NFL QB questions: What's wrong with Mahomes, key contracts

It has been an action-packed month since we last checked inon the NFL's top quarterbacks.

Since Week 8,Kyler Murray(77.3)and Josh Allen(75.4) lead the league in QBRandTua Tagovailoa and Joe Burrow have a league-high 10 touchdown passes. Second-year signal-callersAnthony Richardson and Bryce Youngwon back the starting jobs. And four rookie first-round picks have made major strides.br/>Before the regular season comes to a close, our NFL Nation reporters answered another round of questions about 10 quarterbacks across the league. Has Young done enough to be Carolina's starter in 2025? How have the Chargers opened up the offense for Justin Herbert? Let's start with Kirk Cousins' recent disappointing stretch in Atlanta, which is battling Tampa Bay for the NFC South title. (Questions are listed alphabetically by team.)

Jump to a team:br/>ATL| CAR| CHI | CLE| INDbr/>KC | LAC | NE| PIT| SEA

What has changed for Kirk Cousins over his recent three-game slide?

Cousins was spoiled earlier this season by matchups against NFC South rivals such as the Buccaneers and Panthers. In three games against those teams, he had nine touchdown passes and one interception. Against every other team? He has thrown eight touchdown passes and 12 picks.

The Falcons have played two good defenses in a row -- the Broncos and Chargers-- and an inspired one before that in the Saints, who got the new-coach bump with Darren Rizzi. The results were ghastly: six interceptions and no touchdown passes.

Before this recent stretch, Cousins had never gone back-to-back games without a touchdown pass in more than a decade as a starting quarterback. The Falcons have no intention of benching him for rookieMichael Penix Jr., as coach Raheem Morris said Cousins has carried the team to first place in their division.--Marc Raimondi, Falcons reporter

Has Bryce Young done enough to be the Panthers' starter next season?

Coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan have been careful not to proclaim Young as their franchise quarterback. Remember, Canales wasn't here when Young was drafted in April 2023, and Morgan was the assistant GM.

For as much improvement as Young has shown, particularly in the past three games -- he has put up a 54.3 QBR compared to 9.7 in the first two weeks of the season before his benching -- they're still employing a wait-and-see approach. There could be a scenario in which a bridge quarterback is brought in or Andy Dalton re-signs and competes with Young next season.-- David Newton, Panthers reporter

What can Bears interim coach Thomas Brown do to help Caleb Williams finish his rookie season strong?

Brown helped steer Williams' young career back on track after the running backs coachtook over as offensive coordinator in Week 11. With Brown in his headset encouraging him to "go be Superman" when he needs to make plays out of structure, Williams had the Bears in position to win their past three games against Green Bay, Minnesota and Detroit.

Williams' progress will be judged beyond statistical marks such as QBR, completion percentage and yards per dropback, all of which have increased with Brown calling the plays. Where Brown can help Williams most is teaching him how to avoid costly sacks and encouraging him to take his layups. Williams has acknowledged some of his league-high 49 sacks are a result of him holding onto the ball or not throwing it away quickly enough.-- Courtney Cronin, Bears reporter

Could Jameis Winston return to Cleveland and compete with Deshaun Watson for the starting job next season?

The more starts Winston makes with the Browns, the more he makes the case for -- and against -- bringing him back. He ranks No. 1 in the league in passing yards per game (336) since taking over in Week 8 but has also thrown the most interceptions (seven) in that span. Winston still has been an upgrade over Watson, who posted the lowest QBR in the NFL (22.6) before rupturing his Achilles in Week 7.

Winston said he was open to returning to Cleveland after signing a one-year, $4 million deal in March. The Browns might be inclined to keep him after letting Joe Flacco go this past offseason. The moving parts between Watson's status and Winston's potential free agency value make a return difficult to predict.-- Daniel Oyefusi, Browns reporter

What has changed in the Colts' offense to help Anthony Richardson since he returned as starter?

The biggest difference is how the Colts are leaning into Richardson's strengths as a runner. While he has continued to be inconsistent as a passer -- his 52.4% completion percentage since Week 10 is the lowest in the league -- he has ramped up his impact in the running game.

Richardson is averaging 7.6 designed QB runs in the three starts since he returned to the lineup versus 3.5 in the six games before his benchingin late October. The Colts have also used him more as a runner in the red zone -- he had three rushing touchdowns in the past three games after one in his first six. Among the recent scores are game-clinching runs in the final minutes against the Jets and Patriots.--Stephen Holder, Colts reporter

Why is Patrick Mahomes having an un-Mahomes-like season?

Some factors out of Mahomes' control have limited his effectiveness. The Chiefs have had major protection problems at left tackle, cycling back and forth between Wanya Morris and rookie Kingsley Suamataia (recent signing D.J. Humphries could bring stability at the position). Mahomes has been sacked 32 times, a career-high. Injuries prevented Mahomes from playing with Hollywood Brown(shoulder)at allthis season before his favorite target Rashee Rice was ruled outbecause of a knee injury in late September. Rookie mistakes from wideout Xavier Worthyhaven't helped, either.

Besides these exterior inhibitors, Mahomes simply hasn't played well at times. His decision-making and accuracy aren't at the level they've been in previous seasons -- he is tied for the third-most interceptions in the league (11). He has missed throws that would have been automatic in the past.-- Adam Teicher, Chiefs reporter

How has the Chargers' coaching staff opened up the offense for Justin Herbert?

Through the first month of the regular season, Herbert was dealing with a high ankle sprainhe sustained in Week 2 against the Panthers. After their bye week, the Chargers opened up the offense, using more play-action. He has used play-action on 36% of his snaps since Week 6, compared to 25% in the first four games.

His healthy ankle has also helped him perform better against the blitz. After a 63 QBR against the blitz in the first four games, he has an 86 QBR in the same situations over the past eight weeks. The Chargers have the seventh-most total yards (2,681) in the NFL in that span.-- Kris Rhim, Chargers reporter

What is the biggest sign of improvement from Drake Maye through eight starts?

Maye has thrown for 1,696 yards with 11 touchdowns since taking the reins inWeek 6. He has also rushed 38 times for 345 yards and a score. And despite leading all rookies with eight interceptions (including one in five straight games), Patriots quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney said the area in which he has seen the most growth with Maye is in his confidence.

"He's always been a confident guy, but until you're doing it, until you're the man and the starter, you kind of take a backseat," McCartney said. "He's really stepped forward and been the leader and guy we need on offense."-- Mike Reiss, Patriots reporter

What's the sense on whether the Steelers will bring back Russell Wilson or Justin Fields next season?

It's too soon to tell. The Steelers don't negotiate contracts during the season, so anything with these quarterbacks -- both of whom will be free agents -- will have to wait until after the book closes on 2024. Their ability to bring back one or both will largely be dictated by the quarterback market -- and the long-term desire of each player.

Wilson, who just turned 36, looks revitalized in six starts. Since he took over the starting job in Week 7, he has thrown the 10th-most touchdown passes in the league (10) and has the 11th-most passing yards (1,626). The 25-year-old Fields also showed his upside in his six-game stint to start the season, when Pittsburgh went 4-2.

Wilson said last month he wanted to play five to seven more seasons, so if the Steelers aren't willing to give him more than a three-year deal, it might be difficult to keep him.-- Brooke Pryor, Steelers reporter

Has Geno Smith locked up a contract extension with the Seahawks?

Nothing seems guaranteed in this situation other than Smith is not going to want to head into 2025 without a new deal. After all, he wanted onelastoffseason when several other quarterbacks -- including some who haven't played as well as he has -- cashed in with huge extensions.