Five NFL Quarterbacks Who Could Steal The 2015 Spotlight

Dec 7, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck, Tom Brady and Drew Brees all have the same thing in common. They’re expected to do well on Sundays and win games. In many ways that makes them great but also rather boring after a while. Something NFL fans love more than anything is the unexpected. The player that comes out of nowhere to capture minds and hearts.

It doesn’t happen often but the possibility always lingers there like a Jim Plunkett in Oakland, a Doug Flutie in Buffalo, a Kurt Warner in Arizona. So heading into 2015, who are some quarterback who might make that leap?

Derek Carr (Oakland Raiders)

Statistically he was the best of the rookie quarterbacks last season and now Derek Carr has his sights set on higher goals: finally getting the Oakland Raiders back to the playoffs. He has the coaching staff and weaponry around him to help make that happen. His charisma and passion for the game make it easy to root for him, as does his obvious talent. It’s a great story to get behind.

Sam Bradford (Philadelphia Eagles)

Come on. This is too easy. The classic Hollywood script. A young player gets everything handed to him on a silver platter only to see his world come crashing down after a devastating injury. Then, as thoughts of retirement looms a maverick coach emerges to offer him one last chance to realize his dream. That is how things could play out for Sam Bradford and the Philadelphia Eagles this season.

Carson Palmer (Arizona Cardinals)

The aging former Pro Bowler who looked reborn before a knee injury robbed him of what looked like a Super Bowl season. Carson Palmer has had one of the better careers among quarterbacks over the past decade plus, but continues to be haunted by untimely knee injuries. At age 35, this season may represent his last chance to win a football game in January and maybe complete some unfinished business for the Arizona Cardinals

Tyrod Taylor (Buffalo Bills)

There have been many cases of former backups emerging from the shadows to become proven starters. Tom Brady is the gold standard of course but there are others. One intriguing name to watch is Tyrod Taylor. After years of preseason teases with the Baltimore Ravens, he finally has his shot to make his own name with the Buffalo Bills. Imagine if he somehow won the starting job and got that team to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. Feel the chills?

Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears)

Redemption is always a great storyline. Few quarterbacks have had to endure the hate and criticism of fans for longer than Jay Cutler. If it’s not one thing that’s wrong with the guy, it’s another. Every problem the Chicago Bears have seem to get tied back to him, which is really unfair.

After last season and the train wreck it was, what better way for him to get those haters off his back then coming through with one of the great personal and team turnarounds in Bears history.

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