It's another offseason, and the quarterback is another spring full of uncertainty.
This is not always the case. The QB position is usually a relatively calm position in the NFL. But recently, we have seen a wave of changes in the most important position of the game. Some of the backbone of the franchise have quit their jobs, and the team seems to pay less attention to their incumbents and is more willing to vacillate during upgrades.
Last year, Tom Brady's free agent dominated the conversation and became the first domino to fall in the QB reorganization in the NFL landscape. Deshaun Watson should be the first domino in 2021, but the Texans have made the situation of their disgruntled star quarterback so obscure that we have seen the team abandon Watson’s waiting game instead. Use more specific solutions.
Carson Wentz, Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff have joined the new team and they will not be the last brand to restart their careers in September. With this in mind, let's take a look at 15 veteran quarterbacks and break down the different paths they might take.
Let's start with the above towering dominoes...
Best-case scenario: Watson got the new start he desperately wanted. The Texans transferred the star quarterback to a team that needs QB. The team has enough ability to survive the major losses in the draft and personnel, and these losses are necessary to complete the blockbuster trade. . Have a chance to stay in the AFC to remind Texans of their stupidity on a regular basis? That will be the cherry on top.
Worst-case scenario: The current situation is: Texans resolutely oppose and refuse to acquiesce to Watson's transaction requirements. In recent NFL history, this is likely to be an ugly player vs. team scandal. Can Watson stay where he is and refuse to compete in 2021? Now is your worst situation.
The most likely scenario: The Texans grasped the reality and exchanged before the draft. The deal excludes Watson, but allows the Texans to restart with roster reinforcements and full draft assets. Houston became an expansion team again, and Watson started again.
Best-case scenario: The 49ers do their homework, investigate free agency, trades and drafts, and then decide that it is in their best interest to ride with their players. Gallopolo felt great when he showed up at the training camp. He recorded important changes in his offseason training program in his notebook. Kyle Shanahan made it clear that Jimmy G is his undisputed starter, standing out from any looming camp drama.
Worst-case scenario: The 49ers received a new starting quarterback from the outside, and Gallopolo was sent to an organization without the wealth of personnel and coaches he was accustomed to in San Francisco. He eventually joined a team that already had starters, and within two years he went from a Super Bowl quarterback to a participant in the battle of the camp on a strange land.
The most likely scenario: 49ers general manager John Lynch said last month that he "really" believes Gallopolo will be the team's starter in 2021. This doesn't guarantee anything, but you don't feel this desperate situation like we saw with the Rams and Jared Gove. If Jimmy G really persists, it will establish a life-and-death fifth season in San Francisco.
Best-case scenario: The Panthers were out in their (presumed) pursuit of DeShawn Watson, did not see any other veterans as a major upgrade to Teddy, and used their top 10 picks to improve them The current QB lineup.
Worst-case scenario: The Panthers decide to stay in Bridgewater for a year is enough, and then trade him to a team with mature starters. Bridgewater became a qualified substitute for the 14th time in the past 15 seasons.
Most likely scenario: It seems that the Panthers have decided to have a new QB1 in 2021. Bridgewater is a good soldier wherever he has been, so you can imagine the Panthers wanting to trade him to a team that can provide some avenues. start working. The Bears? Dolphins? Giants?
Best-case scenario: The Jets did not get Watson and traded the second overall pick to improve the barren roster more effectively. The new coach Robert Saleh publicly supported Danold, who received a much-needed restart in New York. Surrounded by excellent players and coaches, Danold got the last chance to realize the potential of the Jets' highest draft quarterback since Jonamas.
Worst-case scenario: The Jets decide to start over at Saleh's head coach, preferably complementing QB's new start. Gang Green got the new face of the franchise through trade or draft, and Darnold was shipped out of town when it seemed that he finally had a chance to succeed.
The most likely scenario: The Jets did bring in a new quarterback, and Danold was transferred to the second day pick. Considering his original trade in the first three NFL seasons, Danold is expected to move towards a healthier situation and have the opportunity to prove that his struggles are the product of his environment in Gotham.
Best-case scenario: Jon Gruden decided not to disappoint OPP (other passers) and learn to appreciate Karl's nature: a skilled NFL top 15 starter. step up.
Worst-case scenario: Gruden and general manager Mike Mayok cycled to watch Marcus Mariota's performance against the Chargers in Week 15 and convinced himself to become the top 2 pick. Carr is a sensitive person, even in the best of times, he was hurt by this decision and the request to be traded. He realized this wish shortly before the draft.
