Sometimes life gives QB’s lemons (contracts)… but then the lemons get intercepted (they get traded away, their contract isn’t renewed, they’re replaced, or they get no o-line, and more sacks than any other QB for years and are then blamed for leaving). Then life hands that player another set of lemons (a new contract)… and the lemons get intercepted (they play their old team, and lose).
2022 is the year of the jilted Quarterback.
2021 – the beginning:
Jared Goff is traded from the Rams to the Lions, for Matthew Stafford.
We all watched the cryptic way Sean McVay said “Yeah, he’s the quarterback right now” during that press conference in the 2020-2021 season. He continued to dance around the topic at the end of the season. He brought up Goff “earning” his position as starting QB. Out of no where, Goff was traded. We all agree with McVay when he stated he had poor communication around the trade.
When the Rams and the Lions met in October of 2021, Goff was a little salty and came in with a bone to pick. The Lions looked like they might have a chance for an upset – they had some flashy plays, including a succesful onside kick, and more pep in their step then usual. A comeback was in Goff’s site, but the Lions ended up losing 19-28. That one stung.
Replaced… by who?
During an insane offseason, Baker Mayfield added to the chaos. He wrote the Cleaveland Browns a Dear John tweet, and demanded a trade after his team signed Deshaun Watson. Many people consider Mayfield the best QB in recent Brown’s history. Baker secured a playoff win in 2020 – the first since 1994. This seemingly went ignored, as the Browns made an shocking contract deal with Watson despite his… situation. Baker was signed by the Panthers.
Week 1 was the week of revenge games for 2022 – the Panthers played the Browns. Mayfield choked in the first half, but improved in the 2nd half, and nearly secured a win. The Browns won by 24-26, and Baker was not avenged. It is to early to determine what will happen in the future, but Baker is on the right side of things.
To cook or not to cook?
That was the question for the other revenge game of week 1. Russell Wilson came back to the Hawk’s nest – this time decked out in blue and orange. Wilson was likely relieved to have an o-line and only 2 sacks in one game, but despite the expectations of fans to be classy, those present failed to meet expectations. So did the Broncos – Russ is still sorting out the recipe book with his new coach and it shows (get it together, Hackett!). The Seahawks shocked us all with Geno Smith‘s performance. As he says “They wrote me off, but I ain’t write back though.” The win has put the wind in the sails of Seahawks fans, but left more than a few people feeling very happy and a little confused. The good news for conflicted Seahawks fans is that Seattle and Denver won’t play again… this season.
Always the exception
Honarable mentions go to Tom Brady, the only QB to win his revenge game. In 2021, he played the Patriots as a Buccaneer and won 17-19. With that win, he beat all 32 teams in the NFL. Bet the patriots wished they knew he would still play well in his 40’s.
May revenge wins be won in the future! There is a part of us all that likes to see justice being served even if we have no bone in that fight.