Quarterbacks in the News
NFL free agency officially begins March 16th, coinciding with the start of the new league year. Even before we got to that most important offseason day, however, the carousel of quarterbacks has been moving. Three teams who thought they might be in the market for a top quarterback now have that position locked for at least another year.
Tom Brady Unretires
It’s difficult to say that Tom Brady ever actually retired. He didn’t miss any work, any workout, any games or anything. So while the headlines said Brady’s decision to play for the Buccaneers next season meant “he’s back”, he never left.
Again, like the rising of the sun the east, the NFL season shall begin with Tom Brady starting at quarterback. He was “retired” for a total of 40 days, announcing to the NFL world that someday he will step away, but that day isn’t here yet.
This is a good news/bad news scenario for Tampa Bay. Obviously it’s great to have a seven-time Super Bowl champion calling the shots, but the Bucs were thought to be in the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes. Adding a quarterback such as Watson might be a move for the next decade. Brady is probably around for just another year, seeing as he already thought he was ready to leave football.
So, Watson’s definitely not going to the Bucs, because with No. 12, there’s another run at a title.
Aaron Rodgers Not Clear of Brady Yet
Aaron Rodgers is staying in Green Bay, sparing the Packers of having to start Jordan Love or someone else. Rodgers returned for four years and $200 million, $153 million in total guarantees. At the time he signed, the NFC quarterback situation was a bleak one, with Rodgers hands-down the king of the conference. Now, Brady is back.
As much as Rodgers enjoyed the attention and the love that the Packers were forced to show him, in one tweet the conference story became all about Brady.
Rodgers and Brady do have one thing in common, however, as their respective teams are both listed at +750 to win Super Bowl LVII, according to current NFL odds.
Broncos Making Moves in AFC West
Denver wasn’t going to be competitive in the AFC West if they ran out Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater for another season. Russell Wilson was their target, and while the former Seartle Seahawk may still only be the third-best quarterback in the division, there’s no question his addition makes it the most competitive quadrant in the NFL.
Targets like Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf will be hard for Wilson to leave, but the Broncos do have weapons. Now, they have the makings of a team making the playoffs.
As for Seattle, they may be in a better position to make a run at Watson with the extra draft picks they have, and the fact the Buccaneers are out of the picture.
Steelers Have a Ben Replacement
It might be the least splashy of the quarterback moves during the postseason, but Pittsburgh has reportedly signed former Bears’ and Bills’ quarterback Mitchell Trubisky to be their starter.
Trubisky spent four seasons in Chicago, but never showed the growth expected from someone taken before Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 draft. During last season, he waa a backup in Buffalo, throwing eight passes. However, Trubisky emerged this offseason as a hot name for quarterback-needy teams to pursue..
The former No. 2 overall pick signed a two-year deal.
Trevor Lawrence Gets a Weapon
Doug Pederson is the new coach in Jacksonville, and second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence now has a dynamic receiver with the signing of Christian Kirk.
Wanting Kirk makes sense, since last season he caught 77 passes (982 yards) for the Arizona Cardinals. However, Jacksonville signed him for four years and nearly $84 million, means if he fulfills the entirety of the contract, then Kirk becomes the third highest-paid wide receiver in the league.
It’s a huge deal for Kirk, leading to former Jaguar wideout DJ Chark signing with the Detroit Lions.
For the longshot lovers out there, Jacksonville sits at 125-1 (+12500) to win Super Bowl LVII, according to current NFL odds.
