QB panic meter: How concerned should Panthers, Giants, Falcons be entering Week 2?

Jones was solid during the 2022 season, helping the Giants not only make the playoffs but reach the divisional round, which earned him a four-year, $160 million extension the subsequent offseason. However, since signing the widely scrutinized contract, Jones has posted a 1-6 record as a starter while suffering a neck injury and a torn ACL. Not to mention that he's thrown more touchdowns to the opposition (three) than to his own team (two) during that span, per Josh Dubow of the Associated Press.

Giants ownership has backed Jones throughout his career, primarily because he entered a rather disastrous situation, having to play behind a revolving door of an offensive line without any quality weapons at his disposal.

Nonetheless, after New York revamped the O-line and drafted rookie WR Malik Nabers this past offseason, Jones has no excuses for his poor Week 1 outing, especially taking into account that his supporting cast was solid. According to Next Gen Stats, Jones had 2.82 seconds to throw per dropback, which ranked 12th in the NFL during Week 1, while Giants wideouts averaged 4.4 yards of separation, the fourth-best mark in the league.

No matter how he performs for the remainder of this season, it'd be shocking if the Giants don't cut ties with Jones in the offseason. 

Panic meter: 1

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals 

Cincinnati suffered the biggest upset loss of Week 1, falling 16-10 at home to the rebuilding Patriots, largely due to its offense's inability to find a rhythm. In his first game back from his 2023 season-ending wrist injury, Burrow completed 21 of 29 passes for just 164 yards, averaging 5.7 yards per attempt.

While Burrow's production is concerning on the surface, it's worth mentioning that WR Tee Higgins didn't play due to a hamstring injury. Burrow also had two opportunities to throw a touchdown pass, but tight end Mike Gesicki dropped one while tight end Tanner Hudson fumbled the other.

As a top-five quarterback talent in the NFL, Burrow shouldn't have much trouble turning things around. There's not much reason for the Bengals to panic about Burrow, but HC Zac Taylor's questionable offensive play-calling is another story. 

Panic meter: 4

Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

Perhaps Atlanta's decision to select QB Michael Penix Jr., eighth overall in April's draft after signing Cousins to a four-year $180 million deal in free agency wasn't as outrageous as it initially appeared.

Cousins, who turned 36 in August, struggled mightily in his Falcons debut against Pittsburgh on Sunday, which was his first game since rupturing his right Achilles tendon in Week 8 of last season. The four-time Pro Bowler completed 16 of 26 passes for 155 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. While his underwhelming statistical output raises concerns, it's more alarming that Cousins clearly didn't look healthy, and his utilization reflects that he's likely still hampered by his Achilles injury.

According to ESPN's Marc Raimondi, Cousins took just one snap under center, as Atlanta ran 26 plays out of the pistol formation and 22 out of shotgun. This is particularly noteworthy considering Cousins never took more than 10 snaps out of the pistol during a game before Sunday, adding fuel that Atlanta's game plan was tailored around protecting him and limiting his mobility.

Additionally, Hayden Winks of Underdog Fantasy shared an interesting clip of a play from Cousins on X, showing that the 13-year veteran couldn't plant his right foot and deliver a strike when facing no pressure from the Steelers defense. 

It'd be a bit surprising if Cousins lost the starting quarterback job this season. However, if he continues to look like a shell of his former self and Atlanta keeps losing, such a move cannot be ruled out, particularly since the team kept Penix on ice for its final two preseason games. 

Panic meter: 1

Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns 

Watson turned in the worst Week 1 performance of any quarterback, further cementing his 2022 trade to Cleveland as one of the worst deals in NFL history. During Sunday's 33-17 blowout loss to Dallas, Watson completed 53.3 percent of his passes for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while posting a 9.3 QBR, the lowest among quarterbacks to start the season.

Since arriving in Cleveland, Watson has been a disaster on and off the field. Aside from his legal issues, the three-time Pro Bowler has statistically been one of the worst quarterbacks in the league, throwing for 2,386 yards, 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 13 games for the Browns. In terms of Expected Points Added per play, Watson ranks 39th among 41 qualified quarterbacks during that span, ahead of only Zach Wilson and Bryce Young (h/t The Ringer's Austin Gayle).

With Watson now facing a new sexual assault lawsuit, it'll be fascinating to see just how much longer he'll remain with the Browns. 

Panic meter: 1

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears and Bo Nix, Denver Broncos 

It feels necessary to lump the rookie quarterbacks together as both disappointed in their first taste of NFL action. Williams completed 48.3 percent of his passes for 93 yards in a win over Tennessee, whereas Nix was 26-of-42 passing for 138 yards and two interceptions while rushing for 35 yards and one touchdown during Denver’s loss to Seattle. 

Even so, there's little reason to be concerned about each first-round pick's season-long or even career-long outlook at this point. Williams and Nix will almost surely still deal with growing pains throughout the year, but that’s to be expected. 

Panic meter: 5

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

After a disastrous rookie season during which he threw for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, Young got off to a pitiful start to his sophomore year. During a 47-10 drubbing to the Saints, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick finished 13-of-30 passing for 161 yards and two interceptions, the first coming on his first pass attempt.

Young was completely overwhelmed when the stingy Saints defense brought the heat, completing 2 of 9 passes for 24 yards and one interception when under pressure while posting a 0.0 passer rating. Having an upgraded receiving corps didn't make much of a difference for the 5-foot-10 signal-caller as Young also overthrew his wideouts on several occasions.

This past offseason, Carolina invested heavily in getting Young a stronger supporting cast so he could enjoy a more productive season. Although it's still too early to give up on Young, especially given the haul Carolina paid to trade up to select him, Young is on his way to solidifying himself as a draft bust. 

Panic meter: 2