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Wade Payne / Associated Press
In the immortal words of the great journalist Ron Burgundy, things escalated quickly in the NFL quarterback market.
The said market had already entered a growing frenzy with the news that Deshaun Watson, of the Houston Texans, was looking for a new helmet. But on Saturday afternoon, things were launched for another massive cycle – by an announcement that teams would not have to send several first-round players to put a proven veteran at the center.
This one comes with a 5,000 yard season and everything.
By ESPN’s Adam Schefter, with another reconstruction underway in Detroit, former Lions holder Matthew Stafford requested an exchange – and the team decided to honor his request.
With a 32-year-old Pro Bowl quarterback with 282 career touchdowns available, all teams in the league that don’t have a starting position will at least kick their tires in Stafford. Speculation about his next home will be the hottest topics in the days and weeks to come.
But this handful of clubs have the best combination of need and resources to carry out this blockbuster.
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Brynn Anderson / Associated Press
This first is admittedly unlikely, for some reasons.
Lions may have agreed in theory to negotiate Stafford, but all things being equal, the team will want to negotiate it as far as possible. That certainly means outside of NFC South (sorry, Chicago) – and, hopefully, entirely outside of NFC.
The Saints are also facing the cap riddle in 2021. Under Over the Cap, no NFL team is worse off than the pay cap than New Orleans, which is over $ 100 million in the red.
There is also the question of Drew Brees’s status, although the tea leaves before his loss in the divisional round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pointed to retirement.
But hey, why sweat details?
The Saints also just won 12 games and the division in 2020. Coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis know as well as everyone else that if the Super Bowl window in New Orleans doesn’t close, it won’t open much longer .
That may be worth rebutting rebuilding a year from now if it means adding a considerable update on Taysom Hill as a defender.
The good news for Stafford would be his best postseason chance in years.
The bad news would be the whole “replace” Brees thing.
But again … details.
Proposed Offer: Choice of round 1 (No. 28 overall), choice of conditional round 3/4.
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Charles Krupa / Associated Press
That would be the profession that would define Joe Douglas’ management as general manager of the New York Jets, for better or for worse.
Before fans of Gang Green start screaming, no one is suggesting that New York negotiate its first choice in 2021 to obtain Stafford – and that is what makes this transaction relatively unlikely.
But the Jets have something to offer that other suitors would not have: a former top five pick who is still in his rookie contract as quarterback Sam Darnold.
Yes, that assumes that new coach Robert Saleh and the Jets are ready to leave Darnold. But if that’s the case, an exchange for Stafford allows the new regime to have its proverbial cake and eat it.
Not only do the Jets have their most proven quarterback in recent memory (who will still be only 33 when the 2021 season begins, despite a dozen years in the NFL under his belt), but New York will also have that second overall choice in the draft this year to use in another position – or negotiate to recover the compensation lost in the acquisition of the said veteran signal caller.
If Douglas and Saleh are sold, second place this year and the Jets’ first choice in 2022 will put them high on the list.
Lions, on the other hand, will have second choice on Day 2 this year, a choice of Day 2 next year and a young passer-by who can benefit greatly from a change of scenery.
Proposed Offer: Second round pick (No. 34 overall), 2022 Round 3 pick, Quarterback Sam Darnold
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Justin Edmonds / Associated Press
We are about to discover exactly how the new general manager of the Denver Broncos, George Paton, feels about Drew Lock.
Paton is in a difficult situation – with the ninth overall choice, he is probably looking (at best) to be the third team to step up a defender in the first round of this year. And after Lock’s abysmal second season, it’s clear that he’s not the long-term answer in Denver.
There is also the question of an increasingly impatient fan base. Denver has not made it into the playoffs since winning the Super Bowl 50 – an extension of futility that the team has not overcome since joining the NFL in 1970 and losing the playoffs for seven seasons.
If that reconstruction does not succeed in a short time, the terms of Paton and coach Vic Fangio will not last long. The latter is already on thin ice.
The Broncos are not a bad football team. There is talent in the skill position in running back, wide receiver and tight end. The offensive line is at least decent. Any Fangio defense will be at least average – and Denver has the staff (when healthy) to be significantly more than that.
It all comes down to the belief (or lack thereof) that Stafford can give the Broncos three to four more wins in 2021, which will put them in the playoff conversation.
If Paton’s answer to that question is “yes”, so will Detroit’s. If the Broncos offer a choice in the top 10, deal … ready.
Proposed Offer: First round choice (No. 9 overall)
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Derik Hamilton / Associated Press
This is one of those businesses that almost makes a lot of sense.
The Washington Football Team was the surprise champion of NFC East in 2020, despite having won just seven games. Washington has perhaps the best defensive line in the league. Young game creators in running back (Antonio Gibson, 22), wide receiver (Terry McLaurin, 25) and tight end (Logan Thomas, 29).
There is only one glaring void on the list: the quarterback.
Dwayne Haskins Jr. was released during the season. Alex Smith will likely be the return player of the year for the NFL, but he is not the player he was and is considering retiring. Taylor Heinicke was a great story for a playoff game, but when it comes to long-term solutions, the “bet” doesn’t quite cover it. And thanks to the division title, Washington barely chooses among the top 20, despite losing more games than he won.
Over a dozen (mostly) futile years in Detroit, Stafford has been prolific. It has been (mostly) durable. Apparently, he is an obstinate “professional” from end to end.
Stafford would improve Washington’s attack immensely – more than any player the franchise could choose as No. 19. Fans would love it. Coach Ron Rivera would love to. This would instantly raise WFT to the division’s favorite status in 2021.
And by the way, the new general manager in Washington, Martin Mayhew, is the guy who wrote Stafford first overall in 2009.
It almost feels like fate.
Almost.
Proposed Offer: Choice of first round (No. 19 overall), choice of round 2 of 2022
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Adrian Kraus / Associated Press
This is where that “almost” part of the last entry comes into play.
There is a general manager above all others who probably tripped on the carpet while running to make a call to the Lions as soon as the news from Stafford aired.
His name is Chris Ballard. And he works in Indianapolis.
The Colts won 11 games and made it to the postseason for the second time in three years. But with Philip Rivers retiring and Jacoby Brissett on the verge of hitting the free agency, the only defender still on the Indy player roster is Jacob Eason.
In Indianapolis, Stafford would play behind one of the league’s best O lines, with a young ascendant in Jonathan Taylor and a stable capable of pass catchers. He would certainly be receptive to change and then some.
In return, a Colts team in win-now mode would not have to be convinced that Ryan Fitzpatrick may not be a terrible idea in a free agency. Or reach a quarterback with the 21st choice.
Adding a quarterback of Stafford caliber (who is also substantially younger than Rivers, 39) is the kind of move that can completely alter the franchise’s trajectory – in a good way.
Do this, Mr. Ballard.
Proposed Offer: Choice of first round (No. 21 overall), choice of conditional round 2/3, choice of round 6