NFL Draft: The quarterback market is already thinning out

Key Highlights

• I wouldn’t bring this up if it wasn’t relevant: A lot of quarterbacks are planning on going back to college football. So far, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, considered to be a first-round prospect, and USC’s Jayden Maiava, considered to be a Day 2 prospect, have already stated that they will be returning to their respective teams in 2026.
• So is Texas’ Arch Manning, though, that was always the expectation going into the year. Beyond them, Cincinnati’s Bendan Sorsby, who was a borderline top-100 type player, is entering the transfer portal as he waits for NFL feedback.
• Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss, who is technically a senior in this class, has also filed a waiver with the NCAA so that he’s granted a retroactive redshirt year and can play one more season of college football. After talking to scouts, it seems like the consensus is that Oklahoma’s John Mateer will also go back to school this year, as his before-and-after splits regarding his wrist surgery were pretty significant.
• Before his surgery, Mateer completed 95 of 141 passes (67%) for 1,215 yards (8.6 a pass), six touchdowns and three interceptions for an adjusted yards per attempt mark of 8.5.
• After the injury, he completed just 126 of 215 (59%) for 1,363 yards (6.3 a pass), six touchdowns and seven interceptions for an adjusted yards per attempt of 5.4. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith all these players going back, what does that leave the Packers, who almost certainly will be trying to lock down their next backup quarterback in the draft?