SCO96

A great QB should be the highest paid player on the team. I think most of us are cool with that, but 51 other players need to get paid as well. NFL rosters are by far the largest in professional sports. Just for the heck of it, I decided to add up how much it would cost to have a top paid player at each spot on the Franchise tag chart I posted earlier (QB, DE, WR, LB, CB, OL, DT, S, RB, TE). It would cost you almost approximately $150 million to have one player at each position. Every position listed requires more than one player at that postion on the field at all times except QB, TE, and RB (unless you use a FB a lot). Last year's cap was just under $200 million. You'd have to pay the other 42 guys with the remaining $50 million. Of course, due to the pandemic, the cap is dropping to 180 million which will make the situation even worse. You literally have to decide on which positions are of most value and hope you cheaply fill the other ones. If you can't find cheap talent in the draft your chances of competing year end and year out for title are pretty slim.

To this day, no QB has one a Super Bowl with a cap hit over $30 million. Yet, owners keep allowing the agents get record deals for their clients every year. They could have stopped this nonsense year ago. When an agent walked in touting his guy while attempting to reset the QB market the owner or GM should have said "Brady is the best QB in the league. I'm not paying anyone more than the makes." End of discussion. Now, it's become so bad, that people say you have to win a SB with a QB on his rookie deal, because he essentially eats up all the cap on the 2nd contract. That's backwards. You should have a greater chance to win a title as the QB matures and gets better. In the current market conventional wisdom says when the stud QB hits his prime, let's surround him low priced contractual players and hope for the best. Then again, this is the same league that once paid rookie 1st round draft choices (before they had played a down in the league) more than established veterans simply because of the spot they were taken in the draft.

I think Russel Wilson is a great QB and seems to be a genuinely nice person. But, I think some of the blame may lie in his court. He's asked for big time money on his last two deals. According to Spotrac (https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/russell-wilson-9885/) "Russell Wilson signed a 4 year, $140M new money extension with the Seattle Seahawks on April 15, 2019 that included a $65M signing bonus, $107M of total guarantees, and an average annual salary of $35M. At the time of signing this deal was the highest average paid contract, most total guarantees, and biggest signing bonus in NFL history." In a capped league you can't take up to 20%-30% of the salary cap for one guy (QB), pay the other 51 guys on the active roster, and expect to have depth at every position. It's even harder for Seattle because the team is usually in the playoffs and picking at the end of each round. And, this year they don't even have a 1st round pick. He won't be getting a significant O-line upgrade this year unless the current ones on the roster significantly improve, they find a hidden gem (or gems) in the draft after the 1st round, or find a couple of solid mid-tier Free Agents. As we Panther fans know, quality offensive lineman don't grow on trees. You are lucky just to find a solid lineman these days (especially LT). Then, after their initial deals you have to pay them. Take a look at the estimated franchise tags for 2021 below. Wilson's cap figure for 2021 is $32 million. If they paid the current market value for a top O-lineman it's just over $14.5. those two salaries would eat up over 25% of this year's cap space and you'd still have to pay 50 other guys. This year cap is estimated to be $180 million. https://overthecap.com/franchise-transition-and-rfa-tenders/ 2021 Projected Franchise and Transition Tenders Position Franchise Tag Transition Tag QB $24,112,000 $21,749,000 DE $17,752,000 $14,811,000 WR $16,430,000 $14,269,000 LB $15,657,000 $13,406,000 CB $15,266,000 $13,202,000 OL $14,507,000 $13,156,000 DT $14,178,000 $11,405,000 S $11,196,000 $9,550,000 RB $11,112,000 $8,942,000 TE $10,156,000 $8,570,000 ST $4,792,000 $4,382,000

They're talented enough to win without their A-game against most teams. But, most teams don't have a defense as talented as Tampa's. They've got a GREAT PASS RUSH, a good LB core, and a good secondary and great team speed on the defense in general. I can't help but wonder if KC will rebound from this. In the early 2000's the Rams appeared to be on the verge of becoming an NFL dynasty and the SB loss to the Pats in 2001 squashed that. We all thought Seattle was on the verge of becoming a dynasty, but their loss to the Pats squashed that. Now, another team QB'd back Tom Terrific has squashed (at least for now) the next NFL dynasty. With all of the deals they've handed out...and the fact that the salary cap may be going down in 2021, it's going to become harder for the Chiefs to hold on to their players. And, last night's game plan is going to copied by every defensive coordinator in the NFL in 2021. I wouldn't automatically pencil them in as AFC champions next season. The loss last night could possible be "the beginning of the end" for the KC Chiefs potential dynasty.

