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http://espn.go.com/nfl/insider/stor...-2016-including-sam-bradford-colin-kaepernick
Life as a quarterback in the NFL can be uneven.
Consider Colin Kaepernick. Almost two years ago, Kaepernick inked a six-year extension with the San Francisco 49ers worth a maximum of $126 million, rubber-stamping his spot as one of the NFL's ascending young quarterbacks. Seems like a distant memory now, as Kaepernick has since been benched in favor of Blaine Gabbert, another onetime promising young quarterback prospect whose career has since swiveled.
Here's a look at six quarterbacks who enter a pivot-point season in 2016 for a variety of reasons, including contract, performance and depth chart:
Sam Bradford, Philadelphia Eagles
When news broke that Bradford had agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $40 million to remain in Philadelphia earlier this offseason, it seemed like the Eagles' quarterback plan centered around the former No. 1 overall pick going forward. It still does, but just how long is the question.
Former Chief Chase Daniel inked a three-year deal with Philly (that can max out at around $36 million if Daniel wins a starting job) in free agency, and the Eagles have been active in courting the top prospects before this month's draft, in which they own the No. 8 overall pick. A closer look at Bradford's contract also reveals only $4 million of his $13 million base salary in 2017 is guaranteed. The potential of eating that money in a dead cap hit isn't ideal for the Eagles, but it's also not so steep that the team would hesitate to do so if Bradford doesn't pin down the starting job through his play this season.
The 2016 season will represent his third offense in three seasons, meaning an adjustment period should be expected. Bradford has long been one of the most difficult players to evaluate in the NFL -- he has some exceptional natural skills, but durability and playing in a merry-go-round of offenses have impacted his on-field performance.
Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
The aforementioned Kaepernick remains a Niner for now, but stay tuned as we get closer to the draft and speculation continues about a possible trade. Let's consider his future whether it is in San Francisco or not. If he remains with the 49ers, the first order of business for Kaepernick is simply winning the starting gig. The team seems intent on drafting a quarterback, and Gabbert usurped Kaepernick's job last season.
Even if Kaepernick wins the job, he'll need to perform well in 2016 to stick around. The construction of his contract is such that San Francisco essentially has a year-to-year decision to make. His 2017 base salary of $14.5 million isn't guaranteed until April 1, 2017. His play would need to validate that price tag for him to stay, even if he re-wins the starting job this season.
Now, let's consider Kaepernick elsewhere in 2016, specifically Denver. The Broncos have taken a hard-line stance in their offer to acquire him: Kaepernick's salary would need to drop from $11.9 million to $7 million, according to colleague Adam Schefter. That pay cut suggests Denver would be hedging a bit if it acquired Kaepernick; he'd still need to prove himself worthy of being the long-term answer under center.
Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears
Let's start right here: Cutler was very, very good for the Bears in 2015. The work with then-offensive coordinator Adam Gase was encouraging, and he unquestionably has the talent to continue to play at that level (or even better). But the Cutler conversation of late hasn't been simply a matter of ability -- it's been about dollars and cents.
None of Cutler's contract beyond 2016 is guaranteed -- from here on out, it's a year-to-year decision for Chicago. He can earn a base salary of $12.5 million in 2017 and $2.5 million more in per-game roster bonuses. If Cutler -- who has had an up-and-down career arc -- does not repeat his 2015 performance, would the Bears consider pressing reset at quarterback? The financial side of this one puts it on the radar.
Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins
Cousins' name could be eliminated from this list if he and Washington agree to a long-term deal (although Cousins has already signed his franchise tag tender, the two sides are eligible to sign an extension up until July 15). For now, he's scheduled to make $20 million in 2016, and I'm of the mind that his play last season was not a one-year anomaly -- he's on track to being a quality starter.
But if 2016 goes decidedly different for Cousins than this past season -- and he doesn't yet have a long-term deal in place -- the team will have to consider the best course of action. Ultimately, it would not be a shock if a long-term deal is agreed to before 2016 kicks off and Cousins' rise continues under coach Jay Gruden and standout young offensive coordinator Sean McVay.
Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills
Taylor is one of the great values at quarterback for the 2016 season, as he has a base salary of just $2 million. This season is the final year of his contract for practical purposes, as 2017 is a voidable year. If Taylor plays like he did last season, however, he will soon command a price tag far richer than that, even if the team writing that check isn't Buffalo.
Taylor stresses a defense in multiple ways -- he threw for more than 3,000 yards and rushed for nearly 600 more in 2015 -- and has little tread on his tires for a player entering his age-27 season. Teams are thirsty for starting-level quarterbacks, and he has proved to be exactly that. He has the arm strength to help an offense press down the field vertically, and he always makes a defense account for the 53 1/3 yards of horizontal territory because of his ability to break the pocket and add yards.
A creative offensive mind, like Bills offensive coordinator Greg Roman, can generate a lot of output from Taylor's skill set. A productive 2016 could lead to a big payday for the 2011 sixth-round pick.
Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins
This name may surprise some, but hear me out: The Dolphins inked Tannehill to an extension last offseason just three years into his NFL career -- a sign of faith in the 2012 first-round pick. But, as always, the deal's fine print matters. Tannehill has a base salary of $17.975 million in 2017, but only $3.5 million of that is guaranteed. Would Miami really cut bait on Tannehill after only five seasons and just two years into the extension?
The answer is almost assuredly no. But the reality of Tannehill's extension is this: He will be pressed to make notable strides because of the layout of the guarantees moving forward. Tannehill is a bit of a hot-button quarterback among NFL personnel men: He has obvious natural traits and has unquestionably progressed since his rookie season. But there are some traits that still need improvement -- including overall accuracy (downfield accuracy has been a particular problem) -- and that will be pivotal for Miami to be sure he is worth the continued investment.
I would venture to guess that new coach Adam Gase believes in Tannehill as a player and could have a quantifiable impact on him in 2016 like he did with Cutler last season. Long-term stability at quarterback is something Miami has needed for quite some time
Life as a quarterback in the NFL can be uneven.
Consider Colin Kaepernick. Almost two years ago, Kaepernick inked a six-year extension with the San Francisco 49ers worth a maximum of $126 million, rubber-stamping his spot as one of the NFL's ascending young quarterbacks. Seems like a distant memory now, as Kaepernick has since been benched in favor of Blaine Gabbert, another onetime promising young quarterback prospect whose career has since swiveled.
Here's a look at six quarterbacks who enter a pivot-point season in 2016 for a variety of reasons, including contract, performance and depth chart:
Sam Bradford, Philadelphia Eagles
When news broke that Bradford had agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $40 million to remain in Philadelphia earlier this offseason, it seemed like the Eagles' quarterback plan centered around the former No. 1 overall pick going forward. It still does, but just how long is the question.
Former Chief Chase Daniel inked a three-year deal with Philly (that can max out at around $36 million if Daniel wins a starting job) in free agency, and the Eagles have been active in courting the top prospects before this month's draft, in which they own the No. 8 overall pick. A closer look at Bradford's contract also reveals only $4 million of his $13 million base salary in 2017 is guaranteed. The potential of eating that money in a dead cap hit isn't ideal for the Eagles, but it's also not so steep that the team would hesitate to do so if Bradford doesn't pin down the starting job through his play this season.
The 2016 season will represent his third offense in three seasons, meaning an adjustment period should be expected. Bradford has long been one of the most difficult players to evaluate in the NFL -- he has some exceptional natural skills, but durability and playing in a merry-go-round of offenses have impacted his on-field performance.
Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
The aforementioned Kaepernick remains a Niner for now, but stay tuned as we get closer to the draft and speculation continues about a possible trade. Let's consider his future whether it is in San Francisco or not. If he remains with the 49ers, the first order of business for Kaepernick is simply winning the starting gig. The team seems intent on drafting a quarterback, and Gabbert usurped Kaepernick's job last season.
