3 Quarterbacks That Will be Benched Next

The Washington Football Team became the second team to bench their starting quarterback for poor play in the 2020 season, announcing that they will start Kyle Allen in Week 5 just one week after Nick Foles replaced Mitchell Trubisky in the Chicago Bears' starting lineup.

These three quarterbacks could be the next to be sent to the bench in 2020.

1. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins

There probably aren't many NFL fans who aren't rooting for this one. Reports around Tua Tagovailoa's health were overwhelmingly positive this offseason, and he seems ready to take the field. Ryan Fitzpatrick has played well, but the 1-3 Miami Dolphins aren't going to be in playoff contention, so there's really no need to try to squeeze another couple of wins out of their veteran QB. They do have a tough schedule coming up, so the Dolphins may take it slow with Tua, but it would be a shocker if he weren't the starter by Wek 9 or 10.

2. Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles

The only thing keeping the Philadelphia Eagles' 1-2-1 start from being more of a disasters is that the NFC East has been terrible. They can't afford to stay on this pace if they want to be in playoff contention, however. Carson Wentz has been a huge part of these struggles, and his 4.3 adjusted yards per attempt (AY/A) rank dead-last among the league's 33 qualifying passers. For some added context on how terrible a 4.3 AY/A is, last among qualifying passers in 2019 was Mason Rudolph, at 5.7. The Eagles made a shocking move by drafting Jalen Hurts in the second round, and they could end up calling on Hurts soon if Wentz doesn't turn things around.

3. Sam Darnold, New York Jets

It's probably best for the New York Jets to start whoever gives them the least chance of winning at this point, since they should have their eyes on the first-overall pick and Clemson's Trevor Lawrence. Adam Gase is trying to save his job (or at least his prospects for a future job), however, so expect him to try to cobble together a win or two. Darnold has already been banged up this season, but even when he's healthy Gase may decide to go with Joe Flacco. Darnold isn't much better than Wentz in AY/A (4.9), and he's one of just four qualifying passers with a completion percentage below 60%. Flacco may not exactly be a star at this point, but even the 6.6 AY/A he posted in 8 games in 2019 would represent a big increase from Darnold. Jets fans may not want to win, but it would be only fitting that Gase caps off his legacy by making a QB change to cost them the first-overall pick.