MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

I think they already drafted the QB of the future. Pat Mahomes ring a bell?

 

Forgot him for a moment. Still. Smith's trade value would be at an all time high so maybe they'll collect picks to build around Mahomes. There won't be enough room in town for two sheriffs and the rookie will need a few more deputies until he proves he can lead the team on his own.

 

After a rough start (I pointed out), Mahomes looked good. Threw for nearly 300 yds in Week 17. They're not as bad off as I was originally thinking. But then I thought Kizer looked decent in Week 1. So what the fuck do I know?

 

They just drafted Mahomes last year he is the QB of the future in KC

 

Gideon already informed me. Look 2 post upward.^^^

 

pfft nobody listens to Gidion (jk Gidion)

 

For anyone who pays at least passing attention to the NFL, it doesn’t take an information robot to point out the possibility that: (1) Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur could become a head coach of a new team; and (2) Shurmur could then recruit Vikings quarterback Case Keenum to join that team.

And if, as reported, Shurmur has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Bruce Arians in Arizona, it makes sense that the Cardinals could target Keenum. Especially since the Cardinals currently don’t have a quarterback under contract for 2018.

It also would make sense for Keenum to get serious consideration from the Cardinals, regardless of the Shurmur connection. In the five years of the Arians era, the Cardinals faced Keenum twice. In 2013, the then-Texans quarterback completed 22-43 passes for 201 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in a 27-24 Arizona win. Last season, Keenum completed 18 of 30 passes for 266 yards (8.9 yards per pass), two touchdowns, no picks, and a passer rating of 111.3 in a 17-13 Arizona loss to the Rams.

Then there are the things Keenum has accomplished this year, during which he has become one of the most unlikely late-20s success stories since Kurt Warner. Unlike Warner, however, Keenum had plenty of solid performances in the past. With the Vikings, Keenum has become far more consistent.

And here’s the key: If the Cardinals are sold on Keenum, the Vikings may be even more sold on him, choosing to do whatever needs to be done to keep him around, up to and including application of the franchise tag. PFT has heard time and again that the Vikings won’t decide on a quarterback plan for 2018 until the 2017 season ends.

How it ends undoubtedly will be a major factor in whether the Vikings take any and all steps to keep Keenum off the open market. (PFT)
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Cant have them!!!!!

 

Keenum is like Alex Smith. He's a smart guy and passable NFL athlete. With enough talent around him he can do great things. Vikings would be smart to keep him and trade high on him or dump Bradford. Shumur's time ha come for a HC position and The Giants would be wise to land him as well as Keenum if they really want to move on from Eli. Start they can draft Barkley and with their receiving corps be extremely competitive next season.

 

Drew Brees makes it clear he isn’t going anywhere

His contract is expired, but his time in New Orleans isn’t.

In a tweet posted Sunday night, future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees made it clear that he won’t be leaving after 12 years with the franchise.

“I love you Who Dat Nation,” Brees said. “And I love our team. We are destined for great things.”

This meshes with a two word “I do” uttered by Brees when talking to reporters after the stunning end to the team’s 2017 season.

There’s still the matter of working out a new contract, especially since $18 million he made under prior deals will be hitting the cap in 2018, before his new contract even begins to count. This points to a multi-year deal with the bulk of his 2018 compensation coming in the form of a signing bonus that would be spread over three or four years and a relatively small base salary.

There’s no reason to think the Saints don’t want him back. He’s still playing at a high level, and he proved once again that he can move the offense when it counts the most.

With a young core of highly-talented players and a defense that’s better than it’s been in recent years, the Saints will be a favorite to make it to the playoffs again, and to progress high up the playoff tree, again. (PFT)

 

Roethlisberger wants to play at least three more seasons

A year after making it clear that he’d entered the Brett Favre year-to-year phase of his career, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger apparently has decided to make a longer commitment to the game of football,

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Roethlisberger has told teammates that he wants to play at least three more years.

Roethlisberger has a contract through 2019; the Steelers presumably would want him to stick around beyond that, assuming he’s still playing at a high level. He turns 36 in early March.

So why the sudden change? There’s apparently a link to what seems to be the impending departure of offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Bouchette suggests that Roethlisberger’s retirement musings from last year following a loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship may have been sparked by “some biting words” from Haley the day after the game.

