2025 NFL Offseason thread

[Cobra Mgr]

Bears quest for new stadium shifting back to Arlington Heights. IMO, could be a ploy to get the city of Chicago to sweeten a deal.

[dsvitak]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

It's been a long time since I felt excited about the prospects of the New York Giants. Their management has gone from zero to hero, from dunces to geniuses, in my eyes. Reading how they pulled off being able to draft Abdul Carter, a move that I panned at the time, and still land Jaxson Dart is inspiring.

Confident Jaxson Dart appears ready to be the face of the Giants franchise -- whenever that time may be

Speaking of Dart, read about him here and see if you don't get a special feeling about him. Like two other guys that they mentioned were in his situation: Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.

The right combination of confidence and rookie deference? Here is an example: Cam Ward, having done nothing in the NFL yet, has requested the team unretire uniform number 1. Warren Moon graciously greed.

In contrast, here is a quote from Dart: "Yeah, he [Brian Daboll] coaches me up like every second I'm around him," Dart said. "He's the guy that will walk in a room, say goodbye and whatnot, and then he'll come back 30 seconds later because he has an idea. So, he's constantly coaching me, and I think that's what I want to be around I want to be coached the hardest, and I feel like that's going to help me excel at the highest level and help me reach my potential. So, there's not another coach I'd rather be playing for."

One guy is worried, literally, about number 1. The other guy is valuing his coach in learning mode. Even if Dart turns out to be only 80% as good as Ward, I prefer Dart.

If Dart is anywhere near Allen or Mahomes, then he is a very fine player. I agree with the coaching aspect. He could be JaMarcus Russell, who lied about even reviewing tapes from the playbook.

[low]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Bears quest for new stadium shifting back to Arlington Heights. IMO, could be a ploy to get the city of Chicago to sweeten a deal.

Wait... they want to do a domed stadium? FFS. Obviously, they want that Super Bowl hosting money.

[Cobra Mgr]

Purdy agrees to 5yr/$265M contract w/Niners

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Players are "forced" to sign the tag cause they can't be a FA. Or they lose a season. They have no power to go where they want to go or sign for how much they want to sign.

He'd lose the year. Then he can sign anywhere else as far as I know. But it would never come to that. It's a thought experiment. I could win the lottery, twice!

It's beyond absurd to think a team would force a player that doesn't want to be there, to stay there for 8 years. What would most likely happen is he'd be traded after his 4th year, or 5th year option.

I don't think any QB has ever played on three tags. Cousins played on two tags for a total of 6 years. But Washington just didn't want to pay him.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

He'd lose the year. Then he can sign anywhere else as far as I know. But it would never come to that. It's a thought experiment. I could win the lottery, twice!

It's beyond absurd to think a team would force a player that doesn't want to be there, to stay there for 8 years. What would most likely happen is he'd be traded after his 4th year, or 5th year option.

I don't think any QB has ever played on three tags. Cousins played on two tags for a total of 6 years. But Washington just didn't want to pay him.

Dude, you give the owners too much credit.

1. You really think an owner would let a franchise QB walk just because he doesn't want to be there?
2. You really think the NFL owners wouldn't make an example of a black QB for not "toeing the line?" Keep in mind we already have two cases that shows they will. And the conspiracist in me believes there have actually been 3.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Dude, you give the owners too much credit.

1. You really think an owner would let a franchise QB walk just because he doesn't want to be there?
2. You really think the NFL owners wouldn't make an example of a black QB for not "toeing the line?" Keep in mind we already have two cases that shows they will. And the conspiracist in me believes there have actually been 3.

Carson Wentz got traded before playing a single down on his new contract because he wanted out. Are you telling me that would have been different if he was black? Because if you are, there is no point in continuing this conversation.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

Carson Wentz got traded before playing a single down on his new contract because he wanted out. Are you telling me that would have been different if he was black? Because if you are, there is no point in continuing this conversation.

Was Carson Wentz a franchise QB or even a starter when he was traded? You are terribly naive to think NFL owners would let a franchise QB walk if he wanted out but they still wanted him. That is why they have that pointless 10 game "option" for the player to disguise the fact players don't have a real choice.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Was Carson Wentz a franchise QB or even a starter when he was traded? You are terribly naive to think NFL owners would let a franchise QB walk if he wanted out but they still wanted him. That is why they have that pointless 10 game "option" for the player to disguise the fact players don't have a real choice.

