Free Agency: QB Musical Chairs

[UnluckyforSome]

Pretty certain Cousins has a no-trade clause. They will cut him and spread the massive hit over 2 years. Well, that's what they should do, but it is Atlanta, so who knows.

[MHS831]

37 minutes ago, UnluckyforSome said:

Pretty certain Cousins has a no-trade clause. They will cut him and spread the massive hit over 2 years. Well, that's what they should do, but it is Atlanta, so who knows.

Confirmed--no trade clause--not sure it he can waive it or not.  Why would he?  I would make them cut me, pay me, and then find a team after the draft if necessary. 

[MHS831]

TEA LEAVES:  Titans cutting Landry may mean they are drafting Carter first overall.  Discuss.

[UnluckyforSome]

4 hours ago, MHS831 said:

Confirmed--no trade clause--not sure it he can waive it or not.  Why would he?  I would make them cut me, pay me, and then find a team after the draft if necessary. 

He could waive it by choice, as Watson did to facilitate the trade to Cleveland.

Why would he? Exactly. At this point in his NFL life I am sure he would rather control where he goes rather than the Falcons shipping him off for a 6th rounder.

[kungfoodude]

Wonder if Vegas made the Geno move as a sign they don't expect to see Ward/Sanders or as a general vote of no confidence in them as prospects?

The offseason is getting pretty spicy already.

[MHS831]

Spent some time (10 minutes) doing extensive, in-depth research about Tennessee because I was curious that they would cut Landry in a cap move. To me, this means they could be locking into drafting Carter. Now Tennessee has $69m in cap room and the #1 pick.  They are interested in Darnold, but not willing to pay him more than Baker Mayfield just got with Tampa (about $33m). They are competing with Seattle, Minnesota, and a few other teams for Darnold.  They have also been given offers from the Giants to swap first round picks, adding a high second rounder to do so.  The Titans also like Ward, but I get the impression that they would rather have Darnold.  So until Darnold signs with a team, they will sit in a holding pattern.  Since their odds of getting Darnold are not probable, Ward seems to be the pick at this time, but they would rather have Darnold and Carter or Hunter and a second rounder.

I just found the Landry cut to be interesting.  Landry was their top edge sack artist with Arden Key, about the same age, with 6.5 sacks but a $7m salary.  Getting rid of Landry was a curious move unless you are planning on replacing your top edge.  Of course, Carter is not the only edge in the draft, but he might be the only one who can match or surpass Landry's productivity.

I think the Titans are holding the #1 pick for Ward until they sign a free agent.  Russell Wilson could be a bridge, and they mentioned Aaron Rodgers, which I find unlikely.  Let's not forget about Daniel Jones, the free agent dark horse nobody is talking about. 

[MHS831]

4 hours ago, UnluckyforSome said:

He could waive it by choice, as Watson did to facilitate the trade to Cleveland.

Why would he? Exactly. At this point in his NFL life I am sure he would rather control where he goes rather than the Falcons shipping him off for a 6th rounder.

That could backfire if Atlanta keeps him on the roster to backup Penix, but that makes no sense (financially) for Atlanta.  They will cut him.  I imagine they are possibly hoping for an offer Cousins would approve, but as you say, the flexibility of shopping as a free agent is better for him because a team is much more likely to pay more if they do not have to surrender draft capital.  I wonder if he has any workout bonuses etc. that may push Atlanta?

Edited March 8, 2025 by MHS831

[kungfoodude]

2 hours ago, MHS831 said:

Spent some time (10 minutes) doing extensive, in-depth research about Tennessee because I was curious that they would cut Landry in a cap move. To me, this means they could be locking into drafting Carter. Now Tennessee has $69m in cap room and the #1 pick.  They are interested in Darnold, but not willing to pay him more than Baker Mayfield just got with Tampa (about $33m). They are competing with Seattle, Minnesota, and a few other teams for Darnold.  They have also been given offers from the Giants to swap first round picks, adding a high second rounder to do so.  The Titans also like Ward, but I get the impression that they would rather have Darnold.  So until Darnold signs with a team, they will sit in a holding pattern.  Since their odds of getting Darnold are not probable, Ward seems to be the pick at this time, but they would rather have Darnold and Carter or Hunter and a second rounder.

