The answer to this is as follows I believe. Form 172 will not generate unless it is a current year NOL. 

To determine taxable income before NOL deduction, restrict the application of any NOLs from prior years by entering -1 in the override screen for how much of each prior year's NOL was absorbed in the current year. 

Look at the statements and you'll see a line that says "202X Taxable income before NOL deduction" The number is taxable income plus QBI deduction. 

Posting this for future reference or if anyone else has the same question.