By: Jeremy Trottier

The Washington Football Team has one of the more interesting quarterback rooms in the league as of right now, and not really for a good reason, at least long term.  They currently have Ryan Fitzpatrick who will be a good bridge quarterback while they find another option.  They also re-signed Taylor Heinicke to a two-year deal this offseason, who flashed in the WFT’s one playoff game in the 2020-2021 season.  Neither of these options is seemingly long term though, as Fitz is higher up on the NFL age scale now and Heinicke is relatively unproven so far.

One of the QBs who has been on and off the trade block seemingly as of late is Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota.  A former Heisman Trophy winner in 2014, and the starter for the Tennessee Titans for a period of time.  Currently he is locked behind Derek Carr as a backup QB to fill in if Carr misses time, as we saw for a game last season.  However, in this article I will be going over three reasons as to why the Washington Football Team should target Mariota in a trade, and why he could be a good QB option for them.

Development Behind Veteran QB & Premier Coach

One of the most promising aspects of Marcus Mariota becoming a potential starter again is he now has a year under his belt learning from Derek Carr and Jon Gruden.  Starting with Carr, Derek has experienced quite a bit in the NFL and is a pretty exceptional quarterback for what he has had to work with in Las Vegas and previously Oakland.  Getting experience from an accurate and bigger armed QB like Carr will let him learn more about the NFL and about passing effectively, while being more safe with the ball.

He has also had time under Jon Gruden, who seems to follow the belief that quarterbacks do not need to do everything on the field.  I agree with this point to an extent, but Jon takes it to the level where rushing is extremely important for his teams and defensive aggressiveness and competitive toughness of his players is most important.  Mariota could stand to learn this mentality to an extent, as he was just thrown into a starting role with Tennessee and never given a chance to learn that he does not have to do all the work like he did with the Oregon Ducks in college.  Getting a year to sit behind Carr and learn about what his strengths and weaknesses are and learning how to cater to them in his own way is huge.  

Potential Scheme Fit in Washington

An interesting point to be made is how he would fit into the WFT quarterback room, as well as into their offensive scheme.  The two teams Mariota has played for so far are relatively high rush/smash mouth offenses, which makes sense as Tennessee has Derrick Henry and Las Vegas has Josh Jacobs.  However he seemingly would benefit from a team with a more high-flying intermediate to deep passing game offense.  Even though he does not have to do everything as a QB, his improvising abilities would allow for him to create yards where there are none if the pocket collapses.

Another thing to note is Washington has some fantastic weapons around the QB position right now which fit perfectly with this type of offense.  Terry McLaurin is a YAC machine and has really turned out to be a great WR1 in the league.  Curtis Samuel is another great fit, and should be a good WR2 to work with, Antonio Gibson had a great rookie season and was great at receiving out of the backfield, catching 81.8% of his targets during last season.  Logan Thomas is a great vertical threat for a more redzone and goalline style passing, and can really rip off some yards at times.  Finally Dyami Brown who Washington drafted this year is seemingly the slot receiver for the WFT offense, and his raw speed should make QBs jobs easy as he will separate from DBs quickly.

Relatively Low Trade Price

As I mentioned previously, Marcus Mariota is a backup to Derek Carr right now, and the Raiders also signed back another backup QB of theirs Nathan Peterman, who may not be great but should do the job for now.  With this info in hand, there is a good chance Mariota would only cost Washington at most a 2^nd round pick, and realistically a mid-round pick, whether it be 2022 or 2023.  Getting a 27-year-old quarterback who’s biggest need development wise is to just settle down in the pocket and think before throwing is a no brainer for that cheap, especially with their need for the position. 

The worst that happens is they have a bridge quarterback for next season, and they can draft one in 2022 to take over after a few weeks.  The best-case scenario is having a potential starter for the foreseeable future who fits into your scheme pretty well, and really can improvise situations to keep your offense alive.  The other reason he may be cheap is who knows when Derek Carr is going to either retire or leave the Raiders, so holding on to a quarterback in the prime years of his career would be a pretty bad idea, considering you can get something more useful in a trade for him like picks.  