The most likely scenario: Gruden reluctantly accepts the fact that he will not lose all December games because of the quarterback. Karl stayed in place, while Vegas focused on improving its poor defense.
Best-case scenario: The Dolphins showed some patience and understood that Tua's rookie season came after big hip surgery and there was no traditional offseason plan or preseason. Tua will be better mentally and physically in 2021, and he believes he has the support of the organization.
Worst-case scenario: With a lot of draft capital, the Dolphins can't resist the temptation to cause another sensation at the quarterback position. Tagovailoa got Rosen'd: One season later, he was flipped to a team that didn't provide a clear path to starting work.
The most likely scenario: The Dolphins stick to their beliefs and give Tagovailoa another year to prove themselves. They even made Ryan Fitzpatrick (Ryan Fitzpatrick) a free agent, a move that made the fan's favorite and the league's best substitute disappear, but it also allowed Tua to focus on his work without turning back.
Best-case scenario: The Broncos selected Locke's very unbalanced game video in 2020 and decided to still hide an influential quarterback despite all the mistakes and hero throws. He entered the camp as the unquestioned starter.
Worst-case scenario: The new general manager George Paton left his mark on the organization with a new signal caller. The tires will be kicked in the Watson Hunt, but the new QB enters the picture through the draft. Locke completed his rookie trade in Denver as a frustrated substitute.
The most likely scenario: Paton may be a GM, but John Elway will continue to leave his fingerprints throughout the organization. And since Elway is Team Lock, the second round of the 2019 draft may get another shot to prove that he is a QB1 material and has a healthy (and impressive) pass receiver. The Broncos should give themselves a better safety net by signing an established substitute. Hello, Fitz Magician?
Best-case scenario: The recent reports from New England are legal, and Bill Belichick is a big fan of Newton, and is underperforming than people's expectations for the former MVP's 2020 performance. Cam and Pats signed another short-term agreement and received a full offseason to fully master the offense, which is expected to be strengthened through free agency and the draft.
Worst-case scenario: Pats uses the draft to find the long-term solution they want behind the center. Cam is remembered in New England as a "bridge" from one era to another. He returned to the open market for the second year in a row, but he had almost no chance to start working.
The most likely scenario: Pats extends the bridge and makes Newton the starter again, but this time there is a young heir on the depth map behind him. Cam needs to make significant progress year by year to continue working after Halloween.
Best-case scenario: Rap Sheet reported at Sunday's Super Bowl that Winston was "dominant" in the Saints' starting position. When Drew Brees finally announced his retirement sometime in late August, the biggest obstacle to this reality was removed (my kid). Winston resumed his career in a perfect place, it was a legitimate opportunity.
Worst-case scenario: The surprising report about Brice’s personal record for pushing sleds turned out to be this: The 42-year-old decided to return for the 21st season. This made things in New Orleans very embarrassing, but Sean Payton ultimately remained loyal to his long-term QB, allowing Winston to decide whether he wanted to continue to be a substitute in New Orleans or explore his options in the open market.
The most likely scenario: Well, Blaise might have retired? DeShawn Watson did not come to New Orleans, and Winston got his shot, even if it turned into a tandem deal with Tethomhill.
We can imagine the Cowboys turning to Russell Wilson, DeShawn Watson, or Joe Montana... But let’s stay on the ground and suppose Prescott and Dallas reach a long-term agreement this summer.
Update: The team announced on Monday that Dallas and Prescott have agreed to the terms of the new deal. According to NFL network insider Ian Rapoport (Ian Rapoport), this is a four-year deal worth 160 million U.S. dollars, guaranteed for 126 million U.S. dollars.
His days in Washington are already numbered, and Smith may make sense for the Bears or a team that entered the current quarterback in 2021 on an unstable ground in 2021.
Update: Washington announced the release of Smith on Friday.
Big Ben and the Steelers will solve business problems, and he will have another chance to return to the Super Bowl. However, on the depth map, the Steelers are likely to have a more capable veteran behind him.
Update: The Steelers announced on Thursday that they have signed a new contract with Roethlisberger.
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Dan Hanzus has been a writer for NFL.com since 2010. In addition to hosting the award-winning NFL podcast, he also wrote the site's strength rankings. Follow him on Twitter.
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