Our Long National Nightmare is Over

smleh wrote:
Good riddance to 2025, one disappointment after another. Looking forward to acquiring a qb more durable than a Yugo.

Who is that quarterback though? I guess it depends on how much confidence the organization has in McCarthy going forward and that's extremely difficult to say because it's not just play on the field, but the injuries are also a major concern. I should hope we don't get hustled into giving up a 3rd round pick for Mac Jones or someone of that ilk. The big names like Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow are probably pipedreams. I still contend you sign an available veteran in free agency (I still like Wentz) to be the backup and roll with McCarthy again next year. We still have no idea what we have in him two years into this evaluation. We have to find out next year, and if he tanks, you go into the 2027 draft looking to once again find a quarterback

Not sure what your fascination is with Wentz. Let him retire back to the couch from whence he came. McCarthy is not looking like the answer since he can't stay on the field. This team has a lot of questions this off season and quarterback is at the top of the list.

Greylock wrote:
Not sure what your fascination is with Wentz.  Let him retire back to the couch from whence he came.  McCarthy is not looking like the answer since he can't stay on the field.  This team has a lot of questions this off season and quarterback is at the top of the list.

Who are you signing off the street who is a bona-fide upgrade to Wentz as a backup? I don't see anybody out there and I'll take the guy who's already immersed in a notoriously difficult offense to learn.

supafreak84 wrote:

Who is that quarterback though? I guess it depends on how much confidence the organization has in McCarthy going forward and that's extremely difficult to say because it's not just play on the field, but the injuries are also a major concern. I should hope we don't get hustled into giving up a 3rd round pick for Mac Jones or someone of that ilk. The big names like Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow are probably pipedreams. I still contend you sign an available veteran in free agency (I still like Wentz) to be the backup and roll with McCarthy again next year. We still have no idea what we have in him two years into this evaluation. We have to find out next year, and if he tanks, you go into the 2027 draft looking to once again find a quarterback

There a handful of Wentz-like QBs out there, like Mariota and Jimmy G, but I think we're going to aim a little higher than that. Outside of those three vapid options, I see three better ones:

1. Malik Willis. Free agent. 26 years old. In three starts for the Packers the last couple seasons he's yet to throw an INT. Similar offense. Market value at $10M per, but he could also get a Mayfield/Darnold type contract if a team sees him as a starter. If that happens, we'd be out, because this would be a direct competition in Minnesota. 

2. Mac Jones. Trade. 27. Very similar offense in Frisco. Has played well in relief. Probably draws a high day-two pick. Existing contract is super cheap though. 

3. Kirk Cousins. Trade. 37 years old. Knows the offense well. Valuable in Atlanta as the backup to a QB as injury prone as ours. This would be the best option among the "solid backup and won't kill us if he has to start" players. Mid rounder might persuade the Falcons to trade him. Or it may not. The money is the biggest problem here.

Edit: Forgot Rodgers

4. Aaron Rodgers. Free agent. 42. Won't be expensive, won't cost draft comp. Would love to play in this offense. I can totally see this happening if he decides to play another year. And this opportunity in Minnesota might be the one thing that prevents him from retiring. This might be the most likely option.

MaroonBells wrote:

There a handful of Wentz-like QBs out there, like Mariota and Jimmy G, but I think we're going to aim a little higher than that. Outside of those three vapid options, I see three better ones:

1. Malik Willis. Free agent. 26 years old. In three starts for the Packers the last couple seasons he's yet to throw an INT. Similar offense. Market value at $10M per, but he could also get a Mayfield/Darnold type contract if a team sees him as a starter. If that happens, we'd be out, because this would be a direct competition in Minnesota. 

2. Mac Jones. Trade. 27. Very similar offense in Frisco. Has played well in relief. Probably draws a high day-two pick. Existing contract is super cheap though. 

3. Kirk Cousins. Trade. 37 years old. Knows the offense well. Valuable in Atlanta as the backup to a QB as injury prone as ours. This would be the best option among the "solid backup and won't kill us if he has to start" players. Mid rounder might persuade the Falcons to trade him. Or it may not. The money is the biggest problem here.

Giving up a high day 2 pick for Mac Jones would cause mass vomiting. The Falcons offense and their season turned with Cousins under center. I think he's their starter next year with Penix recovering from yet another knee injury. Night and day difference for them in offensive production in favor of Cousins.

