How good must it feel for fans of the Washington Commanders not to be on the quarterback carousel this offseason?
With the latest news surrounding Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, Washington fans should be even more grateful for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The Rams have reportedly granted Stafford’s agent permission to speak with other teams to gauge his potential new contract value. No one knows if Stafford is actually available or if the Rams are only using this as a tool to determine his worth on his next and potentially final contract. Stafford is 37.
If the Rams were still completely sold on Stafford, wouldn’t they just pay him?
Washington fans certainly remember the 2021 offseason. The team was coming off a surprising playoff berth, albeit with a 7-9 record, and was looking for a franchise quarterback, and Stafford was available. The Commanders reportedly offered a strong trade package to the Detroit Lions for Stafford, but the quarterback chose the Rams over Washington.
Four years later, Stafford could be available again, but the Commanders have one of the five best quarterback situations in the entire NFL. Yes, we said five best. Whether you consider Daniels a top-five quarterback or not after one season, the phenomenal young passer is on a rookie contract for three more seasons with an option year before Washington must pay him massive money.
With Stafford potentially available again, you’re now hearing teams with questions at quarterback, such as the New York Giants, potentially talk themselves into a trade for the Rams QB.
How must it feel for Washington fans not to care about these things anymore?
For many years — almost every offseason — there were questions about who would play quarterback for the Commanders the following season.
Does everyone remember that tortuous 2022 offseason when former coach Ron Rivera supposedly called all 31 NFL teams to ask about their quarterbacks’ availability? The Commanders reportedly offered three first-round picks to the Seahawks for Russell Wilson, but Wilson wanted to go to the Denver Broncos.
How’d that one work out for Wilson?
Rivera also made a play for Aaron Rodgers. How’s he doing these days?
Ultimately, Washington settled on Carson Wentz, foolishly giving up draft picks for a player the Colts told everyone wasn’t in their plans. That one worked out as expected.
For years, the Commanders were desperate but so bad that no one with any options wanted to come. Ultimately, it’s Washington that gets the last laugh.
While Stafford could be traded again, Wilson and Rodgers are begging for starting jobs, and Wentz has settled in as a career backup.
Oh, how times have changed.
So, while other teams stuck in quarterback purgatory desperately seek an answer, Washington fans can dream big about which players the Commanders will bring in to support Daniels. The presence of Daniels makes Washington a place Myles Garrett would like to come.