Potential XFL Quarterbacks (Source: Jordan Palmer posted video )
By design or by necessity, XFL owners to this point have provided teases of news to hardcore fans in videos and pictures that require freeze-framing and zooming to squeeze out any information. It only seems natural, then, that the long-awaited reveal of the league’s potential assigned quarterbacks comes not from the league itself, but rather from quarterback specialist Jordan Palmer’s Instagram.
Those curious about who might be playing the quarterback position in @XFL2023 would do well to check out @JwPalms’ Instagram right now.
On Monday night, Palmer posted a brief video on his Instagram story of the XFL quarterbacks in his care. They were not identified by name, but internet sleuths have figured out several of them. Those apparently ID’d are:
*Bryan Scott
*D’Eriq King
*Ryan Willis
*Steven Montez
*Drew Plitt
*Deondre Francois
The XFL has yet to comment on what quarterbacks are working with Palmer. It’s probable, however, that Palmer posted this video with the XFL’s blessing. For as tight-lipped and controlling as they’ve been about information getting out, it stands to reason then that the XFL was okay with this particular leak (notable that the video is still up – had the XFL not approved, they likely would’ve asked Palmer to remove it).
If this week began Palmer’s tutelage of these QBs, it lines up with the timeline set in the press release the XFL sent out about Palmer’s invovlement with the league, that his work with the quarterbacks would begin in September. Per Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Whaley in his Inside the League Zoom call with player agents in July, QBs working with Palmer (at that point who they’d be working with was not revealed) would be contracted to the XFL and not eligible to sign with NFL teams.
That may be why the names working with Palmer could be seen as underwhelming to some. They are players unlikely to get roster or practice squad spots during the NFL season, so they don’t risk anything by signing an XFL contract now. Established veterans and other higher-level young players may wait to work out for NFL teams during the fall and winter, and if they’re not signed, could then view the XFL as an option.
The expectation by some was that eight quarterbacks would work with Palmer, all of them being the QBs that would be assigned to teams. The addition of a ninth in the video raises some questions. In 2019, the XFL assigned eight quarterbacks, one to each team, prior to the October draft. A month later, they assigned three more quarterbacks. So it’s possible there will be multiple quarterbacks assigned to teams this fall in the lead-up to the preseason as players at that position become available. There’s also no guarantee these will be the assigned QBs (though the QBs themselves may know one way or the other).
The XFL clearly understands the importance of that position to the success of the league and are doing everything possible to ensure the highest level of QB play in the league. Stay tuned to Palmer’s Instagram page for more (he added video on Tuesday as well), and to the XFLBoard.com forums for potential identification of other players.
