National Football League

[movingtarget]

Looks like the Intell is correct. And I believe Cousins will now become the highest paid backup in the league history? Lol

Kirk Cousins Will Remain with Falcons as Backup QB for Michael Penix Jr., GM Says

bleacherreport.com

And it seems that Jimmy G will be staying with the Rams. Reportedly McVay said he is happy to start with Jimmy if Stafford moves on. Obviously they will be looking in the draft as well. Stetson Bennett hasn't looked like being an option so far. Don't see the Rams giving Stafford the 55 mill per season he wants at age 37 with diminishing stats although he was pretty good last season and the Eagles game in the playoffs was no walk over.

 

[Nomad]

If Stafford does go to the Raiders I also won’t be surprised if Gronk unretires like he’s hinting at and plays for them. Nor if Raiders attempt to get Godwin from the Bucs depending on his contract talks which they have till 3/14.

Stafford to the Raiders? What kind of nonsense is this? A 37 yr old at the tail end of his career? An immobile old QB with a significant injury history? Is there any intelligent life with the Raider's organization anymore? Lol.

The Raiders need to get themselves a young dual-threat QB or at least a QB that is very mobile/agile & provides a secondary weapon of being able to run the ball.

Is it any coincidence that 3 out of the 4 QBs in the conference championships this past season were dual-threat QBs with the 4th being a very agile/mobile QB that can effectively scramble. And the last two MVPs were dual-threat QBs.

 

[Nomad]

And it seems that Jimmy G will be staying with the Rams. Reportedly McVay said he is happy to start with Jimmy if Stafford moves on. Obviously they will be looking in the draft as well. Stetson Bennett hasn't looked like being an option so far. Don't see the Rams giving Stafford the 55 mill per season he wants at age 37 with diminishing stats although he was pretty good last season and the Eagles game in the playoffs was no walk over.

Bennett is not the answer - he's backup material at best. He was way overdrafted in the 4th rd - his prospect rating was only 5.9 (average backup). He's very small & slight for the position by NFL standards. He has a borderline NFL caliber arm lacking deep throw effectiveness. He reminds me a little of Trace McSorely - great college stats on a premier FBS school but unable to play at the next level (McSorely has been floating around on practice squads the last several years).

 

[SHAD0W93]

Stafford to the Raiders? What kind of nonsense is this? A 37 yr old at the tail end of his career? An immobile old QB with a significant injury history? Is there any intelligent life with the Raider's organization anymore? Lol.

The Raiders need to get themselves a young dual-threat QB or at least a QB that is very mobile/agile & provides a secondary weapon of being able to run the ball.

Is it any coincidence that 3 out of the 4 QBs in the conference championships this past season were dual-threat QBs with the 4th being a very agile/mobile QB that can effectively scramble. And the last two MVPs were dual-threat QBs.

It’s a far better pickup than Wilson. No other quarterback on the market is better than Stafford. Brady is also in the win now mindset. Stafford played well this past season, but doesn’t fix all of the Raiders issues on top of the Raiders being a worse team than the Rams. Where they pick in the draft isn’t lucrative for a starting quarterback, they’re better off filling their weaknesses and get a quarterback in the draft that can learn from Stafford.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I personally think if the Raiders are going to make a bit splash, they would trade two first round draft picks, and a 2nd round pick (and/or TE Michael Mayer, and/or DE Tyree Wilson), to swap places with the Titans in order to take Cam Ward. This bears a risk, but it would probably be as good of roll of the dice as any IMO. It would allow the team to re-sign several players up for FA, and find another G, or DT (or both) in FA that can start.

Stafford is indeed aging, injury prone, and due a huge $49m cap hit this coming year, and $55m in 2026. When healthy, and doing well, he can certainly still throw the ball. As noted in the Eagles game he played well, and he also had a great win over Buffalo. But considering the cost, and the fact the Raiders would then not be able to re-sign several players, and have no money to sign any new FAs to bolster their trenches which is where they need help (plus other positions) it means an old Stafford would be going to a sub-average team, and expect to turn the clock back a decade.

