So we heard from Brad Biggs about the Bears’ No. 1 conundrum, and we know what the Commanders’ decisions will ultimately entail – but we also know there are many that think if Washington likes a so-called ‘second-tier’ QB they can get later in the first round, trading back and picking up more draft capital might be a solid idea.
It’s a bold strategy, Cotton but how would it play out for them?
“Nix and Penix’s stats pop, but all these guys you could make a case for – but if your decision is that if you don't love any of those three, I understand the trade back and acquiring assets,” JP Finlay said. “But if you're going that route, I'd want to sign Baker Mayfield or Kirk Cousins, and, like, try to compete this year. If that's the plan, compete right away if those guys can deliver whatever you think they're capable of, and deliver you at least a B-minus performance and put you in a Wild Card conversation.”
“With Adam Peters, and looking at the history of Josh Harris and his franchises, do you think they're going to look for a veteran quarterback, or they trying to draft a young one and build it and try to have a foundation for a prolonged run?” BMitch fired back.
JP gets that, because if the end goal is competing for championships, the veteran still isn’t getting there – so what’s better, competing now to start the process, or starting the build?
“They’re building something, and that doesn't start with veteran quarterbacks who have had their stops, because what I'm doing is trying to build for the future, not for today,” BMitch said. “When people throw that out there, they're not listening to the people that are now in charge. Everything they've said, to me, is ‘I'm getting a young quarterback and I'm gonna build this thing up, and we wanna have prolonged success.’ Nothing says we're going to look for a veteran quarterback.”
The bold move to JP is staying put and developing a No. 2 pick, but Landfill believes it’s actually the best idea. And to BMitch?
“Getting bold to me is trading up and saying, ‘we like this guy, we'll give you everything we have for him,’” Brian said.
“I agree with that; I don't think they're gonna do it or should do it, but trading down is almost like a cop out, unless they decide, like, JJ McCarthy is a dude they must have,” JP said, “but here's the problem: if they get through this process and decide that somebody like Nix or Penix is who they must have…just take them at two. Because what if you trade back to 10 and then somebody comes up to eight and you don't get them? Like, if you decide this is the dude we have to have, take them where you know you're gonna get them. Maybe you don't get the extra picks, but if it’s the right guy, you are really rolling the dice.”
So is No. 2, but…
“When it comes down to it, you hav to make the decision because you’re going to be judged on it – so let the people that are paid the big bucks to do it, do it and knock it out the box,” BMitch said. “But, you have the support that I don't think quarterbacks have had in this town. They have that support now, so it should be a little bit easier – not that it's going to be easy – but easier for them to possibly reach their full potential.”
