Many athlete-focused documentaries face criticism for glossing over the tough moments in favor of a mostly positive narrative. That makes the new trailer for the second season of Quarterback, the Omaha Productions\/NFL Films\/2PM Productions docuseries returning to Netflix on July 8, particularly intriguing.<\/p>\n
While the trailer still leans positive overall, it doesn\u2019t shy away from showing some of the low points of the 2024 NFL season, especially for Kirk Cousins. That more somber segment kicks in around the 1:40 mark.<\/p>\n
\nNew season of QUARTERBACK on Netflix \u2014 from @NFLFilms<\/a> and @OmahaProd<\/a> \u2014 premieres Tuesday July 8. pic.twitter.com\/viXIVW6Nf8<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Earlier in the trailer, we get the usual highlights and upbeat moments, both on and off the field, featuring Cousins, Jared Goff, and Joe Burrow. There\u2019s even a lighthearted jab from Goff, who quips, \u201cToo bad, Tom, you\u2019re retired,\u201d responding to Tom Brady\u2019s on-air comment about how fun it would be to quarterback the Detroit offense.<\/p>\n
But then the mood shifts.<\/p>\n
After an \u201cAll the heartbreak\u201d title card, we hear Cousins reflecting on his choice to join Atlanta for the \u201clonger commitment,\u201d his reaction to the Falcons drafting fellow QB Michael Penix Jr. in the first round, and we even see headlines about an attempted break-in at Burrow\u2019s house.<\/p>\n
Cousins\u2019 storyline could be the most compelling to watch this season, especially as it challenges Quarterback\u2019s usual optimistic tone. After signing a four-year, $180 million contrac<\/a>t in March 2024, Cousins started strong, but then hit a rough patch \u2014 a four-game stretch with zero touchdowns and eight interceptions, contributing to a league-leading 16 picks compared to just 18 touchdowns. By Week 16, Penix Jr. replaced him, and Cousins is set to be Atlanta\u2019s backup this year<\/a> unless the Falcons can trade him.<\/p>\n
Fans of the series will recall Cousins was also featured in the first season, which followed the 2022 campaign of Cousins (then with the Vikings), Patrick Mahomes, and Marcus Mariota. That season gradually minimized Mariota\u2019s presence<\/a> as his benching for Desmond Ridder approached, leaving questions about how much the series would highlight his struggles. It remains to be seen if this season will take a similar approach with Cousins.<\/p>\n
Another important factor when discussing Quarterback\u2019s coverage of these players is the challenges the show faced<\/a> in getting players to agree<\/a> to a second season. The producers struggled to get enough QBs to commit for the 2023 season, which prompted a pivot<\/a> to Receiver instead. Omaha Productions\u2019 Peyton Manning has even admitted<\/a> he likely would have declined participation as a player himself.<\/p>\n
For this upcoming season, the show landed three high-profile QBs \u2014 Burrow, Goff, and Cousins \u2014 but player buy-in will probably remain a challenge for any future seasons. With Netflix announcing Season 2 only this past March, long after filming wrapped, it\u2019s unclear if a Season 3 is coming anytime soon. This ongoing struggle to get full access adds another layer to how we interpret the series\u2019 narrative choices and its balance of positivity and realism.<\/p>\n
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