OT: Justin Fields Signs With NY Jets, Darnold/Seahawks, Stafford/Rams, Geno Smith/Raiders, Carr/Saints

[--CyBear--]

28 pages on Justin.

Good luck to him and all, but surprised he still generates the level of interest he does on here.

Mostly fans (nothing wrong with that) and others having something to talk about in the dead zone before the combine. I suspect this drops off the front page once he's signed and everyone gets their 'told you so' licks in.

 

[DefNextYear]

I just don't see the fit or McVay wanting to run more than he throws, especially without the Eagles OL. He didn't bring in Stafford for his legs. He brought him in because he wanted a more dynamic passer than an already proficient Goff.

Yea, considering the timing/precision at the core of the offense coupled with the past QBs he's had (Cousins, Goff, Stafford), I just can't see it. Why even try to mess with success and do a total 180°? I'm pretty highly confident Stafford will stay there anyway. All this Stafford crap is just to come to an agreement on the contract and continue on. To me, unless you're returning a great "haul" for him, they're better off keeping him and drafting a QB to sit behind him. Bad year for that, but maybe next year at least. Missed opportunity if you let a guy like Stafford leave without passing anything on to the next guy.

 

[Moses Moreno]

Yea, considering the timing/precision at the core of the offense coupled with the past QBs he's had (Cousins, Goff, Stafford), I just can't see it. Why even try to mess with success and do a total 180°? I'm pretty highly confident Stafford will stay there anyway. All this Stafford crap is just to come to an agreement on the contract and continue on. TO me, unless you're returning a great "haul" for him, they're better off keeping him and drafting a QB to sit behind him. Bad year for that, but maybe next year at least. Missed opportunity if you let a guy like Stafford leave without passing anything on to the next guy.

If Stafford wants $50M and other teams are willing to give him it and a team is willing to give you a nice 2nd for him - do it 100% because you're Sean McVey and you make QBs.

Look at KOC having Darnold come from obscurity to throwing for 4300 yards and 35 TDs. He did it for $10M and they didn't miss a beat. Paying Cousins in his late 30s was not the move for them.

GB moved on from Rodgers and didn't miss a beat. They got a nice return for Aaron and made the playoffs both years.

Sean McVey + Fields at $18-22M/yr is a lethal combo when you're talking about a division that has Kyler at $46M/yr, Purdy is about to get that and Geno at $25M/year.

I legit don't know what they're going to do - Darnold makes no sense, paying Stafford $50m/yr for his late 30s makes no sense and putting it all on a draft pick is too risky. Rodgers for 1 year at a vet min also makes perfect sense to keep the cart moving but you're still stuck with no long term answer.

Think about the 2021 draft - Shanny went all in on traits and Lance was just too much of a project for it to work out. But they swung for the fences on measurables. Fields in FA is not going to be nearly as costly, his floor is much higher so it's far less of a risk. All of the great offensive coaches know when it's time to let an old QB go - LaFluer with Aaron, Peyton with Russ, Niners with Montana, KOC with Cousins.

 

[Moses Moreno]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1894404476334657981

wtf are the Falcons doing?

 

[DefNextYear]

If Stafford wants $50M and other teams are willing to give him it and a team is willing to give you a nice 2nd for him - do it 100% because you're Sean McVey and you make QBs.

Look at KOC having Darnold come from obscurity to throwing for 4300 yards and 35 TDs. He did it for $10M and they didn't miss a beat. Paying Cousins in his late 30s was not the move for them.

GB moved on from Rodgers and didn't miss a beat. They got a nice return for Aaron and made the playoffs both years.

Sean McVey + Fields at $18-22M/yr is a lethal combo when you're talking about a division that has Kyler at $46M/yr, Purdy is about to get that and Geno at $25M/year.

I legit don't know what they're going to do - Darnold makes no sense, paying Stafford $50m/yr for his late 30s makes no sense and putting it all on a draft pick is too risky. Rodgers for 1 year at a vet min also makes perfect sense to keep the cart moving but you're still stuck with no long term answer.

Think about the 2021 draft - Shanny went all in on traits and Lance was just too much of a project for it to work out. But they swung for the fences on measurables. Fields in FA is not going to be nearly as costly, his floor is much higher so it's far less of a risk. All of the great offensive coaches know when it's time to let an old QB go - LaFluer with Aaron, Peyton with Russ, Niners with Montana, KOC with Cousins.

I am not willing to project Darnold with KOC or McVay as having the same kind of long term success that Stafford has. I wouldn't be surprised if he regresses badly. If the Vikings let him go, I would guess that's why. Darnold had one of the easiest SOS in the league and was exposed at the end of the year. Neither coach is taking that guy to the SB, which is the only goal. If you want to run the stuff to get regular season wins and get to the playoffs, that's cool... but what matters is winning in the playoffs. You need a real QB to do that... and I don't buy that any coach just turns any random QB from bust to gold. If that were the case, the Rams would have never traded all the assets for Stafford to begin with.

