[magnus]

In this alternate philosophy, why rely on rookie contracts for QBs.  Do as OF alludes to...grab a veteran QB who has seen better days, but at least has learned how to game manage and put them into a great supporting cast a la Trent Dilfer.

I think the problem with this is that it would be highly rare for a QB of high quality to be as cheap as a rookie, even on the downside. I mean Tom Brady and Philip Rivers are both getting $25M in 2020. Ditto Drew Brees. And as far as "lesser QBs." even Teddy Bridgewater and Matthew Stafford are at $23M+, so it seems the only way to "Moneyball" the QB position is with guys on rookie deals.  

What's nuts is Kirk Cousins is sitting at $21M in 2020, which is actually below Stafford and Bridgewater, and you think, ya, Cousins doesn't deserve more.  The thing is, what is he REALLY worth?  Is he worth just 15% less than Tom Brady? Hell no.  He's worth 50% less. But just because he plays QB you want to pay him $20M? This is silly. The first NFL team that recognizes how much QBs are overpaid, and adjusts accordingly, is going to do a lot of winning.

I'd say Brady and Rivers are both a tier higher than the game managers that might make an elite surrounding cast work.  Someone like or perhaps slightly better than Andy Dalton.   Perhaps a Flacco?

Doesn't Cousins make closer to $30M?  He signed 3 for nearly $90 (turned down $90M from the Jets, iirc).  Looks like he restructured this past year?  Oh and his cap hit is $21M, but he makes more than that.  Proves your point about him being overpaid even more. =)

[magnus]

In this alternate philosophy, why rely on rookie contracts for QBs.  Do as OF alludes to...grab a veteran QB who has seen better days, but at least has learned how to game manage and put them into a great supporting cast a la Trent Dilfer.

I think the problem with this is that it would be highly rare for a QB of high quality to be as cheap as a rookie, even on the downside. I mean Tom Brady and Philip Rivers are both getting $25M in 2020. Ditto Drew Brees. And as far as "lesser QBs." even Teddy Bridgewater and Matthew Stafford are at $23M+, so it seems the only way to "Moneyball" the QB position is with guys on rookie deals.  

What's nuts is Kirk Cousins is sitting at $21M in 2020, which is actually below Stafford and Bridgewater, and you think, ya, Cousins doesn't deserve more.  The thing is, what is he REALLY worth?  Is he worth just 15% less than Tom Brady? Hell no.  He's worth 50% less. But just because he plays QB you want to pay him $20M? This is silly. The first NFL team that recognizes how much QBs are overpaid, and adjusts accordingly, is going to do a lot of winning.

I'd say Brady and Rivers are both a tier higher than the game managers that might make an elite surrounding cast work.  Someone like or perhaps slightly better than Andy Dalton.   Perhaps a Flacco?

Doesn't Cousins make closer to $30M?  He signed 3 for nearly $90 (turned down $90M from the Jets, iirc).  Looks like he restructured this past year?  Oh and his cap hit is $21M, but he makes more than that.  Proves your point about him being overpaid even more. =)