NFL Offseason - Teams other than the Northeast Three

[Deepster]

Washington lost a lot of weapons during the 1st month of the season, including Daniels himself.

I also disagree with your assessments. After the Packers traded up to 26 to draft Love in 2020, he sat for two years behind Aaron Rodgers. That is not being put on a pedestal.

The Texans went 12-5 this year and CJ Stroud is about to play in his 3rd playoff tournament in as many years since being drafted. He's pretty good.

Deshawn Watson is a trainwreck. He was never indicted or criminally convicted, but is (was) on the business end of multiple civil suits and subject to NFL discipline by a league notorious for looking away from questionable behavior toward the opposite gender. Jayden Daniels' mother is his agent and business manager. It's not worth diving into it any further.

Other than both being dual threat QB's coached by Kliff Kingsbury, I don't think Murray is very comparable to Daniels either. Murray signed his monster deal containing a film study clause. By comparison, it was widely publicized in Washington circles that Daniels was the first player in the facility (and beating Kingsbury and Dan Quinn on many days) his rookie year, whether it be watching film, lifting, or otherwise preparing to play. Daniels is 6'-4". At 5'10", Murray has trouble looking over his offensive line. Also, Murray rode a single year (albeit 11-2, and statistically better in the Big XII than Daniels' final SEC year at LSU) as the Sooners' starter into the 2019 Draft. Daniels was 37-18 over five seasons, including 19-7 at LSU.

You may turn out to be correct, but I think the jury is still out and Daniels has more pluses than minuses.

I think you misunderstood me or I didn't make my points clearly.

On Love, I meant more that very limited success when he started vaulted his stock much higher than it may actually be. Same goes for Stroud. I don't know how much of either of their playoff appearances are their doing vs having 2 of the best defenses in the NFL. Stroud now has 3 seasons in and he's gone:

2023 - 63.9% / 4,108 yds, 23/5 TD/INT
2024 - 63.2% / 3,727 yds, 20/12
2025 - 64.5% / 3,041 yds, 19/8

Very pedestrian.

Watson and Murray are also examples of QBs that came on strong early, then regressed dramatically. In 2020, Watson had 4,840 yds and 33/7 TD/INT, got paid and hasn't had more than 7 TDs or 6 games played in a given year since.

 

[Husky25]

I think you misunderstood me or I didn't make my points clearly.

On Love, I meant more that very limited success when he started vaulted his stock much higher than it may actually be. Same goes for Stroud. I don't know how much of either of their playoff appearances are their doing vs having 2 of the best defenses in the NFL. Stroud now has 3 seasons in and he's gone:

2023 - 63.9% / 4,108 yds, 23/5 TD/INT
2024 - 63.2% / 3,727 yds, 20/12
2025 - 64.5% / 3,041 yds, 19/8

Very pedestrian.

Watson and Murray are also examples of QBs that came on strong early, then regressed dramatically. In 2020, Watson had 4,840 yds and 33/7 TD/INT, got paid and hasn't had more than 7 TDs or 6 games played in a given year since.

Probably a bit of both.

Watson's regression has in no small part to do with no longer being able to get away with his off-field "escapades (to say the least)." Being traded to Cleveland certainly didn't help either.

A bigger fear that has developed over the last three days in the DMV is JD5 being the second coming of RGIII. I would also love an indication that Josh Phillips isn't a "Little Danny" clone or that Adam Peters and Dan Quinn can overcome the rift that seems to be forming. A young QB needs either continuity or someone with an adaptable philosophy for the pieces he's given. The difference between years 1 & 2 for Mac Jones and Drake Maye jumps to mind. I have no appetite for a promoted QB coach who has limited game plan experience or who has to grow into the job. I believe this year is crucial for JD5 and he needs an established play caller.

The fact remains that Washington could not lean on many weapons that they planning on. I originally agreed with trading Brian Robinson, but gone are the days (ended in the early 90s) of a 30+ Y.O. workhorse running back (Eckler) and aging defense. That falls on Peters more than Quinn.

Word is that JD5 stood up for Kliff Kingsbury, but a competing theory is Kliff was looking for an out regardless. Looks like the Titans, with Cam Ward, might be a nice landing spot for him.

 

[Deepster]

Lots of moves today so far.

