In very not-surprising NFL news, Aaron Rodgers has informed the Packers that he wants to be traded to the Jets. Why? I have no idea! But that's what he decided during that personal retreat in a cave (or whatever it is he did). And it also sets up the Jets to get their next future-Hall-of-Fame Packers quarterback in 2038, so congratulations to them!
This trade, obviously, makes the Jets significantly better. It's like they finally figured out that if you want to be competitive, you need to have a good quarterback! And getting a QB of Rodgers pedigree is obviously a massive upgrade for them. This isn't like Russell Wilson to the Broncos or that quarterback retirement home the Colts have been running for the past few years. Rodgers is actually still good!
A Rodgers-Packers divorce this offseason seemed inevitable. He hasn't been happy there for the past couple years. But, the Packers also find themselves in a very unique position now. They're looking for a quarterback for the first time in three decades. And whoever they end up getting as their starter won't be Aaron Rodgers. Can he keep the line moving and give them a third straight Hall of Fame QB? Possibly. But it's more likely that the Jets will have a better quarterback in 2023 than the Packers.
The Jets and Packers won't be the only teams with new quarterbacks this season. Whether it's because of retirement (Tampa Bay), a surplus (San Francisco), a free agent leaving (Las Vegas), simply not really having a starter in the first place (New Orleans) or another reason, the quarterback merry-go-round has definitely been activated. And some teams will be better off because of the move they made at QB. While others will not.
Jets: Upgrade-Let's start with the most obvious upgrade. The Jets used three different starting quarterbacks last season, and I don't even know how many they've had since that season they had Brett Favre in 2008. Rodgers is better than all of them. AND the Jets have been making it a point to sign/trade for all of the wide receivers he asked them to. So, he'll be plenty comfortable in New York. And, hey, maybe Rodgers will make them competitive!
Saints: Upgrade-It's been three seasons since Drew Brees retired, and New Orleans has been looking for a quarterback ever since. Now they get their first legit NFL starter since Brees in the person of Derek Carr, a proven veteran who led the Raiders to the playoffs and made the Pro Bowl last season. Carr apparently talked to Brees before signing with New Orleans. He needed a fresh start after all those years with the Raiders, and the Saints needed the QB piece in what's suddenly a very winnable division for everybody. So, I like this move on both sides.
Raiders: Downgrade-Speaking of Derek Carr, his replacement in Las Vegas is Jimmy Garoppolo. Maybe this is finally Jimmy G's chance after he was driven out of San Francisco for reasons I still don't quite understand. I don't think he's a bad quarterback, but he isn't particulary exciting, either. And Derek Carr's a tough act to follow.
Buccaneers: Downgrade-I'm actually thrilled for Baker Mayfield. After the bum deals he got in Cleveland and Carolina, he gets the chance to be a starter again in Tampa. Unfortunately, being the quarterback who replaces Tom Brady is a very tall order. No matter how good (or bad) Mayfield does, he'll be unfairly compared to Brady every time he does anything. I don't even think I'm being fair to him by calling him a "downgrade," but isn't anybody a downgrade after Tom Brady?
Packers: Downgrade-None of us have any idea what the Packers are going to do. They'll probably demand a king's ransom from the Jets, then possibly use some of that draft capital to trade for a veteran QB. Regardless of what they do, though, this isn't 15 years ago, when they seamlessly transitioned from one Hall of Famer to another without skipping a beat. For that reason alone, whoever Green Bay gets as its new quarterback (Carson Wentz?) doesn't even matter. He'll be a downgrade regardless.
Panthers: Upgrade-Carolina traded for the No. 1 pick, presumably so they can take a quarterback. The last time they picked No. 1 overall, it worked out well for them. They took Cam Newton. They're looking for similar magic this year. Anything will be better than last season's Baker Mayfield/Sam Darnold/P.J. Walker tag-team, though. Not that it's the fault of any of the three quarterbacks. They were a mess all the way around. Fortunately, their new coach is Frank Reich, a former quarterback himself. And having a coach who knows what's he's doing will help whoever ends up under center in Charlotte.
Commanders: Downgrade-Carson Wentz was fine last season. He wasn't great, but he was serviceable. But Washington decided to replace him anyway. With Jacoby Brissett?! How many teams need to sign that guy before they realize he's not an NFL starter? He's a completely acceptable backup. But that's what he is. A backup.
Colts: ?-Indy's weird Fountain of Youth science experiment has spit out another--Matt Ryan, who, frankly, hasn't been good since the Falcons blew the Super Bowl. Will they try again with somebody else or look for somebody in the draft? Is there a third option? All I know is that Indy currently does not have a starting quarterback (or a plan). Which is why they get an incomplete right now.
Please note that, with the exception of the Panthers, I'm only talking about teams who've made moves involving veteran quarterbacks. I doubt the moves are over, too. Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan are among those who haven't signed anywhere yet. Now, personally, I think they should be backups. But a good backup is sometimes just as important as who your starter is.
Some teams beyond just Carolina will likely turn to the Draft in their search for a new quarterback. Although, with the Draft, it's always buyer beware. Because for every Peyton Manning, there's a Ryan Leaf. The Panthers are sure hoping they get a Manning. Because the Jaguars and Bengals sure seem pretty happy with the QBs they took No. 1 overall!
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