Making Sense Of The Latest QB Moves And How They Affect The Eagles
Updated: Jul 12, 2023
It has been a busy week with quarterbacks moving around the league. Big names such as Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson know where they will be playing in 2022. Carson Wentz is moving teams again. The NFL Draft is quickly approaching. What does this mean for the Eagles and Jalen Hurts?
Major QB Moves
The first major move of the week was Aaron Rodgers deciding to stay in Green Bay. He signed a 4-year, $200 million contract. This will make him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL.
Rodgers seemed disgruntled in Green Bay especially after they drafted Jordan Love in 2020. He put together back-to-back MVP seasons in 2020 and 2021. With all of his success, the Packers still couldn’t get to a Super Bowl. It seemed Rodgers might have wanted a fresh start, but Green Bay is still the place that gives him the best chance to win.
The Denver Broncos made the next big move by trading for Russell Wilson. They gave up tight end Noah Fant, quarterback Drew Lock, defensive end Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks. This is a lot of capital for a 33-year-old quarterback.
Wilson had a Pro Bowl season in 2021, but the Seahawks want to rebuild. He has a couple of quality years left, but the window is closing. It will be interesting to see if the Broncos can capitalize on this major move.
The latest news is Carson Wentz being traded to the Washington Commanders. Wentz was traded after just one season in Indianapolis. The Colts receive two third-round picks compared to the Eagles receiving a first- and a third-round pick the year before.
The Eagles will now face Wentz twice a year. It looks like the Eagles won this trade last year when they sent him to Indianapolis. Jalen Hurts got the Eagles to the playoffs, but Carson Wentz failed to do the same for the Colts.
Changing NFL Landscape
These quarterback moves will affect the Eagles’ 2022 schedule. Aaron Rodgers is staying in Green Bay and the Eagles will host them this season. This will be one of the most challenging matchups for the Eagles. Expect the Packers to be NFC favorites this year.
Russell Wilson going to the AFC should help the Eagles. The Eagles do not play the Seahawks this year, but Seattle will be less of a threat. This will matter for potential wildcard spot seeding. The Eagles were the seventh seed in 2021, but they will want to do better this year.
Carson Wentz is coming back to the NFC East. The former Eagle will have a lot to prove. He has not looked the same since a 2017 ACL injury. Fans should respect what Wentz did for the Eagles in 2017 but will not forget him giving up on the team. The Eagles know Carson’s playing style, so this should give them an advantage.
Less Quarterbacks Available
Jalen Hurts was publicly supported this offseason, but the Eagles were rumored to be considering upgrading the quarterback position. Wilson and Rodgers were at the top of the list of quarterbacks that might change teams. Now the list has gotten smaller.
The best name available is Deshaun Watson. He still has his legal situation to resolve, and the Texans have a high asking price. This would cost the Eagles multiple first-rounders this year and next. He is a talented player with potential, but the off-the-field issues are a major concern.
Other names that might be available are Jimmy Garoppolo, Teddy Bridgewater, and Mitchell Trubisky. Garoppolo is still on the 49ers, but the Eagles could get him at a decent price. He wins a lot of games, makes playoff runs, but has an injury history. Bridgewater and Trubisky are the best free agents available but would not be an upgrade over Hurts.
Eagles Rich Draft Capital
The Eagles go into the upcoming draft with three top-20 picks. They will have ten draft selections total which gives them lots of options. They could use a first-round pick on a quarterback, but it’s not a QB-rich draft. Jalen Hurts was a better prospect back in 2020 when he was selected in the second round. The Eagles should not consider drafting a new quarterback when they should focus on developing Jalen Hurts.
The Eagles should look at finding more offensive weapons for Jalen Hurts or improving the defense. There are holes to fill at the receiver position and secondary. Filling these could be the difference between making a playoff run or not. If the Eagles strike on at least two of the three first-round picks, they should have a talented roster for years to come.
Giving Jalen Hurts a Chance
Jalen Hurts looks like he will most likely be the Eagles’ starting quarterback in 2022. He is only 23 years old and very athletic. Hurts is on his rookie deal, so that allows the Eagles to focus on other areas. He had a decent season and even made the playoffs in 2021.
Another offseason should benefit Jalen Hurts. The Eagles would be smart to build around him to make him better. Give him another year and if he doesn’t produce, the Eagles could upgrade in 2023.
This option gives the Eagles ownership and coaches one more chance to evaluate Hurts. He deserves time to develop and fix his weaknesses. This also gives the Eagles a chance to have the financial flexibility to spend money on free agents. The Eagles can draft potential franchise players with their plethora of draft picks. Though the Eagles did not land a new franchise QB, fans should still be optimistic about what is to come.