Welcome to the eighth edition of Pombo’s Weekly Football Rewind. This weekly series will go in depth about the latest news, rumors, signings, and trades of the past week
Julian Edelman Retires
After 11 season in New England, Julian Edelman officially announced his retirement from football on social media.
“It was a hard decision, but the right decision for me and my family. And I’m honored and so proud to be retiring a Patriot.”
The news came shortly after the Patriots, “terminated his contract.” But, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Patriots released Edelman because he will now become eligible for, “injury protection benefit… Edelman can collect up to $2 million through the benefit.”
But, the conclusion of Edelman’s career seemed inevitable after a report from Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald surfaced last week:
Edelman will go down as one of the best pass catchers in Patriots history, and was a key catalyst of three Super Bowl championships. Edelman’s importance to the Patriots could not be understated, as his famous catch in Super Bowl LI will live on forever.
I know everyone wanted to see Edelman reunite with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. But, with the chronic knee injury, it was impossible.
Julian Edelman will be most remembered for his postseason success.
His famous catch in Super Bowl LI is one of the greatest catches in NFL history, and will be remembered for the rest of time. Edelman was also the Super Bowl MVP award winner in 2018.
He concluded his postseason career with a whopping 118 receptions. Only Jerry Rice had more career playoff receptions then Edelman. Great company to say the least…
A great career for #11.
Matt Ryan’s Future
Matt Ryan has had three consecutive losing seasons in Atlanta, including the 2020 campaign in which the Falcons bottomed out to a 4-12 record.
The Falcons enter the 2021 draft with the fourth-overall pick of the draft. Many believe that the draft starts when the Falcons are on the clock. Picks one through three will all be quarterbacks, so, will the Falcons follow the trend at four? Or, do they look to bolster their offensive line, or add an offensive playmaker? Or, do they sell the pick to the highest bidder, and trade down?
Matt Ryan is entering his age 36 season, but likely can’t get traded or released until after the 2022 season, due to his contract. If Ryan were to get released or traded tomorrow, the Falcons would face nearly a $71 million dead cap charge. If the Falcons were to move him after 2021, they will still be on the hook for a $40 million dead cap charge. So, however you slice it, Ryan will be in Atlanta for the next two seasons.
So, what should they do?
Th most logical thing would be to land the quarterback of the future. Trey Lance is someone who comes to mind as a potential fit. He’s raw, and won’t be ready to play in 2021. So, Lance could basically have a, “red shirt” year in 2021, due to Ryan’s contract. It seems like a potential dream scenario.
But, ultimately I believe that the Falcons will trade the fourth-overall pick. I could see them dealing the pick to the Washington Football Team, for a package centered around a multitude of first round picks. I think that Falcons head coach Arthur Smith believes that he can win some games with Matt Ryan.
The Falcons will get a chance to run it back with Ryan, and can fall back on a treasure chest of draft picks if things don’t go according to plan in 2021.
Teddy Bridgewater’s Future
After the Carolina Panthers traded for Sam Darnold, it seemed unlikely that Bridgewater would return to the team in 2021.
According to Ian Rapport of NFL Network:
Last offseason, the Panthers signed Bridgewater to a three-year contract worth $63 million, but after going 4-11 in 2020, it seems like his career in Carolina is over.
So, where will the 28 year old Teddy Bridgewater be in 2021?
I think there are four teams that make a great deal of sense for Bridgewater in 2021.
The Broncos are the most likely, and probably the best fit for Bridgewater. The Broncos quarterback room is uncertain, and Drew Lock’s future is a real question mark. The Broncos hold the ninth-overall pick of the draft, and they could miss out on the top-four or five quarterbacks on the board.
On top of all of that, Broncos general manager George Paton was in Minnesota when the Vikings drafted Bridgewater in the first-round in 2014.
The Bears are another team to keep an eye on. Even after declaring Andy Dalton the starter, I find it hard to believe that the Bears will enter 2021 with no competition at the quarterback position. Bridgewater is an accurate passer, and could be the game manager Matt Nagy needs to get him by.
I think the Saints could be a potential suitor, as well. Even with Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill in the fold, I don’t put it past Sean Payton to turn up the heat at the quarterback position. Bridgewater knows the system, and went 6-1 as a starter, when he was with the Saints in 2018 and 2019.
The 49ers are a team to also keep an eye on in the Bridgewater sweepstakes. I’m not buying that Jimmy Garoppolo will be with the 49ers in 2021, but I do buy the fact that they want a veteran presence in the fold. At $24 million, Garoppolo is too expensive for that role. Bridgewater will be much cheaper, and could certainly be someone that Kyle Shanahan could lean on in the early part of 2021.
Richard Sherman’s Quiet Free Agency Tour
We’re about a month into free agency, and the market surrounding Richard Sherman remains quiet.
But, Sherman appeared on the Chris Collinsworth Podcast, and discussed his future:
“We'll wait until we get a young pup; and if we can't get a young pup, we'll take an old fool.' So that's where we're sitting.”
These comments suggest that Sherman is likely going to wait until the conclusion of the NFL until he chooses a destination. But, even if Sherman wants to play things out, it’s still apparent that his market isn’t very busy.
I still feel that the best landing spot for Sherman would be the Vegas Raiders or the New York Jets.
But, looks like we’ll have to continue to play the waiting game with Richard Sherman.
The Bucs Add to Their Crowded Backfield
The Tampa Bay Bucs continue to add to their crowded running back group.
The defending Super Bowl champions have agreed to a one-year deal with former Cincinnati Bengals running back, Giovani Bernard.
Bernard joins Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette, ad the Bucs looks poised for another strong rushing attack in 2021.
However, Bernard has been known for his pass-catching abilities out of the backfield, and everyone knows how valuable that is from a Tom Brady led offense.
Bernard had 47 receptions last season, which was the third most on the team.
This signing may not be flashy, but don’t be surprised if Bernard makes an impact in 2021.