For years now, we have seen many of the same NFL teams struggle year after year, suffering in large part because they’ve never been able to land a franchise quarterback.
As difficult as it is to win in the NFL, if a team is able to land a good starting quarterback, they’ve pretty much won half the battle.
One of those teams that’s suffered is the Washington Football Team. And thanks to some recent developments, they could be on the verge of finally landing a franchise quarterback.
The Washington Football Team formerly known as the Redskins was once considered one of the league’s premier franchises in days gone by, winning two NFL Championships and three Super Bowls prior to 1991.
But since then – and more importantly since 1999 when Dan Snyder bought the team – Washington has become one of those franchises that can’t seem to get out of their own way, making the playoffs just six times since 1993.
And there’s no denying that a lack of a franchise quarterback during that time has been one of the primary factors of the franchise’s demise.
Regardless, even a broken clock is right twice a day, and despite inept ownership that has made historically bad decisions both in front office and player personnel, the Washington Football Team might just be on the verge of finally acquiring the quarterback they need.
Last season, under the direction of new head coach Ron Rivera, Washington took a step forward, winning the NFC East, albeit in a down year for the division.
Winning the division in a down year isn’t the greatest achievement, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.
And it’s evident that the team has pieces they can build around at most every position group — except for quarterback, of course.
Now, with the addition of former Lions General Manager Martin Mayhew, Washington may be in prime position to fix that issue.
OFFICIAL: Martin Mayhew is our next GM
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) January 22, 2021
Mayhew served as the Detroit Lions General Manager for eight seasons, taking the team from the worst record in NFL history in 2008 to 11 wins in 2014, the second most wins in a season in the franchise’s history.
And during that time Mayhew drafted the Lions franchise quarterback, Matthew Stafford.
Stafford has been the lone bright spot for the Lions since Mayhew departed Detroit, and he’s done everything he can to elevate a perennially pathetic roster.
But now, according to multiple reports including former NFL quarterback and CBS Sports analyst Boomer Esiason, Stafford is ready to leave Detroit for greener pastures.
Boomer Esiason, CBS Sports Radio on Matthew Stafford;
'He wants out, from what I hear'
— Jon Poole (@JonPooleDET) January 21, 2021
If Esiason and others are correct, there will be plenty of suitors lining up to try to land Stafford’s services, and Washington should be at the top of the list now that Mayhew is on board.
Mayhew has clearly always been a huge fan of Stafford, and he may have paid the quarterback the biggest compliment possible in 2015 when he said, “If we had 22 Matthew Staffords, we’d win a championship every single year.”
It doesn’t get more crystal clear than that – Washington is in desperate need of a quarterback, and their new general manager absolutely loves Matthew Stafford.
If Stafford does in fact want out of Detroit, he could do a lot worse than Washington, considering the quality of their head coach, general manager, and young talent.
Stafford won’t be Washington’s answer for more than five years or so considering he’s already 32 years old, but he could help build the Football Team back into a team that is consistently a threat to win the NFC East and make the playoffs.
With Washington currently lacking even a serviceable quarterback on their roster, they have to do what it takes to land a guy like Stafford.
The franchise’s next decade may just hinge on it.
Sports with Balls will keep you up-to-date on any developments to this ongoing story.
