In the fast-paced world of the NFL, the stakes are high and the pressure is even higher for teams that have taken big risks on quarterbacks. It has been a tumultuous start to the season for some teams with their speculative bets not paying off as they had hoped.
Bryce Young, the highly touted 5-foot-10 quarterback from Alabama, found himself benched early on. Tua Tagovailoa, who signed a massive four-year, $212 million extension with the Miami Dolphins, landed on injured reserve after suffering another concussion. And Deshaun Watson, facing yet another sexual-assault lawsuit, has left the Houston Texans in a difficult position.
At first glance, these three cases may not seem connected. But upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that these teams made risky decisions that have now come back to haunt them. The billionaire owners of these teams took gambles that backfired, leaving them in precarious situations.
The Panthers, for example, took a massive risk by selecting Bryce Young at the top of the 2023 draft. Not only did they give up valuable assets like receiver D.J. Moore and multiple draft picks to move up in the draft, but they also picked a quarterback who defied conventional norms in terms of size and stature. This compounded the risks associated with selecting a college player, making it a high-risk, high-reward move that has not paid off.
As one executive commented, “No single risk seemed too great to take. It’s the combining of risk factors that must be taken into account when evaluating these decisions.” It’s easy to dismiss the NFL draft as a “crapshoot,” but when teams double down on risky prospects, the results can be disastrous.
Similarly, Miami’s decision to lock in Tua Tagovailoa with a lucrative extension raised eyebrows across the league. While some saw potential in Tagovailoa, the combination of risks associated with his extension – both on and off the field – made it a risky move for the Dolphins. The pressure is now on Miami to justify their investment in the young quarterback.
Despite the criticism and doubts surrounding these risky quarterback decisions, there were still voices of support and intrigue within the league. As one executive noted, “Where was Tua going?” Teams are willing to take chances on promising players, even if the odds are stacked against them.
In the cutthroat world of professional football, every decision is scrutinized and every risk is amplified. The success or failure of these quarterbacks will not only impact their respective teams but also shape the future of the NFL. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on these teams to see if their speculative bets will pay off in the end.
