Charles McDonald is joined by Bleacher Report’s quarterback expert, Derrik Klassen, for an in-depth discussion of their observations from Week 2 of NFL action. They dive into all things quarterback-related, particularly focusing on the performance of first-year starting quarterbacks and who has impressed the most so far in the season.

The podcast episode kicks off with a recap of Week 2, touching on various highlights, including David Bakhtiari’s battle against turf, the early struggles of the NFC North teams, the thrilling matchup between the New York Giants and the Arizona Cardinals, the contrasting performances of Zach Wilson and Josh Allen as they were held back by their respective teams, and the unfortunate knee injury suffered by Nick Chubb.

Following the Week 2 rundown, Charles and Derrik shift their focus to evaluating the performances of rookie quarterbacks Jordan Love, Desmond Ridder, Sam Howell, Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson. They assess which of these young quarterbacks has shown the most promise and confidence through the first two weeks of the NFL season.

In this podcast episode, various intriguing topics related to NFL action and first-year starting quarterbacks are discussed in detail:

1. David Bakhtiari’s Turf Protest: The episode begins by examining Green Bay Packers’ left tackle David Bakhtiari’s decision to refuse playing on turf fields. The hosts explore whether any offensive lineman in history could make a significant impact by sitting out to protest turf fields.

2. NFC North’s Early Struggles: A closer look is taken at the NFC North division’s underwhelming performance in the early stages of the season. While the Green Bay Packers have shown promise, the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears seem to be moving in the wrong direction.

3. Giants’ Epic Comeback: The hosts dissect the New York Giants’ incredible comeback victory over the Arizona Cardinals, which was one of the most thrilling games of the week. Despite the win, questions arise about whether the Giants’ offense and defense have truly gelled together this season.

4. Allen and Wilson on Leashes: Following the sensational Monday matchup between the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets in Week 1, both Josh Allen and Zach Wilson appeared to be restrained in Week 2. Allen thrived within the limited offense, while Wilson struggled, particularly in crunch moments.

5. Nick Chubb’s Knee Injury: The catastrophic knee injury suffered by Nick Chubb raises concerns about its implications for both Chubb and the Cleveland Browns’ offense, which heavily relies on him.

Evaluation of First-Year Starting QBs: The episode concludes with an in-depth evaluation of first-year starting quarterbacks. Jordan Love’s impressive development and versatile talent are highlighted. Desmond Ridder’s improvement from Week 1 to Week 2 and his impact on the Atlanta Falcons are discussed. Sam Howell’s potential as an NFL starting quarterback is assessed, with his arm talent drawing attention. The challenges faced by Bryce Young due to his size are examined, along with C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson’s early standout performances in the NFL.

This podcast episode offers valuable insights into the current NFL landscape and the emerging talent among first-year starting quarterbacks