NFL Insider's Week 3 Diary: Quarterback Carousel Begins, Coaching Pressure Mounts, and College QB Decisions Loom

By jili tutorial · October 4, 2026

NFL Insider’s Week 3 Diary: Quarterback Carousel Begins, Coaching Pressure Mounts, and College QB Decisions Loom

The NFL season is only three weeks old, but already the quarterback trade market is stirring, coaching seats are heating up, and college quarterback evaluations are shifting. Jason La Canfora’s latest diary reveals a league in flux: the first QB deal of the season—J.J. McCarthy to the Giants—has set the stage for more moves, while the Packers’ Matt LaFleur faces mounting pressure and the Chargers’ Justin Herbert confronts uncomfortable questions about his leadership. Meanwhile, Arch Manning’s future remains in college, and Drake Maye’s early struggles in New England are raising red flags. Here’s a deeper look at the stories behind the headlines.

The First QB Trade of the Season: J.J. McCarthy to the Giants

How the Deal Came Together

That former Vikings first-round pick J.J. McCarthy became the first quarterback traded in the NFL this season came as no surprise—nor did his destination. The Giants were in urgent need of depth after Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury in September. New York’s head coach, John Harbaugh, had received favorable reports on McCarthy from his brother, Jim Harbaugh, who won a national championship with McCarthy at Michigan. The inside connection made the trade a natural fit.

Landing McCarthy from Minnesota didn’t require much, despite his first-round draft status. The Vikings wanted him out, even if public statements suggested otherwise. With Kyler Murray firmly installed as the starter and abundant depth at the position, McCarthy was an expendable asset. The Giants, desperate for a capable backup after Dart’s injury, were happy to oblige.

What McCarthy Brings to New York

McCarthy is a polarizing prospect—some scouts question his arm strength and consistency, but others praise his intangibles and ability to make plays under pressure. In the short term, he provides insurance behind Murray. In the long term, if he develops, the Giants could have a future starter or a valuable trade piece. The move is a low-risk, high-reward gamble for a team that knows it needs quarterback depth to survive a grueling season.

Implications for the Vikings’ QB Room

Minnesota now has clarity: Kyler Murray is the guy. But the trade also signals that the Vikings are comfortable with their backup situation—perhaps they have a younger prospect or veteran they trust. For McCarthy, it’s a fresh start in a system that could better utilize his mobility and game-management strengths.

Quarterback Trade Market: Who Could Be Next?

More quarterback injuries are inevitable, and the trade market is already being surveyed by NFL personnel executives. Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay) is banged up, and given the state of many offensive lines around the league, more attrition is coming. Not every available QB brings the upside (or the baggage) of McCarthy, but several names are likely to be dealt before the October deadline. Here’s a closer look at the most probable candidates.

Mac Jones (San Francisco 49ers) – A Valuable Asset in a Win-Now Roster

Kyle Shanahan has a reputation for developing quarterbacks better than most. Mac Jones, currently the 49ers’ backup, could become a prime target if a contender loses its starter. “That won’t be an easy trade to make,” one GM explained before the season. “They value him like a starter.” Still, San Francisco’s roster is older, recent drafts have been underwhelming, and the team needs to replenish its depth. If the right offer comes—perhaps a second-round pick or a package including a young lineman—the 49ers might part with Jones. Contenders like the Dolphins, Rams, or Bengals (if Joe Burrow misses time) could come calling.

Kirk Cousins (Las Vegas Raiders) – Perfect Fit, Tempting Offers May Arrive

Kirk Cousins is playing stellar football in Las Vegas and is a perfect fit in the Raiders’ system. He’s also an ideal mentor for first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza. The Raiders are 3-0 for the first time in forever, but the clock is ticking on Cousins’ tenure. Mendoza is going to play eventually, and a desperate team could make an offer the Raiders can’t refuse around the trade deadline. The Raiders could always bring Cousins back next year—he’s on a one-year deal—but if a team like the New York Jets or Washington Commanders loses its starter, expect a bidding war. “This is a week-to-week league,” one executive noted. “If he keeps this up, someone might make an offer they can’t refuse.”

Tua Tagovailoa (Atlanta Falcons) – An Awkward Fit in a Crowded Room

Tua Tagovailoa’s situation in Atlanta is messy. After signing a veteran minimum deal, he thought he had a chance to start—until injuries and the emergence of Michael Penix Jr. derailed that plan. Penix is finally healthy and needs a long runway to develop, leaving Tua as an odd man out. The Falcons have already played some snaps with Cooper Rush, and the quarterback room is described by one personnel exec as “really weird.” Why keep Tua and Rush? Tua may not bring much trade value—his health history is well known—but moving him could be an addition-by-subtraction move for the locker room. A team like the Chicago Bears (if Justin Fields struggles or gets hurt) might take a flier.

Gardner Minshew (Arizona Cardinals) – Energy and Turnovers, Likely on the Move

Gardner Minshew brings energy, mobility, and occasional magic to a QB room. But he also brings turnovers. With Jacoby Brissett fully solidified as the starter and rookie Carson Beck still recovering from a rib injury (but expected to slide into the QB2 role soon), Minshew is expendable. “Gone by the deadline,” one GM told La Canfora. A team in need of a spark—say, the Carolina Panthers or Indianapolis Colts—could trade a late-round pick for Minshew’s services as a short-term bridge.

Mason Rudolph (Pittsburgh Steelers) – Depth Piece for a Rebuilding Future?

