While I am a fan of Mayfield I do hope everyone understands that they will have to completely change the offense for Mayfield. He needs to be in the right situation for him to be successful. The type of offense designed for Watson is essentially what is needed for Mayfield. The staff has gone for a power O run offense not a spread offense so I don't think they'll target him.

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First and foremost, if you have a quarterback that is competent at the position, you are in the minority in terms of the rest of the league. There are less than 32 human beings on this planet that can play Quarterback at a high level in the NFL in my opinion. For this reason, you must resign Blake and roll with him.

However, if we were to replace him, or even cut Henne and draft a QB who would you feel good about? Do ya'll think Kurt Cousins is better than Blake? Which rookie would you feel confident in? I have heard Lamar Jackson a bunch but I just do not feel like his skill set translates very well as an NFL QB. If we hang on to Blake is it worth a top 3 round pick for a backup/challenger? I say sign Blake, see who's left in round 3 or 4 and if there isn't a quality QB left at that point, roll with what we got.

I realize one or more of these points has likely been discussed in detail here and so if I have upset you with that, just find another thread to read! Curious to see who you guys feel confident in whether its a draft pick or a FA.

Unsure why this thread did not register with me until now, but it poses an interesting question.

I will say that if Blake is not our guy, I would be more in favor of a veteran guy than a rookie.  This team reached the AFCCG and was 2:37 from reaching the Super Bowl.  This team is young enough and talented enough to contend again, and that would most likely be accomplished with a vet, as opposed to a guy who is just learning how to study film and just learning NFL defenses.

In the above scenario, at face value, Cousins would seem to be the best option.  Statistically he has been productive in the league for quite some time.  But he is not without concern.  Aside from him winning fewer playoff games than Bortles, there is the matter of his cost, and whether his cost will make it more difficult to retain stalwarts like Ramsey, Jack, Ngakooue, Robinson and or Fowler in the future.

If that is a concern, I would make a play for Bengals' backup A.J. McCarron, who should be had far more cheaply than Cousins.

As someone who lives in the Cincinnati area and watches almost every Bengals game (because I have to, not because I want to), I can tell you unequivocally that McCarron would not be an upgrade from Bortles. McCarron can't even win the job from Andy Dalton, possibly be the most average QB in the NFL. It's not like McCarron hasn't had any chances to unseat him either. People here have been calling for Dalton's head for the last 2 years. There are even certain factions within the fan base who would like to see the Bengals use their first round pick on a QB, knowing that they already have one of the worst O-Lines, if not the worst, in entire the NFL. Just because the Cleveland Browns were dumb enough to offer a 2nd rounder for McCarron, doesn't mean he was worth it. I still believe they realized what a terrible mistake they were making and sabotaged that deal on purpose. I would consider McCarron a moderate upgrade from Chad Henne and nothing more. When he was spot starting, A.J. Green made him look much better than he actually was. If I was going to trade for some other team's backup, the only one I would even consider besides Foles (and his price tag is now likely too high), would be Sean Mannion and I wouldn't offer anything higher that a 6th or 7th round pick. I still say we should draft a QB.

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While I am a fan of Mayfield I do hope everyone understands that they will have to completely change the offense for Mayfield. He needs to be in the right situation for him to be successful. The type of offense designed for Watson is essentially what is needed for Mayfield. The staff has gone for a power O run offense not a spread offense so I don't think they'll target him.

I totally disagree. Teams needed to utilize Watson's running ability in order for him to succeed in the NFL. I don't believe that is the case with Mayfield. I see him more of a Drew Brees type than anything else. Mayfield has more arm talent than Watson does. Watson is a much better athlete, which is needed in a dual threat QB, but Mayfield can be a pocket passer in a pro style NFL offense and I believe he can thrive.

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Unsure why this thread did not register with me until now, but it poses an interesting question.

I will say that if Blake is not our guy, I would be more in favor of a veteran guy than a rookie.  This team reached the AFCCG and was 2:37 from reaching the Super Bowl.  This team is young enough and talented enough to contend again, and that would most likely be accomplished with a vet, as opposed to a guy who is just learning how to study film and just learning NFL defenses.

