Written by Josh Kendall, Alec Lewis, and Nate Taylor
Netflix announced a new docuseries on Wednesday, “NFL: Quarterback,” which is set to premiere this summer. Here’s what you need to know:
- The series follows quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota during the 2022 NFL season.
- “I’m excited for fans to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at an unforgettable season for the entire Chiefs organization and for my family,” Mahomes said in a press release.
- The show is produced by NFL Films, Omaha Productions, and 2PM Productions.
Athletic Instant Analysis:
How much postseason content will be shown at Mahomes?
The easiest question for Chiefs fans is whether or not Netflix will reveal any additional access during Mahomes’ stellar post-season, which included playing through a sprained right ankle. Mahomes is also one of the smartest quarterbacks in the league, so any scenes from his film study and other preparation habits should be interesting to fans. Another compelling element of the documentary could be the bonus moments where Mahomes bonds with teammates away from the Chiefs training facility. – Taylor
What can we learn about Cousins away from the locker room?
Behind the scenes, how much did Cousins put into his job as an NFL quarterback? This may sound simple, but Cousins has been talking all season about the work involved. Learn the new offensive system from head coach Kevin O’Connell. Rehabilitation of his body begins after he was hit by the impulsives. Develop confidence with Justin Jefferson. Cousins is, by all accounts, the kind who rarely stops in his quest for advancement. How does that look away from the locker room? How intentional is he with the way he navigates his home life? He’s a wonderful human being amidst a swirl of constant (and often negative) narrative. Watching him in any additional capacity should be helpful. – Louis
Will we see Mariota’s exit with Atlanta?
Portions at Mariota’s can be great. The former Heisman Trophy winner and second overall pick signed with Atlanta the same day the Falcons traded the face of the franchise, quarterback Matt Ryan, and when he did he was very open about the fact that he wanted a second chance to prove he could play in offense to Atlanta coach Arthur Smith. Mariota’s first stint in the NFL, with the Tennessee Titans, ended when he was benched by Smith (then the Titans’ offensive coordinator) in 2019.
Instead, Mariota was benched again after Week 13 in favor of rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder. The day after Mariota was informed of this decision, he stunned Smith by walking away from the team to address a knee problem that Smith said had nothing to do with his benching. Mariota was universally hailed as one of the good guys in the NFL and was always willing to deal with questions honestly and openly in Atlanta. That’s why his decision not to spend the last month of the season around the team surprised so many people.
Watching the situation unfold and perhaps hearing Mariota explain it for the first time would answer a lot of questions. – Kendall
background story
“NFL: Quarterback” joins Netflix’s lineup of behind-the-scenes sports docuseries, including the golf series “Full Swing,” the racing series “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” and the tennis series “Break Point.”
This season, Mahomes led the Chiefs to victory in Super Bowl LVII and won his second NFL MVP award. Cousins was named to the Pro Bowl and led the Vikings to a 13-4 record in 2022. Mariota started 13 games for the Falcons this season before the team switched to rookie Desmond Ridder.
what are they saying
“Playing quarterback in the NFL is a unique experience that has some incredible ups and downs,” said Peyton Manning. “Thanks to this collaboration with our partners at NFL Films, 2PM Productions, and Netflix, fans will be given a unique and intimate look at what life is like as a starting QB.”
NFL Films chief executive Ross Kitover said his company and Netflix “couldn’t be more excited about our first project together.”
“NFL Films and Netflix share a passion for dynamic storytelling, and the opportunity to continue our strong relationship with Peyton and Omaha Productions is one we are incredibly excited about,” he said. “We are especially grateful to Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota for giving us an extraordinary vision of what it takes to play quarterback in the NFL.”
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(Photo: Denny Medley/USA Today)
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