Touche, Sir
Making Lemonade from Lemons
- Thread starter deljzc
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I'll put 3 QB names out there...
1. Jimmy Garrapolo- old as Rodgers etc, but smart & could run a McCarthy style West Coast Offence comfortably until a draft pick takes over.
2. Cooper Rush- McCarthy won games with Rush as QB#2 to Prescott in Dallas. Knows McCarthy's system well & can probably be relied on to fill the role short term until a rookie is ready to take over.
3. Garrett Nussmeier- Doug Nussmeier, Garrett's father, was McCarthy's QB coach at Dallas 2020-2022. That kind of familiarity counts.
1. Jimmy Garrapolo- old as Rodgers etc, but smart & could run a McCarthy style West Coast Offence comfortably until a draft pick takes over.
2. Cooper Rush- McCarthy won games with Rush as QB#2 to Prescott in Dallas. Knows McCarthy's system well & can probably be relied on to fill the role short term until a rookie is ready to take over.
3. Garrett Nussmeier- Doug Nussmeier, Garrett's father, was McCarthy's QB coach at Dallas 2020-2022. That kind of familiarity counts.
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Rush could easily become the new and improved “Rudy” as he will fit MM’s system better than Rudy will.
Go grab an upside, developmental QB for the Big Mc to coach up in the mid rounds (Taylen Green) and see if Howard has what it takes to win the job.
The only way McCarthy makes sense is as the bridge to an actual QB, gotta take some swings and give him some blocks to build the bridge though.
Go grab an upside, developmental QB for the Big Mc to coach up in the mid rounds (Taylen Green) and see if Howard has what it takes to win the job.
The only way McCarthy makes sense is as the bridge to an actual QB, gotta take some swings and give him some blocks to build the bridge though.
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Of those, Nussmeier the only one of interest. No more retreads with low ceilings please.
Seems to be a huge intersection of fans decrying the McCarthy hire but also wanting to the same thing they've been doing for years.
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Nussmeier, like Simpson, concerns me because his struggles were the result of an injury. He's another short, small-framed QB with a decent, not great arm. Also like Simpson, he has a good IQ and can make NFL throws. Draft season will answer some questions.
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If we're taking a mid round flier, F it, just take Allar. I think he has a 10 cent head, but that was the book on Josh Allen, too.
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Allar is one of those QBs some team in need of a QB is probably going to talk themselves into taking a lot earlier than they should just based on upside.
That is especially the case in what looks to be an overall weak QB class 2026.
I'd have no issue taking a shot on him in the 3rd round, but he might be gone by then.
If we are taking a gamble for me I want Nuss in that range. We have extra 3rds I would use one of them.
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Regardless, they're almost certainly taking a QB at some point in the draft, unless they make an aggressive move for Malik Willis, Kyler Murray or someone like that.
Hoping Mike doesn’t want to attach his name to an injury prone QB year 1.
I don't care if we start the offseason with Mason and Howard at QB 1 and QB 2, I don't want Rodgers back here at all, unless he wants to be a QB coach. The guy is a statue and wants no parts of contact and acts like a 3 year old when someone does something wrong, unless it's him. We aren't winning a super bowl with Rodgers, Howard probably isn't the guy, but we'll never find out with him stuck at #3, if he and Mason bomb out, then we know, and we're drafting in the top half of the draft.
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I kind of agree with taking a harder look at Howard, but the issue is I don't think we go into the season with just Rudolph and Howard fighting it out.
I actually think bringing back a 43-year QB might be the BEST way to see Howard on the field, becuase I just can't imagine for the life of me that Rodgers continues to find ways to always stay on the field at his age. I guess I really have a lot of belief that if Rodgers comes back, we will get 4+ game (maybe more) with the backup starting.
And I actually do think Howard might get bumped up the depth chart now that McCarthy is here (i.e. ahead of Rudolph). I think McCarthy is better at evaluating and preparing a younger QB to play, so if something happens to the #1, I think McCarthy is much more willing to think he can coach up Howard than Tomlin ever did. Tomlin would stick with the veteran backup almost every time.
Again, if we don't like the QB's available RIGHT NOW (i.e. free agency, trade, high draft pick) and we all want to see Howard get some real game day reps to see what he is, what better way to get there than a 43-year old QB?
The name doesn't matter. I feel like everyone is getting their panties in a bunch BECAUSE his name is Rodgers and not looking at the reality that he's just another washed up old veteran QB that is a stop-gap to whatever long-term solution at QB McCarthy/Kahn try.
Bringing back Rodgers is the LEAST worrying decision we could make. I think chasing other free agents or trying to trade for Kyle Murray or Malik Willis are much more concerning because those decisions impact 2-3 years around here (at least) and maybe they become "The Decision" for our QB situation.
I think now that Seattle has made the Super Bowl with Darnold (and even to some extent that New England made it after going 4-13) has kind of falsely created this "hope" narrative that teams are just lightning in a bottle away from Super Bowl glory. But I just don't fundementally believe in that mentality even though I suspect Art Rooney does.
Pretty sure the Rodgers/McCarthy relationship soured at the end didn't it?
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It might have....
Again, the name doesn't matter (Rodgers). It's what he represents: A short stop-gap veteran QB that has a high chance of missing starts, isn't a long term solution, and likely doesn't get us a ton of wins (which gets us a better draft choice in 2027).
Those are MY goals for 2026.
Really, what other realistic goals to people have around here for 2026?
