Quarterbacks Of Consequence

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Isaac Newton's third law -- though probably not intended for use as a gridiron metaphor -- is none more evident in the NFL than at the quarterback position. Long seen as the most important occupation in North American exercise, the acquisition of a notable quarterback in the current day NFL is either going one of two ways: a new face of the franchise is born and all sins of the past are forgotten -- for now at least-- or; a clock has started that tolls louder and louder for each second your most critiqued asset isn't taking your city to the promised land of play-off relativity and beyond.

With the majority of quarterbacks settled in to their news homes and with more than a month before the NFL draft, not to mention the Deshaun Watson situation looking more and more like it's settling in for the long-haul, let's take a look at the eight most consequential starting quarterbacks of the upcoming season.

8. Cam Newton - New England Patriots

Back in white, red and Nay blue for the New England Patriots in 2021after singing another one year deal, Newton has a lot to prove to be considered the long term answer in Foxborough. Throwing more interceptions (ten) than touchdowns (eight) last season, the 2015 MVP needs to not only show the best coach in football history that he can sustain an imposing aerial attack over an entire season, but lead this franchise back to post season victories. If not, he'll be joining the Inflater in Patriots lore as necessary speed bumps on the road to the top of gridiron mountain.

7. Jared Goff - Detroit Lions

The fall from grace for the former number one overall pick has been steep, the Rams pulling the crash mat out from under him has made for an even more painful landing. From Santa Monica sea shanties written in his honour, following their questionable victory over the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game in January 2019, Jared Goff stocks have plummeted to a point of disrepair. With the wonder child, Sean McVay, unable to restart the faltering quarterback, Goff was shipped to Detroit in exchange for Matthew Stafford. Now Goff -- with no noticeable number one receiver, an unproven offensive line and a suspect run game -- will be judged on an obvious rebuild year -- or two if he's lucky -- to resurrect his career and bring Lions fan some much needed hope come December. I'll throw my hat in the 'not MVP favourite come Week 17' ring and expect to retain my millinery in the new year. Keep you're heads up Detroit, you've been through worse and history says you'll be back here again in no time. My apologies.

6. Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles

Hurts garnered a lot of attention his rookie year, most of which, was no fault of his own. Drafted in the second round, Hurts jogged in for several plays a game early in the season as Carson Wentz struggled to look like a competent starting quarterback all year. Doug Peterson tried everything he could to will something positive out of Wentz' play, but in the end, the boos were too loud and the evidence was too evident; he had to start the rookie. Hurts played like your average high draft pick rookie learning to play in the NFL. A full off-season to learn a new playbook and knowledge of his impending position as starting quarterback will give Hurts the chance to prove himself to a Philadelphia fan base that isn't always as patient as necessary.

5. Ryan Fitzpatrick - Washington Football Team

However obvious that this is a short term, short sighted move, the Football Team looks primed to reclaim the division in 2021 behind Ryan Fitzpatrick and a stout defense. A surefire upgrade over Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen and an inspirational but physically flawed Alex Smith; the Washington coaching staff will be lucid dreaming about deep shots from Fitzpatrick to a streaking Terry McLaurin, while Chase Young blows up All-Pro left tackles at will on his way to a 20 sack season. But beware, Football Team fanatics, March melodrama is all well and good but there's a reason The Fitz' has accepted pay cheques from almost a third of the NFL franchises, just ask faithful Jets fans of a 2016 vintage.

4. Andy Dalton - Chicago Bears

Last week Ryan Pace packed his schmickest Chiacgo Bears brand polo shirt and dress pants before setting out to North Dakota to scout future rookie quarterback Trey Lance. Once there he was ushered away to a secret location in Fargo, where he met with Seattle Seahawks general manager, John Schneider, to discuss prying Russell Wilson from the Emerald City. Willing to part with three first round draft picks, a third rounder and two starters -- presumably, now released cornerback, Kyle Fuller -- Pace returned to Chicago with the news everyone was waiting for; the Bears had signed Andy Dalton to a one year, $10 million deal. Coupled with the news of Fuller's release a few days later, there was reason for despair to be rampant in Chicago. Already announced as the starter, Dalton will be playing uphill, into the wind and on shaky ground in 2021, as Nick Foles looks over his shoulder, Bears fans look down from above and Ryan Pace prays on hands and knees his time in the Windy City doesn't end up in the metaphorical wood-chipper.

Coming off a season that screamed ineptitude at the quarterback position, keeping half of the equation and a veteran with little upside over the departed Mitch Trubisky, it feels like a push on the upcoming season. Even with the theatrics surrounding Ryan Pace's soiree in the far north, Chicago is primed for an 8 - 9 season at best.

3. Carson Wentz - Indianapolis Colts

Reunited with high-school sweetheart, Frank Reich, Carson Wentz has a lot to prove in Indianapolis. With Indy reportedly looking at their future franchise quarterback in this years draft until Wentz become available, there's no shortage of ammunition for Colts fans to load into their sidearms if Wentz resorts to his 2020 ways. Starting a different quarterback for the fourth straight season, the white-on-blue horse shoes are in bed with Wentz for least two seasons, contractually. A boom or bust situation, with fan-fare and media wolfhounds keeping a close eye on all things Wentzian, the relationship between head coach and starting quarterback will be under the microscope all season. Any marital issues will have to be settled behind closed doors or else the Brangelina-esque pairing may be worth more in headlines than playoff wins.

2. Taysom Hill/Jameis Winston - New Orleans Saints

After 15 years of settling in on Sunday afternoons to watch one of the greatest quarterbacks in the games history, New Orleans natives are left to witness the remnants of what remains; a quarterback battle between Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston. To pull off a title contender from this point would be the second greatest feat of Sean Payton's career.

His two combatants squaring off in the pre-season arena boast career highlights of; being the first quarterback to throw 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a season, then see his former team waltz their way to a Lombardi the following season (Winston); and signing a contract with a figure of $140 million in writing, but in reality will struggle to see a quarter of that money if he's lucky (Hill). Two true gladiators waiting in the wings for their time to shine in the spot light. Reality might be swift for the always cocky Payton and sympathy from comrades around the league will be few and far between.

1. Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams

An impressive roster, offensively and defensively, making moves to find their quarterback that puts them over the top in an obvious Superbowl window. We rarely see it happen, but it looks like -- from the vantage point of late March -- the Los Angeles Rams are primed for a title push. Boasting an established head coach with Superbowl experience, a future Hall Of Fame defensive lineman in his prime, an All-Pro cornerback in his prime, a deep, talent rich receiving core and, of course, the greatest living punter in this solar system; the Rams have a roster primed to insert Matthew Stafford and soar to extra-terrestrial planes of NFL fantasia.

It seems hard to consider the Rams being any worse then last season, and oh so easy to see them primed for an NFC Championship game in the warmth of Florida or the frozen tundra of Wisconsin. If nothing else, seeing Stafford with a competent franchise in the gloryland of Southern California will be a sight to behold and the most consequential quarterback of the 2021 season.