USAT: Washington Wire audio clip

USAT: Washington Wire

Feb 13, 2022

What kind of difference can your choice at quarterback make in the NFL? - Washington contacted Detroit last off season, expressing interest in trading for Lions long-time starter Matthew Stafford. Indeed the Lions were interested and there have been two differing stories as to what Washington actually offered ranging from a first round and third round choice to a first, third and a starter. - Coach Ron Rivera said on the Peter King podcast this week that Detroit was interested but that he also understood that when the Rams came in with their offer (which was much more), the deal was done quickly by Detroit. - It was a win/win for both teams. Detroit collected Rams starter Jared Goff, a third-round choice and two first-round choices. The Lions had hired a new coach in Dan Campbell, and a new coach certainly would like to have a number of new draft choices in beginning to rebuild his roster. - Meanwhile the Rams, already a playoff team in 2020, upgraded at the most important position in obtaining Stafford. The former Georgia Bulldog had started for 12 years in Detroit, making the playoffs in 2011, 2014 and 2016, losing all three games. - With the Rams, they are in the Super Bowl today and Stafford’s play in the second half last week is a big reason. Also he was on fire the previous week against Tampa as the Rams built a 27-3 lead. Cooper Kupp is awesome, but don’t you need a quarterback who can get the ball to him? You do, and Stafford is. - Consequently, Washington was simply outbid by the Rams for Matthew Stafford, and it is understandable. Detroit knew when that offer came in it was too good for them to delay and see what Washington or any other team might re-offer. They took the deal, not providing the Rams time to reconsider. - The Bengals drafted Joe Burrow with the first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Washington was choosing second and was content to take Ohio State defensive end Chase Young. - Oregon’s Justin Herbert was certainly available, but frankly, more analysts were talking about Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama) than Herbert. Tagovailoa was available for Miami (No. 5) so the Dolphins grabbed him. Detroit could have taken Herbert with the third pick but chose to select CB Jeff Okudah (Ohio State). - Imagine, Detroit could have traded Stafford, picked up some draft choices, and had Herbert instead of Goff. Washington, of course, could have had Herbert and they would not be talking now about how quarterback is their primary mission this 2022 offseason. - But hindsight is always 20-20. What we know is the Bengals made the right choice at quarterback and they are in the Super Bowl in only two years. The Chargers made the right choice and have their quarterback for at least the next decade. Miami? We are not sure yet about Tua. We are sure since drafting Tua, Miami has two season later fired head coach Brian Flores. - Washington? We know they are going to obtain another quarterback, but we don’t know if it will be by trade, free agent signing or the April 2022 Draft. - The old saying is, “Wait until next year.” - Well, sometimes next year is another opportunity to get the right quarterback. - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Washington Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Washington Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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