Alec Pierce stays put in Indy. Niners and Pats supposedly were offering in the 30m per yr range and the top WR target on the FA market stays with his original team. Without Diggs and Pierce off the board, interesting to see where the Pats turn for WR1.

Kenneth Walker signs with the Chiefs. It's a hit to the Seahawks, the Chiefs get some explosiveness out of the backfield, but I wonder if KC is a team going in the wrong direction and this is just a payday for Walker.

 

[Deepster]

The Ravens backed out of the Crosby trade due to the physical on his knee. Now the Raiders have his salary, his damaged knee and just spent a ton of money they thought they had.

 

[HuskyHawk]

The Ravens backed out of the Crosby trade due to the physical on his knee. Now the Raiders have his salary, his damaged knee and just spent a ton of money they thought they had.

This is really an interesting one. Evidently he was always going to fail that physical given how recent his injury was. He's not a full go until June or so. Speculation that this will end the "tampering" window idea as teams won't want this kind of thing to happen.

My guess is the Ravens woke up and realized this draft was incredibly deep at Edge, guys like Hendrickson are still out there (and would make less than Crosby and cost nothing in draft capital) and that this trade was really bad for them.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Called it. Maybe dirty pool by the Ravens but definitely the smarter move.

 

[Deepster]

To be fair, the Raiders held Crosby out of the last regular season game, people felt they were tanking and he pouted about it, even posting a video playing around on a trampoline with his kids. Turns out, he was injured and they were protecting their investment.

I agree, the Hendrickson move makes a lot more sense. I expect Jerry to now go after Crosby, hearing a 1st and a 3rd is the price.

 

[HuskyHawk]

With Geno back in NY, where does Cousins land? Steelers? Arizona?

 

[Deepster]

With Geno back in NY, where does Cousins land? Steelers? Arizona?

I feel like Pittsburgh is a good spot. Of course, they're being held hostage by the Diva and he doesn't care that his little game is preventing them from rounding out their roster.

I felt like Malik Willis was headed to Arizona and I'm a little surprised by the Miami move. If I were Arizona, I'd hold onto Brissett.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

I feel like Pittsburgh is a good spot. Of course, they're being held hostage by the Diva and he doesn't care that his little game is preventing them from rounding out their roster.

I felt like Malik Willis was headed to Arizona and I'm a little surprised by the Miami move. If I were Arizona, I'd hold onto Brissett.

WIllis to Miami basically stopped Arizona from moving Brissett. And….LaFleur wanted Garrapolo to come over as a starter…but he would rather be a backup in LA. So…they will keep Brissett…for now.

Rumor is now that Cousins may go to the Raiders

The GM and HC in Miami came from GB, so Willis makes sense going there. Plus no state income tax.

 

[Deepster]

WIllis to Miami basically stopped Arizona from moving Brissett. And….LaFleur wanted Garrapolo to come over as a starter…but he would rather be a backup in LA. So…they will keep Brissett…for now.

Rumor is now that Cousins may go to the Raiders

The GM and HC in Miami came from GB, so Willis makes sense going there. Plus no state income tax.

Good stuff.

Also interesting there seems to be no interest at all on Stefon Diggs or Kyler Murray so far. Can't say I'm surprised on either there. Diggs has now been kicked off 4 teams while being listed as their WR1 at the time.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Good stuff.

Also interesting there seems to be no interest at all on Stefon Diggs or Kyler Murray so far. Can't say I'm surprised on either there. Diggs has now been kicked off 4 teams while being listed as their WR1 at the time.

I think there is still strong belief Murray will go to the VIkings. I just don’t understand what that means for McCarthy there.

Also…the Jets did the trade for Geno because they were worried about him going to the Vikings if he was a FA. Which means..there must be a belief that Murray is not as much of a done deal as we thought.

 

[HCCForever]

I think there is still strong belief Murray will go to the VIkings. I just don’t understand what that means McCarthy there.

Also…the Jets did the trade for Geno because they were worried about him going to the Vikings if he was a FA. Which means..there must be a belief that Murray is not as much of a done deal as we thought.

I’ve heard the Murray move to the Vikings by multiple prognosticators.

 

[Deepster]

I’ve heard the Murray move to the Vikings by multiple prognosticators.

So you ditch Darnold to focus on JJ, watch Darnold win a ring, then pick up an underachiever in Murray to contend for the starting job with JJ?