To be honest, I cut the game off after Mahomes threw the pick in the 3rd quarter while the score was 28-9. I knew the game was over so I bailed. Based on your post, maybe Reid realized the game was a lost cause as well...or felt Eric B could give them a spark. Let's be honest, Reid had some tough days leading up to the Game. Thanks for clarifying things.

I'm not saying you are wrong...but...how do you know that's 100% true?

It shouldn't affect them at all. From what I've read the thing that's holding him back is the perception that he doesn't do much in KC. Andy Reid calls the plays and deserves all of the credit for the offensive success. If Reid gets the credit for the good performances, then he should get the blame for the poor ones as well. Bieniemy's perception around the league shouldn't change based on last night's performance in a perfect world. But, if you head over to Pro Football Talk people are already saying that he failed to step up last night while Reid was distracted because of the drama with his son.

I agree with what you posted. That's why I was surprised Watson signed that huge extension prior to the 2020 season. The bad front office moves were known before new deal. As a 1st round pick in 2017, he'd be entering the last year of his deal this season and could walk at season's end unless he was franchised. I'd love to see him succeed elsewhere, but since he's only one year into his new contract I can see why Houston is unwilling (at the present time anyway) to trade him.

I'd give this post two thumb up if I could. Teams win SB's...not just quarterbacks. Before the Super Bowl Brady said the game wasn't about him, it was about the Tampa Bay team. That Tampa roster is stacked and much better top to bottom than the Chiefs. If you remember, we almost beat those guys at Arrowhead this year. We need to build more depth to compete. Giving up all of our high draft choices for a QB isn't the way win a title. We need more talent...along with a QB get back to the Super Bowl.

As great as Brady IS...in his last two Super Bowls his defenses have given up a total of 12 points. Let that sink in. It's a lot easier to win when 10 pts is enough to beat the opposition in his last two title games. Shout out to Brian Flores and Todd Bowles.

I agree. I may have even been willing give up higher choices (like a 3 and 6, or 4 and 7). Stafford is going to be better than any rookie coming directly out of college. We'd still have our #2; and our #3 or #4 depending on which package was more acceptable to the Lions. After 2021, all of their compensation would be received. The Rams gave up a #3 in this years draft in addition to their first round choices in 2022 and 2022. Their highest draft pick for 2021 is a #2. They don't have a #1 for this year (I think it's because of the Jalen Ramsey deal with Jacksonville). There's no way the Panther could've afforded to give up #1 choices in 2 consecutive years (2022 and 2023) and their 2nd highest draft choice in 2021, which would have been a 2nd round pick. I think their offer was reasonable. I'm glad the Rams are getting fleeced instead of the Panthers.

Good point. A-Rod is an elite QB statistically, but he always seems to fall short in the playoffs. How come? The Packers are weak in other areas (secondary/pass rush) and it becomes quite apparent in big games. Russel Wilson can't seem to make it back to the big game either...for pretty much the same reason. I'd rather see us solidify are roster with theses high draft choices. I don't think we need to reach for any of these guys after Lawrence. If we don't get one in the first round, there's always next year and even later in this draft. Welcome to the Huddle rookie. I'm gonna upvote your first post with a beer!

I have no interest in Justin Fields. He seems poised to continue the long line of NFL busts that tend to come out of Ohio State. I hope he comes off the board early so we can put any talk about taking him to rest. I just hope we don't decide to trade up to nab him.

Stafford would be a definite upgrade over Bridgewater but I can't see giving up the #8 pick for him. If we were only a QB away from contending for a NFC title, then I might consider it. We've got too many holes. I'm not even sure I'd give up the 40th pick form him, but I wouldn't rule that out as an option. If they'd take a 3rd round pick in the 2021 and 2022 draft or a 3rd and 4th in this year's draft I'd be all for it. I tend to think the Lions are gonna want more than the Panthers are willing to offer. Once Stafford leaves they'll be in a full rebuilding mode and are going to want some serious compensation to speed up the rebuilding process.

