MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Geno Smith: We’ve had contract talks with Seahawks, and we think we can get something done



The Seahawks made one of the most shrewd decisions of last offseason, trading Russell Wilson and re-signing Geno Smith. Wilson had the worst year of his career, and Smith made the Pro Bowl and is a finalist for comeback player of the year after leading the Seahawks to the playoffs.

“I really wanted to prove those guys right, coach [Pete] Carroll, John Schneider, just how much faith they showed in me obviously trading away Russell Wilson,” Smith told SiriusXM NFL Radio. “It had nothing to do with me, but just trading away the franchise cornerstone for 10 years and making the transition, and then a guy like myself who had been written off, been on the beach and then for them to see the work that I’ve been putting in, because I have been putting in an immense amount of work behind the scenes. I do a lot behind the scenes. Just for them to recognize that meant a lot to me. When the season came, they knew what I was going to do. I feel like I did, too, but it just had to happen.”


The Seahawks now have a decision to make at the position. Smith and backup Drew Lock are scheduled for free agency in March, and the Seahawks have the fifth overall draft pick acquired in the Wilson trade.

Smith was expected to be a bridge quarterback in 2022, but he was more than that in his first year as a full-time starter since 2014. Smith threw 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and his 69.8 completion percentage led the league.

The Seahawks will have to figure out how much that’s worth to them and for how long.

Smith expressed optimism that his representation and the Seahawks can “work things out.”

“We’ve have had talks, and we’re in the process of getting all that settled right now,” Smith said. “It’s looking very good. We think we can get some things done, but obviously those things take time. This is the process that I hate about the NFL, because I just want to play football. But it’s a business as well, so we’ve got to take care of business and then we’ll get back to football.”

PFT

 

I don't think there was as much interest in Payton as he anticipated. Even the Broncos preferred Demeco.

Either way, 2023 will answer the question for us. Payton didn't make the Wilson trade so he's not bound to it. He's in a no lose situation. Russell plays well and he has a franchise QB. Russell is washed and he can move on.

 

I don't know who writes this stuff but if they truly think a trade is possible in this situation they are drunk or stupid.

 

Probably both drunk and stupid, especially the writers at; The Athletic. They get ripped a lot... Im hesitant to post anything from them or to take anything they say as factual or even sensical.

 

I'm not sure I'm on board with that opinion.

The Panthers were reported to be willing to throw the kitchen sink at him, but there was some kind of impasse in negotiations.

This I can agree with, from a logical/fundamental standpoint.

I think Wilson is going to have a very dramatic turnaround in 2023, but I'll be here to take the shots if he continues his downward spiral.

 

They hired Reich three days after interviewing Payton. Doesn't seem like they were too interested. But Saints weren't going to let it happen anyway.

I really didn't watch enough of Wilson the last few years to form an opinion but he doesn't seem to be very liked by his teammates. That o-line / QB bond seems pretty crucial to me.

 

Interesting article on Jets Country (Fan Nation)

When looking at the offensive linemen under contract with the Jets right now, what they don't need and what they need becomes real apparent.

New York doesn't need a 39-year old statue in the pocket named Aaron Rodgers. They need a mobile quarterback who can extend and create plays by being able to run too.

It's terrifying when looking at the Jets' current offensive line situation:

• No viable current solutions at offensive tackle under contract
• Center Connor McGovern, the starter for the past three years, is a free agent
• Starting left guard Laken Tomlinson struggled last season
• Starting right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker is coming off of injured-reserve
• Little to no depth under contract

Offensive tackles Mekhi Becton and Max Mitchell are not viable solutions. Becton has missed the past two seasons because he can't control his weight and due to injury. Mitchell has dealt with a blood clot issue and his playing future is up in the air.

Nobody who can't run in their right mind would want to take a snap behind this offensive line. They won't get to "One Mississippi" before getting hit in the mouth.

In my 40 years of watching the game, I've never seen an offensive line in this bad of shape, heading into the off-season.

Free agency isn't going to be the answer either, because the Jets don't have much salary cap wiggle room, and certainly not the kind it takes to sign elite offensive linemen.

That leaves the draft.

Can anyone honestly see Rodgers putting himself behind an offensive line probably featuring two rookie tackles and a rookie center?

