Ron Rivera spoke frequently last year of being careful not to give up too much capital, either in the draft or on the trade market.
A year ago, Washington was among the final contenders to land Matthew Stafford in a trade with Detroit, but ultimately lost out to the Rams, who were willing to throw in an additional first-round pick. Now Super Bowl champions, it's doubtful the Rams regret that extra cost.
After missing the playoffs in 2021, Rivera — still without a franchise quarterback — is singing a different tune.
Speaking from the scouting combine in Indianapolis, Rivera was asked how much is too much to give up for a franchise quarterback.
"There's an old saying: What are you willing to pay for that Major League Baseball card?" Rivera said. "Whatever you pay, that's what you think the value is. And when you get into these negotiations with another team, if whatever they're asking for is what you're willing to pay for them, then that's what it is. I mean, to sit there and say what is or isn't, who knows?"
"Does anybody really care what was traded for Matthew Stafford last year? No," he said. "So, who knows?"
After kicking the can down the road his first two years, the urgency for Rivera to find a franchise passer has never been greater. But it comes at a time when there are few decent options. Outside of trading for one of the top-tier quarterbacks (who may not even be available), like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson, Washington will be left to pick through the scraps of a middling free agent or draft class.
Mitch Trubisky, who's reportedly Washington's "Plan B," is an option in the free agency route. And the 2022 rookie class leaves plenty to be desired. Picking at No. 11 in a shaky QB class, this is the downside to Washington spending its last two first-round picks on defensive players.
Rivera can no longer afford to kick the can down the road any further. But can he afford to make Rodgers or Wilson the highest-paid player in the game? Because that may be what it takes.
He may be enjoying Seattle "right now," but at least Wilson's not opposed to the idea of playing for the Commanders. A $50 million annual salary could do wonders to adjust that attitude.
"I was very fortunate in Carolina, we found our franchise quarterback right away," Rivera said Tuesday, referencing Cam Newton. "We drafted him, he was a big part of what we did, got us to a Super Bowl, had a terrific career and, unfortunately, got a little derailed with the injuries his last two years with us. But when you get that guy, it makes things a lot easier."
"Not having that guy has really put the onus on us," he continued. "Last year some things happened, we were trying to get into that and we lost out to the Rams. Now this year, we're being very proactive, looking, searching, doing things we are, trying to truly cover every base."
With four avenues in front of him all pointing towards a quarterback — his current roster, the draft, and the trade and free agent markets — Rivera won't be able to outrun the decision to choose one much longer. Given the options currently on Washington's roster, that really only leaves the latter three lanes to choose from.
Rivera is also very aware of how drafting a quarterback can impact his job security.
"We're looking at all four of those things, we really are, and trying to decipher and figure out," Rivera said. "It's a long process. It really is. And then you're still not guaranteed anything. That's the truth of the matter. I mean, for everything that's going on right now with all the quarterbacks that could potentially be traded, and listening and following what's going on. I mean, every time you hear something, you're checking into it. And so, we've got to do our work. We've got to do our due diligence."
At some point, some point very soon, Rivera will have to stop playing it safe and finally pull the trigger. And it will be at that point that we find out how much of a gambler ole' Riverboat Ron really is.