If they are going for legit competition with upside as a potential starter that you could get for cheap...why not Will Levis? I'd give up a late rounder for him and roll those dice before I gave up a 3rd for Mac Jones

supafreak84 wrote:

Giving up a high day 2 pick for Mac Jones would cause mass vomiting. The Falcons offense and their season turned with Cousins under center. I think he's their starter next year with Penix recovering from yet another knee injury. Night and day difference for them in offensive production in favor of Cousins.

If they are going for legit competition with upside as a potential starter that you could get for cheap...why not Will Levis? I'd give up a late rounder for him and roll those dice before I gave up a 3rd for Mac Jones

What is the your beef with Jones? Former Pro Bowler his rookie season before falling out with the Patriots. Winning record this year in 8 starts. 13 TDs and 6 INTs. 

Levis is an option I guess if his shoulder checks out.

MaroonBells wrote:

What is the your beef with Jones? Former Pro Bowler his rookie season before falling out with the Patriots. Winning record this year in 8 starts. 13 TDs and 6 INTs. 

Levis is an option I guess if his shoulder checks out.

Couple things-

1. I just wouldn't want to overpay for a guy that I don't consider a super bowl caliber winning quarterback, and I'm not 100% sure is even better than the guy we already have in the building. Guaranteed the 49ers would hold out for a day two draft pick and would swindle Kwesi.

2. I'm tired of this team being short on early round picks. We haven't had a second round pick in what, four years? I'd be far more comfortable giving up a 5th or 6th round pick for Jones, who would be going to his 4th team in four years. Darnold was different because we gave up nothing for him. I just think there are better options out there and better ways to address the position without giving up a premium draft pick

MaroonBells wrote:

There a handful of Wentz-like QBs out there, like Mariota and Jimmy G, but I think we're going to aim a little higher than that. Outside of those three vapid options, I see three better ones:

1. Malik Willis. Free agent. 26 years old. In three starts for the Packers the last couple seasons he's yet to throw an INT. Similar offense. Market value at $10M per, but he could also get a Mayfield/Darnold type contract if a team sees him as a starter. If that happens, we'd be out, because this would be a direct competition in Minnesota. 

2. Mac Jones. Trade. 27. Very similar offense in Frisco. Has played well in relief. Probably draws a high day-two pick. Existing contract is super cheap though. 

3. Kirk Cousins. Trade. 37 years old. Knows the offense well. Valuable in Atlanta as the backup to a QB as injury prone as ours. This would be the best option among the "solid backup and won't kill us if he has to start" players. Mid rounder might persuade the Falcons to trade him. Or it may not. The money is the biggest problem here.

Edit: Forgot Rodgers

4. Aaron Rodgers. Free agent. 42. Won't be expensive, won't cost draft comp. Would love to play in this offense. I can totally see this happening if he decides to play another year. And this opportunity in Minnesota might be the one thing that prevents him from retiring. This might be the most likely option.

I think K’aaron is coming to town when it’s all said and done.

Just say no to trading a high draft pick for a backup QB.

If your better QB isn't able to take your team to a SB, your lesser QB probably isn't changing your fortunes. There's no point paying extra for the privilege.

smleh wrote:
Good riddance to 2025, one disappointment after another. Looking forward to acquiring a qb more durable than a Yugo.

Hopes were high NINE good fingers were the magic amount.

After another season in which reps were limited due to injury, I have changed my mind on JJ. I don't think he will be a franchise QB. I realize he hasn't had enough reps and other QB's who went on to become good QB's also sucked early on. I just don't see him overcoming some of the hurdles in his way. Immaturity, emotional instability, aka lack of poise, holds the ball, happy feet, bails from the pocket early, are all things he could overcome with time and experience.
My concern is his lack of accuracy. Accuracy is mostly innate, you have it or you don't. It is rare to fix the issue and there a lot more QB's that fail to become more accurate despite fixing mechanics, than those who do, such as Josh Allen.
I also feel he is a some what slight framed guy who has to bulk up to playing weight rendering him less durable than others.
He has shown signs and potential to become a franchise QB. Right now I have my doubts!

hogjowlsjohnny wrote:
After another season in which reps were limited due to injury, I have changed my mind on JJ. I don't think he will be a franchise QB. I realize he hasn't had enough reps and other QB's who went on to become good QB's also sucked early on. I just don't see him overcoming some of the hurdles in his way. Immaturity, emotional instability, aka lack of poise, holds the ball, happy feet, bails from the pocket early, are all things he could overcome with time and experience. My concern is his lack of accuracy. Accuracy is mostly innate, you have it or you don't. It is rare to fix the issue and there a lot more QB's that fail to become more accurate despite fixing mechanics, than those who do, such as Josh Allen. I also feel he is a some what slight framed guy who has to bulk up to playing weight rendering him less durable than others. He has shown signs and potential to become a franchise QB. Right now I have my doubts!