Although a concerted effort was made to ensure that Roethlisberger and Haley would get along (or at least appear to get along) after the Steelers “retired” close Roethlisberger friend Bruce Arians in early 2012 and hired Haley, the relationship between Roethlisberger and Haley by all appearances has become strained. With Haley’s contract expiring and no extension in place, Roethlisberger’s willingness to stick around indefinitely may definitely be aimed at ensuring Haley gets “retired,” too. (PFT)
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The drama continues. I don't put much stock into these early reports... people say things, people change their minds.

 

Ben Roethlisberger: I'm not free to check to QB sneak

Ben Roethlisberger's big frame seemingly makes him an ideal candidate for quarterback sneaks. After Sunday's season-ending loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, many were wondering why the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't let Big Ben put his head down and try to burrow through the Jags' line on a pair of fourth down plays.

Speaking on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Roethlisberger said the team's long-running aversion to running sneaks is coach Mike Tomlin's decision and that he doesn't even "have the freedom to check to a quarterback sneak because we don't have that call if we're not in the huddle."

"I truly have never said I don't want to run it," Roethlisberger said, who added that Tomlin laughs when he lobbies to run a QB draw. "I have asked for it. I am fine with it. If they want to call it, I'm all for it."

The Steelers failed to convert on fourth-and-one on two occasions during Sunday's loss -- Le'Veon Bell lost four yards on a first-quarter try and a pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster with 12:50 left in the game fell incomplete.

"It's been a while since we've run the quarterback sneak," Roethlisberger said in the postgame news conference. "I'm for it, but it's kinda over my head why we don't do it. I'm not going to second guess why we don't run the quarterback sneak. I don't know."

Tomlin gave a somewhat different characterization to how the team decides to deploy the QB sneak while speaking at his season-ending news conference Tuesday.

"We make decisions that we deem appropriate in circumstances," Tomlin said. "Whether we choose to call it at a specific moment is up for debate. To suggest there's a resistance to it, the concept, I'm not willing to say that." (NFL.com)
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Teddy Bridgewater 'definitely' sees himself as starter

Instead of preparing for a Super Bowl in their home stadium, the Vikings -- just like that -- are left to ponder an offseason flush with questions.

Questions that begin under center, with Minnesota's trio of quarterbacks -- Case Keenum, Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater -- all set to hit free agency with the dawn of the new league year.

Keenum, this year's marvelous starter, has been talked about as a potential target for the franchise tag, but those reports came before Sunday's 38-7 collapse to the Eagles in the NFC title game. Bradford and Keenum are also candidates to follow Pat Shurmur to New York, where the Vikings coordinator is set to take over as head coach of the Giants.

So what about Bridgewater?

The back-from-injury signal-caller told reporters Monday that he "definitely" sees himself as a starter in 2018, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. Bridgewater, though, acknowledged that such a role might have to happen somewhere other than Minnesota.

Bridgewater courageously returned this season from a devastating knee injury that wiped out his 2016 campaign. The former starter was essentially demoted during the playoffs, though, floating in the abyss behind Keenum and Bradford and calling the experience a "test of my character."

In a perfect world, the Vikings would keep Bridgewater around to compete with Keenum for the starting role. Not an easy solution, however, when both players see themselves as leading men.

It boils down to how this coaching staff feels about Keenum as a long-term answer at the most important position in sports. He played out of his mind all season and deserves to be seen for his entire body of work -- not just Sunday's implosion.

As for Bridgewater, if his time is up in Minnesota, he'll quickly find employment elsewhere. He's 25 years old with plenty of solid game tape under his belt. If the Vikings don't want him, someone else will. (NFL.com)
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Dump Bradford... bring back Keenum and let Teddy and Case battle for the job.

 

It's an interesting conundrum and one that I can't recall a similar situation to.

Not one, not two, but three potential starting quarterbacks on one roster...

Of couse, there's the big 'ifs' involved:

• Teddy may be the future if he can return to form and stay healthy
• Sam may be the answer to go to win the NFC championship next season if he can stay healthy
• Case may have finally become a franchise quarterback if he can repeat his 2017 success

It's an envious yet unenviable situation to be in. You have, in all likelihood, a one in three chance of getting it right.

