Acquiring new starting QBS backfires

Wilson (Broncos), Ryan (Colts) have not been answers

The 2022 offseason was not a fruitful one for NFL contenders looking for new starting quarterbacks.

Many options looked intriguing: Russell Wilson unwanted in Seattle, Matt Ryan’s career winding down in Atlanta and Carson Wentz coming off a sour ending in Indianapolis. The Denver Broncos traded for Wilson, the Colts dealt Wentz to Washington and acquired Ryan.

All three teams had big expectations. All three moves backfired.

From the Broncos’ struggles with Wilson to the Colts benching Ryan to Wentz’s inconsistency and yet another injury, most of the changes didn’t pan out. Two coaches — Carolina’s Matt Rhule and Indy’s Frank Reich — even lost their jobs.

The so-called sellers have had the most success. The 6-3 Seahawks lead their division after trading Wilson and going with Geno Smith, while the Falcons are in a division title hunt at 4-6 after moving on from Ryan and signing former Raiders backup Marcus Mariota.

A look at how things have played out:

Denver Broncos

■ New QB: Russell Wilson

■ Old QB: Teddy Bridgewater ■ Price paid: Three players, five draft picks and a $245 million extension with $165 million guaranteed, including a $50 million bonus at signing.

■ How it started: General manager George Paton wanted to solve the team’s longrunning quarterback quandary and believed the answer was Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler during a decade in Seattle. He was Denver’s sixth opening day starter in six seasons.

■ How it’s going: Wilson hasn’t resembled the star he was in Seattle, and rookie coach Nathaniel Hackett hasn’t helped with using so many shotgun formations. When Wilson’s under center, he’s a textbook example of mechanics and footwork. In the shotgun, he’s all over the place and not seeing his open receivers often enough.

■ Where it’s headed: Wilson is sticking around because of the big contract. Hackett’s on the hot seat, though Paton gave him a vote of confidence in London before Denver’s Oct. 27 win over the Jaguars snapped a fourgame skid.

Indianapolis Colts

■ New QB: Matt Ryan

■ Old QB: Carson Wentz

■ Price paid: 2022 thirdround pick

■ How it started: Indy soured on Wentz when he refused the COVID-19 vaccine, and his poor play in the final two games, after testing positive for the virus, cost the Colts a playoff spot. GM Chris Ballard sent Wentz to Washington and then waited until Atlanta started searching for Ryan’s successor. Indy thought it pulled a coup by acquiring a proven leader who was playing well.

■ How it’s going: What looked like a good match has been anything but. Behind a rebuilt and underachieving offensive line, Ryan struggled. He threw nine interceptions, had 11 fumbles and 12 total turnovers — all league highs. He also was sacked 24 times and took 59 hits before being benched in favor of Sam Ehlinger. The result: Offensive coordinator Marcus Brady was fired, and Reich joined him on the unemployment line Monday.

■ Where it’s headed: Ryan’s future in Indy looks bleak. He has one season still on his contract, and it would cost Indy $18 million in dead money to cut him. Could he be traded? Maybe. But how much interest is there in a 37-year-old quarterback after his worst pro season?

Washington Commanders

■ New QB: Carson Wentz

■ Old QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick/ Taylor Heinicke

■ Price paid: 2022 secondand third-round picks, conditional 2023 third-round pick (received later 2022 second-rounder back with Wentz)

■ How it started: Wentz went into training camp as the unquestioned starter ahead of Heinicke and rookie Sam Howell. Wentz and coach Ron Rivera brushed off practice inaccuracies. Then Wentz rebounded from throwing back-to-back interceptions in the season opener to lead the Commanders to a comeback victory against Jacksonville.

■ How it’s going: Wentz threw 10 TD passes and six interceptions and played through a broken finger at Chicago to snap the Commanders’ losing streak. He hasn’t played since having surgery, while Heinicke has led Washington to a 2-1 mark with Wentz on injured reserve. The team hasn’t said when Wentz might return, and Rivera doesn’t intend to make a decision until Wentz is back.

■ Where it’s headed: Wentz’s contract is structured to give the Commanders an out after this season with no salary cap penalty, but a lot will depend on the rest of this season and whether Rivera remains the coach. Howell slipped to the fifth round but could be the next in a long line of Washington quarterbacks of the future.