However, it might make more sense to do that than sign some of those other guys (Wilson, Winston, Fields, Jones, etc.) as I noted who might maybe get the team 1 more win, even if the Raiders fortified the rest of their roster. I honestly don't see those guys being much better than Aiden O'Connell.

If Gronk comes out of retirement he won't be a TE for the Raiders. There's no possible way he would beat out Brock Bowers, let alone Michael Mayer. Granted, the Raiders could trade Mayer (like to move up to take Ward), but this means Gronk would mostly be a decoy.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Stafford would not be going to the Raiders to have a rookie learn from him, or anywhere else for that matter. He would be going there to keep his job and play QB.

Greg Olson is the primary guy who will be teaching a rookie QB if the Raiders draft one. But also Chip Kelly, Bob Bicknell, and Nate Carroll. Stafford could set an example. Maybe give a few tips here or there. But he won't be the one teaching and training them. This is a fallacy repeated over and over by even the media when they see two QBs standing on the sidelines, where the announcers wax poetically about the old starter bestowing his wisdom on the young buck (who is itching to take his job). It's honestly an insult to QB coaches, passing game coordinators, assistant OC's who work their butts off, and are all but ignored by the masses.

Granted, there are some examples were vets did help or encourage rookies. Alex Smith comes to mind. But that's pretty rare. The other time it happens is when the young guy is already the starter, and the old guy comes in as the back-up just before his career ends.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Gronk IF he unretired, which isn’t likely honestly but you never know with him, would be a second to third string TE wherever he went that’s there to; draw coverage, get a big pickup when it’s needed, get open when the defense has a bad matchup on him, and block. Why the Raiders, because multiple times he’s said he’s only wanted to play for Brady. Sure there was the “talk” of wanting to play for Buffalo but he was never serious. The main detractor for Gronk wanting to play with Stafford is he had that chance in 2018 when NE traded him to the Lions and he said he was retired.

Stafford doesn’t have to take another player under his wing to teach them. They learn by watching him play, how he prepares, practices, watches film, and interact with the other players. Brady and Rodgers didn’t get a lot of love and support from Bledsoe or Favre but they watched the laters play and learned from it. A good to great quarterback also makes the assistant coaches better since they could learn something new. New players gain information from everywhere if they want to be great or improve. If the Raiders goal is to win now (as crazy as that is), he’s their best pick. If they want to buildup, they have two to three seasons to get competitive.

 

[Nomad]

I personally think if the Raiders are going to make a bit splash, they would trade two first round draft picks, and a 2nd round pick (and/or TE Michael Mayer, and/or DE Tyree Wilson), to swap places with the Titans in order to take Cam Ward. This bears a risk, but it would probably be as good of roll of the dice as any IMO. It would allow the team to re-sign several players up for FA, and find another G, or DT (or both) in FA that can start.

One option might be to draft Will Howard with their 2nd pick (36th). Howard has really moved up the prospect list lately with some scouts having him as QB4 & a day 2 pick. With Howard you have elite size (6-4/235), an above-average arm that can really air it out and good agility/mobility who can effectively run the ball (351 yds/4.7 average).

Howard was the CFP National Championship MVP & 3rd team All-Big 10. Plus Chip Kelly was his OC & QB coach at Ohio St - the two could be reunited & that would only help Howard's development (note: Kelly ran shotgun spread with Howard unlike previous years where a pro-style O was run with Stroud & Fields).

With this option the Raiders possibly have their franchise QB where it wouldn't be inconceivable that he starts sometime during his rookie season (of course depending how his preseason goes).

Ohio State's Will Howard Earns Yet Another Startling NFL Draft Take

Very few players did as much for their NFL Draft stock late in the 2024 college football season than Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard. Howard entered

www.si.com

 

[Nomad]

If the Raiders goal is to win now (as crazy as that is), he’s their best pick. If they want to buildup, they have two to three seasons to get competitive.

Isn't that what the Jets thought when they acquired Rodgers? And what a nightmare that has been. Lol Now they have to start all over & find a new QB to lead them to the promised land.