I will say I am leaving 25 behind with less assurance about JJM then b4 the year started. Tough season for the kid and he's missed an unbelievable amount of reps. 

i think you captured whats driving my concern about the QB: Durability, Accuracy and Emotional Stability

That said, every now and then he makes plays that make you go wow...Like that throw to the TE yesterday. I think next year is the season where we can all start to cement our own hypothesis about JJM. 

Either way, they have to have a competent back-up for that QB room. Question is do they blow everyone away and bring a Rogers or something that disruptive?

hogjowlsjohnny wrote:
After another season in which reps were limited due to injury, I have changed my mind on JJ. I don't think he will be a franchise QB. I realize he hasn't had enough reps and other QB's who went on to become good QB's also sucked early on. I just don't see him overcoming some of the hurdles in his way. Immaturity, emotional instability, aka lack of poise, holds the ball, happy feet, bails from the pocket early, are all things he could overcome with time and experience. My concern is his lack of accuracy. Accuracy is mostly innate, you have it or you don't. It is rare to fix the issue and there a lot more QB's that fail to become more accurate despite fixing mechanics, than those who do, such as Josh Allen. I also feel he is a some what slight framed guy who has to bulk up to playing weight rendering him less durable than others. He has shown signs and potential to become a franchise QB. Right now I have my doubts!

Agree with most of what you say here. You're right to have doubts. I think we all do. I think if you polled everyone on this board about the one thing they wanted from this season, it would be to know JJ is the guy going forward. And we just don't know that yet. There's a little to be excited about and a little to be concerned about. Agree also that he could use a few pounds. 

I disagree about the accuracy thing though. I think there are two kinds of accuracy: intrinsic and extrinsic. As a simple thrower of the football, his accuracy is impressive. He had a few throws yesterday like that. He's had several this year. Not just accurate, but remarkably accurate. Throws not every QB can throw. And you're right. I think that kind of accuracy you either have or you don't. 

Then there are throws affected by external things: pressure, hesitation, mindset, footwork, emotion, etc. That's where he struggles IMO. But that kind of inaccuracy can be fixed by improving the external things that cause it.

MaroonBells wrote:

Agree with most of what you say here. You're right to have doubts. I think we all do. I think if you polled everyone on this board about the one thing they wanted from this season, it would be to know JJ is the guy going forward. And we just don't know that yet. There's a little to be excited about and a little to be concerned about. Agree also that he could use a few pounds. 

I disagree about the accuracy thing though. I think there are two kinds of accuracy: intrinsic and extrinsic. As a simple thrower of the football, his accuracy is impressive. He had a few throws yesterday like that. He's had several this year. Not just accurate, but remarkably accurate. Throws not every QB can throw. And you're right. I think that kind of accuracy you either have or you don't. 

Then there are throws affected by external things: pressure, hesitation, mindset, footwork, emotion, etc. That's where he struggles IMO. But that kind of inaccuracy can be fixed by improving the external things that cause it.

I think his off target throws are brought on by poor mechanics/base.  Now that it is offseason, hopefully KOC can fix his foundation.

I'm not worried about McCarthy's mental makeup or his accuracy. I think the mental stuff has been overblown and the accuracy can be improved.=

My biggest worry is he fixes or greatly improves the above two things and then in training camp reports are that he looks "night and day" different from the previous year, the game has "slowed down" for him, and he's "stepping into a leadership role" on the team. And then he gets hurt in week 3.

If I'm KAM I go hard after a true upgrade and game changer like Lamar Jackson but if that can't happen, I'd roll with McCarthy backed up Fields or Zach Wilson or whoever. McCarthy's upside is still sky high compared to most of the guys we'd bring in. Unless the team thinks he is years away, I'd rather see him under center than Willis, Jones, etc.

Brosmer- Next time I see him it better be starting in Week 11, 2029 for the Commanders after their other two QBs got injured. No sooner.