On Friday, we highlighted the impending shakeup at the quarterback position across the league, noting how 2021 could look dramatically different under center for many teams. Ben Roethlisberger and Steelers’ brass agree that the quarterback would have to take a drastic pay cut to return to the Steelers next season, and news of Deshaun Watson’s official request for a trade became public, despite the formal plea being submitted weeks ago.
Let’s take a look at some additional players who may be jumping on the quarterback carousel.
Stafford to L.A.?
Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions mutually agreed to a parting of the ways following the regular season. However, for that to go into effect, a trade would have to be consummated. Ever since that news hit the wire, teams began contacting the new Lions’ front-office staff to gauge what type of compensation it would cost to acquire the former number one overall pick out of Georgia. As many as 11 teams have at least inquired about the cost to acquire the prolific passer.
Early frontrunners to land Stafford included the Colts, Patriots, and 49ers. However, Stafford himself sees the Los Angeles Rams as a “viable contender” for his services, and the Rams have indeed explored the possibility of putting together a deal.
The potential holdup in a Stafford-to-Los-Angeles transaction, of course, is Jared Goff. Another former top overall selection, Goff's current contract could play a factor in whether or not a trade can happen. Goff has four years remaining on his $134 million deal, with a potential out after the 2023 season. The 26-year-old is 40-30 as the Rams' starting quarterback, going 9-6 as the Rams' starter in 2020 while helping Los Angeles return to the playoffs after a one-year absence.
Shaky Start for Sirianni
The Eagles front office ultimately went with Carson Wentz over Doug Pederson when they fired their former Super Bowl-winning head coach a week after the regular season ended. Pederson benched Wentz in the latter stages of the season in favor of rookie Jalen Hurts, but the Eagles are financially committed to the player drafted one slot after Goff in 2016. Also, Pederson's wavering on his franchise quarterback, coupled with disagreements on how to fill his offensive and defensive coordinator positions, led to the dismissal.
Pederson was replaced by Nick Sirianni, the former Colts offensive coordinator, who finally addressed the Philadelphia media on Friday. The 39-year old was peppered with questions on his quarterback situation but was mostly generic and vague with his responses, unable to even commit to Wentz being a part of the team in 2021.
Like Goff, Wentz’s contract is a sticking point in any potential trade discussions. The 28-year old signed a four-year extension worth $128 million that goes into effect this season. He ended up as one of the worst-performing quarterbacks in 2020 and has been lumped into a who’s who of signal-callers that could wind up elsewhere next year, a list that includes names like Aaron Rodgers, Watson, Cam Newton, and Dak Prescott.
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