Of course, that means you have a two in three chance of looking bad if you make the wrong decisions.

Should be a real interesting off-season in Minnesota.

Personally, I hope they draft a quarterback and resign all 3, then put them in a mosh pit and whoever is left standing by the end of a full Megadeth set gets the starters gig.

 

It all depends on $$$, if all 3 become hell bent on starter money it becomes hard to keep even 2 of 3. Bradford and Bridgewater are huge questions IMO and both likely get 1 year "prove it" deals either with the Vikings or elsewhere. One of them should be back with the Vikings. Because of that performance Sunday, Keenum might have lost franchise money. He'll still likely get the highest deal of the 3, and rightfully so. If I'm the Vikings, I say go with Will's plan: sign Keenum and Bridgewater and let Bradford walk. Guy looked great in the opener, but he showed why he's considered a 1st round bust: He can't stay healthy. I feel bad for him, I cheer for him whenever he's not too hurt to play. At this point, he is a stop-gap and risk. Hope he doesn't go to New York, he'll get killed behind that line. Vikings should still draft a QB this year too, because if they do sign 2 of their 3 FA QBs, whoever doesn't start could potentially be trade bait if the franchise chooses that.

Personally I don't trust any of the three to be true franchise QBs, but right now the Vikings can win a SB with a good game manager. That defense is damn good, despite their troubles this past Sunday, and they are getting their starting RB back. Cook likely gets close to the rushing title if he isn't injured. Keenum typically doesn't turn the ball over, and he is capable of beating teams though the air. He gives the Vikings the best chance at this point.

 

Pat Shurmur “can’t wait to get to work” with Eli Manning

New Giants G.M. Dave Gettleman made clear his interest in keeping quarterback Eli Manning around. New Giants coach Pat Shurmur has now done the same.

“He’s an outstanding player and I can’t wait to get to work with him,” Shurmur said during his introductory press conference.

Shurmur also said that he likes Eli’s calm demeanor, and Shurmur said nothing to suggest that he’ll want to move on from the first overall pick in the 2004 draft.

“I think he’s got years left,” Shurmur said of Eli.

It’s still unclear what Eli wants, but it’s becoming more and more clear that the Giants still want Eli. If that’s the case, it’s bad news for guys like Sam Bradford or Case Keenum, who likely would have gotten consideration to start for the Giants if Eli wasn’t staying.

 

Carson Wentz tore LCL as well as ACL, but injury won’t change his playing style

Carson Wentz spoke to reporters for the first time since his left knee injury, revealing Friday he tore the LCL as well as the ACL. While the timeline is fluid, the Eagles quarterback is confident he can return for the season opener.

“I truly believe,” Wentz said of his timetable, via Zach Berman of phillynews.com. “My goal is to be ready for Week 1. I’m going to push and do everything I can to be ready. I’m very confident in that.”

Wentz was having an MVP-type season when he was injured in Week 14 against the Rams. He isn’t sure exactly when the injury occurred, whether it was on his touchdown run that was negated by a penalty or earlier. He said he just knew something was wrong.

Just like that, his season was over.

“I 100 percent believe I’ll be back better than ever, stronger than ever, and with no looking back,” Wentz said.

Wentz won’t let the injury change his playing style, vowing to continue playing the way he plays.

“I am who I am,” he said. “Injuries happen. Injuries are not going to change me. . . . Guys want to talk, ‘Are you learning to protect yourself?’ . . . That’ll continue to grow and develop, but as far as being aggressive and the player I am, that won’t change.”

Nick Foles has replaced Wentz, and the Eagles haven’t missed a beat. While Wentz is the Eagles’ biggest cheerleader, he admits it’s not easy watching his teammates take the field without him.

“It’s tough,” Wentz said. “It hits me a little bit. . . . Then, I’m in it, because I love these guys, and I’m a part of these guys as much as anyone else. I get involved in the game, and it all goes away.”

 

Kirk Cousins wants to win, and find the right team he can help win

Two things can happen for Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason, and both of them are lucrative: He can either sign the franchise tag and play another season for Washington with a guaranteed salary of $34 million, or he can hit unrestricted free agency and shop himself to the highest bidder.

Cousins is excited about those possibilities. But if he does hit free agency, he wants a team that will not only offer him a lot of money but also offer him an opportunity to win a Super Bowl.

