UKHTTW QB Discussion: Ideal, OK & Disaster

It does seem that every off-season, year in and year out, is The Most Important off-season for Washington™

And for the burgundy & gold in 2022, all eyes are on finding the solution at the QB position.

Will the Front Office swing big and attempt a blockbuster trade? There is plenty of talk that might well happen, or perhaps Rivera & co see their guy in the draft despite the general consensus that the QB class of ’22 is less than special.

Here at UKHTTW, we had a UK fan QB discussion and focused thoughts on various scenarios Washington might employ in 2022. What would be ideal, what would be OK and what would be disastrous?

First up, Simon Thurston making his second appearance on UKHTTW:

As a fan of 40 years, I really did believe the 2021 season was where Washington would take another positive step on its journey to becoming a genuine contender. However, we'd lose Ryan Fitzpatrick to a season-ending injury before his career in the nation’s capital had even started.

Enter Taylor Heinicke, who showed glimpses of what he was capable of during the playoffs last year. However, to take the giant leap and join the elite teams in the league, we all know - and no doubt Heinicke included - that he's not the answer as a starter.

But the question is, who is?

Ideal scenario

Many fans' favourite, including mine, is Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks. A genuine elite QB with the type of arm and mobility that defences hate. The questions are, however, is he willing to swap Washington State for Washington DC? And how much would the newly crowned Commanders need to give up facilitating that move?

And, of course, many are curious as to what AR12 does and whether he stays in Green Bay. As much as it would be the elite QB we've craved for many years, I really can't see him in a Commanders' uniform, however.

OK scenario

Other veterans of interest include Derek Carr, who I rate highly. And then we have the draft. Malik Willis is attracting plenty of attention and I quite like his attributes. There's also Kenny Pickett, Desmond Ridder, and Matt Coral.

They have differing styles and would potentially all get a shot in Washington, given our situation.

Disaster

With all these potential options and scenarios in play, here's my one desire: we don't just run with another bridge QB.

One name that's been bandied around is Jimmy Garoppolo, who I personally don't rate very highly and who fits the aforementioned "bridge" category.

We have been down this road too many times and I don't want to see us make the same mistake yet again. For me, we need to go all-in for a high-quality veteran, or look to the draft, or indeed, both.

Next up, Christian Burt, UKHTTW founder:

In attempting to bring some thoughts to the table, I wanted to focus on how I feel Rivera views the players already in Washington.

Repeatedly he has mentioned being an upbeat guy and is perhaps “bigger” on some of the roster than us fans might be. I genuinely believe that Ron does feel the Commanders are only a player or two away from serious play-off contention.

The problem being that one of those personnel gaps, the QB position, is the Holy Grail for all NFL franchises. So, how will the Front Office go about securing the services of a QB and what might an ideal scenario be for the Commanders?

Ideal

Rivera is a third-year Head Coach, but I do not believe he is a typical hot seat third year coach. He can, therefore, sit reasonably comfortable with drafting and developing a QB.

In Marty Hurney and Martin Mayhew, the Commanders have two experienced QB evaluators who will be confident in their ability to land another Matthew Stafford or Cam Newton.

Whilst there are different paths to the Superbowl (Rams have forsaken picks for proven guys whereas the Bengals took the early hits and landed Joe Burrow), I am still more inclined to take the rookie path and then add offense weapons in FA and the draft in both 22 and 23.

Whether the drafted QB is plug in and play (Pickett/Strong?) or perhaps needs to sit a while and learn (Willis/Ridder?), the Commanders hitting a home run in the Draft is my ideal scenario.

If the QB does need to hold the clipboard for a season, I would prefer we acquire a FA QB without the need to give up much (Trubisky, Bridgewater). We would also need to be confident in the 3 RBs are on the roster next season, and going into ’23, to lighten the initial burden for when the rookie steps in.

Perhaps a red flag to this scenario might be persuading star WR Terry McLaurin to sign a career contract in D.C., no doubt Terry would embrace a Russell Wilson for example, but I do not see that happening.

OK with it

Perhaps a little far-fetched, but my OK scenario, which almost veers into Ideal, is that Rivera, Gurney and Mayhew might have really loved a guy in the last few years drafts, but the current employer is less keen on.

