Strategic Timing in Free Agency
The team is deliberately holding off on adding a veteran quarterback to join their young signal-caller and a former practice squad member. This careful approach is designed to navigate the league’s rules on extra draft picks, which are awarded when teams lose more qualifying free agents than they sign. By delaying any significant quarterback signing past the draft, the organization preserves its eligibility for additional picks in a future draft.
Balancing Roster Needs and Long-Term Value
Navigating free agency with precision is a key component of the team’s game plan. Pursuing a backup or veteran quarterback on a standard one-year deal, with an annual value around $4 to $5 million, could jeopardize the team’s compensatory pick situation if signed before the draft. By waiting until after the draft, the team remains in a stronger position to improve the squad without sacrificing valuable future assets.
Exploring Options for the Quarterback Room
In addition to potential free agent signings, the team is keeping all avenues open, including the possibility of trading for a quarterback already on another roster. The goal is to build a strong quarterback room that not only supports the current starter but also offers reliable insurance if needed, ensuring smooth transitions and sustained competitive performance.
Long-Term Possibilities and Contingencies
While the immediate plan is to strengthen the roster within existing financial and strategic constraints, there remains a theoretical chance of reestablishing advanced discussions with a well-known veteran quarterback under the right circumstances. The organization is committed to evaluating all options to set up a dynamic quarterback unit that can generate and implement winning ideas, keeping the overall team strategy flexible and forward-looking.
