The 2024 first round quarterback draft class was viewed as generational. They’re going into the third years of their career, and after Michael Penix Jr. impressive return as QB1 for the Atlanta Falcons, Drake Maye‘s current sophomore slump and the J.J. McCarthy era already ended in Minnesota, it’s worth taking a look to see how things are going for this quarterback class.
Caleb Williams: No. 1, Chicago Bear
Williams has made the most starts in the group with 36, throwing for 7,890 yards, 49 touchdowns, and just 14 interceptions. His passer rating has improved each season, reaching 92.0 through early 2026.
The arrival of former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as head coach has helped unlock Chicago’s offense, including a 59-point performance against Carolina in Week One. Three seasons in, Williams continues to look like Chicago’s long-term answer.
Jayden Daniels: No. 2, Washington Commanders
Daniels immediately changed expectations in Washington. As a rookie, he completed 69% of his passes for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions while helping Dan Quinn‘s Commanders reach the NFC Championship Game.
His legs have made him even more dangerous, with 1,269 career rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
Year 3 has been more complicated. Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow in Week 2 and is working his way back. Washington’s biggest question is whether Daniels and the Commanders can recapture the success of their breakthrough season.
Drake Maye: No. 3, New England Patriots
Maye showed enough early promise that New England reshaped its future around him, eventually hiring Mike Vrabel.
That decision appeared justified when the Patriots went 14-3, won the AFC East and reached the Super Bowl. Now Maye is experiencing his first significant slump, giving New England an opportunity to learn how its young quarterback responds when things aren’t going smoothly.
Michael Penix Jr.: No. 8, Atlanta Falcons
No quarterback in the class has taken a stranger route.
Atlanta’s decision to draft Penix after guaranteeing Kirk Cousins $100 million immediately made national headlines. Penix eventually took over but suffered another ACL injury against Carolina, interrupting a promising start to his career.
With Cousins now in Las Vegas, Penix returned to Atlanta’s lineup in Week 3 against Green Bay and helped deliver the Falcons’ first win, throwing for 256 yards and a touchdown.
His arm talent remains obvious. Now Atlanta needs to see whether he can stay healthy and consistently turn that talent into wins.
J.J. McCarthy: No. 10, Minnesota Vikings
McCarthy’s Minnesota career never developed as envisioned. Injuries delayed his opportunity, and the Vikings eventually moved in another direction, making him the first quarterback from this group whose original team decided he wasn’t its long-term answer.
Bo Nix: No. 12, Denver Broncos
Nix entered the league with less hype than several quarterbacks drafted ahead of him, but quickly established himself as Denver’s starter under Sean Payton. His development has given the Broncos stability at a position they spent years trying to solve.
Unfortunately, Nix suffered an ankle injury during the Denver Broncos’ 33–30 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round.
He suffered the injury late in overtime but finished the game. The injury required surgery and ruled him out of the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots, which they lost 10–7.
This season, things haven’t started great this season though the Broncos are 2-1. Nix’s best game so far has come in a 13-20 against the Jaguars completing 22 of his passes for 288 yards.
Two-plus seasons later, the 2024 class remains intriguing, but the “generational” label is far from settled.
Some have become franchise cornerstones. Others are battling injuries, inconsistency or changing circumstances.
Year three may finally begin separating potential from staying power.