 

[Nomad]

https://atozsports.com/nashville/volunteers/damaged-detroit-media-lions-tennessee-vols-qb-hendon-hooker/

 

[Unchained]

Gronkowski said he is not coming out of retirement

 

[SHAD0W93]

Isn't that what the Jets thought when they acquired Rodgers? And what a nightmare that has been. Lol Now they have to start all over & find a new QB to lead them to the promised land.

Stafford > Rodgers the last few years but Jets > Raiders last two rosters

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Exactly. As I posted before, Stafford will not lead the Raiders to the playoffs. The Raiders have too many other holes to fill. They aren't just a QB away from making a real playoff run.

 

[Nomad]

What's going on here with Stafford? What's the real reason he wants to hightail it out of a LA? At the 37, he's at the very tailend of his career. Why doesn't he just finish his career out with LA? Retire & ride off into the sunset as a Ram hero? In 4 seasons there he's done very well: 5-2 playoff record & a SB title.

These aging elite QBs who are way past their prime are just not finding that great of success as starters with new teams (e.g., Rodgers, Wilson, Flacco).

I don't know if they have some kind of delusional mindset where the feel "born" again & they can go rescue a failing franchise leading them to the promised land. Lol.

 

[movingtarget]

Buccaneers reinstating Jon Gruden into team's Ring of Honor

 

[SHAD0W93]

What's going on here with Stafford? What's the real reason he wants to hightail it out of a LA? At the 37, he's at the very tailend of his career. Why doesn't he just finish his career out with LA? Retire & ride off into the sunset as a Ram hero? In 4 seasons there he's done very well: 5-2 playoff record & a SB title.

These aging elite QBs who are way past their prime are just not finding that great of success as starters with new teams (e.g., Rodgers, Wilson, Flacco).

I don't know if they have some kind of delusional mindset where the feel "born" again & they can go rescue a failing franchise leading them to the promised land. Lol.

All I’ve heard is rumors that he and his wife have issues with the Rams front office and staff. Nothing substantial, and maybe Stafford wants to make as much money as possible. I think to, like Brady wants to play as long as possible because it’s hard to stay retired. Rodgers I think, thinks he’s still 2010 Rodgers and can carry whatever team to the Super Bowl but the teams drag him down.

 

[movingtarget]

What's going on here with Stafford? What's the real reason he wants to hightail it out of a LA? At the 37, he's at the very tailend of his career. Why doesn't he just finish his career out with LA? Retire & ride off into the sunset as a Ram hero? In 4 seasons there he's done very well: 5-2 playoff record & a SB title.

These aging elite QBs who are way past their prime are just not finding that great of success as starters with new teams (e.g., Rodgers, Wilson, Flacco).

I don't know if they have some kind of delusional mindset where the feel "born" again & they can go rescue a failing franchise leading them to the promised land. Lol.

Money money money. he has a better chance in the playoffs staying put compared to the options elsewhere. Rams will be favourites again in the NFC West unless 49ers can get it together for one last time with their aging team. They are looking at a two draft refresh and have a lot of free agents that won't be back. They are going to lose Deebo, Hufanga, Ward, Banks, possibly also Mason, Greenlaw and Hargrave. Aiyuk will miss part of the season at least and so on while the Rams roster looks a lot more stable especially if Stafford stays. Has to be doubts they can trade Kupp as well.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

McVey said in an interview he really wants Stafford back, and they actually get along great. I'm curious if another team actually is willing to pay Stafford over $50m a year for three or more years? If so, that team would have to feel like they are on the cusp of winning the Super Bowl, or at least making a deep playoff run. And not have a solid QB already. I can't think of what team that would be? Some team with a blind and foolish owner who thinks they would be getting a healthy 27 year old Stafford and it's 2005 all over again and mobility in a QB doesn't much matter?

Agree the 49ers are going to have a rough year ahead of them. That massive deal they gave Aiyuk now looks like a huge, huge mistake ($120m, $75m guaranteed). This has to leave York/Lynch/Shanahan gun shy about signing any of those players you listed to a good deal, let alone big money. Curious if SF signs/extends Purdy this off-season, or if they think they can just have him play for $5m this year, and low-ball him next season if the team struggles?

I have a feeling both Seattle and Arizona will be slightly better next season. But we'll know a lot more as the season gets closer.