That said, I still think it's a mistake not to have someone sitting in a room and learning from Stafford directly—even if via just watching him. Given they played well last year, I also find it hard to believe they'll just give that away by letting Stafford walk. That's awkward timing when they have the cap to pay him and still try to compete.

For Lance, I just see that as an example against trying to fix just anyone. You may get lucky and find a Baker, but it will not work more often than not. If you have the guy in the building, like the Packers with did Love... then you can move away from your QB. But to trade him away and just have no advance knowledge of how a guy will work in your building with your team and your scheme? That's dangerous. And honestly, the Rams have mismanaged things to not find a way to bring in someone to groom. Old, injury prone Garappolo isn't the solution... maybe Stetson is the guy, but seems like he has too many other issues. They also could've just traded for Fields last year to groom. They knew the contract situation coming with Stafford, so again... would be mismanagement of the situation. Stafford will come to terms with the Rams though.

 

[Moses Moreno]

I am not willing to project Darnold with KOC or McVay as having the same kind of long term success that Stafford has. I wouldn't be surprised if he regresses badly. If the Vikings let him go, I would guess that's why. Darnold had one of the easiest SOS in the league and was exposed at the end of the year. Neither coach is taking that guy to the SB, which is the only goal. If you want to run the stuff to get regular season wins and get to the playoffs, that's cool... but what matters is winning in the playoffs. You need a real QB to do that... and I don't buy that any coach just turns any random QB from bust to gold. If that were the case, the Rams would have never traded all the assets for Stafford to begin with.

That said, I still think it's a mistake not to have someone sitting in a room and learning from Stafford directly—even if via just watching him. Given they played well last year, I also find it hard to believe they'll just give that away by letting Stafford walk. That's awkward timing when they have the cap to pay him and still try to compete.

For Lance, I just see that as an example against trying to fix just anyone. You may get lucky and find a Baker, but it will not work more often than not. If you have the guy in the building, like the Packers with did Love... then you can move away from your QB. But to trade him away and just have no advance knowledge of how a guy will work in your building with your team and your scheme? That's dangerous. And honestly, the Rams have mismanaged things to not find a way to bring in someone to groom. Old, injury prone Garappolo isn't the solution... maybe Stetson is the guy, but seems like he has too many other issues. They also could've just traded for Fields last year to groom. They knew the contract situation coming with Stafford, so again... would be mismanagement of the situation. Stafford will come to terms with the Rams though.

This is how I think about it:

Floor is defined by a QBs experience + the coaching staff's ability to make the game easy for the QB

Ceiling is defined by the combination of a QBs physical and mental gifts (coachability) and the coaching around them

You're not going to find too many higher ceilings physically and than Fields and nobody is better than McVey at getting the light to turn on for a QB.

 

[--CyBear--]

If Stafford wants $50M and other teams are willing to give him it and a team is willing to give you a nice 2nd for him - do it 100% because you're Sean McVey and you make QBs.

Look at KOC having Darnold come from obscurity to throwing for 4300 yards and 35 TDs. He did it for $10M and they didn't miss a beat. Paying Cousins in his late 30s was not the move for them.

GB moved on from Rodgers and didn't miss a beat. They got a nice return for Aaron and made the playoffs both years.

Sean McVey + Fields at $18-22M/yr is a lethal combo when you're talking about a division that has Kyler at $46M/yr, Purdy is about to get that and Geno at $25M/year.

I legit don't know what they're going to do - Darnold makes no sense, paying Stafford $50m/yr for his late 30s makes no sense and putting it all on a draft pick is too risky. Rodgers for 1 year at a vet min also makes perfect sense to keep the cart moving but you're still stuck with no long term answer.

Think about the 2021 draft - Shanny went all in on traits and Lance was just too much of a project for it to work out. But they swung for the fences on measurables. Fields in FA is not going to be nearly as costly, his floor is much higher so it's far less of a risk. All of the great offensive coaches know when it's time to let an old QB go - LaFluer with Aaron, Peyton with Russ, Niners with Montana, KOC with Cousins.

Exceptions don't prove a rule. Denver with manning, TB with Brady, Mark Brunell, John Elway would be viable counters. Great coaches don't create great QBs. they unleash them. Whether JF can be that remains to be seen.

If McVey truly felt that "because you're Sean McVey and you make QBs" , he would have just kept Goff and his draft picks.

Rodgers and Brady were still plenty effective with their original teams at 40. Stafford is 37. The issue there is only $$$.

Are the Vikes keeping Darnold?