Yes. After his 3rd or 4th year they gave him a top end market value extension. He wanted out, and they traded him before his extension even started. They had a ridiculous dead cap because of it.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

Yes. After his 3rd or 4th year they gave him a top end market value extension. He wanted out, and they traded him before his extension even started. They had a ridiculous dead cap because of it.

You're wrong. Carson signed an extension before the 2019 season. The following season he was benched. Then the following off season he was sent to Indy.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

You're wrong. Carson signed an extension before the 2019 season. The following season he was benched. Then the following off season he was sent to Indy.

Timeline. Drafted 2nd overall in 2016. Was on the path to be league MVP in 2017 before getting injured late in the season. Nick Foles took over and they won the SB.

After 2018 they signed him to a top end market value deal. You don't do that for a backup QB.

In 2020 the team stunk and he was benched for poor play. That was the end right there. He refused to play again. The owner had a meeting with the coach after the season, and the coach was fired in favor of Wentz. But Wentz insisted on a trade.

I live in the area and that's all I hear about. Eagles Eagles Eagles.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

Timeline. Drafted 2nd overall in 2016. Was on the path to be league MVP in 2017 before getting injured late in the season. Nick Foles took over and they won the SB.

After 2018 they signed him to a top end market value deal. You don't do that for a backup QB.

In 2020 the team stunk and he was benched for poor play. That was the end right there. He refused to play again. The owner had a meeting with the coach after the season, and the coach was fired in favor of Wentz. But Wentz insisted on a trade.

I live in the area and that's all I hear about. Eagles Eagles Eagles.

Color it how you want to, they didn't let a starting franchise QB leave just cause he wanted to. They let a benched, expensive contract go on their terms. And that is my point. No NFL team would let a franchise starting QB go to another team w/o trying to dictate the process.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Color it how you want to, they didn't let a starting franchise QB leave just cause he wanted to. They let a benched, expensive contract go on their terms. And that is my point. No NFL team would let a franchise starting QB go to another team w/o trying to dictate the process.

Yes. They did exactly that. He was benched by the coach for a game. He refused to play after that. He refused to play for that coach. When they fired that coach, he still wanted out.

He wasn't benched all season. He was benched in the Packers game. He refused to play again. That's why he didn't play. Not because he was benched. He could have played the following week.

[Ragnar]

What about Watson? He wanted out. They traded him for a huge haul. No teams force players to stay.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

What about Watson? He wanted out. They traded him for a huge haul. No teams force players to stay.

Did they let him walk? Or was he traded?

W/Wentz, you still aren't getting the point. Did they let him walk? Or was he traded?

That is what Caleb's dad & I are talking about. The player is under a 7 year contract @ the behest of the franchise no matter what w/o having a say on where he goes. He is drafted by Chicago. No choice. Given a 4 year contract. No choice. Can have a 5th year added @ the Bears discretion. No choice. Given a franchise tender. No choice. Given a 2nd franchise tender. NO CHOICE. He is almost 30 before he gets a chance to dictate his future. While at the mercy of a franchise that has proven for 105 years they cannot produce a top notch passing game.

I repeat. Your denials mean nothing to me. No NFL team lets a starting franchise QB walk on their own.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Did they let him walk? Or was he traded?

W/Wentz, you still aren't getting the point. Did they let him walk? Or was he traded?

That is what Caleb's dad & I are talking about. The player is under a 7 year contract @ the behest of the franchise no matter what w/o having a say on where he goes. He is drafted by Chicago. No choice. Given a 4 year contract. No choice. Can have a 5th year added @ the Bears discretion. No choice. Given a franchise tender. No choice. Given a 2nd franchise tender. NO CHOICE. He is almost 30 before he gets a chance to dictate his future. While at the mercy of a franchise that has proven for 105 years they cannot produce a top notch passing game.

I repeat. Your denials mean nothing to me. No NFL team lets a starting franchise QB walk on their own.

I'm not saying let him walk. If after 5 years the QB wants out, they'll trade him. They'll probably trade him after 4 years.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

I'm not saying let him walk. If after 5 years the QB wants out, they'll trade him. They'll probably trade him after 4 years.

It's not about whether they should or shouldn't. The point is it is not the player's choice even after the contract ends. What other situation in commerce is anyone beholden to another after the contract ends? This is legal only because of the CBA. That is why Papa Williams was incensed @ the NFLPA.

[Cobra Mgr]

NFL to allow players play flag football in 2028 Olympics