Written by Johnny Maffei
On the fourth day of Christmas, my GM gave to me: a long-term answer at QB.
Cam Newton has had a few highs since his October struggles, but with less than 100yd passing in weeks 12 and 13 and a 1:2 TD:INT ratio, yes you read that right, it will be hard to sustain a such a heavy dose of the run game week in and week out next year and beyond.
Here are a few options I have in mind for the New England Patriots (in NO particular order):
- Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons
- Most likely: via Trade in '21 OR '22 offseason
I understand this isn't exactly long-term. I was originally going to list this in the unrealistic options, because Ryan signed a 5yr/$150M contract that won't make him a UFA until 2024. But, the Falcons signal-caller is an interesting case because Atlanta is trying to rebuild. They fired their head coach and have been going down hill since blowing a 25 point lead in Super Bowl LI.
If the former 3rd overall pick were to be traded this offseason, it would cost Atlanta A LOT financially, but it wouldn't be as bad the next year. If Belichick wants to stay with Newton or Stidham for '21, then bring the former BC Eagle back home to end his career and make a few playoff pushes, it could give the Patriots a few flexible drafts to find their guy of the future.
- Kyle Trask - University of Florida
- Most likely: 2nd Round of 2021 NFL Draft
Florida Gators Senior QB Kyle Trask leads the nation with 40 Pass TD, and nobody is a particularly close second. The SEC is no joke when it comes to competition, the Gators only losses this year comes to the #6 Texas A&M Aggies and the reigning National Champion LSU Tigers, both by just a field goal. Trask through for 312yd and 4TD with 0 INT against the Aggies and 474yd with 4 total TD, but also 2 INT, against the Tigers.
During his junior year against LSU he threw for 310 yards and 3 TD. Quite the performance for a matchup with Joe Burrow, one of the best QBs in college football history (not a hot take).
The Gators signal-caller was a question mark entering this year, but with his performances against some of the top teams, I think he can be a great option for a team in search of a franchise QB. He doesn't rely on his legs, he makes great throws under pressure, and he hangs in with the best of them. So many QBs entering the draft need their legs, but Trask would still be good if he wasn't as fast, which is a plus in the longevity potential column. He also knows how to protect the football very well, despite what you saw last Saturday against LSU.
Just Tuesday, former Patriots QB and current color analyst for 98.5 The Sports Hub Scott Zolak said on his midday show, Zolak and Bertrand, that he likes how Trask fits the ball into tight windows and how he does more with less than other QB prospects have to work with.
See for yourself against #1 ranked Alabama on Saturday during the SEC Championship on CBS.
Let's face it, the Pats missed several years of opportunities to acquire a number of multiple worthy QBs to lead their franchise. Unless they trade up for Trevor Lawrence or are willing to pay ~$30M to one player, these will have to be the options.
Stafford's stats contain a lot of garbage time scores, but besides his connections with Calvin Johnson, he hasn't had much to work with since being selected 1st overall in 2009 out of Georgia.
The former Bulldog averages over 27 TD over 16 games as well as a yard short of 4,400. With Belichick, McDaniels (assuming he sticks around) and an addition at the WR position, which any QB on this list would need, Stafford could be a solid option for more than a couple years.