 

[movingtarget]

McVey said in an interview he really wants Stafford back, and they actually get along great. I'm curious if another team actually is willing to pay Stafford over $50m a year for three or more years? If so, that team would have to feel like they are on the cusp of winning the Super Bowl, or at least making a deep playoff run. And not have a solid QB already. I can't think of what team that would be? Some team with a blind and foolish owner who thinks they would be getting a healthy 27 year old Stafford and it's 2005 all over again and mobility in a QB doesn't much matter?

Agree the 49ers are going to have a rough year ahead of them. That massive deal they gave Aiyuk now looks like a huge, huge mistake ($120m, $75m guaranteed). This has to leave York/Lynch/Shanahan gun shy about signing any of those players you listed to a good deal, let alone big money. Curious if SF signs/extends Purdy this off-season, or if they think they can just have him play for $5m this year, and low-ball him next season if the team struggles?

I have a feeling both Seattle and Arizona will be slightly better next season. But we'll know a lot more as the season gets closer.

Lynch said the negotiations with Purdy have already started. It seems they want to lock him up long term. Shanahan has said the same near the end of the season. Deebo asked for a trade so he's out probably. don't think the 49ers will overpay for Greenlaw even though he's only 27. Other teams will also have interest.

 

[SHAD0W93]

If the Dolphins want to move on from Tua and they have Waddle and Hill still, Miami could be a good place for Stafford. He’s better at the short game than Tua and better deep ball. Issue is just the oline and contract.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Has to be doubts they can trade Kupp as well.

Mentioning of Kupp, the NFL meme page I look at had multiple comments saying Stafford’s wife was upset/irritated Kupp might be traded or not come back on her podcast. Apparently the wife is a pain in the butt from multiple comments across many posts I’ve seen.

 

[movingtarget]

Rumors that the Colts are probably going to move off Richardson at QB.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Gronkowski said he is not coming out of retirement

View: https://youtu.be/QEIGjJPeFGc?si=UECyl9MAcKjzjqJR

 

[Nomad]

I posted a link on an article where the Colts GM said he was planning on adding another QB to compete with AR. A draft pick or a FA like Fields or Jones was mentioned.

AR has only started 15 games in his 2 yrs in the league (missed 13 games in his rookie season due to the major shoulder injury). Plus he came into the league with very little college experience having started only one year at Florida. By comparison, Daniels & Nix gained a lot of experience playing 5 seasons of college ball.

But no sugarcoating it - this past season was bad for AR & the Colts. 8-9 season missing the playoffs. He completed only 47% of his passes, only 8 TDs to 12 picks, a dismal 61 rtg, and he further missed another 6 games due to injuries. Only the bright spot was his running game.

I don't think they should give up on him just yet. AR has elite size, strength, athleticism, arm strength, etc. He's a Cam Newton 2.0 with that canon arm & dual-threat capability. Perhaps there is hope: Maybe some improvement can be achieved working with Allen this off-season:

Colts’ Anthony Richardson to Get Help From Bills’ Josh Allen This Offseason

Anthony Richardson has a crucial year three ahead of him.

www.si.com

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I wouldn't say Josh Allen will do nearly as much as working with Cam Turner (Colts QB coach) or working with a group like those run by Steve Clarkson or Chris Weinke. Though I suppose working with Allen can't hurt. The old adage used to be in a QB has until Thanksgiving of his second year as a starter to show he's worth it. So that's roughly 25 games. Now? Maybe team owners are more impatient than fans, and expect every rookie QB to have a season like Danies or CJ.

I'm not sure I agree Stafford is a better passer than Tua. Both are injury prone, and arguably one play from having their careers over, but Tua is significantly younger (11 years to be precise), which is another advantage.

Looking across the web, Rams fans, Raiders fans, Dolphin fans, but also several articles by reporters, it seems like the majority of them act like Stafford is in his prime, all but completely ignoring his age and injury history. I also agree with Nomad, the league is rapidly moving towards the QB position being a player who is quite mobile, or a dual-threat. The days of a drop back QB picking a defense apart with his arm or handing it off to a RB, and that's your playbook, are rapidly disappearing into the rearview mirror.