I can't.

It's not all doom and gloom, however. If the Jets can land a dual-threat QB (who can pass and run), they will stand a better chance of winning while covering up for the deficiencies on the offensive line.

Who are the top three QB's New York should be considering?

1. Malik Cunningham
Cunningham is a prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Louisville.

When I turned on his college game film, I had to do a double take. He looks just like QB Lamar Jackson, back when Jackson played at Louisville. It's uncanny.

There's five reasons Cunningham will thrive in the NFL

• Quick decision making
• Good downfield ball placement
• Doesn't throw risky passes
• Elite runner (along the lines of Jackson and Chicago's QB Justin Fields)
• Durable playing in 54/62 college games

I've evaluated both of them, and I walked away believing Cunningham is the better passer. I have a first-round grade on Cunningham, that was only further confirmed by a strong showing Saturday at the Senior Bowl.

He's my QB3 in the 2023 NFL Draft class, behind Ohio State's C.J. Stroud and Alabama's Bryce Young.

2. Tyler Huntley (restricted free agent)
Keeping in the spirit of the Baltimore Ravens, Huntley is next. This one is kind of tricky though. Huntley, who came into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020, is not free to just sign with any team. The Ravens can "tender" an offer to Huntley, prior to the beginning of free agency due to him being a restricted free agent. A tender offer can come with the right of first refusal and/or draft-pick compensation as defined by the league's website.

In other words, there's a good chance the Jets would have to compensate Baltimore with a draft choice, depending on the tender offer Baltimore might make.

The wildcard here is Jackson, who's an unrestricted free agent. If Jackson, who's expected to break the bank, leaves, Huntley is the next man up, and he would stay put.

However, if Jackson re-ups with Baltimore and pushes Huntley back to the bench, after showing a lot of promise in 2022, including a strong playoff performance against Cincinnati, he may want to leave for greener pastures.

Huntley had a higher completion percentage than Jackson last season for the Ravens, and he has wheels.

3. Taylor Heinicke (unrestricted free agent)
Right down the road from Baltimore is Washington D.C. and that leads us to Heinicke. His idol growing up was former Packers', Jets', and Vikings' QB Brett Farve. Heinicke plays with a similar style. He's a tough-as-nails gunslinger that the Commanders have never appreciated and have kept trying to replace, despite various successes.

Heinicke has mobility, a good arm, and a lot of heart.

He deserves better.

I love Heinicke as an evaluator, and he would endear himself to the Jets' fanbase in a New York minute.

DANIEL KELLY
___________
______________________

It makes sense to me. Rodgers would probably crumble in that kind of atmosphere and I hate to admit it, but Rodgers is probably smart enough to know this.

 

Check out this throw. A chip off the ol' block.

 

Report: Steelers want Mitch Trubisky to return, but he’s due to count $10.6 million against the salary cap



Mitch Trubisky is under contract with the Steelers for 2023.

The Steelers, though, signed him as a starting quarterback, and he now is a backup to Kenny Pickett. Trubisky would rank among the highest-paid backups in the league with $8 million in base salary and a salary cap hit of $10.625 million in 2023.

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the Steelers want Trubisky back, but adds that “might not be as simple as it sounds.”

The Steelers likely will ask Trubisky to take a pay cut, which would entail a new contract for the veteran quarterback. Trubisky, of course, would have to agree.

Third quarterback Mason Rudolph is scheduled for free agency, and per Dulac, the veteran backup “has no intention of re-signing with the Steelers after being demoted last season.”

Thus, Trubisky’s departure would leave the Steelers in search of two backups.

The $7.6 million that Trubisky and Rudolph counted against the cap was the most of any backup quarterback duo in the league in 2022. The Steelers believe in investing in their backup quarterbacks, but they have some decisions to make as they head into the offseason.

PFT

 

Cut Trubisky and sign some other bum.

 

Interesting factor here is that Trubisky alone would count more against the cap this year than the Trubisky/Rudolph combo did last year. There's no future cap acceleration from cutting Trubisky, so moving on to a different backup (one with more upside) would be a viable option. The obvious problem there is they would have to FIND that guy with more upside. And if they find him, would he be willing to sign just to be Pickett's backup? Would his contract be any cheaper than restructuring Trubisky?