Mariota does not hold much value right now presumably to the Raiders front office because he has not performed exceptionally well to this point in his career.  He underperformed his early first round price tag in the beginning of his career and is pretty much just a decent backup at this point in time as he likely will not jump Carr for the starting role anytime soon.  However, this would be a great fit for the WFT as their other options for the next season or two are minimal at this position, and a cheap option is worth trying out.  

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By: Pierre Wilson

The 2021 NFL Draft saw five quarterbacks go in the first round. This is due in part to that position being considered one of the most important for the success of an NFL franchise.  We’ll look back at this draft class in the future and have conversations about which teams got it right with their quarterback pick.

One draft class that’s looked back on quite a bit, for quarterbacks, is the 2012 class.  This group included number one overall pick Andrew Luck, third round pick and Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson, another third rounder and Super Bowl champion Nick Foles, as well the talented veteran starters in Kirk Cousins and Ryan Tannehill.  Even undrafted Case Keenum has had a serviceable career in the NFL.

The one name not mentioned in the list above was actually the quarterback that was named the 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year, Robert Griffin III.  RGIII took the league by storm his rookie year in Washington and had many debating if he should have been the number one overall pick, over Andrew Luck.

The shine on Griffin didn’t last much beyond his rookie season, so I wanted to take a look at the top three reasons for Robert Griffin III’s decline.

1. Injuries – Let’s get this obvious one out of the way first.  After a successful rookie campaign, one that included the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and leading the Washington Football Team to their first playoff appearance in five seasons, Griffin tore both his LCL and ACL in a 24-14 wild-card loss to the Seattle Seahawks on January 6^th in 2013. 

RGIII was never able to gain that rookie form again.  He was struggling in the 2013 season and that ultimately led to head coach, Mike Shanahan, allowing Kirk Cousins to start the final three games, (in order to avoid injuries to Griffin) with Washington already being eliminated from the playoffs that year.  Griffin would also dislocate his left ankle during the season opener in 2014, against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

2.Team Environment – One aspect that I think went overlooked in the Griffin decline was team environment. Many felt that Washington needed to move on from head coach Mike Shanahan, which led to the hiring of Jay Gruden in 2014.  Gruden had proven himself as an offensive minded coach in the Arena League, as well as in Cincinnati as offensive coordinator of the Bengals.  Many felt that Gruden’s scheme was never a fit for Griffin and was more centered around the talents of Kirk Cousins, who has similar mechanics and pocket presence of Bengals QB Andy Dalton.  Mike Shanahan’s scheme wasn’t all that complicated to many, and Griffin was able to easily pick up on the zone-read option and heavy dose of plays designed to the “X” wide receiver.  Gruden brought in a lot of different personnel packages and route combinations that RGIII was never able to adapt to, as it didn’t fit into the quarterback that he was. 

Griffin also didn’t necessarily have the offensive talent surrounding him.  The oft injured Jordan Reed didn’t have his breakout season until 2015, when Kirk Cousins had already been given the keys in Washington.  Alfred Morris broke out with Griffin in 2012 rushing for over 1,600 yards and 13 touchdowns, under the Mike Shanahan scheme.  He would rush for over 1,000 yards three straight seasons though declining each year leading up to 2015, where he only rushed for 751 yards and a touchdown.  You then toss in some of the dysfunction and scandals that have been reported out of Washington with owner Dan Snyder, former GM Bruce Allen, and even photos of former head coach Jay Gruden himself enjoying the nightlife a little too much and you have to believe the team environment played a part in Griffin’s decline.

3. Pride – I want to start this by saying I can’t speak to Griffin’s character.  I wasn’t there and Robert Griffin III has always come off as a humble and well-spoken individual.  However, I believe pride impacts us all.  We all have moments in life where we feel a great deal of satisfaction in our own achievements and accomplishments.  This isn’t a bad thing.  We should 100% celebrate the wins in our lives, as they can be few and far between, but we can’t allow those to change us as a person.  It would be extremely hard as a young man coming out of college to be thrown into the spotlight of the NFL.  Many of your dreams as a child are now fulfilled in one moment.  We’re talking individuals that often come from very little, fighting and clawing their way to something.  Something better for themselves.  Something better for their family.  A life they never truly knew could be a reality…and that’s simply making it to the NFL.  When you then toss in first year success, after already breaking so many barriers, and the sky’s the limit.  You’re the man.  You’re the franchise.  You now have family, friends, teammates, coaches, agents, and endorsement companies all in your ear about who you are and what you can become.

