The guardian
Wilson to the Raiders? Watson to the Jets? NFL quarterback trading opportunities
The coming months could involve a spate of trades on some of the biggest names in pro football. Here’s an overview of some of the most interesting deals Deshaun Watson and Sam Darnold may both be making during the off-season. Photo: Steven Ryan / Getty Images Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles Age: 28. Careers: 113. Career Interceptions: 50. Career Appreciation: 89.2 Why the Eagles Could Swap Him: Wentz was the NFL’s worst quarterback in 2020 in ‘ a multitude of categories. He led the league in interceptions (15) and sacks (50), despite playing only in 12 games, while finishing 33rd in yards per attempt (6.0) and 34th in both passes (72.8) and completion percentage (57.4 %) ended. Why the Eagles were able to retain him: He was the most valuable runaway player during the 2017 season until he came down with a season-ending knee injury in a December game against the Rams. It was not so long ago. Philadelphia believed in him enough to sign him in July 2019 to a four-year extension of $ 128 million. Even if they trade Wentz before its roster bonus is activated on March 19, the Eagles will pass a crippling $ 33.8 million to death. Possible destinations: It looks like a two-horse race between the Colts and the Bears. Indianapolis coach Frank Reich was the Eagles’ attacking coordinator during Wentz’s best season and needed a quarterback after Philip Rivers retired. Chicago is also in the QB market after reaching the playoffs despite a weak position. Probability of trading: 9/10. Both Wentz and the Eagles have given every indication that they are ready to part ways. The Colts appear to be the leaders of the clubhouse, but they are less likely to pay too much than the Bears. Sam Darnold, New York Jets Age: 23. Careers: 45. Career Interceptions: 39. Career Ratings: 78.6 Why the Jets Could Swap Him: Darnold was selected with the No. 3 pick in the 2018 draft as the quarterback what’s going to turn the franchise around and … he did not turn the franchise around. There are few signs that he is improving (he finished 33rd out of the 33 qualified backs of the league on ESPN’s QBR rankings for the 2020 season), but he has enough raw talent that a needy team of fullbacks him can advance. The Jets also have the overall number 2 in this draft so they can quickly find a replacement. Why the Jets were able to keep him: Darnold is still just 23 – younger than Joe Burrow, last year’s overall number one, and clearly has the talent to be a good starting quarterback. It’s also hard to blame Darnold for the failure of the Jets since he got there – he got few weapons on the receiver and his offensive line apparently consisted of Mekhi Becton and some guys (the now fired) Adam Gase met once. a bar. Sure, the Jets could replace Darnold with Justin Fields or Zach Wilson in the draft, but is it guaranteed to be better? Possible destinations: Colts, Bears, Saints and Washington are all connected to Darnold and the Jets took calls from teams interested in a trade. An interesting possibility is that the 49ers, who could move on from Jimmy Garoppolo, will pave the way for Darnold to retire to his native California. Probability of trading: 6/10. There’s definitely a market for Darnold out there, and the Jets have praised him, while no longer saying he’ll be their starter in 2021. It could come down to whether a team offers him a first-round pick. If that were the case, the Jets would have three first rounds this year and two in 2022 – a strong foundation to rebuild around a new quarter. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson is unhappy with his offensive line, but is unlikely to leave Seattle. Photo: Elaine Thompson / AP Age: 32. Careers: 267. Career Interceptions: 81. Review of Career Passers-by: 101,7 Why the Seahawks Can Exchange Him: The Seahawks management is apparently unhappy that Wilson is any reporter willing to to listen, said he is unhappy about the number of hits he has taken the years behind the team’s consistently dodgy offensive. He also told Dan Patrick that he’s not sure if he’s available for trade or not, almost not what you’ll hear from a franchise quarterback. Why the Seahawks can keep him: Wilson is a very popular future hall of fame, whose favorite pastime helps children out of poverty. Possible destinations: The betting favorite for Wilson’s service is particularly nice: the former NFC West rivals of the Seahawks, the Las Vegas Raiders. If one of the league’s fullbacks has the team leader, it will be a big draw if fans are finally allowed into the Raiders’ new stadium, and there are rumors that Derek Carr is on his way. The Cowboys, who have yet to decide Dak Prescott’s future, are another possibility. Probability of trading: 2/10. Wilson is an extremely popular future hall of fame and whose favorite pastime helps children out of poverty. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers Age: 29. Careers: 51. Career Interceptions: 26. Career Rating: 98.9 Why the 49ers Can Swap Him: The 49ers, Mainly Due to an Injury List for War and Peace in 2020, has the number 12 choice in this year’s draft. Although Garoppolo is a solid quarterback, he is more in the “will not lose you” category than someone whose genius will drive the Niners to the Super Bowl. He will earn $ 26.6 million in 2021: would San Francisco be better off trading him, drafting a cheaper young quarterback and driving to the Super Bowl with their excellent cast? Why the 49ers could keep him: Garoppolo often gets ridiculous because he was paid millions of dollars to hand over the ball to the Niners’ backs. But a year ago he was a quarter away from Patrick Mahomes to clinch a Super Bowl in San Francisco, and there are – apart from Trevor Lawrence – no sure things among the quarterbacks in this year’s draft class. Possible destinations: The most interesting option is to return to the New England Patriots. After Cam Newton and Tom Brady, the Pats would be able to continue their run of very attractive starting quarters, and Bill Belichick was a Garoppolo fan in his time as Brady’s backup. Newton could not convince last season that he is a long-term option for the Patriots, and Belichick will possibly return to a well-known amount in Garoppolo. Probability of trading: 4/10. John Lynch, general manager, and Kyle Shanahan, head coach, both said they expect Garoppolo to be the starting quarterback in 2021. They also got the chance to get involved in the chase for Matthew Stafford, but were happy that the Rams would make a deal with the Lions. . Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans Age: 25. Careers in career: 104. Career interceptions: 36. Career rating: 104.5 Why the Texans might trade him: For some reason, Watson wants a franchise with ‘ a history of starring for a regret, making nepotistic hiring decisions, angering his players and failing to listen to the most talented quarterback in team history. This means the look of the franchise is very unfortunate, which could make the team even more dysfunctional than it has been for years. Watson is a ridiculously talented quarterback, who can throw every throw in the book and pull beautiful plays with his legs. There are teams that would like to share a solid package of concepts for him, enabling Houston to start anew after the disastrous Bill O’Brien era and rebuild after skill. Why the Texans could keep him: Watson may be unhappy, but the Texans have him under contract and are not obligated to trade him. And why would they? He’s the best player in team history and the draft prospects they can get in return are exactly that – prospects. Once the poison of the last few months fades slightly, Watson may decide to move forward in a city where he is a hero. Isn’t it like Houston has lost its biggest stars lately? Right? Possible destinations: the Dolphins and Jets are the two teams that show up the most. Both have draft capital, room to accommodate Watson’s salary and young quarterbacks who could either go to Houston as part of the trade or trade themselves to get more choice to send to the Texans. Watson is reportedly open to both teams – the Dolphins have a good young core and a good coach in Brian Flores, while New York is the largest (and most corrosive) market in American sports. Of course, Watson also has power in this step, a clause without trade in his contract, which means he can veto any agreement if he does not want to keep the appearance of the team he is heading to. Probability of trading: 6/10. Hard to call. Watson wants out, but the Texans apparently tell interested teams that they will not swap their quarterbacks. Of course, they would say if they want to get an expensive prize for someone who could still be one of the best players in the league in another 15 years. So much depends on how many other teams are willing to pay, and how well the Texans can place Watson. Houston does not seem to be doing too well with the latter, firing the popular backroom staff and appointing a new head coach, David Culley, who Watson has not changed his mind about his future with the team.