More than a QB Away

Edition #320

Good morning! 🌟

At some point soon, I’m hoping we can move away from the conversation around the Quarterback position. But until we’ve got ourselves an answer, the interest and discussion will continue. I’ve already stated my preference for Carr to be the Jets QB heading forward, but I both appreciate and respect that others have different opinions.

Today I wanted to focus on one statement and one statement alone. Are the Jets “just a QB away”? That’s a popular throwaway statement online these days, but how true is it? Are the Jets really just a QB away from being a championship contender?

1️⃣2️⃣ 👋 Tom Brady has retired…again. There is reason to believe that this one will stick. Brady was still effective in 2022 but due to Tampa’s troubles, his numbers were down across the board. If this is the end for Brady, it’s been one hell of a ride with plenty of torture for us Jets fans. But even with it being Brady, I respect greatness and there is no question he was a great one. He’ll end as a seven-time Super Bowl winner who’s the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards (89,214), and touchdown passes (649). Farewell Tommy Boy.

😬 Travis Kelce confirmed yesterday that Rex Ryan said to him that if Geno Smith were not on the board when the Jets made their pick at #39, the Jets would have selected him. Kelce lasted all the way to pick #63 and with the Jets having pick #72, it would be interesting to know if the team attempted to jump up and get him, considering he was on the board for them at pick #39.

📤 The 49ers confirmed that they are proceeding with Brock Purdy and Trey Lance at the quarterback position, all but ending the Jimmy Garoppolo era. When asked directly if he thought Jimmy would be returning in 2023, Kyle Shanahan said "No, I don't see any scenario of that," - Which is about as blunt as you’ll ever hear a head coach be about a player who’s technically still on his team.

Quantifying a statement like “The Jets are just a QB away” is nearly impossible to do, which may be why it’s such a popular one to make.

Having finished the season at 7-10 and having suffered through a season of, in large part, ineptitude on the offensive side of the ball, especially from the QB position. It’s easy to see why the theory of a QB solving everything is a popular one.

If you have a great QB you’ve always got a chance. The NFL championship weekend was made up of three of the best QBs in the league and Brock Purdy, who just had a phenomenal team around him, and to his credit, showed he has a ton of potential to be the answer in San Francisco.

But having a great QB is no guarantee. Josh Allen is still looking for his first Super Bowl appearance, and Aaron Rodgers has only been to one Super Bowl in 18 years (15 as a starter). Dan Marino and Jim Kelly never won one. Dan Fouts, Warren Moon, and others never even made a Super Bowl. There are no guarantees in football, which is why I’m a proponent of sticking with the Joe Douglas build.