How much does a good backup quarterback cost?

[Sunstroke]

I have to agree with the consensus here...Skylar is the obvious choice to back up Tua in 2023. Dirt cheap on a late round rookie deal, plus he showed "enough" that you can still hope that, with more reps and time in-system, he could turn out to be something decent. Then, if Skylar does show he has value, and if Tua qualifies for a thicker skull-transplant and stays healthy, you have the greatest piece of tradebait possible...a young viable QB.  

[Garrett]

Only because his name was mentioned... I would not like Andy Dalton as our starting QB, but I would love him as our backup QB. He's a proven veteran. And he did win a lot of games with  Cincinnati... If Skylar  Thompson has to play  a  lot of games next year , we are fucked!

[dolphins4life]

Skylar Thompson is not going to be able to lead this team into the playoffs next year unless the defense forces a flurry of turnovers every game.  Not likely.    

Especially given our schedule.  Yikes.

[Dave Gray]

Regarding Dalton, sure.

But I think he's probably thinking "what's in it for me".  He would probably want to go somewhere where there's a chance that he can compete to start.  And that wouldn't be here.  The only way Tua won't play is if he can't.

[masterfins]

I'm totally against signing these veteran QB's that were former starters, 98% of them are just hanging around trying to squeeze the last several million out of teams while standing on the sideline.  They sure aren't going to be out there making plays if it means suffering a big injury.  I'd much rather have a younger guy out there that is trying to make a name for himself, although less experienced they are going to give a 110%.


And if a team's top priority is getting a top notch backup QB because you think there is a high risk of your starter being injured, then you should get rid of the starter.

[Downunder Dolphan]

Regarding Dalton, sure.

But I think he's probably thinking "what's in it for me".  He would probably want to go somewhere where there's a chance that he can compete to start.  And that wouldn't be here.  The only way Tua won't play is if he can't.

Again I think it's more complex than that, depending on the team and coaches. Horses for courses.

We had a rookie coach with a new, quick and complex game plan tailored around Tua - when Teddy was subbed in, it was all slowed down, he just couldn't get the ball out quick enough. Skylar was a lot better the two times he started, a Rookie who was third on the depth chart and had basically no real reps until he was thrown in the deep because of the other injuries. I think that's where the argument of needing an experienced backup comes undone, because he's too set in his ways to adjust to a new coach and plan, and a fresh backup learning the new system is not only a lot cheaper, but often as much if not more of a chance to be successful in the role.

Would we be better with Jimmy G who is possibly more familiar with the McDaniel/Shanahan way of doing things? Maybe, but at what cost? Andy Dalton though? I see another potential Teddy, so no thanks... I definitely don't want another potential (let's undermine the young QB to get his job) Fitztragic either.

You compare that with the benign Chad Henne option under a very experienced coach who has sat on the bench for the last five years behind Mahomes with a strict "don't f*ck it up" policy the rare times he gets on the field. Yeah, yeah, he led that (one, IMO not particularly impressive) drive against the Bills, but if it was any more than that I don't think the Chiefs would even have played against the Bengals last weekend.

I like what I saw from Skyler, and he's worth sticking with for what is a bargain outlay. He will be better being the designated second string behind Tua, so there's the hope he may develop into a genuine Frank Reich type backup - and I remember him burning us enough times to think that's worth the gamble. Plus we have other more important holes in the team to spend $$$ on.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Again I think it's more complex than that, depending on the team and coaches. Horses for courses.

We had a rookie coach with a new, quick and complex game plan tailored around Tua - when Teddy was subbed in, it was all slowed down, he just couldn't get the ball out quick enough. Skylar was a lot better the two times he started, a Rookie who was third on the depth chart and had basically no real reps until he was thrown in the deep because of the other injuries. I think that's where the argument of needing an experienced backup comes undone, because he's too set in his ways to adjust to a new coach and plan, and a fresh backup learning the new system is not only a lot cheaper, but often as much if not more of a chance to be successful in the role.

Would we be better with Jimmy G who is possibly more familiar with the McDaniel/Shanahan way of doing things? Maybe, but at what cost? Andy Dalton though? I see another potential Teddy, so no thanks... I definitely don't want another potential (let's undermine the young QB to get his job) Fitztragic either.

You compare that with the benign Chad Henne option under a very experienced coach who has sat on the bench for the last five years behind Mahomes with a strict "don't f*ck it up" policy the rare times he gets on the field. Yeah, yeah, he led that (one, IMO not particularly impressive) drive against the Bills, but if it was any more than that I don't think the Chiefs would even have played against the Bengals last weekend.

I like what I saw from Skyler, and he's worth sticking with for what is a bargain outlay. He will be better being the designated second string behind Tua, so there's the hope he may develop into a genuine Frank Reich type backup - and I remember him burning us enough times to think that's worth the gamble. Plus we have other more important holes in the team to spend $$$ on.

Yeah, this is a very good argument for Skylar. Get him another offseason learning the system and his receivers and he is likely the best we're going to get. Plus, can't discount his price of almost nothing. We will make some cap room, but why waste $7 Million on a backup if we don't have to?

[Sunstroke]

^^^  Exactly...what Downunder said.

I have to agree with the consensus here...Skylar is the obvious choice to back up Tua in 2023. Dirt cheap on a late round rookie deal, plus he showed "enough" that you can still hope that, with more reps and time in-system, he could turn out to be something decent. Then, if Skylar does show he has value, and if Tua qualifies for a thicker skull-transplant and stays healthy, you have the greatest piece of tradebait possible...a young viable QB. 

 

[Downunder Dolphan]

Yeah, this is a very good argument for Skylar. Get him another offseason learning the system and his receivers and he is likely the best we're going to get. Plus, can't discount his price of almost nothing. We will make some cap room, but why waste $7 Million on a backup if we don't have to?

The only reason you do that is if you know he is literally the perfect fit for the team. Again the case for this is Nick Foles when he moved back to Philadelphia - the scheme being run was extremely similar to the Chip Kelly system he played under so he slotted right in. He loved the city and was very happy to be a back up to Wentz, so he wasn't a perceived threat to his startring job, even after the Superbowl win. He was an incredibly effective backup because he matched the coach and his plans, but unfortunately for the Eagles became too expensive to keep.

Probably closest the one out there for us to fit the profile would be Jimmy G, but the cost would be horrendous considering where we are at with the cap at present.