In the above scenario, at face value, Cousins would seem to be the best option.  Statistically he has been productive in the league for quite some time.  But he is not without concern.  Aside from him winning fewer playoff games than Bortles, there is the matter of his cost, and whether his cost will make it more difficult to retain stalwarts like Ramsey, Jack, Ngakooue, Robinson and or Fowler in the future.

If that is a concern, I would make a play for Bengals' backup A.J. McCarron, who should be had far more cheaply than Cousins.

As someone who lives in the Cincinnati area and watches almost every Bengals game (because I have to, not because I want to), I can tell you unequivocally that McCarron would not be an upgrade from Bortles. McCarron can't even win the job from Andy Dalton, possibly be the most average QB in the NFL. It's not like McCarron hasn't had any chances to unseat him either. People here have been calling for Dalton's head for the last 2 years. There are even certain factions within the fan base who would like to see the Bengals use their first round pick on a QB, knowing that they already have one of the worst O-Lines, if not the worst, in entire the NFL. Just because the Cleveland Browns were dumb enough to offer a 2nd rounder for McCarron, doesn't mean he was worth it. I still believe they realized what a terrible mistake they were making and sabotaged that deal on purpose. I would consider McCarron a moderate upgrade from Chad Henne and nothing more. When he was spot starting, A.J. Green made him look much better than he actually was. If I was going to trade for some other team's backup, the only one I would even consider besides Foles (and his price tag is now likely too high), would be Sean Mannion and I wouldn't offer anything higher that a 6th or 7th round pick. I still say we should draft a QB.

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While I am a fan of Mayfield I do hope everyone understands that they will have to completely change the offense for Mayfield. He needs to be in the right situation for him to be successful. The type of offense designed for Watson is essentially what is needed for Mayfield. The staff has gone for a power O run offense not a spread offense so I don't think they'll target him.

I totally disagree. Teams needed to utilize Watson's running ability in order for him to succeed in the NFL. I don't believe that is the case with Mayfield. I see him more of a Drew Brees type than anything else. Mayfield has more arm talent than Watson does. Watson is a much better athlete, which is needed in a dual threat QB, but Mayfield can be a pocket passer in a pro style NFL offense and I believe he can thrive.

Exactly. Mayfield would thrive off of play action with fournette and getting the TEs more involved.

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Coughlin when asked if winning will be a focus: "What the hell else is there? This is nice and dandy, but winning is what all this is about."

Jags are going to have to pay a QB sooner or later. So the real question, which I've been saying for a while now, is who do you think is the better QB: Cousins or Bortles? Cousins hasn't had the luxury of playing against the turds of the world like the Texans and Colts. He's in a division with the #1 seed and SB champion this season, the #1 seed last season and a Giants team that went 11-5.

A couple options pop into my head when it comes to this QB decision.

1. Sign Cousins and he's the QB for 5 years.
2. Keep Blake on the 5th year option, he plays well, and then you have to pay him 27 million in 2019.
3. Keep Blake on his 5th year option, he plays poorly, then you're back to square 1 at the QB position.

I think I'm leaning with option 1. Teams would immediately respect Cousins and his ability to push the ball downfield. This would help out Fournette and the run game. I'm actually glad I don't have to make this call because it's the most crucial decision in the past 10 years for this team.

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As someone who lives in the Cincinnati area and watches almost every Bengals game (because I have to, not because I want to), I can tell you unequivocally that McCarron would not be an upgrade from Bortles. McCarron can't even win the job from Andy Dalton, possibly be the most average QB in the NFL. It's not like McCarron hasn't had any chances to unseat him either. People here have been calling for Dalton's head for the last 2 years. There are even certain factions within the fan base who would like to see the Bengals use their first round pick on a QB, knowing that they already have one of the worst O-Lines, if not the worst, in entire the NFL. Just because the Cleveland Browns were dumb enough to offer a 2nd rounder for McCarron, doesn't mean he was worth it. I still believe they realized what a terrible mistake they were making and sabotaged that deal on purpose. I would consider McCarron a moderate upgrade from Chad Henne and nothing more. When he was spot starting, A.J. Green made him look much better than he actually was. If I was going to trade for some other team's backup, the only one I would even consider besides Foles (and his price tag is now likely too high), would be Sean Mannion and I wouldn't offer anything higher that a 6th or 7th round pick. I still say we should draft a QB.

