If I Were an NFL GM…

I feel like NFL GMs and owners always take the wrong lessons from success stories. A few years ago Geno Smith went to Seattle and rejuvenated his career. Then Baker Mayfield ends up being cut by the Panthers, gets signed by the Rams, starts like three days later and plays well. Sam Darnold heads to Minnesota and finds success (minus the playoff game). Or they see Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix being successful as rookies, and they say “see, we need a mobile quarterback to help us get over the hump!” 

This off-season we will see teams trying to find a former first rounder to take a chance on (Josh Rosen’s agent should probably be ready for those phone calls) OR they will salivate over quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward. I am not saying these quarterbacks will not be good, but teams think these players will take them from awful to great in like two steps. And it is not that simple.

Soooo, what lesson should these owners/GMs take from these tales? First, most quarterbacks are good. Second, quarterbacks need to be in successful environments. I know, that sounds stupid, but if you have a terrible offensive line, awful defense, no running game, crappy receivers…then you cannot be shocked that your quarterback did not turn the franchise around in one season. 

Let’s take a look at a team that has a top pick and needs a quarterback…the New York Giants. They are sitting there with the third pick. They could bring in Sanders, but would that actually help them at all? If I were in charge of the organization, I would say they need to fix the defense first. I think they could trade down with someone (the Raiders or Jets), and gain a more draft picks. Then use that first round pick to draft a defensive back. Then continue to build that defensive front in the second round. If they could get another second round pick while trading down, then try to add offensive line help. You can never have enough linemen. You may even be able to get a team to give up their next year first round pick for Shedeur (listen, if the Cowboys sign Deion Sanders, and want his son…they could be desperate). I would look into the free agent market, sign Sam Darnold, or maybe Justin Fields. Perhaps Dak Prescott will be available. Now, in 2026, the Giants could still have a high draft pick, and they could use that pick on a quarterback.

Maybe we try another team: Las Vegas Raiders. First, they need to find the right coach, and whatever his philosophy is, they need to go that route. If they hire Pete Carroll, and he decides to focus on the defense, then allow that to happen. The Raiders have some decent pieces in place. They need to strengthen the offensive line, and maybe build a running game. I think they could use their sixth pick to really improve, but instead they will either trade up for Ward or Sanders, OR take someone like Jaxson Dart too high (trust me, some team is going to take Dart in the top ten). Then when the quarterback struggles, they will call him a bust and decide to draft someone else in 2027…and the cycle continues. 

The Steelers are actually a team that could probably afford to draft a quarterback in the first round. But, it would have to be someone they meet with and really like. I am not opposed to Jaxson Dart late in the first round if he is there. Or take a chance on Kurtis Rourke in the second or third. If they go that route, I would hope they put some effort into developing him. Although, I have zero faith in their ability to develop a quarterback at this point. 

I feel like teams do the same crap when it comes to hiring a head coach. A terrible team will hire a new coach, and give them like two years to turn everything around. Listen GMs, if you are interviewing head coaches, you need to first decide what kind of team you are trying to build. Are we a defensive team? A heavy pass team? Between the tackles running game? Do not hire a head coach because they are a big name, but their style does not match anything close to your team. Unless you are willing to blow things up and give them time to build. 

So if any owners want to hire me as a consultant, shoot me an email!