Do people see a way to find optimism about the QB position, do well (wins-losses) and build up the roster in 2026-2027? Is that really in the cards for some people? And if so, how?
Again, the name doesn't matter (Rodgers). It's what he represents: A short stop-gap veteran QB that has a high chance of missing starts, isn't a long term solution, and likely doesn't get us a ton of wins (which gets us a better draft choice in 2027).
Those are MY goals for 2026.
Really, what other realistic goals to people have around here for 2026?
Do people see a way to find optimism about the QB position, do well (wins-losses) and build up the roster in 2026-2027? Is that really in the cards for some people? And if so, how?
I'd say scheme-fit plays a big part in it.
McCarthy is known as a good QB developer...but I suspect he's just smart enough to know what he needs from a QB to make his system work too. If he can win 6-1 with Cooper Rush, for example, it's scheme.
Is Mason Rudolph a worse QB than Cooper Rush?
Win the trenches & surround the QB with options & I think you get an Aaron Brooks/Cooper Rush style QB "development"
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I have seen enough of Allar to say Hard Pass!
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I just think the QB position is so important that teams have to be willing to gamble every so often to get their guy.
It's not like the Seahawks giving Darnold the money they did based off one good season in the league wasn't risky as hell. It was.
The Steelers should not automatically go after Willis or Murray, but if McCarthy believes he can cook with either one of them, they need to strongly look into it, IMO. They have cap space.
In a league where Darnold, Baker Mayfield and Daniel Jones (at least prior to injury) have resurrected their careers with different teams/coaches, it isn't a stretch to assume McCarthy could do it with someone like Murray.
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I'm a no go on Murray.
I'd be cool with Willis on a 2-3 year deal with an easy out after the first year. Darnold got rehabbed and had two very good seasons in a row with two different teams. You take that if you can get it.
Back to Rodgers...hoping a QB who has a history of playing every game gets hurt isn't the answer to get Howard or any other young QB on the field. He's also not a guy the head coach is going to bench. If they don't want to throw a young QB into the fire, they'll need to sign a zero threat, stopgap veteran who they can bench after 4 bad weeks of football and face the media circus and locker room problems benching Rodgers.
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Allar is as good as anyone when he steps into his throws. He just doesn't do it. It was as if he didn't trust either what was called or what he was seeing. Short arming passes like he's aiming rather than throwing that end up intercepted in clutch moments won't help him either. He has all the tools. He just needs to learn to use them.
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There aren't actually that many teams that have a real need at QB in 2026. Raiders, Jets and Steelers are the only teams that really have a big need. Miami and Cardinals still have Tua and Murray, so whilst they may be looking to move on, their QB need isn't desperate, and the rest of the NFL either has their long-term QB, or are still assessing one or more QB's drafted in the last couple of years.
Also, with Malik Willis a free agent, a team might prefer taking a punt on Willis to overdrafting a QB.
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Miami will be the favorite to land Willlis with the new GM & HC coming from there.
Like Mason Rudolph?
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After nearly a wasted decade of being Tomlinized another year of Rodgers is simply another wasted season to add to the pile. 100% unacceptable.
If the plan IS in fact to waste yet another season fire all the stupid ******* in the FO because they need to start building a foundation rather than wasting season after season cuz they’re too chicken **** scared to make a move towards starting the foundation of the building.
At some point ya have to stop being paralyzed by fear and start the process…I’m just assuming a new coach is a sign they are ready to start building something. If I’m wrong about that and McCarthy wants to start his “stewardship” by wasting his first season then he was the wrong hire.
How is it every year the QB free agents are labeled *** as are the draft QBs yet other teams can find their guy? Newsflash- it’s cuz other teams are in the box swinging the bat unlike the Steelers who have been in perpetual ball scratching mode scared to swing and miss.
If the plan IS in fact to waste yet another season fire all the stupid ******* in the FO because they need to start building a foundation rather than wasting season after season cuz they’re too chicken **** scared to make a move towards starting the foundation of the building.
At some point ya have to stop being paralyzed by fear and start the process…I’m just assuming a new coach is a sign they are ready to start building something. If I’m wrong about that and McCarthy wants to start his “stewardship” by wasting his first season then he was the wrong hire.
How is it every year the QB free agents are labeled *** as are the draft QBs yet other teams can find their guy? Newsflash- it’s cuz other teams are in the box swinging the bat unlike the Steelers who have been in perpetual ball scratching mode scared to swing and miss.
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Given Tomlin resigned, a new coach is not a sign of anything when it comes to the front office and ownership. What is more telling is that when Tomlin resigned all coaches were told to look for new jobs, which hopefully is a sign the higher ups do realise substantive change is needed.
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If Rodgers is back ... there ya go
If not, let Howard see time with the 1s during preseason and see what you have. IF he does well enough give him the keys. Look to the future already...find a young QB you can have for years like Ben, not a rental. If you end up 7-10 or whatever, so be it so long as the kid is progressing. Wanna draft a QB in 3rd round or so (higher needs in first few rounds), then go ahead and have him compete with Will and Mason. QB position has gotta get younger.
If not, let Howard see time with the 1s during preseason and see what you have. IF he does well enough give him the keys. Look to the future already...find a young QB you can have for years like Ben, not a rental. If you end up 7-10 or whatever, so be it so long as the kid is progressing. Wanna draft a QB in 3rd round or so (higher needs in first few rounds), then go ahead and have him compete with Will and Mason. QB position has gotta get younger.