I think most of us on the board agree with the above statement. Still, I can't help but think that there are other quarterbacks who have never been given a fair shot to earn a starting job in the NFL. We all know of cases were players at other positions are drafted in the middle/later rounds and have become pro-bowl or even all-pro players. A late round QB is usually viewed as no more than a backup. A guy drafted in the 1st (or 2nd) round is always going to get the benefit of the doubt over the guy drafted later because the team has more invested in him. He's going to get more reps in practice and more time to prove himself before being pulled. Most teams aren't willing to give up on a highly drafted QB after 1-2 seasons. The early releases of Josh Rosen and Dwayne Haskins are a couple of exceptions, but even then neither of those guys was drafted by the HC who released them.

Thank you for posting this. Your chart points out that 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 were really bad years to find your "franchise QB" in the first round. When I get the time I'm going to take a look at the other QB's in those classes just to see how they panned out or if any are still in the NFL Your data does show that the higher a QB is drafted the more likely he is to have success. Still, QB evaluation is an inexact science. As someone noted at this time Brady, Wilson, Cousins, (and I'd add Dak Prescott to the list) are quality QB's and none of them were drafted before 3rd round. Kurt Warner is in the Hall of Fame. He was undrafted and had to spend time in inferior leagues before he was given a shot. Tony Romo had a respectable career and he was also undrafted. I think that's a reflection on the scouting process and not the players themselves. And sometimes the amount of fight and desire (which is immeasurable) you have inside overcomes any physical limitations a player might have.

I haven't watched enough NCAA football to know who the top LBs are for the 2021 draft so I can't argue with you. I am willing to say that sometimes one guy can make a difference. If this guy turns out to impact games like Jack Lamber or Ray Lewis I think we could all live with that. I admire your willingness to stand by your opinion. Some of us on the forum have experienced some push back when we say we're not sold on any of the QB's in the draft after Lawrence comes off the board at number 1. I know Teddy definitely isn't our franchise QB for the 20's, but I'm not sure Fields, Lance, or Wilson is the answer either. I wouldn't be devastated if they were all gone by the time we're on the clock because I don't think the fate of the franchise rest on getting a QB in the top 8 of this particular draft.

Good points. The Chiefs won the SB last year and may be back in February if they handle the Bills this week. Quick Question...can anyone here name any of their starting linebackers? https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/most-career-int-by-a-linebacker#:~:text=Don Shinnick has made the,a linebacker%2C with 37 interceptions. The above link takes you to an interesting list of LB's with the most interceptions in NFL history. The first nine of the list recorded 28 or more regular season INT's which is more than the best CB we've drafted (Chris Gamble...he retired with 27). If you could guarantee me that a LB would retire with 30 INT's (something only 6 have ever done) if we took him at 8, then I "might" consider taking him. That's more than Darrell Revis had in his career (29). But, as you pointed out Parsons doesn't excel at that. If a QB isn't there at 8 things could get interesting. I see the logic in trading back to accumulate picks, but that could backfire if we miss out on a guy we're targeting. If we don't trade back I'm assuming we'd take a CB, O-lineman, or pass rusher (interior or edge) to pair with Brown and Burns.

When Brees was in his prime, Saints defense was unable to hold up and it cost them several times in the post season. When the Saints defense got good, Brees wasn't able to make plays down the stretch to win the game. No way would I expect him to lose his final 3 playoff games at home to teams they were favored to beat. After watching that game, Drew clearly can't throw downfield anymore. They were down with less than 5 minutes to play and the Saints were running the ball on first and second down. I don't think he threw a pass more than 20 yards downfield. Now, he walks off the field for probably for the last time...knowing that his last two passes in the NFL were interceptions at home against a team they really should have beat. Without the benefit of the 4 turnover (3 Int's by Brees and a fumble) Tampa would have lost this game. During that 6 year stretch from 2008-2013 you could make an strong argument that he was the best QB in football. He had a great run. I'm sure he'll be ok in retirement.

It would be interesting to see what DJ would do if we had a legit franchise QB on the roster. We know he can get deep, but he's also an excellent runner after the catch. He'd be an all-pro candidate if he had Brady, Brees, Rodgers, or Mahomes throwing the ball to him in stride. Still that ranking isn't terrible. Each team will usually have 2 WR's on the field at all times...some even use 3 for the majority of the snaps. If we multiply 32 x 2 we get 64. The PFF ranking place DJ well above the top 50% in the league (24/64=37.5%) I just hope we can get him a QB before he decides it's time to move on to greener pastures.