Grading the nicknames of NFC quarterbacks

NFL quarterbacks hear all kinds of names, depending on their level of play. We’ve focused on those given by friends and family and gave a letter grade for each. NFC passers are first up.

Jayden Daniels | Washington Commanders | “Smooth Operator”

During an appearance on "Boardroom" with Kevin Durant and Travis Scott last season, Daniels revealed that friends back home call him “Smooth Operator” and “Young Smooth” due to the effortless manner in which he runs the ball. He did, after all, lead the Commanders in rushing with 891 yards last season.

Grade: A

Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia Eagles | “Jalen Two Shoes”

Hurts earned the name after wearing mismatched cleats during a game in 2024. He had to change one shoe due to a problem with the laces, but struggled to get the original back on. Too bad the Eagles didn’t play better in Super Bowl LVII, otherwise Hurts might be called “Jalen Two Rings.”  

Grade: C

Dak Prescott | Dallas Cowboys | “The Fortress”

Fortresses are designed to keep people out. So, like the Super Bowl? For the record, “Dak” is the nickname of the quarterback born “Rayne Dakota Prescott.”

Grade: F

Russell Wilson | New York Giants | “Mr. Unlimited”

The only unlimited thing about Wilson these days is the number of teams he’s played for. The Giants will be Wilson’s fourth team in five years and most expect he’ll give way to first-round pick Jaxson Dart before the end of the 2025 season.

Grade: D

Jared Goff | Detroit Lions | “Mr. Perfect”

A perfectly good nickname for any quarterback who goes a record 18-of-18 with 292 yards and two touchdowns, as Goff did in a 42-29 victory over the Seahawks last season. He did throw one incompletion, but it was erased by a penalty. 

Grade: A+

Jordan Love | Green Bay Packers | “Mr. Worldwide”

In high school, Love was known as "Sticks" or "Nutella Sticks" due to his slight frame. These days, the bulked-up QB goes by "Mr. Worldwide," a name given to him by his wife after posting a series of Instagram photos about his recent travels to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Grade: C-

J.J. McCarthy | Minnesota Vikings | “J.J.”

Otherwise known as Jonathan James McCarthy. All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson previously went by those initials but has since dubbed himself “Jets,” according to USA Today’s Andrew Harbaugh. 

Grade: Two Fs

Caleb Williams | Chicago Bears | “Superman”

We’ll hold judgment until DC’s "Superman" opens on July 11 and Williams gets to play under former Lions OC and new Bears head coach Ben Johnson.

Grade: N/A

Baker Mayfield |Tampa Bay Buccaneers | “Moxie”

Head coach Todd Bowles came up with the name to credit his quarterback’s courage and determination. The No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Baker Mayfield played for the Browns, Rams and Panthers before landing in Tampa, where he helped the team win a pair of division titles and finished as the league’s third-leading passer with 4,500 yards last season.

Grade: B+

Michael Penix Jr. | Atlanta Falcons 

Desmond Howard wasn’t comfortable using this name coined by colleague Robert Griffin III during a 2023 episode of ESPN’s "College GameDay," and neither are we. Unfortunately, Penix threw only 105 passes in five games last season, which isn’t much to work with.

Grade: F-

Tyler Shough | New Orleans Saints | “Shuck”

As in “Aw, shucks” or the actual pronunciation of his last name. 

"It’s literally impossible to pronounce it if you don’t know it," Shough told Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano. 

Let him beat the Cardinals in Week 1, and “Who Dat Nation” will have no problem with their quarterback's last name.

Grade: D+

Bryce Young | Carolina Panthers | “Carolina Reaper” 

Young fears the name sounds evil but it’s said to reference the hot pepper and the notion that losing to Young’s Panthers leads to uncomfortable benchings and firings for opponents. Once the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Young’s career could go up in flames if he can’t improve on his 6-22 record as a starter.

Grade: C-

Sam Darnold | Seattle Seahawks | TBD

“Sammy Dimes,” “America’s Quarterback” and “GEQBUS” are all mentioned in various corners of the internet but there is no consensus. Perhaps Seattle, Darnold’s fifth team in eight years, can come up with something clever. 

Grade: N/A

Brock Purdy | San Francisco 49ers | “Mr. Irrelevant”

The last player selected in the 2022 NFL Draft just signed a five-year, $265M contract to remain in San Francisco. We should all be so irrelevant.

Grade: F

Kyler Murray | Arizona Cardinals | “K1”

His name starts with a “K” and his jersey number is 1. Try harder, Arizona.

Grade: F-

Matthew Stafford | L.A. Rams | “Mr. Long Handoffs” and “Mr. No-Look”

“There’s a nickname that makes a lot of sense — ‘Mr. Long Handoffs,’ because his deep throws are just routine,” Rams safety Quentin Lake told TMZ Sports. “And ‘Mr. No-Look,’ because he manipulates defenders with his eyes like no one else. It’s normal for him.”

Both are good names. Maybe he can let Murray borrow one.

Grade: A