Bryce Young has now played one full seasons worth of games since returning from his benching in 2024

[Waldo]

5 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

Of course they are all busts. Young QBs with high upside that either had their chance cut short or were in terrible situations. Building your roster and trying for one of those is a cheap risk potential high reward situation. I don’t think we take one early in the draft again right away. Mid to late in the draft is a cheap gamble but deliver pretty low chances. Trying to recreate a Danny Dimes, Geno Smith, San Darnold, Baker Mayfield type situation as our plan B kind of works. At worst these guys are backup QBs which we need anyway. They are young enough to possibly have some potential still. You are finding some elite QB in FA for cheap. 

Geno is really the only good company to those guys and it took him to 32 years of age to get it to click. He was a number 3 not 2 until they are starting to click. 

Baker was a pro bowler and went to the playoffs. Darnold just can't be leaned on but is solid in a #2 approach of don't lean on him. Dimes looks to only play well in contract years so if that's due to that or just not having a crushing weight of a big QB contract is TBD but still looks like a #2 in the same way Darnold is a #2 because he can't be leaned on or else. 

The guys you mentioned would have to take a big step to go from being a #3 to a #2 in quality. More of a hail marry really. Geno did that but it took years where this team needs a #2, not a #3 project. Basically they are closer ro Hooker than any of those guys but Geno who is the exception  and not the rule.

[ForJimmy]

1 hour ago, Waldo said:

Geno is really the only good company to those guys and it took him to 32 years of age to get it to click. He was a number 3 not 2 until they are starting to click. 

Baker was a pro bowler and went to the playoffs. Darnold just can't be leaned on but is solid in a #2 approach of don't lean on him. Dimes looks to only play well in contract years so if that's due to that or just not having a crushing weight of a big QB contract is TBD but still looks like a #2 in the same way Darnold is a #2 because he can't be leaned on or else. 

The guys you mentioned would have to take a big step to go from being a #3 to a #2 in quality. More of a hail marry really. Geno did that but it took years where this team needs a #2, not a #3 project. Basically they are closer ro Hooker than any of those guys but Geno who is the exception  and not the rule.

Lance and Willis are already QB2s for stable franchises.  Willis came in and won game games for GB last year when Love went down.  He is still young as everyone knew he was a project coming into the league.  Howell racked up a ton of passing yards his rookie year playing for a dysfunctional Commanders team, he turned the ball over a lot and took a lot of sacks but he was a rookie so that is expected.  He is still sitting and learning with the Eagles.  Lance couldn't stay healthy to get a fair chance to start and Purdy took that job and never looked back.  Lance has now sat and learned in a Shanny offense and is currently QB2 in LAC learning in a Harbaugh offense.  He looked good in preseason, but that doesn't mean much.  Zack Wilson struggled with the Jets (who hasn't), his biggest concern would be not beating Ewers for QB2 in Miami.

These are just young QBs who have a decent ceiling and most are currently already QB2s which is what we need regardless.  They all come pretty cheap and if DC can develop any of them further they could potentially be a starter for us.  Super low risk, fulfills an immediate need with a possibly good payout.  You do moves like this while building your roster.  Once your franchise is stable enough with talent you can make a move again for a rookie QB if the cost is right. So I guess I'm not sure how Willis and Lance take the step to be QB2 when they currently are for much better franchises?  A QB2 is either a vet who isn't good enough to be a QB1 but can manage a couple games, or a young QB that has shown potential but still needs to prove they can be a QB1.  

[kungfoodude]

1 hour ago, ForJimmy said:

Of course they are all busts. Young QBs with high upside that either had their chance cut short or were in terrible situations. Building your roster and trying for one of those is a cheap risk potential high reward situation. I don’t think we take one early in the draft again right away. Mid to late in the draft is a cheap gamble but deliver pretty low chances. Trying to recreate a Danny Dimes, Geno Smith, San Darnold, Baker Mayfield type situation as our plan B kind of works. At worst these guys are backup QBs which we need anyway. They are young enough to possibly have some potential still. You are finding some elite QB in FA for cheap. 

