What About a “Bridge” Quarterback in 2020?

[Shake n Blake]

(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.

Tom Brady - he's 57 and wouldn't come here
Drew Brees - he's 47 and wouldn't come here
Teddy Bridgewater - I'm pretty sure he's the heir apparent to Drew Brees
Mariota - No thanks
Foles - The Jags can't release him (33 mil in dead cap) and he's starting over Minshew right now anyway
Winston - Maybe? But he's a turnover machine
Rivers - He's 45
Newton - Maybe? But he doesn't look like he's going to age well
Eli - He's 45 and wouldn't come here

Of the list, I'd say only Winston, Mariota and Newton would be realistic possibilities, and they all have problems. If I were running the team, I wouldn't pass up on Joe Burrow. I'd cut some fat and fix this roster around Burrow. These other QB's are either ancient stop-gaps at this point, or they've proven they're not franchise QB's. 

That said, we all have reason to doubt Mike Brown will build a decent roster around Burrow. We need to dump some players like Cordy Glenn and maybe Kirkpatrick. Even if we clear that room, will Mike be willing to be active in free agency? Because we can't fix this roster with 1 draft and sitting on our hands in free agency. There's just too many holes.