Grading the nicknames of AFC quarterbacks

Justin Fields | New York Jets | N/A

Once the Bears took Fields in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, some fans took to calling their quarterback “Soldier Fields” in reference to the team’s home stadium. Unfortunately, neither Fields or the name stuck as he’ll start the 2025 season with the Jets after playing for the Steelers last season.

Grade: Incomplete

Drake Maye | New England Patriots | “Draco” or “Drizzy”

Maye answered to both while throwing for 2,276 yards and 15 touchdowns as a rookie in 2024. Neither are great but are certainly better than “The guy following the guy who tried to follow Tom Brady.” 

Grade: D- 

Tua Tagovailoa | Miami Dolphins | “Tua”

“Tua” is actually short for Tuanigamanuolepola. Some Dolphins teammates call him “Uce,” a Samoan term for “brother” and easier on the tongue than Tuanigamanuolepola.

Grade: A

Joe Burrow | Cincinnati Bengals | “Joey Franchise” 

Still just 28 years old, Burrow is already the fifth-leading passer in franchise history with only 69 games played. The Bengals missed the playoffs last season but Burrow led the NFL with 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns while completing a career-best 70.6 percent of passes. 

Grade: A+

Joe Flacco | Cleveland Browns | “Joe Cool”

Unlike his elder, Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Flacco has mostly let his arm do the talking over a 17-year career that includes 45,697 yards, 257 touchdowns and an MVP award from Super Bowl XLVII. The 40-year-old had 1,761 yards and 12 touchdowns with the Colts in 2024 and will look to hold off Browns quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel, Kenny Pickett and Shedeur Sanders next season. 

Grade: A

Lamar Jackson | Baltimore Ravens | “Action Jackson”

Jackson was denied a third MVP award despite throwing for a career-high 4,172 yards and 41 touchdowns last season. Factor in another 6,173 rushing yards and 33 scores over his seven-year career and no quarterback is more aptly named.

Grade: A+ 

Aaron Rodgers | Pittsburgh Steelers | “A-Rod”

Easily among the most boring nicknames in the AFC, especially considering he shares it with former Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez. These days, both hold ownership in NBA teams. Rodgers has a minority share of the Milwaukee Bucks while Rodriguez is co-owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves, but each shot an air-ball with “A-Rod.”

Grade: F

Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars | “Sunshine”

Per Pro Football Reference, the quarterback’s nickname is “The Prince Who Was Promised,” but we prefer “Sunshine,” a name used by some Jaguars teammates. The latter refers to Lawrence’s resemblance to the long-haired character from Remember the Titans. Great movie, pretty good nickname.

Grade : B

Daniel Jones | Indianapolis Colts | “Danny Dimes”

For obvious reasons, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has tried to distance himself from his former AR-15 nickname and will look to pull away from Jones in training camp as the team has yet to announce a starter. Jones never lived up to the “Dimes” moniker with the Giants but made over $108M in six years with the team.

Grade: D

C.J. Stroud | Houston Texans | “Cool Breeze” 

"He’s a calm, cool breeze because you can never tell an emotion on him,” Stroud’s mother told Jacob Camenker of The Sporting News. “Sometimes he’ll make little gestures or whatever, but he’s real cool-headed.” That’s nice, but how cool-headed will he be after taking the second-most sacks (58) in the NFL last season?

Grade: C

Cam Ward | Tennessee Titans | “Cam” or “C-Boogie”

Until Cameron Anthony Ward, the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, throws an NFL pass, we’ll grade him on a curve.

Grade: One of those “smiley face” stickers

Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs | “Showtime”

The three-time Super Bowl champion has several nicknames like “Patomic Bomb” and “The Grim Reaper,” but Mahomes prefers the one given to him by his father during his youth. Of course, those of a certain age know “Showtime” belongs to the Lakers teams of the 80’s.

Grade: B-

Justin Herbert | L.A. Chargers | “Beast”

“I’m changing his name to Beast. He’s Beast Herbert…half man, half beast,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters after Herbert went 14-18 for 164 yards and a touchdown in a Week10 win over the Titans. Herbert also ran for 32 yards and a score but those are fairly modest numbers for such a ferocious name.

Grade: C

Bo Nix | Denver Broncos | “Athletic Drew Brees”

NFL Network’s Michael Robinson gave Nix the name based largely on the young quarterback’s running ability. Brees, who spent 15 years with Broncos head coach Sean Payton in New Orleans, never ran for more than 86 yards in a season as a Saint, whereas Nix ran for 430 yards and four scores as a rookie.

Grade: A-

Geno Smith | Las Vegas Raiders | “Geno”

Born Eugene Cyril Smith III, the Raiders new quarterback goes by “Geno” to honor his grandfather, who was called “Big Geno.” That’s nice, but he’ll need something flashier to shine under the bright lights of Las Vegas.

Grade: B