Campbell was front and center in the headlines this off-season when he was involved in trade rumors during the Jay Cutler sweepstakes, but he is still the starting quarterback in Washington—for now.
Campbell not only has to play through the fact that the team wanted to replace him, but the idea that this is his last chance to prove to owner Daniel Snyder that he is the right choice to lead this franchise for years to come. A playoff ticket and a run in January might be the only way Campbell is not in a different uniform come 2010.
2. Marc Bulger, Rams
There are plenty of changes in St. Louis. Steve Spagnuolo is new headman in town, the team is up for sale, and WR Tory Holt is now in Jacksonville. Bulger was once considered a franchise quarterback in St. Louis, but this may be his only chance to show Spagnuolo and the new coaching staff that he belongs in the Dome after the 2009 season.
The Rams will experience some growing pains in ’09, and if Bulger doesn’t find a way to engineer some wins, look for St. Louis to continue the rebuilding process next off-season at the quarterback position.
Despite the fact that Garrard is paid like a franchise quarterback, he is a long way removed from his playoff performance in 2007—and he struggled under center last season. The Jags added Holt to give Garrard another option on the outside, but he still has to prove that he is the future of this organization at the quarterback position.
There was plenty of talk of the Jags going after USC’s Mark Sanchez back in April, but Garrard will be expected to play up to his contract in 2009 or he—and head coach Jack Del Rio—could be on the outside looking in next off-season.
4. Trent Edwards, Bills
We can’t use the excuse that Edwards is a young quarterback anymore in this league. He has played enough football and is far removed from a rookie going into his third pro season. The Bills have major weapons on the outside in WRs Lee Evans and Terrell Owens, but Edwards still needs to get them the football.
Buffalo brought back head coach Dick Jauron, and they need a fast start to not only secure his job, but to convince the organization that Edwards is the quarterback of the future—or else the Bills will have to start over again in 2010.
This is nothing new for Pennington, as he has had to prove himself almost every year of his career, but despite the fact that the Dolphins won the AFC East in 2008, there was plenty of talk about Miami turning to Chad Henne in the future.
Pennington is a good fit for the Dolphins offense, but to ensure his place in Miami after the 2009 season, he is going to have to continue to protect the football and put touchdowns on the board when the defense gives him good field position—a key element to winning in Miami. If not, look for the Dolphins to get Henne ready to take over the job.
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