My crystal ball says ….
NFL playoffs are underway, and you know what that means. The stakes are higher, coaches are interviewing for vacancies, and media speculation is just crazy. 2021 may provide us with more quarterback moves than we have seen in decades. It will be the most anticipated carousel since the Blink 182 song ‘Carousel’ from their Buddha album in 1994.
Let’s start with the gimmies, that is, the handful of teams that don’t warrant speculation. Anything can happen, but ….
Arizona Cardinals: Murray stood out in an uber-competitive NFC West, but Arizona’s record was a little bit of fool’s gold this year–beating up on bad teams and losing close games to teams with winning records. But, offensively, they have the tools to compete for the next few years.
If the Cardinals can get Murray a defense, Wilson and Goff will be in some battles moving forward.
2021 Starter: Kyler Murray
Atlanta Falcons: Keep an eye on the Falcons. It is not often they pick high in the draft and, if they do, they could very well draft a QB at 4 as Matt Ryan’s successor. But because the Falcons showed promise after Dan Quinn’s firing, they will either trade out of that pick or upgrade their biggest need. Look for them to draft a QB later in the draft to sit for a year before moving on from Matt Ryan.
2021 Starter: Matt Ryan
Buffalo Bills: With a playoff win now under his belt, Josh Allen has proven that he’s here to stay. Expect the Bills to be around the top for the next half-decade.
2021 Starter: Josh Allen
Baltimore Ravens: Now that Lamar Jackson has now proven he can win a playoff game, the next step is to make a run at the AFC Championship. His unique play style is a nightmare. Barring injury, the Ravens will be around the top of the AFC North for years to come.
2021 Starter: Lamar Jackson
Carolina Panthers: Teddy Two Gloves is one of the best comeback stories in recent memory. But while Bridgewater has two years left on his deal, Carolina has a potential out with a $5 million cap after next season.
Expect Teddy to suit up one last season before moving on in 2022.
2021 Starter: Teddy Bridgewater
Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow took the league by storm this season, proving he was a valid #1 pick. But there is always the chance his knee won’t be ready to go to start next season. And that’s why I expect Cincinnati to sign a backup of decent value, potentially Mitchell Trubisky.
2021 Starter: Joe Burrow
Cleveland Browns: Baker Mayfield may be more inconsistent than my jump shot, but that hasn’t stopped him from marching the Browns to the playoffs for the first time in almost two decades. I don’t expect the Browns to extend him before next season, but Baker has earned the right to be the day one starter in 2021 with no better options out there.
2021 Starter: Baker Mayfield
Dallas Cowboys: This one is not etched in stone by any means. But if Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones wants to save face with his franchise QB and potentially the locker room, he needs to bring back Dak Prescott. We saw what happens when Dak isn’t playing.
With the extremely winnable NFC East still in shambles, look for Prescott to accept the last offer from Dallas at 5 years, $175 million, or make a variation on a shorter deal.
2021 Starter: Dak Prescott
Green Bay Packers: ‘MVP, Super Bowl Champ, unapologetic dick,’ or whatever else you want to call him, Aaron Rodgers silenced not just the haters but his own front office. He had one of the best years of his career. Whether he hoists the Lombardi Trophy or not in February, expect the bad man to return under center for the Green and Gold.
2021 Starter: Aaron Rodgers
Kansas City Chiefs: Best QB in the league. Need I say more?
2021 Starter: Patrick Mahomes
Los Angeles Chargers: Sure, Justin Herbert may look like the gas station clerk across the street from my apartment, but the Chargers struck oil with this Rookie of the Year. It will be nice to get some competition to the AFC West for Patty Mahomes.
2021 Starter: Justin Herbert
Los Angeles Rams: Meanwhile, on the other end of LA, Jared Goff is the epitome of a medium pizza–good enough to do the job but really not a good value when you think about it. Goff should be the starter going into next season.
But with one of the top defenses in football, he and McVay need to figure it out quickly, or they will waste their Super Bowl window.
2021 Starter: Jared Goff
Minnesota Vikings: The only thing worse than Kirk Cousin complainers is the entirety of the NFC East. I mean, what more do you want from the guy? He was one of the best 4th quarter QBs this season, and he’s playing on a team where defense is the identity. But it was Cousins and the offense that had to carry the team this year. Expect Cousins to return along with the Vikings and get the Purple back in playoff contention.
2021 Starter: Kirk Cousins
New York Giants: Although the Giants missed the playoffs, they were the only team in the atrocious NFC East that did not play musical chairs with their quarterback room. Expectations should be set extremely low, but Daniel Jones secured his job for another year.
2021 Starter: Daniel Jones
Oakland Raiders: The Raiders are the Taylor Swift of the NFL: no one knows if they’re good or bad. With that being said, Jon Gruden is notorious for keeping one eye open when it comes to the quarterback; I don’t believe the change will come by the start of next season.
2021 Starter: Derek Carr
Seattle Seahawks: What started as an MVP caliber sure shifted in the wrong direction by the end of the season. 12-4 is nothing to scoff at, but the more Pete Carroll and the Seahawks ‘let Russ cook,’ the more he starts making mistakes. Continue to let Wilson do what he does best, and he will stay on his historical path.
2021 Starter: Russell Wilson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The ageless wonder Tom Brady proved many wrong this year by continually showing coaches, players, and fans why he is G.O.A.T. Now it hasn’t been pretty the entire season, but for a ripe 79-year-old in a new offense and a new team,
Brady will finish out his contract with the Bucs and start under center for another season in Tampa.
2021 Starter: Tom Brady
Tennessee Titans: No one will ever say that destroying your knee and leaving beautiful weather is a good thing but, for Ryan Tannehill, a fresh start was exactly what he needed. This born-again virgin has continued to shock the league with his extraordinary play in Tennessee He’ll continue his play-action passing attack next season.
2021 Starter: Ryan Tannehill
Now, let’s shift to teams in rebuilding mode. Successful teams draft QBs and then surround the rookie with established talent. We all know the draft can create massive FOMO for quarterbacks, so there is definitely a chance four quarterbacks will go in the top 15 picks. There will be some sure-thing starters come 2021, but rookies will also get thrown to the wolves before they are ready. Here are my picks for 2021 rookie starters.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Remember just a couple of years ago when the Jags were a bad call or two away from beating Tom Brady’s Patriots in the AFC championship game? They’ve now entered full-on rebuilt mode, and one thing we know about successful rebuilds is that they start under center. Trevor Lawrence is a sure-thing prospect coming out of Clemson. He’ll put Jacksonville in the best position possible to get back to competing in the AFC South.
2021 Starter: Trevor Lawrence (Rookie)
New York Jets: The 2020 New York Jets season can be summed up the same way Mark Sanchez’s time there was… butt fumble. Now I am not one to support tanking, but the drop off from Trevor Lawrence to the rest of the QBs in the draft is major.
The dilemma for GM Joe Douglass and the new head coach is stick with Darnold for one more year and then decide to pay him OR draft Justin Fields from Ohio State and start your rebuild with a rookie QB.
2021 Starter: Justin Fields (Rookie)
Detroit Lions: I am the self-proclaimed starter of the trending hashtag #FreeMatthewStafford. I firmly believe he has taken his final snap for the Lions. He has not asked for a trade, but there is a belief in Detroit that the front office may do right by him and execute a trade. With that being said, Zach Wilson and his big arm may be the right fit for the Lions’ rebuild.
2021 Starter: Zach Wilson (Rookie)
San Francisco 49ers: The best ability is availability, and Jimmy G has missed 23 games over the last three seasons. While there are signs that Jimmy Garoppolo may return to the Niners, San Francisco can save over $24 million in salary-cap space by releasing Garoppolo after the season. Although Kyle Shanahan has shown his support of keeping G, the value of moving on could lead to a success similar to the Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs, Jared Goff’s Rams, or Lamar Jackson’s Ravens. That is, spend money to build around a rookie. The 49ers pick 12th in this year’s draft and–with the amount of talent at the top of the draft–Trey Lance may be on the board at #12.
2021 Starter: Trey Lance (Rookie)
In the words of Anakin Skywalker, “This is where the fun begins!” Now that we have the sure things and draft picks out of the way, it’s time for the real speculation to start. With veteran QBs on the market of the likes of Mitchell Trubisky, Jameis Winston, Tyrod Taylor, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and more–here are my outlandish predictions for 2021.
Miami Dolphins: ‘Fitzmagic’ is a free agent and Tua Tagovailoa showed a few sparks this season. That was the story in Miami. However, there’s more. The Dolphins hold the third pick in the draft AND it’s reputed that Deshaun Watson wants out of Houston. Watson does have a no-trade clause, but he was recently seen working out wearing a Dan Marino t-shirt. So I think ….
Miami will offer Tua, the 3rd pick, and a few other picks to bring Watson into their building.
2021 Starter: Deshaun Watson
Houston Texas: It makes sense to make Tua the Texans’ starter come 2021.
2021 Starter: Tua Tagovailoa
Philadelphia Eagles: Make no mistake about it: there is plenty of blame to go around. And, as for 2021, Carson Wentz may be the best option for the Eagles, but mismanagement of the salary cap, inexcusable drafting, and terrible play-calling has all but forced Wentz to request a trade out of Philly. That means second-year Jalen Hurts will be thrown to the wolves. Hopefully, off-season moves can bring him in some decent support. Just don’t expect it. In fact, don’t be surprised if the Eagles snag another QB in the draft.
2021 Starter: Jalen Hurts, 2021 Backup: Rookie QB
Washington Football Team: Although Washington likely looks to hit big in the draft for a franchise QB, I don’t think they’ll risk the farm to grab that guy. Ron Rivera has continued to support Cam Newton since their time together in Carolina. He may see a reunion as the best short-term option–adding an insurance policy with Tyrod Taylor–while they look for their guy of the future.
2021 Starter: Cam Newton, 2021 Backup: Tyrod Taylor
Chicago Bears: The writing is on the wall for Mitchell Trubisky. He had a dreadful year, couldn’t make noise in the playoffs, and hasn’t been extended for his 5th-year option. With limited options…. 2021 Starter: Jameis Winston, 2021 Backup: Nick Foles
New England Patriots: Cam Newton wasn’t successful by any measure in 2020, so don’t expect him to sit tight again with Jarrett Stidham under center. Belichick and offensive specialist Josh McDaniels will try to reunite with their former project, Jimmy Garoppolo. Both were very high on Jimmy G before Robert Kraft forced Garoppolo out as a means to hang onto Tom Brady for another two seasons.
Don’t be surprised (with Jimmy G’s injury history) if Belichick seeks out magical journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick as a backup for support.
2021 Starter: Jimmy Garoppolo, 2021 Backup: Ryan Fitzpatrick
Pittsburgh Steelers: It’s rumored that Big Ben is considering retirement, and after the second half of this season, I don’t blame him. With that said, I do not believe there will be a better option out there unless Pittsburgh decides to throw together a trade package to the Lions (Stafford) of Eagles (Wentz). That’s why I predict Roethlisberger will return to mentor his heir, Kyle Trask (UFL). If Trask isn’t available at #28, then Alabama’s Mac Jones is the odds-on choice. (I’ll bet on Jones.)
2021 Starter: Ben Roethlisberger, 2021 Backup: Mac Jones (Rookie)
New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees may be performing his swan song. If he does indeed retire, we know two things about Sean Peyton: 1) his nonsensical love for Taysom Hill cannot be broken, and 2) he has a massive ego. But if he’s looking for Drew Brees 2.0, that person is none other than Sam Darnold. If the Jets decide to go with Justin Fields, they could receive a second-round pick (and even another pick) for Darnold. That way the Jets get additional draft value and the Saints give Darnold a fair shot.
2021 Starter: Sam Darnold, 2021 Backup: Taysom Hill
Both Matthew Stafford and Carson Wentz are the targets of speculation. Wentz has ties to Frank Reich with the Colts, and Stafford wants to play for a contender. So my final two predictions are about where these two may land in 2021.
Indianapolis Colts: The Indianapolis Colts are a QB away from making noise in the playoffs. Although Phillip Rivers was a solid starter for the crew this year, Rivers couldn’t manage a 50-yard throw to beat the Bills last weekend at the game’s end.
So expect the Colts’ front office to take a swing at underrated talent Matthew Stafford. That will make this team an AFC champ contender.
2021 Starter: Matthew Stafford
Denver Broncos: $128 million John Elway recently removed himself as GM and will hire a new person in that job. And the first thing the new GM will do is get a franchise quarterback. (Not a soul thinks that said player is Drew Lock.) And I believe a fresh start may be just what the doctor ordered for Carson Wentz. Denver has promising young offensive receivers, and its defense can still be dangerous, so Elway and the new GM should dangle a second-round pick (and another pick or two) to lure the Eagles into a trade. If that happens, then time will tell whether Wentz can return to MVP-caliber play.
2021 Starter: Carson Wentz
