The NFL saw an unprecedented volume veteran quarterbacks are switching teams this spring. But after the object fails with Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson This season, teams may not be as quick to acquire — and pay for — veteran passers as they have been recently.
Let’s start with Wilson, who kicked off the 2022 version of a trend that really started when the Los Angeles Rams exchange against Matthew Stafford before the 2021 season.
the Broncos sent two first-round picks, two second-round picks, one fifth-round pick, one quarterback Draw Locknarrow end Noah Fan and defensive lineman Shelby Harris at Seattle Seahawks for Wilson and a fourth-round pick. It’s a lot on the face of it, but Wilson was a nine-time Pro Bowler with a Super Bowl ring to his name before the season. And it made even more sense given the Broncos’ inability to replace Peyton Manning since his retirement in 2015 and their imminent sale to the Walton-Penner Group. the The Broncos then signed Wilson to a five-year, $245 million contract extension with $165 million guaranteed.
Denver wanted to replicate Los Angeles’ success with Stafford in 2021 and make a Super Bowl run. But rather, Wilson crater With career lows in completion rates, touchdown passes and yards per attempt as the Broncos have fallen to the bottom of the AFC West.
Wilson, who missed two games this season with a hamstring injury and concussion, respectively, now ranks mid-pack among his quarterback peers in yards per game this season and is at tied for 11th in interceptions thrown with nine. That’s not what the Broncos’ new ownership group paid when they gave him a new contract.
It’s unclear exactly why Wilson regressed so badly in his 11th season. Perhaps it’s the change of scenery – a new city, new teammates and a new attack led by a first-time coaching staff isn’t the best recipe for success. The Broncos too sacked head coach Nathaniel Hackett Monday only 11 months into his tenure. Wilson’s success with the Seahawks could also have been a product of his surroundings in Seattle with coach Pete Carroll, despite the pair’s reported differences of opinion during their final years together. Look how much Geno Smith successfully completed his first year as Carroll’s starter.
Whatever the reason, what happened in Wilson’s 13 games in Denver should be a warning sign to other teams looking for a quick fix to their quarterbacking problem.
Could Watson follow in Wilson’s footsteps?
The first returns on the Watson monster trade in Cleveland Browns and the subsequent extension of the contract are not great either.
While Watson is 2-2 as a starter for the Browns this season after missing the first 11 games with a suspension stemming from Multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, its production in the field is catastrophic. He completed 57.7% of his passes and averaged just 175.8 yards per game with just two passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and three interceptions.
The Browns’ offense looks bad with Watson under center. His three scores are the only offensive touchdowns the Browns have had during his time as a starter, and the unit has averaged just 9.75 points per game since Watson’s return. With Jacoby Brisset Playing QB for the first 11 games, the Browns offense averaged 2.7 touchdowns and 23.9 points per game.
Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb also played worse with Watson. Chubb averaged 94.5 rushing yards and 1.1 touchdowns per game from Weeks 1-12. But with Watson from Weeks 13-16, Chubb managed just 76.3 yards per game and no touchdowns. on the ground. Cleveland was mathematically eliminated from making the playoffs Saturday after blow a 10 point lead to New Orleans Saints in a 17-10 loss.
The Browns have probably given up Following that the Broncos did for Wilson – both in commercial and financial compensation. It cost the Browns three first-round picks, a third-round pick in 2023 and a fourth-round pick in 2024 to acquire Watson from Houston Texans. Cleveland then signed Watson to the biggest fully guaranteed contract of all time: five years for $230 million. The deal can still Reshaping the way the league handles quarterback contracts and once led the NFL Players Association file a collusion complaint against league owners on subsequent contracts.
It’s still early days and Watson could change his career in Cleveland despite the many negativities surrounding him and the team’s decision to award such a controversial player nearly a quarter of a billion dollars. He hasn’t played for 700 days following his mutually agreed split from the Texans in 2021 and subsequent suspension in 2022. But so far the Browns haven’t seen much indication he could be the star. he was during his stay in Houston.
Will QB-needy teams be more wary?
Despite Wilson’s implosion and Watson’s early troubles, there are still plenty of playoff-caliber teams that desperately need a veteran passer.
There are at least six teams that could be looking for a new quarterback and won’t be able to sign one of the top prospects this spring. This includes the New York Jets, Washington Commanders and the Saints. And there are several potential options that might also be available, such as Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo through free agency or Derek Carr and Aaron Rodgers by trade.
This is an attractive idea given the recent success of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Brady in 2020 and the Rams with Stafford in 2021. Both teams won the Super Bowl the same year they brought in a veteran quarterback.
But after the Wilson debacle, maybe teams will think twice about making major deals this time around.
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