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I totally disagree. Teams needed to utilize Watson's running ability in order for him to succeed in the NFL. I don't believe that is the case with Mayfield. I see him more of a Drew Brees type than anything else. Mayfield has more arm talent than Watson does. Watson is a much better athlete, which is needed in a dual threat QB, but Mayfield can be a pocket passer in a pro style NFL offense and I believe he can thrive.

Exactly. Mayfield would thrive off of play action with fournette and getting the TEs more involved.

If that's the case then why can't Blake thrive under the same circumstances But everybody else can get better except for him right?

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Jags are going to have to pay a QB sooner or later. So the real question, which I've been saying for a while now, is who do you think is the better QB: Cousins or Bortles? Cousins hasn't had the luxury of playing against the turds of the world like the Texans and Colts. He's in a division with the #1 seed and SB champion this season, the #1 seed last season and a Giants team that went 11-5.

A couple options pop into my head when it comes to this QB decision.

1. Sign Cousins and he's the QB for 5 years.
2. Keep Blake on the 5th year option, he plays well, and then you have to pay him 27 million in 2019.
3. Keep Blake on his 5th year option, he plays poorly, then you're back to square 1 at the QB position.

I think I'm leaning with option 1. Teams would immediately respect Cousins and his ability to push the ball downfield. This would help out Fournette and the run game. I'm actually glad I don't have to make this call because it's the most crucial decision in the past 10 years for this team.

Option 4. Keep Bortles on the 5th year option, draft a QB in the first round, (trading up if we must.) Bortles plays poorly, we are set for the future with a 2nd year QB.

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Jags are going to have to pay a QB sooner or later. So the real question, which I've been saying for a while now, is who do you think is the better QB: Cousins or Bortles? Cousins hasn't had the luxury of playing against the turds of the world like the Texans and Colts. He's in a division with the #1 seed and SB champion this season, the #1 seed last season and a Giants team that went 11-5.

A couple options pop into my head when it comes to this QB decision.

1. Sign Cousins and he's the QB for 5 years.
2. Keep Blake on the 5th year option, he plays well, and then you have to pay him 27 million in 2019.
3. Keep Blake on his 5th year option, he plays poorly, then you're back to square 1 at the QB position.

I think I'm leaning with option 1. Teams would immediately respect Cousins and his ability to push the ball downfield. This would help out Fournette and the run game. I'm actually glad I don't have to make this call because it's the most crucial decision in the past 10 years for this team.

Option 4. Keep Bortles on the 5th year option, draft a QB in the first round, (trading up if we must.) Bortles plays poorly, we are set for the future with a 2nd year QB.

That still falls under option 3 which is that we are back to square 1 with a QB. A rookie QB who has zero experience playing on one of the most talented rosters in the league. Set for the future? The draft is such a crapshoot when it comes to QBs.

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Exactly. Mayfield would thrive off of play action with fournette and getting the TEs more involved.

If that's the case then why can't Blake thrive under the same circumstances But everybody else can get better except for him right?

Because every QB is different and Blake has shown that he can exist in this scheme, but he lacks the ability to thrive in those circumstances.

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Jags are going to have to pay a QB sooner or later. So the real question, which I've been saying for a while now, is who do you think is the better QB: Cousins or Bortles? Cousins hasn't had the luxury of playing against the turds of the world like the Texans and Colts. He's in a division with the #1 seed and SB champion this season, the #1 seed last season and a Giants team that went 11-5.

A couple options pop into my head when it comes to this QB decision.

1. Sign Cousins and he's the QB for 5 years.
2. Keep Blake on the 5th year option, he plays well, and then you have to pay him 27 million in 2019.
3. Keep Blake on his 5th year option, he plays poorly, then you're back to square 1 at the QB position.

