The Five Worst NFL QB Situations, Plus Jets Love, Steelers QB, Dak’s Contract, and More With Dianna Russini
Aug 8, 2024
auto_awesome
Dianna Russini, a seasoned sports journalist known for her insightful NFL coverage, joins the discussion on the league's most troubling quarterback situations. They dive into the Jets' promising outlook and debate whether Justin Fields will lead the Steelers. The conversation shifts to Dak Prescott's contract complexities and the impact of new players this season. Listeners also receive relatable life advice, covering the nuances of living with an ex and feeling like the odd friend out. It's a mix of NFL analysis and personal stories!
Russillo identifies the five worst NFL quarterback situations, focusing on talent, contracts, and historical performance trends impacting teams' prospects.
The conversation highlights Deshaun Watson's underwhelming performance with the Browns post-contract, raising concerns about his ability to recover and the financial implications for the franchise.
A discussion on Dak Prescott's contract leads to a broader examination of how quarterback salaries affect teams' roster-building strategies amid rising salary caps.
Deep dives
Analyzing NFL Quarterback Situations
The discussion centers around the evaluation of NFL quarterback situations, highlighting several teams facing challenges. The Giants are notably mentioned due to Daniel Jones' injury concerns and inconsistent performance, having only thrown over 20 touchdowns in his rookie year. The analysis stresses that teams often cling to hope for improvement, yet history suggests few quarterbacks truly turn it around in later seasons. The conversation also touches on the financial implications of contracts, noting how dead money can affect a team's flexibility and decision-making regarding less productive quarterbacks.
Deshaun Watson's Struggles in Cleveland
The performance of Deshaun Watson since joining the Cleveland Browns raises significant concern, especially considering his unprecedented five-year, $230 million guaranteed contract. Over two years, Watson's statistics have been disappointing, ranking him low among qualifying quarterbacks, far from his previous MVP-caliber form. Injuries and off-field issues have overshadowed his return, leaving many to question if he can regain his prior performance levels. The financial burden of his contract poses a threat to the franchise, as the Browns may face repercussions from one of the NFL's largest contracts.
Pittsburgh's Quarterback Uncertainty
Pittsburgh's quarterback situation remains uncertain with an ongoing competition between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Both quarterbacks have contrasting play styles and backgrounds, with Wilson's experience versus Fields' youthful potential driving the narrative. Wilson's previous performance in Denver raises eyebrows regarding his future viability as a starter, especially with consistent issues such as high sack counts. Fields, on the other hand, is on a journey to prove his capabilities, with Mike Tomlin's management ensuring a fair competition to determine the best fit for the team's offensive plans.
Potential Shifts in Carolina Panthers' Strategy
The Panthers find themselves in a precarious position with quarterback Bryce Young significantly underperforming since his draft as the number one overall pick. The team faces pressure to continue supporting Young despite his struggles, which were compounded by a lack of talent surrounding him. Speculation arises about his future, with a notable risk of a lengthy rebuilding period if he fails to develop. As the organization reflects on the investment in Young, the broader implications of a mismanaged quarterback selection loom heavily over their strategy moving forward.
Impacts of Recent Contracts on NFL Landscape
The podcast explores the ongoing evolution of quarterback contracts in the NFL, particularly highlighting Dak Prescott's recent deal, which raises questions about quarterback valuation in relation to team success. Discussions contemplate whether paying a quarterback significantly impacts a team's ability to build a well-rounded roster, especially considering the rising salary cap. The broader conversation includes the anticipated contracts of emerging quarterbacks like Brock Purdy and C.J. Stroud, who may demand comparable salaries based on performance trends. As the market continues to inflate, the competitive balance within the league hangs on the decisions each franchise makes regarding player contracts.
Russillo starts by naming what he thinks are the five worst quarterback situations in the NFL based on talent, contracts, and more (0:31). Then, he chats with The Athletic's Dianna Russini about why she's optimistic about the Jets, if Justin Fields will be the Steelers' starting QB over Russell Wilson, Dak's contract, and more NFL training camp news and notes (17:28). Finally, the guys close it out with listener-submitted life advice, including living with an ex and being the odd friend out (44:27).
Host: Ryen Russillo
Guest: Dianna Russini
Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti
The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming.
Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.
