Several NFL teams solved QB issue, but many enter draft still looking
The NFL’S Quarterback Axis began to turn on the morning of March 6 when Aaron Rodgers committed to remaining with the Green Bay Packers, followed two hours later by the league-rattling trade of Russell Wilson to the Broncos. The game of intrigue hasn’t stopped since.
Entering next week’s draft, the Broncos, Seattle (Drew Lock), Pittsburgh (Mitchell Trubisky), Indianapolis (Matt Ryan), Cleveland (Deshaun Watson), Washington (Carson Wentz) and Atlanta (Marcus Mariota) have acquired new quarterbacks.
Tampa Bay returns Tom Brady, New Orleans re-signed Jameis Winston, Las Vegas signed Derek Carr to an extension and Miami appears committed to Tua Tagovailoa.
But several teams, including some of those listed above, need to address quarterback in a draft that is without a play-right-away franchise passer. Since 2001, the only year without a quarterback being drafted in the top 10 was 2013.
A look at the quarterback situations around the league:
Situation solved
Broncos: Wilson will be the team’s sixth different Week 1 starter in as many years, but by far the best. General manager George Paton traded first- and secondround picks in 2022-23 to acquire Wilson. For sure, a big swing, but one that was required.
Indianapolis: The Wentz Experiment ended after one season and a two-game meltdown against Las Vegas and Jacksonville that cost the Colts a playoff berth. It cost only a third-round pick to get Ryan from Atlanta.
Cleveland: The Browns gave up on Baker Mayfield, who remains under contract, to trade five picks (including three firstrounders) to Houston for Watson.
Quarterbacks staying put: Brady un-retired to stay with the Buccaneers, who weeks later promoted Todd Bowles to replace the retired Bruce Arians. … New Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler and coach Josh Mcdaniels signed Carr to a contract extension. … New Dolphins coach Mike Mcdaniel has belief in Tagovailoa and the Dolphins traded for receiver Tyreek Hill and signed receiver Cedric Wilson.
Looking for next starter
Atlanta: The Falcons signed Mariota to a two-year deal after trading Ryan to the Colts, but general manager Terry Fontenot has the eighth overall pick. Maybe Liberty quarterback Malik Willis?
Detroit: The Lions should be in the quarterback business with the 32nd pick. It would seem a reach for them to draft Willis second overall, but Desmond Ridder makes sense to close the first round and have him eventually replace Jared Goff.
Washington: The Commanders are spinning their wheels … again. They really wanted Wilson, who chose a team with no owner (Broncos) over a team with a dysfunctional owner (Commanders). They swapped second-round picks with Indianapolis for Wentz instead of waiting for him to be cut.
New Orleans: The Saints went all-in on acquiring Watson, but after he picked Cleveland, they settled for re-signing Winston (two-year deal). New Orleans holds selections Nos. 16 and 19 next week and should think about a quarterback because it doesn’t have a first-rounder in the 2023 draft.
Pittsburgh: General manager Kevin Colbert is set to retire after the draft and he and coach Mike Tomlin have been all over the Pro Day circuit. This would be the team to trade up for Willis and have him eventually replace Trubisky.
What’s the plan?
Carolina: Two developments have painted the Panthers into a figurative corner. They gave up this year’s second- and fourthround picks in a 2021 trade for quarterback Sam Darnold, and with last year’s eighth pick, they chose cornerback Jaycee Horn instead of a quarterback. Oops and oops. Panthers owner David Tepper desperately wanted Watson, but now what? Trouble, that’s what.
Seattle: If the Seahawks are in total rebuild mode, they will stick with Lock at quarterback and/or draft one at No. 9 or No. 40, two of the picks they received from the Broncos. A great move would be trading for Mayfield.