Besides, Stafford is under contract for 2 more years. He's the one driving the trade talk bus by threatening not to show like last year when they had to pay more to get him in camp. McVey would be thrilled with status quo right now and is not looking to off Stafford.

There is more rationalization and projection here than usual.

 

[Moses Moreno]

If McVey truly felt that way, he would have just kept Goff and his draft picks.

Goff had top end money and they lost faith in him and Goff is the furthest thing from physically impressive.

Their core now is all stupid young.

I don't know what they're going to do but I think they're the smartest team in the NFL.

 

[EDPeezy]

McVay doesn’t want Fields.

 

[bamainatlanta]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1894404476334657981

wtf are the Falcons doing?

They will release after next season to avoid any dead cap hits. They have an enormous dead cap hit if they trade or release him this offseason

 

[Moses Moreno]

McVay doesn’t want Fields.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1894420549859770641

We have no idea who he wants.

 

[--CyBear--]

Goff had top end money and they lost faith in him and Goff is the furthest thing from physically impressive.

Their core now is all stupid young.

I don't know what they're going to do but I think they're the smartest team in the NFL.

And they paid Stafford more. McVay, like every HC, prefers a sure thing to potential. Talent over less talent.

 

[Moses Moreno]

McVay doesn’t want Fields.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1894432129208942657

They are signaling that they're perfectly fine without Stafford. Jimmy is a FA btw.

 

[EDPeezy]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1894420549859770641

We have no idea who he wants.

We have a pretty good idea. He could have gotten him last year for peanuts and didn’t bite. We also know how he runs his offense. None of that matches up with him wanting Fields. Anything is possible I guess. But simple critical thinking skills would tell you McVay probably isn’t interested in a guy like Fields.

 

[DefNextYear]

This is how I think about it:

Floor is defined by a QBs experience + the coaching staff's ability to make the game easy for the QB

Ceiling is defined by the combination of a QBs physical and mental gifts (coachability) and the coaching around them

You're not going to find too many higher ceilings physically and than Fields and nobody is better than McVey at getting the light to turn on for a QB.

I don't disagree, but I do disagree with the timing which is why I don't think they'll trade Stafford. It's just a mess to trade away the guy and have no one in the building to replace him.

 

[Moses Moreno]

We have a pretty good idea. He could have gotten him last year for peanuts and didn’t bite. We also know how he runs his offense. None of that matches up with him wanting Fields. Anything is possible I guess. But simple critical thinking skills would tell you McVay probably isn’t interested in a guy like Fields.

They were negotiating with Stafford for 6 months last year, getting Fields last year could have strained the relationship.

Stafford is a year older, Fields had another 6 game sample size of decent to strong play.

Shanny literally picked the biggest, strongest, fastest and rawest guy because physical gifts can't be taught. This is a much lower risk, equally high ceiling play.

I'm pretty certain they're not going to pay either Stafford or Darnold - Rodgers makes sense but the Vegas odds moved on Fields to the Rams for some reason.

 

[PrideisBears]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1894404476334657981

wtf are the Falcons doing?

Losing as per tradition

 

[--CyBear--]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1894432129208942657

They are signaling that they're perfectly fine without Stafford. Jimmy is a FA btw.

They are perfectly fine not giving into Stafford's demands. More spin. Are you implying that Garoppolo > Goff since he'd he satisfied with one and wasn't with the other? They'd settle while acquiring ammo for the next guy.

Fields has a future in this league but where and at what capacity remains to be seen. He just doesn't seem a fit here. Neither would Hurts.

 

[GoDJtop10]

“Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fieldsdoesn’t post a lot on social media, so when he does, it worth taking notice of what he shares and when he shares it.

For example, on February 25 — within hours of Steelers general manager Omar Khan addressing the media at the NFL Combine — Fields dropped a photo of himself and teammate Connor Heyward celebrating a Pittsburgh touchdown on his Instagram story.

Although Fields attached no words to this cryptic Instagram post, outside of tagging Heyward’s account below the photo, it appears to be a positive Steelers memory. That could mean nothing — and perhaps the quarterback is just reminiscing on a fond moment in Pittsburgh — or it could be some sort of hint that he feels he’s getting closer to a Steelers extension.”

Justin Fields Posts Cryptic Photo as Steelers GM Speaks at NFL Combine

Pittsburgh Steelers QB and impending free agent Justin Fields dropped a photo on Instagram just after GM Omar Khan spoke at the NFL Combine.

heavy.com

 

[Moses Moreno]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1894600809796554877

Paying an old Stafford $50m just screams dumb to me, but what do I know?

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1894521900631474596

At vet min contacts Adams + Rodgers are viable but the Rodgers juice isn't worth the squeeze. Right now he's +100 on DraftKings to go to the Rams.

Wilson is -125 to sign back with the Steelers suddenly which lines up with the Kaboly report from earlier this weekend.