There are a few out there that I like that might hit the open market. The most obvious for Pittsburgh would be Jacoby Brissett because of his previous experience with Canada. But would he sign on just to be a backup? To @gidion72's point (cut him and sign some other guy), I'd look at drafting a mid-rounder and also signing a lower-level name.

Trubisky as a backup isn't such a bad thing though. Terrible starter, but he played lights out ball as a backup.


On the other side... restructuring Trubisky would obviously depend on cooperation from Trubisky. He's probably not going to land starting money anywhere this offseason, but he'd be extremely likely to find something around $4 million for 2023 alone to be a backup, and likely something like $8 million for two years with $5 million or $6 million of it guaranteed. This is a Very Good Year to be a free agent.

If I'm in the room at his agency (Rep1 Sports), I would suggest asking the Steelers to release him first and then start talking about the new contract. We'll sign for less than the current contract, but we won't be held captive by the old contract with a pay cut being shoved down our throat. Omar Khan can't have it both ways.

 

Raiders grant permission for Derek Carr to visit Saints; no trade imminent

Derek Carr's offseason of change will begin with a visit to the Big Easy.

The Raiders have granted the Saints permission to host Carr on a visit, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday. The visit is anticipated for Wednesday, per Rapoport.

Carr has a no-trade clause in his current contract, and although the Raiders have made it clear they intend to move on from the veteran, no trade will be imminent without Carr first vetting a potential new destination.

Carr signed an extension with the Raiders last April, but he did not produce at a level head coach Josh McDaniels would consider satisfactory, leading to Carr's benching in the final two weeks of the regular season. Carr's extension provided the Raiders with a financial off-ramp in the event their partnership with Carr didn't work out, and since McDaniels benched Carr, the conversation has shifted toward identifying a new landing spot for the 31-year-old signal-caller.

New Orleans hasn't found a viable successor to Drew Brees since the future Hall of Famer retired following the 2020 season, and after stints with Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton failed to propel them to the playoffs, the Saints are back in the market for a quarterback.

Carr could be their answer. But first, he'll take a trip to Louisiana to see if the fit is right for him.

NFL.com

 

Why? He aint getting traded.

Raiders are just going to have to cut him, because if they dont real soon, they will have to pay the man $40M+, as best as I understand it. Why the Raiders are waiting to the last minute is a mystery to me.

 

Ron Rivera says Sam Howell will most likely begin offseason as Washington's top quarterback

Washington's experiment with Carson Wentz didn't pan out in 2022, leaving the Commanders with a need at quarterback.

In what is expected to be an active offseason regarding the position, Washington figures to be an active player -- unless a current member of the Commanders proves to be worthy of the job.

Second-year signal-caller Sam Howell will receive the first chance to do so, according to coach Ron Rivera.

"Well, I think he most certainly can be," Rivera said Wednesday when asked if Howell could win Washington's starting job. "I know this: We will go into OTAs, minicamp and training camp with Sam Howell more than likely QB1, and we'll see what happens.

"I mean, it's his opportunity. This is a challenge to him. If he comes out and does the things that he's capable of, we believe he's capable of, he can most certainly be our guy. But we'll find out. Again, that's what competition's gonna do. It's gonna bring the best out in all our guys."

Howell's career appeared destined for such an opportunity, at least prior to his final season at North Carolina. Howell was regarded among the 2022 draft's top signal-callers entering the 2021 collegiate season, but a difficult year for the Tar Heels saw him fall from Day 1 or 2 consideration into the fifth round, where Washington selected him 144th overall and sat him behind Wentz and Taylor Heinicke for all but one game in 2022.


Howell could have completed his entire rookie season without registering more than a blip on the NFL radar, but his showing in a 26-6 win over Dallas in Week 18 -- in which Howell completed 11 of 19 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown and one interception -- earned him enough attention to prompt Wednesday's question regarding his standing in Washington entering 2023.

It seems as if Rivera is willing to give the unproven Howell the first chance to earn a starting job in 2023. This doesn't mean Washington won't be active in seeking another option at the position, especially considering the veteran talent expected to become available in March. But for now, at least, Howell is likely starting the new year as Washington's top quarterback.

