Quarterbacks On the Move

If the entire MLB offseason being crammed into a few weeks hasn't been crazy enough, the NFL is giving it a run for its money.  Between trades and free agency, there's been so much quarterback movement that it's enough to give you whiplash (and hard to keep track of).  I'm not just talking about Aaron Rodgers deciding to play another season or Tom Brady's retirement/non-retirement, either.

Some of the moves were predictable, even if you didn't necessarily know where they were headed.  You had a feeling that DeShaun Watson's time in Houston and Russell Wilson's time in Seattle were both ending.  Others were somewhat confusing.  Carson Wentz to the Commanders?  Matt Ryan to the Colts?  And there's sure to be more quarterbacks changing teams between now and the Draft, too.

Not every team has necessarily improved its situation with its quarterback change, though.  I can't say the Falcons are better with Marcus Mariota than Matt Ryan.  And do the Seahawks even have a starting quarterback currently?  The Broncos, on the other hand, finally have one for the first time since Peyton Manning retired.  In fact, we'll start our list of new QB winners with Denver.

Winners
Broncos: Whenever Denver has a good quarterback, they're good.  John Elway took them to five Super Bowls.  They went to two in four years with Peyton Manning under center.  It's clearly the biggest thing they've been missing since Peyton retired.  No more.  Now they have Russell Wilson.  And when the Broncos have a quarterback, look out!  The AFC West is gonna be loaded next season!

Saints: Technically the Saints don't have a new quarterback.  They re-signed Jamies Winston, who was their starter last season until he got hurt.  Which was really the smartest move they could make.  Because they were good at the start of last season when he was under center.  After he got hurt, they weren't.

Colts: Matt Ryan will be their fifth different starter in five years.  After Andrew Luck's abrupt retirement, it's been Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and now Ryan.  Rivers worked out.  Brissett and Wentz did not.  And, frankly, I can see Ryan going either way.  The change in scenery could reinvigorate him and they might get the MVP Ryan.  Or they might get the post-Super Bowl Ryan.  My money's on the former.

Commanders: Carson Wentz is back in the NFC East!  Frankly, I don't think the Eagles ever should've gotten rid of him.  Jalen Hurts isn't the great NFL quarterback they seem to think he is!  Anyway, back to Wentz.  He doesn't bring Washington to another level by any means.  But he doesn't make them any worse, either.  And, more importantly, it's possible that he may finally give them some stability at the quarterback position.

Mitchell Trubisky: After getting cut lose by the Bears (who, for some reason, think Justin Fields is an NFL starter), Trubisky spent last season as Josh Allen's backup in Buffalo...and played all of six games!  He somehow turned that into being Ben Roethlisberger's successor in Pittsburgh.  Trubisky actually had TWO suitors that wanted to make him the starter!  The Giants were ready to have a QB competition between him and Daniel Jones.  Not too bad for a guy Chicago didn't want anymore!

Losers
Baker Mayfield: He requested a trade and the Browns said no.  Then they went and traded for DeShaun Watson.  So, it looks like Baker may get his trade after all.  Because it makes no sense for Cleveland to keep both of them!  Especially since Mayfield has made it clear he has absolutely no desire to stay.  Could he be on his way to Seattle?

Seahawks: I get it.  Russell Wilson didn't want to be there anymore.  Especially since it looks like the Seahawks are headed into their first rebuilding period in quite a while in a very competitive NFC West.  And, unless they can swing a Baker Mayfield trade, it's slim pickings.  Whoever they get isn't gonna be the perennial Pro Bowler who's been the face of their franchise for a decade that they just traded away.

Falcons: Sorry, but I don't get the Matt Ryan trade.  I don't get the Marcus Mariota signing, either.  Do they really think Mariota is an upgrade?  Because he isn't!  And, keep in mind, I absolutely loved Mariota coming out of Oregon.  His NFL career, however, has indicated he's better suited as a backup at this level.  So, of course, the Falcons signed him to be their starter.

Panthers: Carolina came into the offseason needing a quarterback.  They still do.  The Panthers have, so far, missed out on everybody, so, unless their plan is to enter the 2022 season with Sam Darnold as their starter, they need to make some sort of move.  While I think Mayfield to Seattle is much more likely, I can see Carolina as the backup plan.  Otherwise, they'd better go get a QB in the draft.

Browns: Mayfield kind of forced their hand with his trade request, so I get the Watson trade.  He sure comes with a lot of baggage, though.  And he hasn't played in more than a year!  Of course, the Browns have never shied away from players with baggage, so this could end up working out very well.  Or...Watson's legal troubles will follow him to Cleveland and the Browns regress.

There's likely to be some more movement between now and when the season starts in September.  Will the 49ers keep Jimmy Garoppolo?  Will the un-retired Brady stay in Tampa?  Who will leverage draft picks into a quarterback?  Who'll go for one after they don't get who they want in the draft?  So, these rankings are very likely subject to change.  Stay tuned!