Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Quinn Ewers Predicted to Replace $112 Million Hall of Famer After Major NFL Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Dec 17, 2024 7:22 AM ET

There is little that can be said for certain about the future of Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, who was expected to roll through the 2024 season as one of the best in the nation and ascend to his spot as a sure first-round draft pick in the NFL, maybe even the top QB taken off the board.

It didn't go that way, of course. Ewers struggled with injury and seemed to be jolted by constant attention on his backup Arch Manning, the uber-talented sophomore who happens to bear the name of quarterbacking royalty. Ewers completed 66% of his passes for 2,665 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season.

Ewers does not seem much interested in transferring, nor does he really have a place with the Longhorns beyond this year. Perhaps the NFL is his best bet at this point.

Even if he does not get a first-round spot, Ewers could land in a good situation that gives him the proper time and opportunity to develop his game. Or he could land with the Jets in the second round and find himself part of that dysfunctional mess.

That's the prediction in the latest mock draft from A-to-Z Sports, which has the Jets keeping Rodgers on board (a longshot) for 2025 and Ewers, drafted with the 40th overall pick, learning behind him. Two major assumptions come with that projection: The Ewers leaves Texas, and that Rodgers stays in New York, for now.

“Is Quinn Ewers going to transf—?”

Me: pic.twitter.com/uj8dJNfnXu
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) December 16, 2024

As the site put it: "The Jets weren't able to land a QB in the first round, but take a shot on Texas' Quinn Ewers in the second. Landing a QB in the second would take some of the pressure off the Jets to have to start him as a rookie, so if the Jets force another year out of the Aaron Rodgers experience, at least they would have a plan b in waiting in Ewers."

Rodgers is 41 and will be entering the final year of his three-year, $112 million contract next season. At 4-10, he is having the worst year of his career, but there is still a chance he could be back with the Jets to finish off his deal.

Texas and Quinn Ewers, meanwhile, are getting ready to play Clemson to open the College Football Playoff this weekend.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: