QB Notes Around The League

By: Lucas Kochevar 

Saints New QB 
          The Saints are in a dangerous area right now. Legendary QB Drew Brees finally called it a career after 20 seasons that were split between the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints. Brees won the Super Bowl with the Saints in 2009 and had a couple 5,000 yard seasons throughout the 2010's. Brees and Tom Brady have swapped spots multiple times on the all-time TD and passing yards records. With all that being said, the Saints have a decision to make. What is the future at QB? 
           
        New Orleans currently employs two different QBs between Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill. Both guys were on the roster last year and Hill started at QB for the Saints while Brees was out with broken ribs. The Saints stated that they are looking at a QB competition for camp between Winston and Hill. Winston was a starter for the Buccaneers before Tom Brady and was reckless throughout his time there. He was throwing for a ton of yards, touchdowns, and interceptions. Hill has been a gadget player for Sean Payton and before his starts this year, played a total of 15 snaps at QB. Hill is also older and will turn 31 as the season approaches this year.  The next question is, do you take a QB in one of the early rounds this year? They were recently linked to Florida QB Kyle Trask. Trask was a two year starter and had a huge year, but really slowed down in the last couple games. It is hard to think any of these guys will be long term solutions at QB, but with the New Orleans voodoo magic, anything is possible. The Saints will look to not be in QB purgatory looking for the next guy.

Shaky QB Situations
        The demand for strong QB play is HIGH. It's part of the reason that the draft might see five(!!) QBs taken in the first 8 picks. During free agency, some teams addressed the QB position for the immediate future. The Patriots signed back Cam Newton to a 1-year deal. The Steelers heavily re-structured Ben Roethlisberger's contract to match his play. Famous journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick makes his next stop in Washington. Lastly, the Bears signed Andy Dalton to be there next starting QB. Yea, they seriously did that. These moves all look like putting a band aid on a wound that needs stitches. None of these guys are good QBs anymore and they need everything to line-up perfectly.
           
         Next, there are the number of teams that don't seem to be sold on their QBs. In this range you have the Dolphins with Tua Tagovailoa. The Giants have to make a decision on Daniel Jones now that he has a cast of weapons. Derek Carr and Jon Gruden have been strange together since Gruden came back. Drew Lock plays like a bat out of hell in Denver. Jalen Hurts has to prove he is the guy in Philly. Kirk Cousins and Jared Goff are average QBs and don't elevate their talent around them. Lastly, the Niners have Garropolo, who just doesn't scream out franchise QB, which is why they traded to the third pick. The NFL has a wealth of talent at the QB position, but there are many teams that are hunting for their superstar QB to lead them to the promise land. Look to see a ton of movement on the QB frontier in these next couple of years.