Who the hell is running the show in Minny? Makes the Jets almost look competent.

 

[HuskyHawk]

So you ditch Darnold to focus on JJ, watch Darnold win a ring, then pick up an underachiever in Murray to contend for the starting job with JJ?

Who the hell is running the show in Minny? Makes the Jets almost look competent.

It was reasonable to wonder if Darnold was a product of O'Connell, a very good OL and fantastic WR room. He was just supposed to be a veteran bridge to McCarthy, like Brissett in New England.
Curious to see what kind of deal Murray gets. If low $ and 1 or 2 years then you keep both and see how it plays out. If they commit real money to Murrary, teams will trade for McCarthy, including possibly your team or somebody like the Rams.

 

[Deepster]

It was reasonable to wonder if Darnold was a product of O'Connell, a very good OL and fantastic WR room. He was just supposed to be a veteran bridge to McCarthy, like Brissett in New England.
Curious to see what kind of deal Murray gets. If low $ and 1 or 2 years then you keep both and see how it plays out. If they commit real money to Murrary, teams will trade for McCarthy, including possibly your team or somebody like the Rams.

Why would the Jets trade for McCarthy?

 

[HuskyHawk]

Why would the Jets trade for McCarthy?

Because it's a reasonable gamble that he'll become a decent starter and he won't cost much.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Curious to see what kind of deal Murray gets. If low $ and 1 or 2 years then you keep both and see how it plays out. If they commit real money to Murrary, teams will trade for McCarthy, including possibly your team or somebody like the Rams.

Murray will sign for league minimum…Cardinals are paying him.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Shefter reporting that Murray is signing a one year deal.

 

[Deepster]

Because it's a reasonable gamble that he'll become a decent starter and he won't cost much.

I’ve had my fill of wishful gambles.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Shefter reporting that Murray is signing a one year deal.

Then the Vikings would be stupid to move JJ anyway.

 

[HuskyHawk]

@Deepster I don't think 3 years and 67 million is a "bag". I think that's about the floor cost of a starting QB no. Since he's young and might actually become a franchise QB, it seems a good gamble. His cap hit is low this year.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

@Deepster I don't think 3 years and 67 million is a "bag". I think that's about the floor cost of a starting QB no. Since he's young and might actually become a franchise QB, it seems a good gamble. His cap hit is low this year.

I have to admit…seeing Zach Wilson on their dead money list made me chuckle.

 

[Deepster]

@Deepster I don't think 3 years and 67 million is a "bag". I think that's about the floor cost of a starting QB no. Since he's young and might actually become a franchise QB, it seems a good gamble. His cap hit is low this year.

Willis has 6 career TDs and 3 ints.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Willis has 6 career TDs and 3 ints.

It’s a dice roll. He looked reasonably good last year, and given the resurrection of Darnold, Geno Smith and Daniel Jones and the horrid QB class this year, it’s not a terrible gamble. Even backup QBs can make $10m. Jets got Geno cheap but the Raiders paid him $75m for 2 years. Jones just got $88m for two years. Indy wishes they signed him to 3 years at just over 20 last year.

 

[Deepster]

It’s a dice roll. He looked reasonably good last year, and given the resurrection of Darnold, Geno Smith and Daniel Jones and the horrid QB class this year, it’s not a terrible gamble. Even backup QBs can make $10m. Jets got Geno cheap but the Raiders paid him $75m for 2 years. Jones just got $88m for two years. Indy wishes they signed him to 3 years at just over 20 last year.

I don't think your comparison sticks.

Geno Smith is a veteran that was coming off 3 solid years in Seattle, twice passing for 4,300 yds and one season throwing 30 TDs.

Again, Malik Willis has SIX CAREER TD PASSES. And Miami's WRs are Malik Washington (46 rec/315 yds) and Tutu Atwell (6 rec/192 yds). Even if they thought he could be a franchise QB, how would he prove that with no one to throw too?

End of the day, I don't care other than the fact that Willis is probably better than Quinn Ewers and gives the Jets a better chance at Arch Manning or the QB they want next year.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

i have no idea what to think about Miami. It feels like it’s just a matter of time that Mike McDaniel becomes the next Sean Payton.

And now they have Hafley…a failed defensive minded college head coach. So he is the guy who is going to remake the offense with a QB with a mixed history and no WR1?

Should be interesting to watch.