I think I'm leaning with option 1. Teams would immediately respect Cousins and his ability to push the ball downfield. This would help out Fournette and the run game. I'm actually glad I don't have to make this call because it's the most crucial decision in the past 10 years for this team.

Option 4. Keep Bortles on the 5th year option, draft a QB in the first round, (trading up if we must.) Bortles plays poorly, we are set for the future with a 2nd year QB.

How can you automatically assume this?

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Option 4. Keep Bortles on the 5th year option, draft a QB in the first round, (trading up if we must.) Bortles plays poorly, we are set for the future with a 2nd year QB.

That still falls under option 3 which is that we are back to square 1 with a QB. A rookie QB who has zero experience playing on one of the most talented rosters in the league. Set for the future? The draft is such a crapshoot when it comes to QBs.

I comes down to being an optimist or a pessimist. I choose to believe that there are some very good QB prospects at the top of this draft. I really believe that and I also believe we will get one of them. I know the draft is a crapshoot, but if you go into it being scared and too cautious to take certain risks, we'll be stuck in neutral forever. I believe that the overall talent of this roster can actually elevate the play of a rookie QB. If a rookie comes here, he will be placed in a situation where he is set up to win. He's got a decent O-Line, that will be getting better with a couple of additions, a good running game, good young receivers and a very good/excellent defense. What other rookie QB's would be stepping into such a positive situation? If the rest of our team was crappy, maybe I'd be a lot more pessimistic, but I truly believe the right rookie QB could have the same effect here, as Carson Wentz has had in Philly or that Ben Roethlisberger had in Pittsburgh when he was drafted. When a rookie QB has a good supporting casts, they are more likely to succeed.

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So everyone pretty much agrees that Cousins is an upgrade over Blake at this moment. If the Jags can hammer out a deal during the legal tampering period, and they are completely confident that they will land him, they should go for it. If they let Blake go thinking they will land Cousins, and then don't get the deal done, they will likely be terrible next year. It will be a completely self inflicted wound, and will be rightfully mocked.

I don't think it is worth the gamble for a better, but still not great QB. Just roll with Blake and draft someone high to compete this year. If Blake plays well tag him and repeat next year until you are confident a QB on the roster is truly worthy of a monster deal.

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Option 4. Keep Bortles on the 5th year option, draft a QB in the first round, (trading up if we must.) Bortles plays poorly, we are set for the future with a 2nd year QB.

How can you automatically assume this?

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That still falls under option 3 which is that we are back to square 1 with a QB. A rookie QB who has zero experience playing on one of the most talented rosters in the league. Set for the future? The draft is such a crapshoot when it comes to QBs.

I comes down to being an optimist or a pessimist. I choose to believe that there are some very good QB prospects at the top of this draft. I really believe that and I also believe we will get one of them. I know the draft is a crapshoot, but if you go into it being scared and too cautious to take certain risks, we'll be stuck in neutral forever. I believe that the overall talent of this roster can actually elevate the play of a rookie QB. If a rookie comes here, he will be placed in a situation where he is set up to win. He's got a decent O-Line, that will be getting better with a couple of additions, a good running game, good young receivers and a very good/excellent defense. What other rookie QB's would be stepping into such a positive situation? If the rest of our team was crappy, maybe I'd be a lot more pessimistic, but I truly believe the right rookie QB could have the same effect here, as Carson Wentz has had in Philly or that Ben Roethlisberger had in Pittsburgh when he was drafted. When a rookie QB has a good supporting casts, they are more likely to succeed.

Well if you're a true optimist, then you should just roll with Blake because giving him ARob and a pass catching TE plus another year with Hackett will elevate him to another level.

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Jags are going to have to pay a QB sooner or later. So the real question, which I've been saying for a while now, is who do you think is the better QB: Cousins or Bortles? Cousins hasn't had the luxury of playing against the turds of the world like the Texans and Colts. He's in a division with the #1 seed and SB champion this season, the #1 seed last season and a Giants team that went 11-5.

A couple options pop into my head when it comes to this QB decision.

1. Sign Cousins and he's the QB for 5 years.
2. Keep Blake on the 5th year option, he plays well, and then you have to pay him 27 million in 2019.
3. Keep Blake on his 5th year option, he plays poorly, then you're back to square 1 at the QB position.

