It’s Franchise Tag Time

The National Football League is relentless; it stays in the news 24/7/365.  After the Super Bowl and the coverage of the parade in Philly and the nonsensical speculation about the game being “fixed” through referee coercion, today begins two weeks of “Franchise Tag” wherein players can be tagged making them “It” with their current teams.  After that comes The Combine and then the “Trading Season” followed by the “Draft”.  It never lets up…

So, as the game of “Franchise Tag” begins the first focus is on the Vikes and Sam Darnold; it would cost the Vikes almost $42M guaranteed for next season to “tag him”.  Darnold was very good until the last two games for the Vikes in 2024; it looked as if he had finally figured out the pro game and that he actually did deserve to be a Top-5 draft pick coming out of college.  Then, in those last two games, he stunk out the joint.  As Bud Collyer would say on the old TV show, To Tell The Truth.

“Will the real Sam Darnold, please stand up.”

`           This situation is interesting from far more than the Vikes’ perspective.  If they tag Darnold, that means he will not be among the options for the teams in the league who are truly “QB-needy”.  So, the Vikes’ decision will have a ripple effect around the league regardless of their decision.  This “Tag Period” runs through 4:00 PM ET on March 4^th; so, expect to hear and read about rumors and insider info on that subject for at least the next week.  Here is what I would do if I were in charge of the Vikes’ team:

• I would tag Darnold.  I would name him the starter going into Training Camp leaving last year’s draftee JJ McCarthy all the time he needs to rehab his surgically attended to knee.  If Darnold flourishes again in 2025, so much the better; if he stumbles, turn the team over to the recently drafted wunderkind.

The reason I said the Vikes’ decision would have a ripple effect around the league is the number of teams that simply do not have stability or even reliable competency at the QB position.  I will have a lot more to say about the QBs coming out of college for the Draft in a couple of months, but the bottom line is that I think the best prospect is going to be a developmental project and not a game changer.  So, those QB-needy teams will be sifting through available QBs with some NFL experience but not a lot of NFL success hoping to find the 2025 version of Sam Darnold in 2024.  Who are these teams?

• Browns:  Even if Deshaun Watson did not blow out his Achilles tendon and then reinjure it during rehab, the Browns need a QB.  Last year, they used Jameis Winston and Joe Flacco.  Not good.
• Colts:  Bottom line here:
  • Can Anthony Richardson stay healthy?  And if he can, is he good enough to play QB in the NFL?
• Giants:  “Tommy Cutlets” is a great human-interest story, but if a team must seriously consider starting him in a regular season game, they are – – by definition – – QB-needy.  Drew Lock is a free agent this year too.
• Jets:  They are “moving on” from Aaron Rodgers.  Current QBs on the roster are Tyrod Taylor (journeyman) and Jordan Travis (untested rookie who sat out 2024 to rehab a knee injury).
• Raiders:  Gardner Minshew is fine as a backup.  Aidan O’Connell has room to improve but looks like a low-ceiling guy.  Desmond Ridder is not the answer.
• Rams:  Matthew Stafford wants to play next year but he also wants a significant raise because he is making about half what some other QBs are making and he is better than many of them.  Where does that contretemps lead?
• Seahawks:  Geno Smith?  If you say so …
• Steelers:  Both of their starters from 2024 have expiring contracts.  Justin Fields remains a mystery.  Russell Wilson played well until the last 4 games when the Steelers went in the tank.
• Titans:  Just like the Colts situation above:
  • Can Will Levis become a competent NFL QB?

That list is more than 25% of the league and I could have tossed in the Jags, Niners and Saints as teams with decisions to be made; that would have listed 37.5% of the NFL here.  So, who might those teams look at to upgrade their situation keeping in mind that I do not see a lot of help coming in this year’s Draft?  Here are some possibilities; the pickings are slim:

• Jacoby Brisset – – great backup but not “the guy”
• Justin Fields – – if he “can play” shouldn’t the Steelers resign him?
• Joe Flacco – – not again
• Jimmy Garoppolo – – he is Jacoby Brisset with “Matinee Idol” looks
• Daniel Jones – – still some potential here
• Mac Jones – – talk about a crapshoot …  but he is young, and he will be cheap
• Taylor Heinicke – – backup
• Trey Lance – – see “Mac Jones” above
• Drew Lock – – Meh!
• Aaron Rodgers – – he comes with so much baggage his nickname should be “Suitcase”.
• Mason Rudolph – – backup
• Cooper Rush – – overall, he may be the best one on this list
• Jarrett Stidham – – backup
• Carson Wentz – – backup
• Russell Wilson – – any gas left in the tank there?
• Zach Wilson – – see “Trey Lance” and “Mac Jones” above
• Jameis Winston – – if you like roller coaster rides, this is your guy

If I missed a name or three on the list above, I apologize and I assert that there is not a “sleeping giant” missing from the list.

There are two other “QB situations” that will need to be resolved and the means by which they are resolved can involve the “QB-needy” teams:

1. Derek Carr:  He has underachieved expectations with the Saints and the team has a new head coach.  So, might the team decide to roll the dice and go with Spencer Rattler as their QB and try to get something in return for Carr?
2. Kirk Cousins: The Falcons are moving on and are handing the reins to Michael Penix, Jr.  Cousins has 3 years to go in a 4-year deal worth a total of $180M so the Falcons would like to get something for him rather than just cut him.  Cousins is in his late 30s; he is coming off an injury; he has been productive for most of his career prior to the injury.  Oh, by the way, he has a no-trade clause in his contract meaning he is not likely going to want to play for a team that is in total tear-down and rebuild mode.  This could be interesting to watch …

And these are just the QB storylines for “Franchise Tag” time in the NFL …

Finally, here is a quote from Hall of Fame QB, John Unitas, demonstrating the close bond between a QB and his coach:

 “I wouldn’t walk across the street to piss down Don Shula’s throat if he was on fire.”

But don’t get me wrong, I love sports………