Predicting all 32 starting quarterbacks in 2021, including Washington’s QB

The New Guys

That leaves a dozen teams that will have brand new guys running the offense in 2021. Well, eleven, and one caveat.

Miami: Justin Fields

Fields has not been particularly linked to the Dolphins, so this is a bit of a reach. Indeed, the most likely quarterbacks for the Dolphins in 2021 may be partial-incumbent Tua Tagovailoa or 2021 Holy Grail Deshaun Watson. I think Miami has a realistic shot at Watson, but I don’t think that’s where he ends up. And they seemed to have soured on Tua surprisingly quickly. Going back to veteran beard Ryan Fitzpatrick in the midst of a playoff run was not a good sign for Tua’s future.

Head coach Brian Flores is nothing if not decisive, and I have a feeling he has made up his mind about Tua. I think the Dolphins trade him before the draft and then take Fields. Fields’ draft projections are bouncing all over the place, but come draft day, he will be back where he belongs near the top of the board. And he will be ready to start Day 1.

New York Jets: Zach Wilson

The exact same thing is happening in Jet-land with Sam Darnold. Personally, I’d hold on to Darnold were I running things in New York. But – shocker – I’m not. They are currently driving up his price and should get a pretty decent return. Then they take the brash, talented Wilson and give him the keys. Three years from now, Zach Wilson will either be the GOAT or the goat. That’s how it goes in NY. Just ask Mario Cuomo.

Indianapolis: Carson Wentz

I don’t really have to explain, right? So in lieu of that, I will offer the opinion that Carson Wentz will have an outstanding bounce-back season in 2021, and be one of the top candidates for Comeback Player of the Year.

Houston: Ryan Fitzpatrick

There is a caveat here. With Fitz, there is always a caveat. The caveat is not that Deshaun Watson must be traded. I am assuming that will happen. There aren’t many teams capable of screwing themselves so royally that they have to trade away a young stud quarterback. But the current Houston franchise is one such team. So when you have a train wreck, you need competent professionals to come in and begin to right the ship. That fits Fitz to a tee.

Here’s the caveat. Fitzpatrick will start Week 1. He will not start Week 16. The Houston starter come Week 16 will be rookie quarterback-of-the-future Trey Lance (And did you notice how I mixed a train and a boat metaphor in the same sentence? That somehow felt right in a paragraph about the Texans).

Jacksonville: Trevor Lawrence

Yeah, I gotta conserve some words, so… Moving on.

Denver: Deshaun Watson

Denver wins the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes. The Jets and Dolphins will make legit runs, but will eventually bow out. John Elway will not. He got Peyton. Somehow he’ll get Deshaun.

Washington: ???

Just like they do at political conventions, I’m pushing the hometown back, for added drama.

Chicago: Teddy Bridgewater

When I began this exercise, I kept forgetting about Chicago. And I kept forgetting about Bridgewater. If that isn’t a match made in heaven I don’t what is. I would love to see Bridgewater have a resurgence, and I would like to see the same happen for the Bears. I don’t imagine either will actually happen, but this just feels right.

Detroit: Jared Goff

Does it mean anything that I accidentally typed “Goof” initially? TBH, I think Goff is a pretty good player and he has a chance for success in Detroit. God, I feel stupid just having written that. But Goff is a pretty good player, who will be forever doomed by his elevated draft status. If Detroit holds on to Kenny Golladay, which albeit seems unlikely, and if T.J. Hockenson continues to improve, things could be looking up – ever so slightly – in Detroit.

Carolina: Sam Darnold

I think a lot of teams will make runs at Darnold, including the Washington Football Team. But Carolina gets him. He will find playing on an offense with the likes of Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore, and Taylor Moton a pretty good upgrade over what he had in N.Y.

Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford

Last I saw, the Rams were +1,200 to win the Super Bowl in 2022. And I got ten bucks that ain’t doing anything right now.

San Francisco: The caveat

A week, ago, back when I was sure that Jimmy Garoppolo would be playing for New England in 2021. This was my favorite prediction. I think the most interesting QB name floating around out there is Mitch Trubisky, and I think that if anyone could resuscitate his career, it would be Kyle Shanahan. At the same time, I think Kyle could work some magic with Mac Jones. Neither player has been particularly linked to San Fran, so this was going to be my out-of-the-box choice. Now, Jimmy G is back in that mix. Since I have to pick someone, I’ll play it safe and go with Jimmy, though I think the 49ers would be better off with either of the others.