American football is one of the most-watched sports on the planet and even the naysayers will have heard of some of the sports biggest names.
Jerry Rice, Joe Montana and Walter Payton are some of the biggest stars in recent decades, but there’s one name that has become synonymous with the NFL over the last 23 years.
Tom Brady.
The legendary quarterback called time on his career this week, closing the chapter on one of the most outstanding careers, not just in the NFL, but in any sport.
Brady walked away from the game at the age of 44 and his records are unlikely to be matched. Individually, he has won more Super Bowls than the rest of the teams in the NFL.
Brady’s decision will dominate the press for several weeks, but the attention for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his final team, will be on this year’s Draft.
Several quarterbacks could be on the move this season, and we look at the teams needing a new face before the start of the season in September.
Time Up for Big Ben
After 18 seasons, the Pittsburgh Steelers need a new starting quarterback.
Ben Roethlisberger called time on his career last week, confirming that the 2021 campaign would be his last.
The 39-year-old looks destined for the Hall of Fame after winning two Super Bowls during his career in Pittsburgh.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin now needs a new QB, with Jimmy Garoppolo set to leave the San Fransisco 49ers after they failed to make the Super Bowl this season.
Rodgers Yet to Decide His Next Move
Green Bay Packers’ front office have some serious decisions to make this summer, with Aaron Rodgers’ future at the heart of their thinking.
Rodgers, the MVP for the past two seasons, has yet to commit his future to the team. The Packers have issues with their salary cap, but Rodgers may not want to move to an organisation that cannot get him his second Super Bowl.
Should they keep him, then the Packers roster will have to be trimmed, and that could ruin their chances of a Super Bowl run in 2022.
Weak Draft Prospects Set to Wreak Havoc
Last year’s NFL Draft was the year of the quarterback, but it is likely to be very different in April.
Atlanta Falcons’ Matt Ryan, New York Giants’ Daniel Jones and Jameis Winston of the New Orleans Saints could all be saved by poor options in the draft.
Ryan is at the tail-end of his career, but Jones is one of several QBs that have yet to prove themselves at the highest level.
With Brady gone, Rodgers and Garoppolo will be the two biggest targets for teams in need, but we are about to start a new era in the sport with the likes of Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes and Joe Allen set to rule for the next decade.