For anyone, that would be something to feel prideful about and I believe that pride may have gotten to Robert Griffin III.  I feel pride led him to rush back from major injuries before he was ready.  I’m sure the organization played a big part of this too, but as an athlete you need to ensure you do what’s best for yourself, family and your own career first.  Something that I think athletes today do a better job of and receive a lot of scrutiny for.  I think pride also led RGIII to believe he was bigger than the team at times.  He thought he was more polished in the pocket than he was.  He felt he was the main reason for the franchise’s success.  A former teammate and NFL wide receiver, Santana Moss, had an interesting quote to a reporter back in 2014 when he said, “No one who ever played this game can do it on their own or can’t be helped by good coaching.  I know everything this game gave to me I got because of what I did and what my coaches and teammates did to help me.  And no matter how much talent you have, it can change quick in this game.  You gotta know that.  You gotta remember that.”

I think that’s something we all can remember in our own lives.  None of us are bigger and better than those that helped us get to where we are along the way.  All of the major accomplishments in our lives aren’t just because of us as individuals.  It’s about who helped us along the way.  Who kept pushing us to keep trying?  Who helped us along the way when we stumbled?  Who encouraged us to keep fighting towards our goals?  Who cheered for us through ups and downs?  Pride often leads to us forgetting those people and focusing solely on ourselves.  I, personally, feel that played a part in the decline of Robert Griffin III. 

The good news for him is that he has still been able to live out his dreams beyond Washington, spending the last few seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before being waived in January of this year.  I truly hope his time was well spent in Baltimore, as they have a franchise quarterback themselves, to whom RGIII should have been the perfect mentor for…as long as he didn’t let his pride get in the way.

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The Washington Football Team won the NFC East and snuck into the playoffs with an abysmal seven wins last season. Even though Ron Rivera won the division and made the dance in his first year as a head coach, the WFT had a large question mark at the QB position. The reigning NFC East champs answered this question mark by adding a unique legend and fan favorite, Ryan Fitzpatrick. 

Fitzpatrick is joining a team that is giving him a better opportunity to start than his most recent past squads (Miami, Tampa Bay), despite his electric performances. The journeyman signal-caller will likely not only start, but he could put up explosive numbers in year one. Here are a few reasons why the 38-year-old could hold up to his “nickname” on a consistent basis and make his first-ever Pro Bowl appearance.

NFC East competition 

This isn’t a sexy reason, but Fitzmagic could stack up his numbers by virtue of playing in four games where the opponents feature dreadful defenses. These opponents would be the Philadelphia Eagles (19th ranked in 2020) and Dallas Cowboys (23rd ranked in 2020). 

The outlook for the Philly defense and Boys defensive unit doesn’t appear to provide reason for massive swings of improvement. The Eagles defense improved on the backend with adding Anthony Harris in free agency, but their CB position continues to be worrisome after Darius Slay on the depth chart. The Eagles will also have a new scheme to learn with Jim Schwartz out of the city of brotherly love.

The Cowboys provided little reason to believe the 2021 model will be more efficient than the 2020 defensive unit. The Cowboys drafted big-time playmaker Micah Parsons, so the rookie should be a spark and long-term solution since Jaylon Smith/Leighton Vander Esch have mightily struggled to regain their 2019 form. Nonetheless, the same inconsistent secondary looms and the pass rush took a blow with the loss of Aldon Smith. 

Top weapons in his career 

Believe it or not, Fitzmagic is entering a situation where he doesn’t only appear to be the favorite candidate to start, but a scenario where he will yield the best skill players he’s seen on the same practice field. Terry McLaurin will be the top wideout he’s played with since Andre Johnson. I believe McLaurin can be at the level of Mike Evans and he’s been near that caliber with some of the worst possible QB situations. WFT also added Curtis Samuel to the offense — one of the most explosive players in space and in the vertical passing game.

