What About a “Bridge” Quarterback in 2020?

[Whatever]

(11-24-2019, 10:31 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: Yes, I know.  Everyone, especially Mike Brown, is jonesin’ for a new quarterback in Cincinnati and since the Bengals have a mortal lock on the first pick in the draft, that’s the way the president/owner/general manager wants to go.  But, before selecting just any Tom, Dick, or Tua we need to stop and think.  Is that the best strategy?  Aren’t there more pressing needs in Cincinnati than drafting another “shiny object” quarterback?

If it was up to me I would snag Chase Young first then load up on the best linebackers and offensive linemen in the country...

...but I haven’t forgotten the Bengals need a quarterback.  So, I have an alternative suggestion to the draft to find one: Free agency.  2020 is filled with a plethora of free agent quarterbacks with proven NFL starting experience.  These men would be more of a sure thing than an unproven rookie even if it’s only for a year.  

Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Teddy Bridgewater, Marcus Mariota, Nick Foles, Jameis Winston, Philip Rivers, Cam Newton, and Eli Manning are all free agents — and some of them would love a chance to start again.  I think calling their agents might be worth it.

A bridge QB is just going to slow down a rebuild by tying up cap space and presumably winning enough games to make drafting a new franchise QB difficult.

For another, a big part of the argument against drafting a QB this year is they will get ruined behind this OL.  What makes anyone think veteran starters will just line up to get pummeled into retirement behind the same OL?  Chase Young won't keep them upright and you're basically gambling on getting some 1st year OL starters with day 2 and 3 picks.

The reality is, Andy is the veteran bridge QB.  They passed on Haskins so they could address the OL with Jonah.  If they were going to use a bridge next year, Dalton would still be starting and he would play out his contract as the starter. 

Instead of going to FA for a QB, go to FA to fix your OL and take the lay up franchise QB in Burrow at #1.