I personally think all 4 teams in the AFC North have a legitimate chance to win the 2022 title. Just a brief glance at their depth charts (copied from ESPN.com) after the bulk of Free Agency and the NFL Draft, provides some significant clues in how each team is approaching the upcoming season. (Contract expiration per Overthecap.com) NOTE: I didn't include UDFA's because these guys are like farts in a frying pan.
Quarterbacks: Bengals - Nothing to see here. Burrow is only in the 3rd year of his rookie contract. No need to press the money button early. Ravens - The only question here is when (not if) the Ravens lock up Jackson for the foreseeable future. Browns - Watson is the starter. Period. The talking heads will continue to blabber on and on about a trade for Mayfield (or the lack thereof). The only question in my mind regarding a trade is how much are the Browns willing eat on his $18M contract. Currently, Browns have about $28M in Cap Space. That includes Mayfield's contract. Anything his new team picks up only ADDS to the Cap Space. Steelers - Pickett and Trubisky are (IMHO) the only QB's in the competition. IF Rudolph was still in consideration, why then did they sign Trubisky and then draft Pickett?
I really think the signing of Trubisky was just the Steelers throwing spaghetti on the wall and seeing what sticks. Rudolph could still wind up starting. The season Ben was out wasn’t a good look at what he could do because they kept him in a straight jacket that season.
RR1, Empty circle means contract runs out at end of 2022 season 1/4 black circle means contract runs out at end of 2023 season half black circle means contract runs out at end of 2024 season 3/4 black circle means contract runs out at end of 2025 season Full black circle means contract runs out at end of 2026 season
Honestly, I think it's a 3 man race, not a two man. Pickett could be the one they decide is most ready. Trubisky has been in the league, but hasn't payed any significant football since 2020 and that was only about a half a season of really bad football. Rudolph has played even less over the past 3 years, while Pickett has started 48 games over the past 4 years. He may be the most ready, even though Rudolph is familiar with the offense.
Throwing spaghetti is cheaper than trading 3 first rd picks and fully guaranteeing a 5 year $230.000,000 contract.
One of the most impressive things I noticed while doing this exercise was what the Bengals did during the past off-season. They quietly rebuilt 60% of their offensive line. Signed UFA Center Ted Karras (Patriots) Signed UFA Right Guard Alex Cappa (Tampa Bay) Signed UFA La'el Collins (Cowboys) Then drafted RT Cordell Volson (4-136) Of the 12 O-linemen shown on their depth chart, only 1 (3rd string Center Lamont Gaillard) is on the last year of his contract.
5 years and $530,000,000 is the going rate for a QB these days. 1 year and $5,250,000 for a plate of spaghetti is a tad steep.
Whoa Lym, I know it was a typo, but let's not jump to 5 year $530M, just yet... The Browns are the ones that set that standard. I still think it is reckless giving a single player $$6M per year.. unless your crystal ball is bullet proof and you know what the future salary caps are going to balloon to.
Assuming the (reported) annual cap increase of 10% per year, $220,000,000 in 2022 ends up at $322,122,000 by 2026.
Assuming the same 10% per year increase in the QB Franchise Tag value, a Franchise QB will cost (a minimum) $43,848,377 in 2026.
I mean, you haven't listened to a single word Bears fans have said about Trubisky, and we've seen every single game he's played. So I'm not sure what games Gidion has watched fucking matters at all, but you keep being an asshole about it.
