ELF: Paris Musketeers QB Zach Edwards having a career year
By Jordan Pryor, Fourth Down Fiasco
Just how good has Zach Edwards been this season?
The shortest possible answer? Elite. It’s no surprise that Zach Edwards has MVP buzz surrounding his name. The Parisian quarterback is not only a threat through the air but also possesses a unique combination of size and speed helping him to break off big gains when the pocket collapses. Coupled with Paris’ 5-1 record and strong playoff outlook (barring a collapse) this highlights how renowned he has become in the league. As the European League of Football progresses, Zach Edwards may cement himself as one of the all-time greats and a true pioneer of the league.
Regular season dominance & career milestones
To begin, Edwards has racked up 23 total touchdowns, leading the league after just six games (in comparison to some quarterbacks who have played up to eight). With 1,371 passing yards and 414 rushing yards, he ranks in the top 5 and top 10 in those categories, respectively. To add to that, he’s averaging 8.62 yards per completion, which is second among qualifying quarterbacks (those who have played five or more games), and he’s done it efficiently, boasting a QBR of 113.5. Whether he beats you as a pocket passer or makes plays with his feet, it doesn’t matter what you throw at him; he has an answer.
Along with his seasonal accolades, Edwards has reached multiple major career milestones. This season, the Musketeers quarterback surpassed 10,000 career passing yards and 100 passing touchdowns, becoming the only quarterback in ELF history to achieve both. It’s noteworthy that the All-Star quarterback is only 26, meaning he has the opportunity to extend these records if he decides to stay in the league.
Looking ahead
With half of their games played, Paris looks like a playoff shoo-in, but there are still significant challenges ahead. Paris has a rematch with the Rhein Fire, who handed them their only loss, they had to play a well-constructed Bravos team twice, and face off against Berlin, who is desperately fighting for the last playoff spot. While the ultimate aspiration is to win the championship, the Edwards-led Musketeers must first secure their postseason spot. This weekend is especially important, as they face the Bravos in Madrid, with both teams entering the contest at 5-1 and vying for the #2 spot in a fierce Western Conference. While things ahead will be challenging, look for Edwards to shine and for Paris to make a statement as a true contender.
