Breaking down their remaining outside options at…

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Let’s begin by examining how we got to this point. Here’s a quick review of the significant quarterback movement so far this offseason.

Aaron Rodgers – Signed extension with Packers

The exact timing may have been coincidental, but it’s no accident that shortly after Rodgers agreed to a new four-year, $200 million deal with Green Bay that Seattle dealt Wilson to Denver. Rodgers’ contract had been a benchmark for each of the last two negotiations between Wilson and the Seahawks and this one pushed his price out of their range.

Tom Brady – Unretired, returning to Buccaneers

Either Brady was inspired by Rodgers’ persistence or after three weeks he decided he’d rather not spend more time with his family. Either way, Brady is back for at least another year, which benefitted the Seahawks in one way by taking one team looking for a QB off the board. Then again, this also means an all-time great competitor is returning to the NFC, which obviously doesn’t help their chances of returning to the Super Bowl.

Deshaun Watson – Traded to Browns

After considering the Saints and Panthers Deshaun Watson ultimately chose to waive his no-trade clause for the Browns, who have rewarded him with a sneaky fully-guaranteed $230 million contract extension. The deal only gives him a $1 million base salary for the 2022 season – likely a hedge against any upcoming suspension. Cleveland got an elite talent at QB but this move will alienate a ton of fans, who are rightfully disgusted.

Kirk Cousins – Extension with Vikings

If it’s true Carroll wants a game-manager kind of quarterback, Cousins is probably the best there is. Dealing for Cousins was already unlikely, though and by signing another one-year fully guaranteed extension Minnesota has him locked in. You really have to admire their commitment to mediocrity.

Derek Carr – Staying with Raiders

The next-best game manager in pro football is Derek Carr, who we believed was the specific veteran QB that Pete Carroll had in mind to trade for when he agreed to deal Wilson. However, Carr isn’t going anywhere. By making a huge trade for his former college teammate Davante Adams, the Raiders made it clear that Carr is their quarterback for the foreseeable future.

Teddy Bridgewater – Signed by Dolphins

If the Seahawks decide to move on from Geno Smith (they’ve yet to re-sign him), Bridgewater would have been the closest thing they could get to replace him. Their instincts, abilities and Pro Football Focus grades for the 2021 season are almost identical. However, Bridgewater is joining Miami to backup Tua Tagovailoa. He’s agreed to a one-year deal.

Jacoby Brissett – Signed by Browns

Cleveland is clearly serious about upgrading at QB after a disastrous, injury-plauged campaign by Baker Mayfield. In addition to trading for Watson, they’ve signed Brissett to a one-year deal to backup Watson. Brissett is in the same camp as Bridgewater and Geno Smith as a high-end backup and low-end starter.

Tyrod Taylor – Signed by Giants

Another excellent backup who’s now off the board is Tyrod Taylor, whose career numbers are even better than Bridgewater and Brissett’s. Taylor is joining the Giants though, where we expect him to replace fumble-machine Daniel Jones as their starter before the 2022 season is half over.

Mitch Trubisky – Signed by Steelers

This also happened. Moving on…