026 seventh-round pick (Oct. 15), according to ESPN. 

Rookie Quarterbacks

Caleb Williams since Week 1 has continuously improved and has displayed the immense amount of talent and athleticism that was seen throughout his collegiate career. Williams through his 6 starts has completed 130 of his 199 passes (65.3%) for 1,317 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, five interceptions, and has been sacked 20 times (highest out of all rookie QBs) while also posting 25 carries for 169 rushing yards (averaging 6.8 yards per carry) with his legs. The improvements in play from Caleb along with the stacked offensive talent and good defensive play from the Bears have all contributed to the 4-2 record they currently hold. 

Jayden Daniels has not slowed down since Week 1. He has continuously played at a high level in the passing attack by completing 125 of his 166 passes (75.3%) for 1,404 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, two interceptions, and has been sacked 15 times. Daniels’ has also displayed that he is also a significant rushing threat as his 63 carries have produced 322 rushing yards (averaging 4.1 yards per carry) and four rushing touchdowns. Daniels has been a lot more of what the Commanders hoped to see out of their rookie quarterback and has been a large contributor to their current 4-2 record along with the high hopes of the future of their franchise. 

Bo Nix has had a much more rookie-esque season so far compared to Williams and Daniels. While there has been growth out of Nix since Week 1 there have been some growing pains as well. Nix so far has completed 121 of his 198 passes (61.1%) for 1,082 passing yards, five touchdowns, five interceptions, and has been sacked nine times (lowest out of rookies that have started since Week 1). Nix has also made plays with his legs as he has 37 carries for 180 rushing yards (averaging 4.9 yards per carry) and three rushing touchdowns. Nix has had his ups and downs like most rookie quarterbacks, but there are still aspects of his performances that show Nix is capable of performing at a higher level. The Denver Broncos have had a stellar defense so far this season but are lacking in offensive talent. This brings up the point that the Broncos should seriously consider being buyers at this upcoming trade deadline for a wide receiver, tight end, or even a running back to give Nix a quality offensive piece to help support him and elevate Denver’s offense.

Drake Maye made his first official NFL start Week 6 against the Houston Texans. Maye completed 20 of his 33 passes (60.6%) for 243 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, two interceptions, and was sacked four times in the Patriots 41-21 loss. While not a perfect start, his performance was encouraging to see out of the young quarterback making his first official NFL start. The New England Patriots are still very unlikely to make much noise this season due to the nature of their roster still needing more talent but if Maye can continue giving encouraging performances the Patriots may be in position to have a bright future in the coming seasons. 

Spencer Rattler made his NFL debut Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rattler completed 22 of his 40 passes (55%) for one touchdown, two interceptions, and was sacked five times in the New Orleans Saints 51-27 loss. Rattler had to fill in for the injured starting quarterback Derek Carr who is expected to miss several weeks due to an oblique injury and had a rough debut against a tough Buccaneers team. It’s difficult to evaluate Rattler’s future as he is likely to remain the back-up quarterback when Derek Carr returns, but the Saints likely view Rattler as a potential starting quarterback option when Carr’s tenure with the Saints ends and hope to develop him while he sits behind Carr. 

NFC and AFC Standings

NFC	WINS - LOSSES	AFC	WINS - LOSSES
1. Minnesota Vikings	5 - 0	1. Kansas City Chiefs	5 - 0
2. Atlanta Falcons	4 - 2	2. Houston Texans	5 - 1
3. Washington Commanders	4 - 2	3. Baltimore Ravens	4 - 2
4. San Francisco 49ers	3 - 3	4. Buffalo Bills	4 - 2
5. Detroit Lions	4 - 1	5. Pittsburgh Steelers	4 - 2
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4 - 2	6. Los Angeles Chargers	3 - 2
7. Green Bay Packers	4 - 2	7. Indianapolis Colts	3 - 3
8. Chicago Bears	4 - 2	8. Denver Broncos	3 - 3
9. Philadelphia Eagles	3 - 2	9. Miami Dolphins	2 - 3
10. Dallas Cowboys	3 - 3	10. New York Jets	2 - 4
11. Seattle Seahawks	3 - 3	11. Las Vegas Raiders	2 - 4
12. Arizona Cardinals	2 - 4	12. Cincinnati Bengals	2 - 4
13. New Orleans Saints	2 - 4	13. Tennessee Titans	1 - 4
14. New York Giants	2 - 4	14. Cleveland Browns	1 - 5
15. Los Angeles Rams	1 - 4	15. New England Patriots	1 - 5
16. Carolina Panthers	1 - 5	16. Jacksonville Jaguars	1 - 5