The Philadelphia Stars have had an interesting run at one of the most important positions in football. The quarterback position saw three different players play due to injury. Bryan Scott began the season as the QB1, no surprise given his ties to Andrus from The Spring League. After a season ending injury, Case Cookus a former NFL practice squad, and TSL QB was the starter. Finally third string quarterback Kj Costello saw time in week 10, and ended up finishing out the 33-30 loss in the Championship game. 

Where Are They Now?

Bryan Scott

Due to some impressive detective work and a video gifted to us from Jordan Palmer, the Spring Football Fan Community now knows Bryan Scott is likely headed to the XFL. Scott was spotted on the video in a group of nine quarterbacks, eight of which have been allocated according to XFL insider Mike Mitchell. Suddenly the thought some Stars fans had that Scott would return to the starting job faded away. 

Check Out Our Own Mike Mitchell’s article here detailing the assignments on these quarterbacks.

It seems so long ago but Scott looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the league while on the field. Scott completed 70.6% of his 85 passing attempts for 558 yards 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He also added 23 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. After being drafted third overall just a season ago, Scott has left the Stars at the altar married to a dream. 

Case Cookus

Case Cookus stepped in once before when Scott wasn’t available, can the same be expected for the 2023 season? Given recent reports by Aaron Wilson, Cookus is receiving interest from NFL teams.

This would indicate Cookus is healthy again following an injury in the championship game. In what ended up being 11 total appearances, and 9 starts. Cookus certainly won over the fans in some gutsy performances. 

Including playoff statistics Cookus completed 157 of 257 passes in 2022. He was able to collect 1,689 yards, 15 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Leading the Stars to a 7-5 record. He also displayed surprising mobility with 27 carries for 260 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

I would assume if he isn’t on a 53 man roster or offered a futures deal after the season, Cookus will end up back with the Stars. Stars fan are optimistic he returns to lead the Stars to another Championship in 2023.

K.J. Costello

Costello didn’t sign with the Stars until late in the season. The Stars made the decision to carry Bryan Scott on the roster all year rather than release him to free up a roster spot. This particular roster spot was incredibly important before the USFL altered rules to increase roster size and allowed teams to sign a third quarterback. 

Costello finally saw action late in the season entering the game in week 10 by design. Both he and Cookus struggled on the day. Costello completed 4 of 10 passes for 69 yards 0 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. He was credited with 5 carries for -15 yards.

He would later enter the Championship game following an injury. In a game that saw four quarterbacks play, there was a total of six touchdown passes and three interceptions thrown. Unfortunately Costello was responsible for two of those interceptions. There were some things to like about his performance such as his touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Rowland.

Costello would go on to complete 5 of 9 passes for 65 yards. He did get the Stars offense in rhythm on multiple occasions but ultimately he was the difference in a three point loss. After this Costello still received NFL interest and was signed by the Saints. He was released 11 days later with the Saints signing Jake Luton to the 53 man roster.

Where Do The Stars Stand? 

As of right now Case Cookus and KJ Costello are both available but that could change at any moment. The reality is regardless the Stars will need to look at the QB market and bring in a third passer. So far this off-season the Stars have signed just one player and he plays wide receiver. Stay tuned for an article on him with a video interview included!

It would seem as of right now they are counting on Cookus and Costello returning to the top of the depth chart in 2023. Otherwise there was talent to be had on the market. Look no further than the way Pittsburgh has attacked this off-season signing not one, not two but three free agent quarterbacks. 

The Maulers still had all of their quarterbacks that ended the 2022 season available to them as well. One thing is for sure there will be a lot of competition in that Maulers QB room with newcomers Chase Fourcade, James Morgan, and Troy Williams.

With the USFL and the level of secrecy involving some of it’s player moves it’s hard to speculate who that third quarterback might be. It’s unknown yet as to where all of the 2023 USFL Draft Class is coming from. The way the Stars have approached this off-season so far it would appear they seem content to wait out the XFL draft process before they start offering contracts.