“Is money a part of it? Sure. Is it the only thing? No,” Cousins said on PFT Live. “It is about winning, and that’s what I want more than anything, so I’m going to be willing to make sacrifices or do what has to be done to make sure I’m in the best possible position to win, and that’s what the focus is going to be.”

Cousins has signed the franchise tag the last two years, and he indicated that if Washington puts the tag on him again this year, he’ll sign it again and play the 2018 season for $34 million.

“I think we’ll do what we’ve done the past two seasons. There’s no need to change the script. Stay consistent with the plan: Let the team do what they want to do,” Cousins said. “We’ll see what the Redskins want to do and then I’ll react accordingly.”

Although some players complain about the franchise tag, Cousins has already played on it twice and said he and his agent think it’s a good deal for a quarterback.

“There’s been a false narrative out there,” Cousins said. “Mike McCartney has really counseled me all along, if the team franchises you one, two, three times, just sign it.”

So what happens when the new league year begins in March? Does Cousins sign another franchise tag? Does he sign a long-term deal to remain in Washington? Or does he leave?

“We’ll see where it ends,” Cousins said of his career in Washington. “It may end this March, it may end years from now. Who knows?” (PFT)

 

Nick Foles: The future will take care of itself

Nick Foles has another year on his contract with the Eagles, but his future is (somewhat) in doubt. As Mike Florio wrote last week, the Eagles have options.

The best move for Philadelphia might be to hold onto Foles for another season as Carson Wentz‘s backup. The Eagles owe him another $4 million in salary and a $3 million roster bonus with a total cap charge of $7.6 million.

Foles appears content with whatever happens, including returning to a backup role.

“Absolutely. I’m grateful to be here, to be part of this organization,” Foles said Tuesday. “I can’t wait to play the game. After the game, that’s where you have time to sort of reflect on the year, and that’s what we’ll do. I’ll spend time with my family and use that family time. The future will take care of itself. I’m grateful to have signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles and be here. I’m excited to watch Carson get healthy and get back on his feet and hopefully being part of him getting back to where he was.”

The Eagles could trade Foles, which would make his fourth team in four years.

“You know what? We’ll worry about that if that time comes,” Foles said of the possibility of Philadelphia trading him. “I’m just grateful to be in this position and be with this team.”

 

Chiefs put all their faith in Patrick Mahomes

The late-night agreement to trade Alex Smith to Washington has made it clear: Patrick Mahomes is the man in Kansas City.

The Chiefs made it clear that they saw Mahomes as their starter of the future on draft day last year, when they used two first-round picks to move up and draft Mahomes. What wasn’t clear was whether Mahomes would start in 2018, or in 2019 after Smith’s contract with the Chiefs expired.

Now it is clear that the Chiefs saw enough of Mahomes, both on the practice field and in the Week 17 game he started, that they’re sure they can move on from Smith.

Smith threw for a career-high 4,042 yards, with 26 touchdowns and five interceptions, while leading the Chiefs to the playoffs. You don’t get rid of a quarterback coming off a season like that unless you’re sure the young rookie you drafted is ready to replace him.

So the Chiefs are sure about Mahomes. Ready or not, Mahomes is now the face of the franchise. (PFT)
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Hope he kills it... afterall, he's on one of my fantasy teams.

 

Aaron Rodgers says collarbone feels good



Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers likely harbored hopes of being in Minneapolis this week to prepare to play in the Super Bowl on Sunday, but his regular season trip to U.S. Bank Stadium all but put an end to those aspirations.

Rodgers broke his collarbone on a hit by Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr in Week Six and went on injured reserve before making a return to the lineup in Week 15 against the Panthers. It turned out to be a cameo as the Packers lost to end any chance of a playoff berth and Rodgers returned to injured reserve for the final two weeks of the season.

Rodgers is in Minnesota on Thursday, but it is to appear as a guest on some of the many radio and television shows broadcasting amid the Super Bowl festivities. The condition of his collarbone is the main topic at all of his stops and he’s saying that everything is feeling good more than a month after his final game action of the year.

Rodgers said he’s able to play golf and it seems he should be fine when it comes time to start offseason work with the team later this year. Keeping things that way would be a boost to Green Bay’s chances of a better ending to the 2018 season. (PFT)