Matthew Stafford or Deshaun Watson – Suddenly, the Washington Football Team may have options.
Detroit is seeking offers for Stafford while Houston has Watson on the block. It's not often two proven quarterbacks are traded, but both teams are listening to offers that will widely vary. Stafford is nearing 33 years old with a history of injuries. It might only take a first-rounder to obtain him, though a second-rounder might also be needed given expected heavy bidding. Meanwhile, Watson is just 25 and could command three or four first-rounders. Maybe a starter.
The easier trade is Stafford just for the sheer lesser cost. But the better long-term move is Watson despite requiring a king's ransom.
It's something for Washington's brain trust to consider, but in the end it's coach Ron Rivera's call. No matter former Detroit exec Martin Mayhew now is Washington's GM. This is a coach-centric team so Mayhew is just among the chorus surrounding Rivera.
Washington knows it's a quarterback away from truly contending after slipping into the playoffs atop a weak division and losing in the first round. If wanting to seriously talk Super Bowl, Washington needs a top-notch passer. After all, Alex Smith is a stop-gap player and young passers Kyle Allen and Taylor Heinicke aren't the likely answer.
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No, Washington needs to look at either the draft or free agency to find its starter. But, free agency will be expensive to get Stafford or Watson and gambles the future for the short term. That's OK because there are no guarantees long term over this defense staying healthy and together, so if Washington can win a title now followed by mediocrity then do it.
If scouts truly convince Rivera there is a quarterback outside the top picks that can quickly win, then go that route. Maybe Florida's Kyle Trask, Alabama's Mac Jones or Georgia's Jamie Newman are steals at No. 19 overall or even the second round. But, that's a big leap of faith.
Washington won't need that blind faith in Stafford or Watson. They're proven passers even if both haven't won much. Stafford is 74-90-1 for a bad franchise with only four winning seasons in 12 and the last in 2017. About the only thing he's ever led the NFL in is attempts, though his touchdown to interception ratio is very good (282-to-144).
Watson is 28-25 on a franchise that went into a freefall last year after two playoff seasons. Watson can work magic given some assets around him.
Washington needs more than a passer to truly compete with the kingpins. A second receiver, outside linebackers, left tackle and another cornerback for starters. But this is the toughest piece on the board to capture. If there's any trade close to reasonable, Washington needs to do it. Otherwise, 8-8 is an annual goal.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks.
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