I think I'm leaning with option 1. Teams would immediately respect Cousins and his ability to push the ball downfield. This would help out Fournette and the run game. I'm actually glad I don't have to make this call because it's the most crucial decision in the past 10 years for this team.

Option 1 for me. And I still take a QB like Lauletta or White in the middle rounds this year behind him.

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Jags are going to have to pay a QB sooner or later. So the real question, which I've been saying for a while now, is who do you think is the better QB: Cousins or Bortles? Cousins hasn't had the luxury of playing against the turds of the world like the Texans and Colts. He's in a division with the #1 seed and SB champion this season, the #1 seed last season and a Giants team that went 11-5.

A couple options pop into my head when it comes to this QB decision.

1. Sign Cousins and he's the QB for 5 years.
2. Keep Blake on the 5th year option, he plays well, and then you have to pay him 27 million in 2019.
3. Keep Blake on his 5th year option, he plays poorly, then you're back to square 1 at the QB position.

I think I'm leaning with option 1. Teams would immediately respect Cousins and his ability to push the ball downfield. This would help out Fournette and the run game. I'm actually glad I don't have to make this call because it's the most crucial decision in the past 10 years for this team.

Option 4. Keep Bortles on the 5th year option, draft a QB in the first round, (trading up if we must.) Bortles plays poorly, we are set for the future with a 2nd year QB.

Assuming we hit on the pick, that is.

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Worst to 1st.  Curse Reversed!

Option 4. Keep Bortles on the 5th year option, draft a QB in the first round, (trading up if we must.) Bortles plays poorly, we are set for the future with a 2nd year QB.

Assuming we hit on the pick, that is.

Not to mention we have no clue if a good QB will be available at 29. I don't think we should give up a future 1st to move up also.

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Best options...

1. Go blockbusters and offer Drew Brees a huge 2- or 3-year contract to leave the Saints. ...whatever it takes... $40 mil per?
2. Trade for Foles to get a guy who has already proven he can beat Belichick in the biggest game.  This option also the best against the cap because Foles should be under contract for chump change for the next 4 years which may help even in terms of a contract renegotiation.
3. Sign Cousins to a 4- to 5-year contract averaging $28 mil per while drafting a late round rookie to slowly develop.
4. Ride Blake, preferably under a 2-year extension for like $17 mil per, while drafting an early round rookie to quickly develop.

Other options may include Eli Manning, Sam Bradford and AJ McCarron, however, I feel like Blake is already a better qb than any of them.

Of note, Tryod Taylor hits free agency next year and the Bills already appear inclined to let him walk.

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'02

Who are top 10 QBs in the nfl?

Brady
Brees
Roethlisberger
Rodgers
Ryan
Rivers
Stafford
Wilson
Smith
Wentz

7 are 32 or older. Only 1 under age 29, but somehow Bortles is supposed to be top 10 by now at age 25? Quarterbacking at a high level in the NFL almost always requires tons of experience to get to that level.

Other then smith and wentz there is also one common thread to all these QBs. They have had the same coaches been on the same team in the same system. This is probably pretty important to help mold a top 10 QB. How many flash in the pans have we had in the last few years Cam, Jamis, Luck, Mariota and others where good early and now not so much. With BB5 showing improvement this year if he continues to improve there is no reason he cant be a top 10 QB in the next couple of years.

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Without delving back into the Kirk Vs Bortles Vs draft pick debate, (Y'all know where I stand by now), I am actually quite interested to see how Blake looks next year.

Has the confidence bump from the playoffs and can really hone in on his craft. Last offseason was all about getting those mechanics acceptable and was fighting for his job all the way up to week 1 of the regular season. This year maybe he can spend more time fine tuning what he built on.

Although on the flip side of that he still is fighting for his job this year if he remains a Jaguar. Could argue theres much more pressure this year as we are expected to win, have a really tough schedule and will be on national TV a lot. Either way it'll be interesting to see how he develops if he stays here.

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That QB ranking left out Andrew Luck. Healthy he's at least better than Smith and Wentz.

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'02