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SPORTS Thursday 13 February 2020
Analysis: Offseason Fix: Where are the free QBs headed?

By BARRY WILNER
AP Pro Football Writer
Now that we know Philip
Rivers won't be leading the
Chargers into SoFi Stadium
in September, the muddied
waters of NFL quarterback-
ing have been cleared a
bit. Just a little bit. Indeed,
not knowing where Rivers
might be headed, if any-
where, in 2020 doesn't sim-
plify things at all. Nearly
every one of the NFL's eight
divisions has a team or
teams with a quarterback
quandary. With the excep-
tion of the NFC West, it's
easy to argue that there's
a major hole behind center
somewhere. As in ...
NFC EAST
The one team that seem-
ingly had its quarterback
situation on solid ground
heading into 2019 is the
club with the question mark
in this division. Is Dallas
sold on Dak Prescott? At
least enough so to com-
mit more than $100 million In this Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady walks to the sideline after throwing an
to him, particularly in light interception late in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tennessee Titans in Foxborough, Mass.
of the Cowboys' second- Associated Press
half meltdown? Philadel- ston is (or isn't) the guy. Garoppolo isn't a superstar, shaun Watson is a star wor- back from his elbow sur-
phia is in fine shape after NFC NORTH but the Niners could win it thy of building around. gery. That's a dangerous
the way Carson Wentz per- Except in Minnesota, where all with him. Los Angeles Indianapolis seems to feel game to play, especially
formed down the stretch Kirk Cousins is ensconced, Rams: We're not sold on the same way about Jaco- with such a muddled situa-
with basically half a roster. there are some uncertain- Jared Goff, but Sean Mc- by Brissett, at least for 2020, tion at backup. Strange to
The Eagles need a veteran ties here. Green Bay must Vay apparently is. the final season of his deal. think the Steelers could be
backup, though, as do the decide if now is the time to AFC EAST If Jacksonville opts to go the most unsettled at QB in
Giants for Daniel Jones. find a down-the-road suc- Buffalo (Josh Allen) and the with Gardner Minshew af- this division.
Washington's Dwayne cessor to Aaron Rodgers, a Jets (Sam Darnold) have ter his sometimes impres- AFC WEST
Haskins is raw but with tons dicey proposition because their young QBs, though sive rookie year, it's likely The Chargers have lots
of upside. Rodgers has given no indi- Allen needs to make bet- Foles will be on the move of alternatives with Riv-
NFC SOUTH cation he's contemplating ter decisions and Darnold yet again. He costs far too ers gone. Don't expect Ty-
Assuming Drew Brees re- the end of his Hall of Fame- must stay healthier than much for the Jaguars to rod Taylor to be elevated.
signs with New Orleans — caliber career. Chicago he's managed so far. keep him as a backup, al- Speculation (read: rumors)
he's pretty much said he will must figure out if Mitchell There's really no excuse though other options also targets Brady landing in
— and Teddy Bridgewater Trubisky is the solution. A for Miami to not draft a are expensive. LA, though he's not quite
hits the open market, the wise move would be to quarterback, and veteran Tennessee learned that a long-term solution. If the
only unknown in this sector bring in strong competition Ryan Fitzpatrick would be a Mariota is not its man, and Chargers believe Newton
is in Carolina. Cam New- for the slumping Trubisky: good tutor for Tua. Ryan Tannehill performed can rebound, Dalton can
ton's recent history of injury Marcus Mariota, Andy Dal- That leaves New England. so well — leading the be a winner again, or Foles/
and unimpressive perfor- ton, maybe even Nick Foles Say what? league in QB rating — that Bridgewater is deserving of
mance, combined with a or Rivers? Detroit, however, Yep, after two decades of he'll get a contract some- a starting spot, they could
hefty contract, plus a re- has the biggest problem. unmatched success, Tom where. Most likely in Music move in those directions.
building project under new No longer is Matthew Staf- Brady is without a contract. City, but he's never had Obviously, Kansas City has
coach Matt Rhule almost ford its Mr. Indestructible, Owner Robert Kraft publicly such value. no worries outside of finding
guarantees he will be on and the Lions need some supports bringing back the AFC NORTH room for Patrick Mahomes'
the move. Yet, the Panthers serious roster revamping. six-time champion, even Baltimore has Lamar Jack- megadeal. Denver is ready
have no clue who should Stafford deserves better if his coach has yet to be son. Enough said. to go with Drew Lock, who
replace him, especially af- than spending the rest of so supportive. Brady mov- Cleveland has Baker May- impressed in December,
ter Kyle Allen struggled late his career with little chance ing on is the most intriguing field, though that's hardly meaning Joe Flacco will be
in the season. Matt Ryan to compete for a title. story line of the offseason, the certainty for success it available. As for Las Vegas
had a strong year despite NFC WEST though his winding up with seemed after 2018. — oh yeah, the Raiders live
Atlanta's struggles. Tampa Seattle: Time to talk Hall of a two-year deal (second Joe Burrow is headed for there now — there remains
Bay seems trapped into at Fame for Russell Wilson. season voidable) with the Cincinnati, though he plenty of suspicion that
least another season with Arizona: Top offensive rook- Patriots for massive money might have considered Jon Gruden would quickly
Jameis Winston by franchis- ie Kyler Murray will likely is where the smart dollars the XFL or CFL as a better move on from Derek Carr
ing him to delay a long- grow leaps and bounds in lay. option. That leaves Pitts- if he saw something more
term decision until coach his second season. AFC SOUTH burgh, which fully expects promising.
Bruce Arians is certain Win- San Francisco: Jimmy No worries for Houston: De- vintage Ben Roethlisberger Tom Terrific in Sin City?q