Yeah but Jones was a solid starter prior to Daboll and Baker was always a good QB.

Geno is the outlier and Sam is gonna have to do this another year or so for me to believe.

I understand people like those stories but they are memorable because they are rare. Most of the guys you listed, if not all, will probably be out of the NFL in 4 years.

I am not saying definitely no, especially if Dalton retired or left for whatever reason but you named four very clear downgrades at QB.

[kungfoodude]

19 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

Lance and Willis are already QB2s for stable franchises.  Willis came in and won game games for GB last year when Love went down.  He is still young as everyone knew he was a project coming into the league.  Howell racked up a ton of passing yards his rookie year playing for a dysfunctional Commanders team, he turned the ball over a lot and took a lot of sacks but he was a rookie so that is expected.  He is still sitting and learning with the Eagles.  Lance couldn't stay healthy to get a fair chance to start and Purdy took that job and never looked back.  Lance has now sat and learned in a Shanny offense and is currently QB2 in LAC learning in a Harbaugh offense.  He looked good in preseason, but that doesn't mean much.  Zack Wilson struggled with the Jets (who hasn't), his biggest concern would be not beating Ewers for QB2 in Miami.

These are just young QBs who have a decent ceiling and most are currently already QB2s which is what we need regardless.  They all come pretty cheap and if DC can develop any of them further they could potentially be a starter for us.  Super low risk, fulfills an immediate need with a possibly good payout.  You do moves like this while building your roster.  Once your franchise is stable enough with talent you can make a move again for a rookie QB if the cost is right. So I guess I'm not sure how Willis and Lance take the step to be QB2 when they currently are for much better franchises?  A QB2 is either a vet who isn't good enough to be a QB1 but can manage a couple games, or a young QB that has shown potential but still needs to prove they can be a QB1.  

Cheap would have to be the thing. If you are talking a 1 year, $2-3 mil price tag sure.

[ForJimmy]

23 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Yeah but Jones was a solid starter prior to Daboll and Baker was always a good QB.

Geno is the outlier and Sam is gonna have to do this another year or so for me to believe.

I understand people like those stories but they are memorable because they are rare. Most of the guys you listed, if not all, will probably be out of the NFL in 4 years.

I am not saying definitely no, especially if Dalton retired or left for whatever reason but you named four very clear downgrades at QB.

They are just young QB2s on better franchises. Not sure they are much of a downgrade or that they have less of a chance at being successful as some mid round rookie trying to adjust to the NFL.  Take Willis who actually has good numbers in the games he played last year.  He has shown he is capable of being a NFL QB just needs the opportunity to show he can do it consistently. There isn’t some magical vet or young QB waiting to be signed as a QB2 and take over a franchise. They all come with risk which is why you don’t have to shell out capital or a ton of money. 

[X-Clown]

47 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Yeah but Jones was a solid starter prior to Daboll

 

His best season before this year by almost every metric was Daboll’s first season (including his only playoff appearance and win). He is going to obliterate those numbers this year of course if he stays healthy.

[ForJimmy]

8 minutes ago, X-Clown said:

His best season before this year by almost every metric was Daboll’s first season (including his only playoff appearance and win). He is going to obliterate those numbers this year of course if he stays healthy.

It's crazy but the Colts have built a nice roster for a QB.  Solid OL with a nice running game,  Weapons in Pittman Pierce Downs AD and now Warren.  You build a good roster and QBs that may have looked bad on weak rosters can look a lot better.  Jimmy G, Purdy, and now Mac Jones looked solid for the Niners (Jones has come down but they are battling injuries on that roster).  Look over at the Vikings where Cousins, Darnold, and even post injuries Wentz look good.  GB went from Rodgers to Love and when Willis came in he looked good as well.  Now take the opposite of QBs going to bad teams and struggling Baker here, Darnold here, Rodgers at NYJ, Geno at LV, Baker some season on the Browns vs at Tampa.  