The WFT also exhibits two of the most underrated skill players in the league: J.D. McKissic and Logan Thomas. McKissic caught 80 passes and notched 589 yards last season. Thomas was a consistent mismatch while recording the third most receptions by a TE last season. 

Fitzmagic carries more than a strong chance to run away with the starting gig in 2021. The bearded QB that continues to be like fine wine at his position, could oust a Pro Bowl like campaign with the combination of pedestrian battles and explosive pieces around him.

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The Washington Football Team showed lots of potential last year as they snuck into the playoffs. WFT had an early postseason exit against the Buccaneers, but they gave the defending Super Bowl champions an intense fight in the 23-31 loss. Ron Rivera’s squad entered the offseason with a very talented defense, an elite wide receiver (Terry McLaurin), but a huge question mark at the quarterback position. 

It would seem likely that the WFT would add a talented player at the most vital position (QB) amid a team that’s well built around the weak QB spot. Yet, the WFT opted not to trade for a QB or draft one early on. Since the 2020 NFC East champions didn’t draft a QB, they’re left with Ryan Fitzpatrick competing against Taylor Heinicke for the starting gig. Fitzmagic may be serviceable, but the WFT has a unique opportunity to still obtain a very talented QB on a team that’s ready to compete “in the playoffs”. 

The quarterback that Washington should target: Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers is a world class athlete who seems firm about leaving Green Bay. I don’t believe Rodgers will cave in to this situation, nor will the Pack hold Rodgers hostage after drafting a QB in the first round last season. I believe a situation like this will take lots of time given the magnitude of the player and the returning compensation on the table, but eventually it will take place. And I believe the WFT would be a good landing spot. To be fair, I don’t believe it’s the most logical landing spot – but it would be the most exciting from my perspective. 

Reason number one: Rodgers would get to play in the NFC East

Aaron Rodgers has owned the NFC North for quite some time, but he could hold a bigger throne in the NFC – which is the NFC East. The NFC East was historically bad in 2020. If he moved to the nation’s capital, he would be on the defending NFC East squad looking down (7-9 in 2020). The division improved as expected, but the Cowboys and Eagles secondary is still weak, or less experienced heading into 2021. Outside of porous secondaries in the NFC East, the Eagles and Giants are slowly rebuilding as a whole.

If Rodgers was traded to the Raiders or Broncos in the AFC West, he would play in a much more competitive division, to say the least. If Rodgers heads to the NFC East, the reigning MVP would get a much softer schedule than one in the AFC West or even NFC North. 

Rodgers would also get to play the Packers this upcoming season, as Washington faces Green Bay.

Reason number two: Rodgers gets to play with Curtis Samuel and Terry McLaurin

The most thrilling part of seeing Rodgers in a Washington uniform lies with the weapons offered. Rodgers would get to have Percey Harvin 2.0 in WR/RB Curtis Samuel. If Rodgers had an ultimate slot WR that could make plays in open space, we would really witness Rodgers’s passer rating skyrocket. Yes, Curtis Samuel is the jack of all trades and he can stretch the field with Aaron, but WFT also holds an elite number WR1 in Terry McLaurin. McLaurin would truly give Davante Adams a run for his money in elite showcases if he was gifted a QB like Rodgers.

McLaurin with Rodgers is far more fascinating than Jerry Jeudy/Courtland Sutton with Rodgers, or Henry Ruggs with Rodgers. All in all, Rodgers would get another elite WR1, along with a talented WR2 that he’s been long craving for.

Reason number three: WFT has an elite pass rush

If Rodgers goes to Washington, they will be an instant playoff team, undoubtedly. Yet, Rodgers is solely focused day in and day out on the ultimate prize: winning a Lombardi trophy. In order to win the Super Bowl, they will likely have to play the Buccaneers or Saints in the NFC/then most likely the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. 

In order to beat the Chiefs or the Bucs/Saints, WFT will have to do what only has ever worked: get to the QB without blitzing. The WFT can get to the likes of Pat Mahomes with their front seven and make the QB’s life miserable. Chase Young and Montez Sweat are arguably the top edge rushing combination in the NFL. They both run 40 times like RBs but also carry 6’6 260 frames. To sum it up, WFT holds a scary pass-rushing unit that fuels their defense, and in this day in age, we all know all too well that defense wins championships.

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