NFL.com

 

Trey Lance: I just want an opportunity to compete



49ers quarterback Trey Lance entered the 2022 season as the team’s starter, but his run ended when he broke his ankle in the second game of the year and his future role with the team is very much up in the air.

While the 49ers don’t plan to bring Jimmy Garoppolo back, seventh-round pick Brock Purdy will return in 2023 and there are a lot of people who think he’s a better option to run the offense than the third overall pick of the 2021 draft. Purdy is set to miss the offseason after having elbow surgery, however, and that will give Lance extended time to show the team that he can be the kind of quarterback they believed he was coming out of college.


During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Lance said “Brock played way to well” when asked if the 49ers ever told him that he remained their choice at quarterback and that all he’s looking for is a chance to prove that he can handle the job.

“Everyone saw what Brock did,” Lance said, via 49ersWebzone.com. “Brock doesn’t just come in and play that well, and I just get handed something out of the blue. And I don’t expect that or want that, but I truly believe, yeah, I just want an opportunity to compete. That’s all I wanted going into this offseason.”

Lance is set to have that opportunity and he’ll have to make the most of it to get the nod for a team that feels it is ready to compete for the trip to the Super Bowl that eluded them this season.

PFT

 

Im real curious what Lance can do. Havnt seen enough of him to make a personal evaluation because of injuries. 49ers may have two studs if these young guns can stay healthy. It will be very interesting to behold come Camp time.

 

Demario Davis thinks highly of ‘game-changing quarterback’ Derek Carr

Not many players are more respected across the NFL than New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis. So, a co-sign from the team-leader can go a long way. This week, Davis was asked about the potential of the Saints adding Derek Carr, a personal friend of his, to the roster. The 2022 Pro Bowler gave a glowing review.

“Derek Carr is a great friend of mine,” Davis told NFL Network’s Andrew Siciliano. “So, any chance you get a chance to play with somebody that you know personally off the field is… You don’t want to pass on those opportunities because you don’t always get them.” The personal relationship between the two players is clearly strong, but Davis has a lot of respect for who Carr is on the field as well.

“Definitely a game-changing quarterback,” Davis said of Carr. “Can come in and make our locker room better. And one thing I know about our organization is they’re going to do whatever they feel like is best to put us in the best position to win. And so I trust them with that decision.”

Carr doesn’t always get a lot of shine as a game-changer in NFL conversations, but some numbers back it up. Since the retirement of quarterback Tom Brady, Carr ranks No. 4 among active NFL passers with 16 game-winning drives and No. 3 in fourth-quarter comebacks with 28. With 7 single-score losses last year, the Saints could have benefited from some late-game heroics.

And before too much is made of Davis’ locker room comment, he gave shine to his 2022 teammates as well. He added: “Personally, I’m cool with whoever is out there. The guys that we have in our locker room are great friends of mine as well. But adding firepower to the locker room could never hurt.”

He’s right. It never hurts to add more talent to the roster. That has been a long-standing principle for the Saints, and it looks like that could continue at the most important position on the field here in 2023.

SAINTS WIRE

 

Quarterback Derek Carr and the Saints might really be hitting it off.

According to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football, Carr is back at the team’s headquarters on Thursday after beginning his visit with the club on Wednesday.


Underhill adds that Wednesday’s meeting between Carr and the Saints lasted until 10:30 p.m.

Carr received permission to meet with New Orleans from the Raiders earlier this week. It’s the first team Carr has met with since it became clear that Las Vegas intended to move on from its longtime quarterback.

Carr still holds a no-trade clause and has said that he’s not extending the deadline for his $40.4 million in guarantees to kick in on Feb. 15. Because of that, it’s always been more likely that Las Vegas will release Carr before his guaranteed salary vests.

If that happens, Carr could sign with the Saints without New Orleans giving up an asset to acquire him. Or Carr could go and meet with some other teams as a free agent before he decides where he’d like to play in 2023.

PFT

 

My dynasty team approves of this news.

 

Carr even went out to dinner with the brass, lol. Something is happening. Curious to see how it all goes down. Its an ideal situation for Carr in my opinion... Saints are real close to being a good threat and Carr to Olave helps my fantasy team also, lol.