The league is showing us it's easier to build a roster/system that a decent QB can thrive in vs continuously gambling on a rookie QB to turn around a franchise.  Letting Morgan and DC continue to build this roster while kicking the tires on some of these QB2s with potential is a cheaper and possibly effective approach unless one just falls in our lap in the draft. 

[mrcompletely11]

1 minute ago, ForJimmy said:

It's crazy but the Colts have built a nice roster for a QB.  Solid OL with a nice running game,  Weapons in Pittman Pierce Downs AD and now Warren.  You build a good roster and QBs that may have looked bad on weak rosters can look a lot better.  Jimmy G, Purdy, and now Mac Jones looked solid for the Niners (Jones has come down but they are battling injuries on that roster).  Look over at the Vikings where Cousins, Darnold, and even post injuries Wentz look good.  GB went from Rodgers to Love and when Willis came in he looked good as well.  Now take the opposite of QBs going to bad teams and struggling Baker here, Darnold here, Rodgers at NYJ, Geno at LV, Baker some season on the Browns vs at Tampa.  

The league is showing us it's easier to build a roster/system that a decent QB can thrive in vs continuously gambling on a rookie QB to turn around a franchise.  Letting Morgan and DC continue to build this roster while kicking the tires on some of these QB2s with potential is a cheaper and possibly effective approach unless one just falls in our lap in the draft. 

I dont disagree with any of your post, however timing is against us in your scenario.  The FA qb list this off season is LOL funny and I wouldnt take a shot on any of those dudes and secondly I the time has run out for us to make a decision on bryce.  He is either gone next year or we pick up the 5th and he is here 2 more years.   I feel in my heart of hearts the qb room looks exactly the same come 2026.

 

But yeah if we have a top 10ish pick it would be sweet as hell to be able to grab an elite safety or lb instead of going the qb route again.  But status quo I just dont know how you dont upgrade the qb room somehow.  I guess it all starts sunday

[strato]

31 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

I dont disagree with any of your post, however timing is against us in your scenario.  The FA qb list this off season is LOL funny and I wouldnt take a shot on any of those dudes and secondly I the time has run out for us to make a decision on bryce.  He is either gone next year or we pick up the 5th and he is here 2 more years.   I feel in my heart of hearts the qb room looks exactly the same come 2026.

 

But yeah if we have a top 10ish pick it would be sweet as hell to be able to grab an elite safety or lb instead of going the qb route again.  But status quo I just dont know how you dont upgrade the qb room somehow.  I guess it all starts sunday

I think if the verdict is nay on Bryce (and you don’t have great options) what you need to do is find his replacement level. That shouldn’t be that hard and would be cheaper probably. 
Basing it on if you can’t upgrade at least don’t downgrade. 

Edited 1 hour ago by strato

[ForJimmy]

1 hour ago, mrcompletely11 said:

I dont disagree with any of your post, however timing is against us in your scenario.  The FA qb list this off season is LOL funny and I wouldnt take a shot on any of those dudes and secondly I the time has run out for us to make a decision on bryce.  He is either gone next year or we pick up the 5th and he is here 2 more years.   I feel in my heart of hearts the qb room looks exactly the same come 2026.

 

But yeah if we have a top 10ish pick it would be sweet as hell to be able to grab an elite safety or lb instead of going the qb route again.  But status quo I just dont know how you dont upgrade the qb room somehow.  I guess it all starts sunday

I think the FA QB class is always going to look bad. Good teams don’t let good proven QBs just walk. Last year the thought of Danny Dimes or Darnold here was heavily critiqued and rightfully so but both players look solid on stable franchises. 
 

On a side note, I’d love Caleb Downs here! 

Edited 1 hour ago by ForJimmy