Michael Silver is one of the more respected journalists around the NFL. Silver is most famous for his time at Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports and the NFL Network, but last year he was hired by the Washington Football Team as a freelance contributor to the team’s official website.
Why would a respected journalist like Silver write for an NFL team’s website? In Silver’s case, it’s pretty simple, as he is close friends with WFT head coach Ron Rivera. The two go way back from their time at The University of California, Berkeley (Cal).
In a recent article for the team’s website, Silver discussed Rivera’s offseason ahead. Specifically, Silver discussed Rivera’s search for a quarterback and gave everyone some pretty clear indications of the head coach’s plan.
In fairness to Silver, he began his story with the following sentence: “The opinions expressed in this article do not reflect those of the team.” So, keep that in mind when we share some snippets from Silver’s story.
As for Rivera, he’s made it clear Washington will be aggressive in pursuit of a quarterback this offseason. Rivera says there are four ways to acquire that franchise passer: the draft, free agency, trade and internal options.
Let’s be honest; there is no internal option; that’s just the coach being nice. And, there’s also no free-agency option. Mitchell Trubisky or Jameis Winston will not satisfy Washington’s fan base or locker room — at least as a long-term starter.
That means the only actual options for Washington are the trade market and the draft.
Now, let’s turn things over to Silver.
There are many, many potential targets, some of which I’m told it would be better not to mention by name, lest the people in charge of the teams for which they are currently under contract take umbrage and unleash the NFL’s tampering police. So no, I won’t be specifically citing any accomplished quarterbacks who may or may not be married to a famous singer, engaged to a famous actress or infamously shelved by a slew of civil lawsuits. Nor will I explicitly ponder the possibility that if a coaching change happens in a city celebrated for its nightlife a certain QB may not stay in said city — as I did in a recent column for another website.
In order, Silver is referring to Russell Wilson (married to the famous singer), Aaron Rodgers (engaged to a famous actress), Deshaun Watson (civil lawsuits) and Derek Carr (nightlife).
Don’t you think he’s talked to Rivera? Sure, fans can assume from Rivera’s words he’s going to check in on all of the above quarterbacks to see their availability. Sure, perhaps Silver is speculating because everyone knows there are questions around these quarterbacks for different reasons. But, the only one who is likely to move is Watson. And Watson has a no-trade clause in his contract and has previously indicated he wouldn’t waive it to come to Washington.
What if he wants out of Houston bad enough?
Rodgers isn’t coming to Washington. If he leaves Green Bay, the Denver Broncos make the most sense for him. As for Carr, why would the Raiders trade him? No, he isn’t in the class of the other three passers, but he is a top 10-12 NFL passer. Don’t you think Rivera would love to have a top 10-12 quarterback?
Wilson is intriguing, but again, why would Seattle trade him?
Washington would be foolish not to engage all of these teams. It’s a loser mentality not to try because you know you will be turned down.
Next, there is this nugget from Silver:
So much for clarity. It’s coming, however, because Rivera — along with general manager Martin Mayhew and executive vice president of player personnel/football Marty Hurney — is determined to work toward a franchise-defining decision. Such a move, the coach believes, will create a sense of stability inside the building, sending a message to players, and fans, that the status quo is unacceptable.
That’s a bold and definitive statement. Mayhew and Hurney were busy during the season, on the road scouting the top passers in college football, such as Kenny Pickett, Matt Corral, Malik Willis and Sam Howell. For Silver to say the status quo is unacceptable, that is Rivera saying the status quo is unacceptable.
He’s 100% correct. Washington can’t continue to kick the can down the road when it comes to finding a difference-making quarterback. Rivera is entering his third season in Washington, and while he isn’t on the hot seat, he understands he can’t afford another non-winning season. That’s why he’d prefer a veteran quarterback.
Rivera proved that he was willing to offer significant assets for a veteran passer last season. Washington offered multiple picks to the Lions for Matthew Stafford, but Detroit chose the Rams’ offer of Jared Goff and two first-round picks. Even had Rivera had offered more, it was clear Stafford wanted Los Angeles, and the Lions were trying to do right by him.
Buckle up, Washington fans; it’s going to be a fun offseason.
