What is a franchise QB worth?
 

Those guys just do not grow on trees.

How in the heck do we get another franchise QB?

Starts with firing Chris Ballard.

It’s REALLY hard to find a franchise quarterback.

But if you don’t have one, it’s all just window dressing, because you aren’t winning anything without one.

The way I see it, Sauce in our number 1 pick in 2026, and we have no #1 pick in 2027, my guess is rebuild in 2027, get a top 5 pick in 2028 and hope someone other than Ballard makes that pick!

First you actually have to want to get one. When Luck retired I distinctly remember Ballard saying he thought that franchise QBs were overrated (my word) and not necessary for building a consistent winning team. If I remember correctly (and I think I do as it was such a different take) he felt you built a great team and just added an ok QB and you can win. Now it does occasionally happen like that, but as sherk pointed out, it is the franchise QBs that consistently get into the playoffs. You need to think it is your number one priority for a team. It is my biggest gripe with Ballard (that and that he cannot scout a pass rusher to save his life)

Hurry up and wait.

I think Indianapolis may get an opportunity to draft one in 2-3 years.

Might as well see if Jones will come in for cheap the next two, see what AR gives you next year, and let it all burn if it doesn't work. With the chips being put in on the Gardner trade, I really don't see how they have any other option.

Ballard was actually downplaying the importance of a franchise QB while Luck was on the roster. It was one of the first things I heard / saw that told me I didn’t agree with his philosophy. At the time everyone was happy because it sounded like the anti Grigson - build a team where the QB was just another player. Sounds great. It’s just not a realistic winning formula.

Who are the current franchise QBs right now?

There are 15 or 20 other teams in the league who wish they had our problem at the position. Daniel Jones is not Peyton Manning and he’s not Patrick Mahomes; but if you’re dissatisfied because you have a QB with an NFL rating north of 100, a QBR that’s 7th in the league, a man who looked deep into his soul, ignored the pain, and played on a broken leg, the football gods should strike and turn you into a pillar of salt.

o


There is a real possibility that Anthony Richardson could start the 2026 season as the Colts' 3rd-string quarterback, behind Daniel Jones and Riley Leonard ...... and if that winds up being the case, we would be in the complete reverse situation that we were in this past Sunday ...... playing on the Seahawks' homefield in western Washington, with a 44 year-old quarterback with no arm-strength and no mobility trying to somehow muddle us through a win against one of the best overall teams in the NFL.

o

I would agree except this year was the exception instead of the norm for Jones. It’s far more likely that he’s still the guy who he’s always been who happened to have a really good year.

There’s also the matter of his injury proneness.

o


Definitely ...... Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson.

Perhaps ...... Jared Goff, Sam Darnold, Justin Herbert, Jordan Love, and C.J. Stroud.

Very likely, but only in his 2nd season ...... Drake Maye.

o

This looks about right. So about 1/3 of QBs are elite or close. So while it is hard to get one it isn't impossible. We need to keep trying and not settle.

You left off Stafford. He’s absolutely a franchise quarterback. He was just stuck in Detroit for most of his career.

o


I thought of him, but I didn't put him down because will turn 38 years-old in February, and he's likely nearing the end of his career.

I agree that he is unquestionably a franchise QB and that he ought to be in the Hall-of-Fame someday, but he's probably not in the future plan for the Rams in 2028 and beyond.

o

The norm for Daniel Jones in New York was dropping back and having three or four pass rushers on top of him before he had time to set up. The norm was throwing to a Wide Receiver corps that would have a hard time making anything but Indy’s practice squad.

Injury concerns are valid. But, if it’s a choice between taking a chance on Jones’s health and taking a flyer on the next Matt Ryan…

Obviously, you need much more than a franchise QB. I believe only two of these franchise QBs have won a lombardi and two of the arguably best QBs (Allen and Jackson) haven't even been to a Super Bowl.

Agree. Look at the Bengals. That team is stacked on offense but with a bad D and bad coaching they can't do anything. I also think the Bills have poor coaching. If you can't win it all with that roster someone needs fired.

I would agree SS would be on the hot seat IF he had a good QB that can stay healthy for the entire season. Maybe DJ takes us there next season

I think that quote is often misunderstood. After seeing teams go through QBs year after year, including us, I see that the teams that find one can draft BPA, and keep the roster stocked, so long as they do not overpay the QB, like we see happening in several cities. You cannot win with just a franchise QB, which is Ballard's point. It takes an entire team to play 60 minutes. Our team is not dependent on a franchise QB to be competitive, but if we were to add one now, this team might join the 72 Dolphins as the undefeated teams. Heck, what many say is a below-average Daniel Jones got us to 8 wins before his season ended.

On a side note, I wonder when his fracture occurred. It seems his play was regressing a couple of weeks before it was announced. It would not surprise me if he hurt it, but didn't complain until he had to get an MRI.