Even if Kaepernick wins the job, he'll need to perform well in 2016 to stick around. The construction of his contract is such that San Francisco essentially has a year-to-year decision to make. His 2017 base salary of $14.5 million isn't guaranteed until April 1, 2017. His play would need to validate that price tag for him to stay, even if he re-wins the starting job this season.
Now, let's consider Kaepernick elsewhere in 2016, specifically Denver. The Broncos have taken a hard-line stance in their offer to acquire him: Kaepernick's salary would need to drop from $11.9 million to $7 million, according to colleague Adam Schefter. That pay cut suggests Denver would be hedging a bit if it acquired Kaepernick; he'd still need to prove himself worthy of being the long-term answer under center.
Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears
Let's start right here: Cutler was very, very good for the Bears in 2015. The work with then-offensive coordinator Adam Gase was encouraging, and he unquestionably has the talent to continue to play at that level (or even better). But the Cutler conversation of late hasn't been simply a matter of ability -- it's been about dollars and cents.
None of Cutler's contract beyond 2016 is guaranteed -- from here on out, it's a year-to-year decision for Chicago. He can earn a base salary of $12.5 million in 2017 and $2.5 million more in per-game roster bonuses. If Cutler -- who has had an up-and-down career arc -- does not repeat his 2015 performance, would the Bears consider pressing reset at quarterback? The financial side of this one puts it on the radar.
Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins
Cousins' name could be eliminated from this list if he and Washington agree to a long-term deal (although Cousins has already signed his franchise tag tender, the two sides are eligible to sign an extension up until July 15). For now, he's scheduled to make $20 million in 2016, and I'm of the mind that his play last season was not a one-year anomaly -- he's on track to being a quality starter.
But if 2016 goes decidedly different for Cousins than this past season -- and he doesn't yet have a long-term deal in place -- the team will have to consider the best course of action. Ultimately, it would not be a shock if a long-term deal is agreed to before 2016 kicks off and Cousins' rise continues under coach Jay Gruden and standout young offensive coordinator Sean McVay.
Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills
Taylor is one of the great values at quarterback for the 2016 season, as he has a base salary of just $2 million. This season is the final year of his contract for practical purposes, as 2017 is a voidable year. If Taylor plays like he did last season, however, he will soon command a price tag far richer than that, even if the team writing that check isn't Buffalo.
Taylor stresses a defense in multiple ways -- he threw for more than 3,000 yards and rushed for nearly 600 more in 2015 -- and has little tread on his tires for a player entering his age-27 season. Teams are thirsty for starting-level quarterbacks, and he has proved to be exactly that. He has the arm strength to help an offense press down the field vertically, and he always makes a defense account for the 53 1/3 yards of horizontal territory because of his ability to break the pocket and add yards.
A creative offensive mind, like Bills offensive coordinator Greg Roman, can generate a lot of output from Taylor's skill set. A productive 2016 could lead to a big payday for the 2011 sixth-round pick.
Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins
This name may surprise some, but hear me out: The Dolphins inked Tannehill to an extension last offseason just three years into his NFL career -- a sign of faith in the 2012 first-round pick. But, as always, the deal's fine print matters. Tannehill has a base salary of $17.975 million in 2017, but only $3.5 million of that is guaranteed. Would Miami really cut bait on Tannehill after only five seasons and just two years into the extension?
The answer is almost assuredly no. But the reality of Tannehill's extension is this: He will be pressed to make notable strides because of the layout of the guarantees moving forward. Tannehill is a bit of a hot-button quarterback among NFL personnel men: He has obvious natural traits and has unquestionably progressed since his rookie season. But there are some traits that still need improvement -- including overall accuracy (downfield accuracy has been a particular problem) -- and that will be pivotal for Miami to be sure he is worth the continued investment.
I would venture to guess that new coach Adam Gase believes in Tannehill as a player and could have a quantifiable impact on him in 2016 like he did with Cutler last season. Long-term stability at quarterback is something Miami has needed for quite some time
