For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs, they’ve got one more game to play. For all other NFL teams, the offseason started the day they lost their final contest. Although squads like the Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, and New York Jets have either hired or are in the process of finding new head coaches, teams aren’t the only ones who make offseason changes.
In today’s NFL, players have a lot of pull. They’re employees with a say in their futures, which is why nobody should be surprised at the following list of quarterbacks looking to play elsewhere.
Every sport has its most important position. No Major League Baseball team, as an example, can win the World Series without at least one ace pitcher.
A quick peruse of the squads that have won the Super Bowl, and it’s obvious. If your team leader is an excellent signal-caller, the chances of you taking the Vince Lombardi Trophy are much greater than if you’ve got a mediocre quarterback.
Sometimes, like in the case of Matthew Stafford, the team and quarterback decide to part ways. Other times, NFL teams hope to find a quarterback that fits more with what they’re trying to accomplish.
In a couple of cases, though, quarterbacks decide they want to play for a different team. Check out the list of the top quarterbacks in the NFL who may throw for new cities in the 2021 regular season.
NFL quarterbacks on the move
Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans
The Texans’ best player didn’t have kind words after Houston disregarded Watson’s recommendations for the next general manager’s franchises.
Houston tried to mend things with their star quarterback by saying his input would go a long way in determining the head coach they were going to hire. Instead of healing, the olive branch made matters worse.
Watson has a no-trade clause in his contract. Even though Houston could have a great deal on the table, it’s up to Watson to decide if he wishes to play with the Texans’ trading partner.
Where will Deshaun land? The Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, and San Francisco 49ers are all potential Houston trade partners. It’s doubtful Watson would nix a trade with any contender, especially the Colts, Dolphins, or 49ers.
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions said that they and long-time quarterback Matthew Stafford have decided to part ways. Per sources, Stafford asked for a trade. The Lions didn’t put up much of a fight.
Detroit has the seventh pick in the NFL Draft. They could decide to go with Justin Fields or Trey Lance. If BYU quarterback Zach Wilson is available, they’ll likely draft him.
The Lions will be okay. So will Matthew. Even though Stafford will turn 33 soon, he remains one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
Indianapolis, Washington, San Francisco, New England, Carolina, Denver, and Dallas are potential trade partners. Stafford would excel playing for any of those teams. He’d turn the Washington Football Team into a championship contender.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Before last season, the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Prescott, which is why they paid him $31 million. Dak got hurt and spent most of the season on the bench.
He has yet to sign a long-term deal. Although the Cowboys said they want to keep Prescott in Big D, chances are Dallas lets Dak walk. The reason? He’s heading into 2021 off the type of injury that could end a career.
Prescott could demand and possibly get more on the open market than what the Cowboys are willing to pay. The Texans and Lions will both be on the lookout for a quarterback. Carolina, the Bears, and the New England Patriots are all possible destinations.
Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers
Bridgewater bolted from New Orleans to Carolina. Although he had a decent season, the Panthers pick eighth. Coach Matt Ruhle wants to draft either Justin Fields or Trey Lance. Both should be available unless a team moves up in the draft to grab one of them.
The Panthers can live with Bridgewater. More than likely? They trade Teddy for more picks. When you’re rebuilding like Carolina is, acquiring as many selections in the draft as you can becomes priority number one.
Bridgewater would look sharp in Washington Football Team maroon. He’d also find a home in New Orleans if he doesn’t mind sharing time with Taysom Hill. Sean Payton loves both Bridgewater and Hill.
Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Rumor has it, the Eagles want to keep Wentz. However, Oklahoma rookie Jalen Hurts outplayed Wentz when he got a chance to start. There’s no telling what the Eagles will do.
They won’t cut Wentz because Philadelphia believes they can trade him for picks. Carson and Philadelphia’s problem is that most quarterbacks don’t regress in their fifth season.
Will a team bite on Carson? Sure, there’s a squad, probably the Bears or Colts, that will. Wentz played worse than Bears’ starter Mitch Trubisky this past season, though, while it’s disrespectful to Philip Rivers to even compare Wentz to the recently retired future hall of fame signal-caller.
The five quarterbacks listed above are likely to play in different zip codes come the 2021 NFL regular season. Expect 2022 Super Bowl odds to drop on any team that acquires either Matthew Stafford or Deshaun Watson.
If you want to make a future wager on one of those teams, look for a bookmaker that uses bookie software. They’re likely to be more flexible with future odds. For example, if Stafford ends up in Washington Football Team maroon, and the odds drop from +3500 to +2000 on the WFT, you could call a pay per head agent and ask for better odds.