By Jamal Baker
NDG Contributing Writer
Once considered the exception, Black quarterbacks are now the standard. The start of the 2024-2025 NFL regular season saw Black quarterbacks make up a record 15 of the 32 starters in the league. The young crop of talent at the position was on display during week six as Lamar Jackson, CJ Stroud, Justin Fields, Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts, and Caleb Williams led their respective teams to victory.
Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens met another member of the Black Quarterback renaissance with rookie sensation Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders making the short trip to M&T Bank Stadium. Daniels more than held his own against the two-time and reigning league MVP—posting a career-high 269 yards and two touchdowns. However, Jackson showed there are levels to this game while completing 77 percent of his passes and throwing for 323 yards to go along with a touchdown. Jackson also had high praise for the rookie quarterback.
“He played a tremendous game out there. They just came up short. He’s been proving it. His rookie season, first six games he’s been playing amazing,” Jackson stated.
The Houston Texans cruised to a win over the New England Patriots as Stroud threw for three touchdowns. Stroud’s leadership and arm talent has led the Texans to a 5-1 start on the season. His poise and comfortability to play in clutch situations are assets that set him apart from most quarterbacks in the league. Houston will look to build on what is shaping up to be a special season.
Love and the Green Bay Packers showed no love for a hapless Arizona Cardinals squad. Throwing for 258 yards and four touchdowns, Love has clearly taken ownership of the Matt LaFleur led offense. He plays the position with fluidity and has a live arm he utilizes to make throws from any platform or angle. He is preparing to take on his fellow California native as the Packers will host Stroud and the Texans this Sunday.
Sometimes all you need is a change of scenery as Fields has continued to find success in his new home with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Head coach Mike Tomlin has empowered and allowed Fields to play a game better suited for his skill set. Fields is a dynamic runner who throws a beautiful deep ball. In a well-balanced effort, he produced a stat line of 59 rushing yards and two touchdowns while passing for 145 yards in a 32-13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
“Me being in two different places now, I realize that you don’t get this culture everywhere,” Fields said.
The Philadelphia Eagles avoided an upset versus the Cleveland Browns thanks to Hurts shouldering the load. Amassing 264 yards and two touchdowns, Hurts led a huge 4th quarter drive that ended with a 45-yard touchdown pass to Devonta Smith. Hurts is a powerful runner and has no problem spreading the wealth to the playmakers around him.
Williams is starting to showcase the generational traits NFL scouts knew he possessed.
Across the pond in London, he threw for 226 yards and four touchdowns while completing 79 percent of his passes in a lopsided 35-16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Williams displayed traits of the current face of the Black quarterback movement in Patrick Mahomes. Not to put the expectations of one of the greatest quarterbacks the game has ever seen on the kid, but the ceiling of Williams is approaching that of the Willis tower in Chicago.
The beauty and excellence of the Black quarterback is the diversity in which each athlete gets the job done. Black men thriving at the most important position in sports by deploying unique skill sets prove that the “traditional” quarterback is a thing of the past. The reign of the Black Quarterback is just beginning as the path continues to be trail blazed by the current stars who carry the honor.
