What could a franchise quarterback bring to Washington?
Every single fan of the Washington Football Team must by now want and expect the Washington brass to be in hot pursuit of either a franchise QB through a trade or a draft choice in the 2022 offseason.
Interestingly enough, during Saturday’s NFL playoff game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Cincinnati Bengals, a brief discussion was launched by Mike Tirico and Drew Brees regarding Bengals’ cornerback Ricardo Allen’s comment concerning a franchise quarterback.
Brees mentioned that prior to the game, he had asked Allen why he had decided to (leave Atlanta and) come to the Bengals. Allen, who spent the first six years of his career playing in Atlanta picking off 11 passes for interceptions, was reported to have simply replied, “Joe Burrow, he is the real deal.”
Indeed Burrow has shown himself in his second NFL season to be “the real deal.” The 6-foot-4 221-pound Burrow remained healthy almost all of this season, starting 16 games, and was the NFL leader in completion percentage (70.4%), yards gained per pass attempt (8.9) and adjusted yards gained per pass attempt (9.0).
Keep in mind Burrow put up these numbers despite not having the best of protection from the Bengals’ offensive line. Burrow also has the distinction of also leading the NFL in QB sacks in 2021, going down 51 times for -370 yards, both league highs.
Brees continued he was not surprised to hear Allen’s response because the NFL is now such “a quarterback-driven league.” So free agents are aware that if they come to Cincinnati joining Burrow, it “will give them a chance to win an NFL championship.”
Consequently, I could not help but instantly respond, “Hmmm, would NFL quality free agents want to come to Washington to be able to play with their current quarterbacks on the roster?”
Of course, I am well aware money does talk. But listening to Brees Saturday, he is convinced that it will be increasingly true that free agents will be looking for teams in which they feel the quarterback can provide them a real opportunity to win an NFL championship.
Thus, what can a franchise quarterback bring to Washington? He can bring along some veteran players who want to be provided the opportunity to play for a quarterback they are confident can lead the team to an NFL championship.