Carolina Panthers

■ New QB: Baker Mayfield

■ Old QB: Sam Darnold

■ Price paid: 2023 conditional fifth-round pick

■ How it started: After trying and failing to acquire Deshaun Watson, the Panthers pursued Mayfield but didn’t get him from Cleveland until July. That cost him practice snaps and time to learn the playbook, but Mayfield still beat Darnold for the No. 1 job before the season opener.

■ How it’s going: Mayfield has been unproductive, going 1-4 as a starter and posting the league’s worst QB rating. P.J. Walker took over when Mayfield injured his left ankle in Week 5. Even after Walker’s dreadful game at Cincinnati, interim coach Steve Wilks stuck with him.

■ Where it’s headed: Mayfield could be demoted to No. 3, maybe even released, with Darnold activated from injured reserve. It’s unlikely the Panthers re-sign Mayfield when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in March — if he makes it that long.

Cleveland Browns

■ New QB: Jacoby Brissett/ Deshaun Watson

■ Old QB: Baker Mayfield

■ Price paid: First-round picks in 2022, ’23 and ’24, a third-round pick in 2022 and a fourth-round pick in 2024

■ How it started: The Browns didn’t offer Mayfield a long-term deal after he played through a shoulder injury in 2021. His status with the team took a hit and a poor ’21 lowered his market value. When Watson became available, the Browns entered the bidding late and were initially rebuffed by the three-time Pro Bowler. But owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam changed Watson’s mind with a fully guaranteed, five-year, $240 million deal despite his legal issues. Mayfield eventually was dealt to Carolina for a fifthrounder — after the Browns agreed to eat most of his 2022 salary.

■ How it’s going: Knowing Watson might be suspended by the NFL, the Browns signed Brissett, a former starter with Indianapolis, as a free agent. Brissett has been better than expected and has provided invaluable leadership. The lone knock: He’s had a few costly turnovers.

■ Where it’s headed: Watson is expected to return when the league’s 11-game ban for violating the personal conduct policy ends. He was accused of sexual misconduct by more than two dozen women while he played in Houston. He’s eligible to resume practicing this week and, if reinstated, could make his Browns debut Dec. 4 — against the Texans. He hasn’t played in a regular-season game since Jan. 3, 2021.

Seattle Seahwawks

■ New QB: Geno Smith

■ Old QB: Russell Wilson

■ Price paid: $3.5 million, one-year contract

■ How it started: The Seahawks re-signed Smith to compete with Drew Lock following the trade with Denver. Wilson’s longtime backup had the advantage throughout the offseason and training camp. And, when Lock missed a preseason start after testing positive for the coronavirus, it was clear Smith would be the starter.

■ How it’s going: Smith is one of the top contenders for comeback player of the year. It’s the first time since 2014 he’s been a full-time starter, and he leads the NFL in completion percentage, is third in passer rating and tied for fifth in TD passes. He’s been the biggest surprise for Seattle.

■ Where it’s headed: This was viewed as a bridge season as the Seahawks tried to draft a new franchise quarterback in April. That might still happen, but Smith might be the best short-term solution. NFC Westleading Seattle is 6-3 and faces a decision about re-signing him or letting him test free agency.

Atlanta Falcons

■ New QB: Marcus Mariota

■ Old QB: Matt Ryan

■ Price paid: A two-year, $18.75 million free-agent deal with a $5 million signing bonus and $6.75 million guaranteed, plus a $12 million option for 2023 and a $3 million roster bonus due in March.

■ How it started: With third-round pick Desmond Ridder serving as Mariota’s backup, the thought was Mariota would have a short leash. Instead, he has taken every snap and has the Falcons a half-game out of first in the NFC South.

■ How it’s going: Mariota has been a good fit in coach Arthur Smith’s offense. He’s not going to lead the league in passing, but he has 12 TD passes with seven interceptions and has added a dual-threat presence Ryan could not. Mariota has 347 yards rushing and three TD runs.

■ Where it’s headed: Mariota has Smith’s confidence and support. Smith brushed off a question about playing Ridder with a sarcastic reply about having the rookie hand the ball off just to make critics happy. Still, there is an expectation Ridder will play at some point, but it will be as a backup as Mariota appears firmly entrenched as the starter.

The Associated Press Matt York Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, a former backup to Russell Wilson, is a contender for comeback player of the year.