The Steelers have four quarterbacks on the roster, including the aging Aaron Rodgers. Even if Pittsburgh remains competitive, the front office will keep an eye on future draft picks. Mason Rudolph, a reliable backup with starting experience, could fetch a Day 3 pick from a team desperate for a steady hand. With Rodgers likely in his final season, the Steelers need to stockpile assets for the post-Rodgers era.

Green Bay’s Woes: Matt LaFleur Under Siege

Offensive Line and Defensive Breakdowns

The walls may be closing in on Packers head coach Matt LaFleur—and quickly. Lambeau Field, known for its passionate support, is turning on the team in a way rarely seen. The offensive line is a mess, and LaFleur doesn’t appear able to fix it. Defensive issues are equally glaring, and the special teams unit has been consistently poor for years. While GMs rarely get fired in-season, Green Bay is a personnel hub—they have the talent but can’t seem to execute.

“He looks overwhelmed to me,” one GM said of the Packers’ sideline issues. “Calling plays and trying to manage the team at the same time is too much for him right now. There are too many fires for him to put out. I think he’s in a lot of trouble.”

The Jordan Love Factor

LaFleur’s fate is tied to quarterback Jordan Love, who also looks out of sorts. Love is a QB who thrives in a quiet environment with structure, but that’s not what this Packers team offers. The offensive line’s breakdown forces Love to improvise, and he hasn’t shown the ability to do so consistently. If Love doesn’t improve, LaFleur’s seat will only get hotter.

Can the Packers Turn It Around?

The NFC North is competitive, and the Packers have a history of late-season surges. But the signs of internal dysfunction are growing. A mid-season coaching change is unlikely, but LaFleur needs to show he can delegate play-calling and address the offensive line before the season slips away entirely.

Chargers’ Struggles: Justin Herbert’s Leadership Questioned

Offensive Line Woes and Scheme Mismatch

The Chargers’ offense remains stagnant despite preseason optimism. All the talk of an arranged marriage between head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has been overshadowed by the reality: a bad offensive line and a quarterback who doesn’t appear able to rise above his surroundings.

The Harbaugh-McDaniel Dynamic

The partnership was supposed to blend Harbaugh’s gritty, run-heavy philosophy with McDaniel’s creative passing schemes. Instead, the line can’t protect, the run game is inconsistent, and Herbert is taking hits that rattle his confidence.

Herbert’s Silence: A Liability?

“I think Herbert has a leadership issue,” one longtime personnel executive who scouted him entering the draft told La Canfora. “He’s a pretty quiet guy, not very naturally vocal, and it seems like he gets swallowed up sometimes. Leading up to that draft, he reminded me of Carson Palmer in some ways, and you kind of heard some of that stuff about him, too. He has to elevate that thing and take ownership of it, and that’s not who he is.”

Herbert’s quiet demeanor worked fine when the offensive line was solid and the team was winning. Now, with pressure mounting, his inability to rally the offense publicly is becoming a liability. The Chargers need more than arm talent—they need a voice in the huddle. Whether Herbert can develop that remains the biggest question in Los Angeles.

College Quarterback Watch: Manning Staying, Maye Regressing

Arch Manning Staying at Texas – No Rush to the NFL

It’s early in the college season, but Arch Manning (Texas) is not blowing scouts away. The buzz continues to point to him staying in school for another year—or more. He doesn’t have to come out; the Manning family hasn’t been quick to jump to the NFL. There are millions to be made in college, and, as one GM noted, “What’s the rush?” Justin Herbert is just one example of a projected top pick who waited to enter the draft and saw his stock rise. Manning’s development is still in its early stages, and staying in college allows him to refine his mechanics and decision-making without the pressure of an NFL rookie season.

Drake Maye’s Regression at New England – A Warning Sign

Patriots QB Drake Maye is definitely regressing, which advance scouts had expected. The game script has flipped: New England is now chasing games instead of playing with a lead. Maye is trying to do too much with too little around him. “He’s [screwed] in the head right now,” one scout put it bluntly. Some wonder if his decline will impact the Patriots’ stout, potentially overachieving defense. Jacksonville, for example, mounted scoring drives of 9, 10, and 15 plays on Sunday, signaling that the defense is getting worn out by an offense that can’t stay on the field.

Maye’s struggles serve as a cautionary tale for teams drafting quarterbacks: a poor supporting cast can stunt even the most promising talent.

Other Notable Storylines from Week 3

Lions and Ravens Offensive Line Issues

Both the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens are 2-1, but their offensive line woes are drawing plenty of attention. Injuries and general decline are creating vulnerabilities that defenses will continue to exploit. In a league already short on quality linemen, plugging big holes midseason is nearly impossible.

Ravens’ Rookie Guard Vega Ioane Starting at Center

Baltimore’s line situation is particularly precarious. Rookie guard Vega Ioane may be forced to start at center against the Tennessee Titans this Sunday—which means facing defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons. The Ravens’ game plan must account for this mismatch, whether through double teams, quick throws, or rollouts.

Jaguars’ Long Drives Expose Patriots’ Defense

Jacksonville’s ability to sustain long scoring drives—9, 10, and 15 plays—highlights how New England’s defense, while talented, is being worn down by an offense that can’t score. The Patriots need to find a way to take pressure off Maye, or the defense will crack.

Final Thoughts

Week 3 has already delivered a trade, and more moves are likely before the October deadline. The quarterback landscape is shifting, coaching hot seats are heating up, and college evaluations are far from settled. As always in the NFL, the only constant is change. Keep an eye on the teams listed above—they’ll be the ones shaping the trade market and the coaching carousel in the weeks ahead.