Which NFL Team Would Give Josh Rosen the Best Chance of Turning His Career Around?
So far, Josh Rosen has racked up mediocre playing time for two teams, the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. A career record of 3-13 with a TD-INT ratio of 12-19 isn’t exactly what the NFL expected when Rosen went 10th overall in the 2018 draft — well ahead of players like Lamar Jackson.
To top it off, the QB situation is complex in Miami. The Dolphins drafted Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick. Because of his injury history, the young Hawaiian will go down as either the 2020 draft’s biggest steal or biggest bust. Either way, he’ll likely play before Rosen does. But it’s not just Tagovailoa who Rosen has to contend with for playing time.
Ryan Fitzpatrick is experiencing his 15th NFL season (and his eighth team). But he hasn’t run out of Fitzmagic just yet. In a mediocre 2019 for Miami, Fitzpatrick still racked up 3,500 passing yards in only 13 starts.
While Fitzpatrick and Tagovailoa fight for the starting job in Miami, Rosen will likely watch from the sidelines. But many teams lack two solid QBs — and some don’t even have one. Here are a few potential landing spots for Rosen.
A backup spot in Seattle
If Rosen is willing to accept a backup spot, no NFL team is more vulnerable behind their No. 1 QB than the Seahawks. Russell Wilson is putting together an all-time great career — a model of durability so far. In eight seasons, the Super Bowl champ and seven-time Pro Bowler has never missed a game.
The offensive line in Seattle has done a great job of protecting Wilson and allowing him to make plays with his legs. But he’s in his 30s now and the miles are racking up. Wilson has only rushed for less than 400 yards three times in his career; 2018 and 2019 were two of those seasons.
It’s unlikely that Rosen would want to find another team to sit on the bench for. But the competition to back up Wilson is currently between Anthony Gordon and Geno Smith. Rosen could easily end that debate.
A future of New England?
Admittedly, Rosen is also unlikely to start for the Patriots. Bill Belichick seems enamored enough with Jarrett Stidham as the heir to the Brady dynasty. Plus, Gillette Stadium isn’t somewhere that plans are immediately abandoned if they don’t work out. But if Stidham is unable to cut it at the NFL level, the door would open for Rosen.
The Washington situation
The situation in Washington is similar to Miami: an unproven youngster and a long-time vet. But Dwayne Haskins has half a season under his belt with a long way to go. And Alex Smith is no Fitzpatrick.
Washington is one of the few teams where Rosen could have immediately contended for a starting job. Unfortunately for Rosen, the team recently traded for Kyle Allen. Allen did big things for the Panthers and is back with Ron Rivera in Washington.
Unproven QBs in Denver and Jacksonville
The Broncos and Jaguars are pinning their 2020 hopes on Drew Lock and Gardner Minshew II, respectively. Both players have shown flashes of brilliance in 2019 but could easily turn out to be busts.
Rosen could get a chance in either city and turn out just fine. Both teams are currently solid behind their new starter, but things can change in the NFL in an instant. Mike Giardi reported that teams have spoken to Miami about potentially acquiring Rosen and it’s likely Denver and Jacksonville were among them.
The bottom line on Rosen’s future
So far, Josh Rosen hasn’t lived up to his potential in the NFL. But Arizona quickly tossed him aside when Kyler Murray came to town. And the Miami experiment hasn’t been a success. Rosen’s talent is still undeniable and plenty of teams would be lucky to have him.
He’s behind two quarterbacks on the Dolphins depth chart, but one will be turning 38 this season and one has an ugly injury history. Rosen has many potential destinations but could also make it as a starter in Miami with a little patience.
