Week 11 may be last chance for 2021 NFL Draft quarterbacks to prove themselves

The 2021 quarterback draft class was once lauded as one of the deepest in NFL history. Three seasons later, the group of promising prospects has severely underperformed.

Here’s a look at why Week 11 may be the last chance for many of these highly touted signal-callers to save their young careers — or, at the very least, prove they aren’t busts.

Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars

At first glance, the Jaguars’ selection of Lawrence No. 1 overall appears to be a resounding success. Jacksonville sits atop the AFC South at 6-3 and has yet to lose a game this season on the road.

Lawrence, however, hasn’t lived up to the generational talent label he was given entering the draft. The 24-year-old has more turnovers (10) than touchdown passes (nine) this season. His 49 turnovers since 2021 rank second most in the NFL, only behind Josh Allen’s 51, per StatMuse.

Following the Jaguars’ 34-3 loss to the 49ers in Week 10, the pressure is mounting for Lawrence to prove he can carry his offense to victories. 

Zach Wilson | New York Jets

As the quarterback of one of the worst offenses in the NFL, Wilson’s stats this season don’t exactly jump off the page. The BYU product ranks 31st in completion percentage (59.8), 30th in QBR (34.2) and 30th in passer rating (74.6).

Of course, Wilson was never supposed to be starting this season. The 24-year-old happily took a backseat to Aaron Rodgers this offseason, with the hopes that he could learn under the four-time MVP for several years.

In the absence of Rodgers, who tore his Achilles four snaps into the season, Wilson has been asked to keep the Jets afloat until the star quarterback can miraculously return. At 4-5, a loss to the Bills this week would all but sink New York’s playoff hopes — and Wilson’s future in the Big Apple.  

Trey Lance | Dallas Cowboys

After trading three first-round picks and a third-rounder to select Lance, the 49ers dealt him to the Cowboys for a fourth-round pick ahead of his third season.

With only eight career NFL games under his belt, it’s hard to completely write off Lance as a bust. It may be a while until the quarterback gets a second chance, however, with Dak Prescott playing some of the best football of his career in Dallas.

Justin Fields | Chicago Bears

Fields’ season didn’t begin as he would’ve liked, with the revamped Bears starting 1-5. The third-year signal-caller missed the ensuing four games with a dislocated right thumb, during which the Bears found more success without their starting quarterback. 

Undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent won two of his four starts, the same amount of wins that Fields has over his last 18 games played. Now back from injury, the pressure is on the latter to prove he’s the franchise quarterback the Bears drafted him to be. 

Chicago actively owns the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and may have its eye on selecting Southern Cal’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye.   

Mac Jones | New England Patriots 

Jones’ time in New England appears to be nearing its end, as recent reports suggest he’s lost the support of his locker room. The 25-year-old is tied for second in the NFL with 10 interceptions and has been benched three times this season, the most recent coming in a 10-6 loss to the Colts in Week 10.

The Patriots look to be approaching a complete rebuild at 2-8. If Jones continues to struggle following New England’s Week 11 bye, chances are he won’t be a part of the franchise’s future plans.