I just found the Landry cut to be interesting.  Landry was their top edge sack artist with Arden Key, about the same age, with 6.5 sacks but a $7m salary.  Getting rid of Landry was a curious move unless you are planning on replacing your top edge.  Of course, Carter is not the only edge in the draft, but he might be the only one who can match or surpass Landry's productivity.

I think the Titans are holding the #1 pick for Ward until they sign a free agent.  Russell Wilson could be a bridge, and they mentioned Aaron Rodgers, which I find unlikely.  Let's not forget about Daniel Jones, the free agent dark horse nobody is talking about. 

I would say that you should also remember that this there are some attractive options at DE/EDGE in free agency/trade now. Keep an eye on them to see if they also make a FA move/trade to address it like Vegas did with Geno.

If that doesn't happen, I think that is likely telegraphing the Carter move.

[Jon Snow]

5 hours ago, MHS831 said:

That could backfire if Atlanta keeps him on the roster to backup Penix, but that makes no sense (financially) for Atlanta.  They will cut him.  I imagine they are possibly hoping for an offer Cousins would approve, but as you say, the flexibility of shopping as a free agent is better for him because a team is much more likely to pay more if they do not have to surrender draft capital.  I wonder if he has any workout bonuses etc. that may push Atlanta?

It appears that no team wants to take a qb in this draft, at least not in the first round. I can't say as I blame them. 

[kungfoodude]

13 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

It appears that no team wants to take a qb in this draft, at least not in the first round. I can't say as I blame them. 

Ward and Sanders are really mid first to mid second round guys in a stronger class.

But, by that same token, a lot of the guys mocked in the top 10 at the moment might late first rounders in a stronger year.

[Jon Snow]

4 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Ward and Sanders are really mid first to mid second round guys in a stronger class.

But, by that same token, a lot of the guys mocked in the top 10 at the moment might late first rounders in a stronger year.

Honestly, there's not 1 sure fire lock in this draft. Carter is the best of the class but even he has injury concerns. The qbs are overrated. Ward may be the guy everyone thinks is the best but I personally do not see it. He has a long way to go to prove he can be the gut in the nfl. Sanders? I would touch him and would go after a vet. Dart? He thinks he's better than he is but may turn out to be the best of a bad group. 

[kungfoodude]

8 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

Honestly, there's not 1 sure fire lock in this draft. Carter is the best of the class but even he has injury concerns. The qbs are overrated. Ward may be the guy everyone thinks is the best but I personally do not see it. He has a long way to go to prove he can be the gut in the nfl. Sanders? I would touch him and would go after a vet. Dart? He thinks he's better than he is but may turn out to be the best of a bad group. 

Dart is basically a 3rd string guy, IMO. I don't think he has what it takes to be an effective #2 QB in the NFL.

[Jon Snow]

Just now, kungfoodude said:

Dart is basically a 3rd string guy, IMO. I don't think he has what it takes to be an effective #2 QB in the NFL.

He probably doesn't, which says a lot about the class. I don't remember the kids name at the moment but there was 1 qb at the combine that caught my eye. He wore his hat backwards and had a mustache. I think he was from SD State or somewhere similar. I'd like to give him a shot to un-seat Plummer on the PS. 

[kungfoodude]

9 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

He probably doesn't, which says a lot about the class. I don't remember the kids name at the moment but there was 1 qb at the combine that caught my eye. He wore his hat backwards and had a mustache. I think he was from SD State or somewhere similar. I'd like to give him a shot to un-seat Plummer on the PS. 

I probably wouldn't look at QB's in this class outside the 6th or 7th round.