Obvious candidates might be Tua Tagovailoa in Miami, or in most recent days, we have seen a less-than-happy Kyler Murray in Arizona.

Now, it’ll take some draft capital and players to make that move (especially for Murray), but again, if they really liked one of those coming out of college, then go for it.

I would prefer this scenario than a middle-tier QB like Jimmy Garoppolo, which really does seem like kicking the can down the road in an Alex Smith style. We have been there and done that too often.

Disastrous

I might get some flak for this, but for a franchise that desperately needs to permanently instil the correct work environment and culture, I would be very wary of making a move for Deshaun Watson of the Texans.

Whilst he has the skill set of a Top 8 QB in the league, there is obvious baggage that I do not feel the Commanders need or should embrace.

Next up, James Lowe:

Ideal Scenario

Jameis Winston in Free Agency.

Winston is easily the most talented QB in free agency, is only 27, and could really excel and become a top tier QB somewhere.

I really hope that somewhere is in Washington for the former No.1 overall pick. If he was in this QB draft class he would be QB1 by a country mile. Jameis is a well-liked leader and fits perfectly into the culture Ron Rivera is cultivating in DC.

Get him here and give him a go for a couple of seasons! But we would face plenty of competition from the Steelers and Broncos to secure his services.

The “OK with it” scenario

Drafting Malik Willis at 11

There are plenty of reasons to think Willis will end up as QB1 in the upcoming draft. His physical tools are extraordinary. Between his mobility and the pro level power in his arm, he caught the attention of NFL talent evaluators in Mobil.

In the early practices Willis missed a few shots, but he recovered and eventually turned out to be one of the most accurate quarterbacks of the week, winning the garbage can precision challenge on the final day of practice.

The worry though is that Willis ranked 73rd in uncatchable pass rate this past season per PFF.

There is a lot for the young man to work on and he might not be ready to start right away (another reason to keep Heinicke around) but he does have the mobility and arm that Ron Rivera said he was looking for.

If he’s there at 11 I would not be against taking him, but I would not pass up on a Devin Lloyd, Drake London, or Ahmad Gardner.

Disaster scenario

My disaster scenario is if we do nothing or kick the can down the road with a Tyrod Taylor or Mitch Trubisky on a 1-year deal.

We really need to have massive swing at QB this offseason.

And last, but not least, Tony Wheat of Full Press Commanders

Ideal

If the team has any shot at all at Russell Wilson, then they should take it.

He has plenty in the tank and is a top 10 QB. Rumour is that he is the ‘big swing’ that the team is looking to go for and Kevin Sheehan suggested that contrary to his previous position, Wilson would not be opposed to coming to Washington.

Now there’s a big difference between not being opposed to something and actually doing it, but I think there’s more chance of landing Wilson than Rodgers or Watson, and the team should make every effort to make a deal if there is a deal to be made. I’d be happy to give up significant draft capital plus someone like Daron Payne to get him.

The team has plenty of pieces but to become a true contender, none of it really matters without a top tier QB.

Ok scenario

I’d be ok with a couple of the other possible options. I like the idea of Derek Carr if the Raiders aren’t fully committed to him and don’t want to extend him. However, McDaniels has made the right noises about him, so I don’t think Carr is going anywhere.

I’d also be fine with drafting a rookie either in the 1st or 2nd round. It’ll be interesting to see what the view is on this crop of QB’s as the draft approaches, but it seems like some may be over drafted by teams desperate for a QB.

Drafting a rookie like Pickett, Willis, Corral or Howell and either playing him immediately if he’s ready or giving him a little time behind Heinicke wouldn’t be a disaster.

Disaster

Another ‘bridge’ QB. I’m utterly fed up with the number of ‘bridge’ QB’s the team has had, and the conversation seems to come up every year. QB X would be a good bridge until we find our guy. Well, let’s go and find our guy please!

Names like Trubisky, Mariota and Winston have been thrown around, and are any of them any better than Heinicke?

Maybe, but is it really worth it to accept mediocrity again instead of swinging for the fences with a veteran or drafting a rookie? Those guys have upsides for sure, but it’d just be another band aid and we’d likely be in the same position in another 12 months. No thanks.