Five teams that will be shopping for a quarterback in 2022
photo via Wisconsin State Journal
This year was one of the craziest free agencies we have ever seen in the NFL. Many teams found a quarterback for years to come. Others, not so much.
Some teams forgot that the objective of an offseason is to fill holes in your lineup.
Looking at next season, there are some teams that need to wake up and realize that they need to find their next leader.
Some of the potential candidates for these teams are:
Jimmy Garoppolo
Current San Francisco 49ers quarterback who led his team to the Super Bowl in the 2019-20 season. With Trey Lance joining the roster, he will most likely be on the move next season.
Aaron Rodgers
The reigning MVP; Rodgers has shown his displeasure with the Green Bay Packers. Look for Rodgers to push for a trade after this season.
Spencer Rattler
Oklahoma quarterback: Under Lincoln Riley, Rattler had a breakout season in 2020 and is projected to be a first-round talent in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Sam Howell
North Carolina quarterback: The soon-to-be junior is another quarterback projected to be selected in the first-round next draft.
Kedon Slovis
The pinpoint thrower from USC is also in the mix to be picked in the first round next April.
Here are the five teams that will try to land these gunslingers in 2022:
- New Orleans Saints
The Saints are not completely screwed like some of the other teams on this list, as Jameis Winston is a perfect bridge quarterback to keep them competitive.
But a “bridge” does not fill the role of a franchise quarterback.
With tons of veterans on the roster, the Saints could definitely use a fresh quarterback to lead the team in 2022. A quarterback will be high on their draft board in order to take the team to the next level.
- Detroit Lions
Jared Goff is just not the answer.
Coach Sean McVay, who carried Goff to the Super Bowl in 2019, knew that he would not be able to make another serious title run with Goff under center. This led to the Rams coming out of nowhere to save Matthew Stafford from the crippling franchise in Detroit.
And with a new coach for the Lions, this is becoming a recipe for disaster.
But with their entire offense being decimated this offseason after the departure of Matthew Stafford, Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr, this team needs more than just a quarterback to save the pride.
The Lions will have to hit the restart button next season, as they desperately need to replace their quarterback.
- Washington Football Team
Unlike the Lions, the Washington Football team remains a quarterback away from easily running away with the NFC East title. With Chase Young leading the charge on defense, and a surplus of weapons on offense, a boost to the quarterback position could make the Football Team a title contender within the next few years.
In 2019, Washington took a gamble in selecting Dwayne Haskins, a quarterback with a cannon of an arm at the 15th overall selection. This pick did not pan out, as Haskins was released midway through the 2020 season after multiple poor performances and incidents of breaking COVID-19 protocols.
To finish the season, they used a rotation of the 2020 Comeback Player of the Year Alex Smith and sparkplug Taylor Heinicke. However, they decided to fill the hole this season with journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick.
At 38, Fitzpatrick’s best days lie behind him, and they will have to soon find a legitimate quarterback to lead them to the promised land. While Heinicke stole the show during their playoff game against the Buccaneers and gave Tom Brady a run for his money, many believe he is just a “one hit wonder.”
If the Football Team wants to dominate the league someday, they need to look for their leader next season.
- Pittsburgh Steelers
Next year will mark the first year since 2004 that the Steelers will have to seriously look for a quarterback to succeed Ben Rothlisberger.
The Steelers claim the worst position on this list. They do not have a true veteran that could teach a young QB next season, as after Rothlisberger, their roster contains Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins, both under 25.
Seeking a young QB this offseason was a must, so he could wait a year and learn from Rothlisberger. Instead, they signed Dwanye Haskins, who has not proven that he can compete at a high level.
Now, they will have to deal with finding a quarterback that can throw to one of the best receiving corps in the NFL.
- Denver Broncos
The Broncos registered one of the worst drafts this year, and it’s not even close. Many loved Patrick Surtain II, as he was one of the best cornerbacks in the 2021 class. But when Justin Fields’ name is still on the board, and you have a quarterback duel between Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock, Fields HAS to be the pick.
Denver quarterback last season, Drew Lock, was also selected in the 2019 draft in the second round. And along with Haskins, he followed suit and fell flat. In 18 games, he is 8-10 with a career average completion percentage of 59.1. When the only memorable moment is when he rapped “Put On” by Young Jeezy, it speaks volumes of his career thus far.
Young Jeezy has done far more for the Broncos than Lock, and he’s never stepped on a football field.
This past draft served up the perfect time to replace Lock, as Fields fell rapidly in this draft. But they decided to upgrade the cornerback spot (even though they signed Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller).
The Broncos’ name remains prevalent in some rumors with Deshaun Watson and Aaron Rodgers, but they haven’t made a major push for a quarterback.
Now, they will have to wait for next year’s draft, which does not feature top-tier talent like this year’s.
The hope is that they can find a trade for a big name next season. Or rinse and repeat will inevitably occur.
