Kliff Kingsbury is the Commanders’ offensive coordinator, and now, with his former USC charge Caleb Williams being the consensus No. 1 quarterback in the draft, Kingsbury’s hire brings speculation that may not end until April 25: should the Commanders trade up to No. 1 to get Williams, and pair him with Kingsbury as the offense of the future?
They could do that, they could stay put at No. 2, they could trade down if they think they could find their guy later while picking up picks…or they could run it back with Sam Howell or do something like trade for Justin Fields, all of which seem to be on the table – and BMitch & Finlay laid it all out Tuesday.
But, as they were joined by their buddy Shawne Merriman live from Radio Row in Las Vegas, JP had to ask Merriman what HE would do…and his thought is wait and see?
“If Chicago drafts Caleb Williams, I'd look to make a move on Justin Fields,” Merriman said. “I think Chicago has the quarterback there already, regardless of what they feel like, and if I were Chicago, I’d trade out of there and get two future first-rounders. But if they move on, I think Fields would work well in Washington. Maybe go pick up some pieces on the offensive line, because they have weapons, but they need that stable position at the quarterback level. With that system they’re trying to build, he can provide instant credibility and an instant upgrade at the position.”
Wherever they go, though, Merriman likes what he’s seen over the last month since the Ron Rivera ended so far.
“They’re trying to make instant changes, and I thought that started when they traded Sweat and Young – they said we’re bringing in our people,” he said. “I thought Dan Quinn was a really good hire for them, because he brings an identity, and that’s what they were missing. It wasn’t the players, they just lacked an identity. I played for Ron Rivera so I think the world of him, but he got a little bit beat up by everything that happened in his regime. Ron is a tremendous person, and he’ll land on his feet, but I think it was time for them to move on, and time for him to move on, too.”
Take a listen above to Merriman’s entire visit, which looked at his fighting circuit’s upcoming events, thoughts on making it from PG County to where he is, the perils of playing pro sports in your hometown, and more!