by Around the time Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson had both asked to be traded there was a national football writer who said something like 20 quarterbacks could be traded. He was predicting trades and draft picks and almost had every team predicted to have a change.
As trades happened around the league I would be driving to work and counting how many on my fingers (not safe I get it). So now with about a month before training camp I thought I would do a fresh count and a little guess work with all the trades, draft picks and signings that happened what our tally is at.
Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson have not been traded Aaron Rodgers has also asked for a trade and does not want to return, so right off the bat we have 3 that could stay, could be traded, or sit out the season.
The best place to start counting is trades, I know Carson Wentz was benched last season and Jalen Hurts started games, but for the sake of arguments we will count that situation as Carson was the starter(12 of 16 games), and they have a new QB this year
Trade 1 Carson Wentz to Indy 2 teams
Trade 2 Matthew Stafford to LA Rams for Jared Goff Detroit 4 teams.
Trade 3 Sam Darnold to Carolina 6 teams
Then we can talk draft
Trevor Lawrence will start week one 7 teams
Zach Wilson we already counted the Jets with Trade 3
Trey Lance should be a backup, if they keep Jimmy Garoppolo training camp question #4
Justin Fields or Free agent signee Andy Dalton will be the new starter 8 teams
Mac Jones this will also be a training camp question as they re-signed Cam Newton #5
So that puts us at 8 teams with a new QB1 and 5 with a question mark let’s look at free agency and retirements
Drew Brees retired leaving the Saints needing a new QB1 for the first time since 2006 9 teams
Philip Rivers retired but we counted the Colts in the first trade
Alex Smith retired/ was released and Dwayne Haskins was let go mid-season making The Washington Football team, team number 10
Then we have the teams that seam to be set at QB (barring injury) we don’t look to be set to make a trade.
Arizona, Baltimore, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, LA Chargers, and the New Your Giants all have drafted a QB in the last 5 years who they hope to play long term (8)
Atlanta, Pittsburg, Minnesota, and Tampa (yes, he falls here) are all rolling out QBs who could be in decline or near the end. (12)
Dallas, Las Vegas, and Tennessee all have good vets who have been questioned many times in the past but should be their QB this year and potentially for years to come (15)
That leaves Denver and Miami, both have a QBs that could be counted as returning (Lock & Tua) or as new (Bridgewater & Brissett). Leaving them as a question mark, they are also teams that have been rumored to trade for Watson, Wilson, or Rogers. And it would not shock anyone if they did, even though their managements have shot it down. Giving us 2 more wait for training camp and we will see teams
10 teams with a new QB
15 teams staying put
7 teams with a question mark
10 teams are halfway to the 20 predicted, but not there if the 7 question mark teams make a change its closer. We will need at least 3 shocking moves to hit the 20…
Stay tuned here on Kee on Sports I hope to update this after the preseason and see how close we got. Also let me know down in the comments what moves you think will happen and if you know the record for most new QB1 to start the season?
