Is Mike LaFleur better off starting veteran QBs?

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By Walter Mitchell

One of the things that is fascinating about Mike LaFleur's two NFL head coaching mentors, Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay, is their subpar track record for developing young QBs. 

Cases in point:

SF - Shanahan:

* C.J. Beathard, Iowa (R3 2017) - record: 2-10.

* Nick Mullens, Southern Miss (FA 2018) - 5-11

* Trey Lance, North Dakota St. (R1 2021) - 2-2

* Brock Purdy, Iowa St. (R7 2022) - 30-15

Super Bowls

2020 - Jimmy Garoppolo - KC 31, SF 20

2024 - Brock Purdy - KC 25, SF 22 (OT)

LAR - Sean McVay

* John Woolford, Wake Forest (FA 2019) - 2-2

* Bryce Perkins, Virginia (FA 2020) - 0-1

* Stetson Bennett, Georgia (R4 2023) - 0-0

Super Bowls

2018 - Jared Goff - NE 13, LAR 3

2021 - Matthew Stafford - LAR 23 CIN 20

One could well argue that Sean McVay, while he inherited Jared Goff, did a commendable job of developing the young QB. Yet, what does it say about Sean McVay when he decided to trade Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford?

NYJ - Mike LaFleur

* Zach Wilson, BYU (R1 2021) - 8-14

Passing 55% for 4,022 yards (182.8 yards per game), 15 TDs, 19 interceptions.

Conclusion:

Since becoming the head coach of the 49ers in 2017, it took Kyle Shanahan 3 QB draft picks to develop a starting QBOF. 

Since becoming the head coach of the Rams in 2017, Sean McVay has drafted only one QB who has not played because McVay's QB1 and QB2 are veterans he trusts. 

As offensive coordinator of the Jets, Mike LaFleur had a difficult time of developing Zach Wilson, the #2 pick in the 2021 draft.

The fact is, the only QB drafted by Shanahan, McVay and Saleh (LaFleur) that has worked out over the past 9 years is Brock Purdy. Shanahan was unable to develop his 1st round #3 pick Trey Lance, who is now a QB2 for the Chargers.

Why Purdy and not Lance?

One has to consider the tiers of sophistication that is required for QBs to execute Shanahan's and McVay's complex, multi-faceted offenses. 

Brock Purdy started 46 games at Iowa St. He went 29-17, completing 67.7% of his passes for 12,170 yards, 81 TDs and 33 interceptions.

Trey Lance started 17 games at North Dakota St. He went 17-0, completing 65.4% of his passes for 2,947 yards, 30 TDs and 1 interception.

While Trey Lance is clearly the better and stronger athlete, Brock Purdy is better suited in Shanahan's system because of his nuanced understanding of the offense. 

Curiously, in all of Mike LaFleur's 10 seasons combined with the 49ers, Jets and Rams, he has never been a part of developing a young QBOF. 

All of the QB success he has witnessed and coached has come from Jimmy Garoppolo and Matthew Stafford. He was no longer with the 49ers when they drafted Brock Purdy.

This begs the legitimate question --- is Mike LaFleur better off with a veteran starting QB?

There is nothing wrong with that --- just ask Sean McVay.

The huge question for Mike LaFleur in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft--- would it be too risky for him to draft Ty Simpson in light of Ty's limited college experience, starting only 15 games?

One of the reasons why LaFleur has been encouraged about Jacoby Brissett, aside from Jacoby's pocket and arm strength is "he knows football." In other words, Jacoby comes into LaFleur's complex offensive system, ready-made and well-suited.  

Pundits and fans are convinced that Jacoby Brissett is nothing more than a bridge QB at this point in his career. But in light of how well Jacoby fits Mike LaFleur's QB criteria, why rule anything out at this point?

Why not take this season to see just how strong a fit Jacoby is in Mike LaFleur's offense before making any judgements? 

If the Cardinals find a way to draft Ty Simpson, the pressure on LaFleur to play him from day one would be enormous, even if Jacoby is performing well and Ty is not nearly as ready to play in the offense.

Cardinals' veteran center Hjalte Froholdt recently expressed why he and his teammates are excited to have Jacoby as their starting QB. 

https://x.com/BoBrack/status/2041602933968793636?s=20

“He’s a veteran, he knows his shit, he stands in the pocket, he takes a hit, he plays for the boys.”

 "He's not just another backup. I think he's proven that he's a really good QB in this league and that he can get the job done, so I am excited to see what he is going to do this year."

As we argued on Red Rain Podcast 211, we are convinced that the Cardinals should devote their draft to adding star power and immediate plug-and-play difference makers to their roster. 

Mike LaFleur should see how well Jacoby Brissett plays to determine whether he should be extended, or whether it would then be smart to sign one of the veteran free agent QBs in 2027:

* Matthew Stafford

* Baker Mayfield

* Tanner McKee

* Davis Mills

* Mac Jones

* Will Levis

Or MLF can tap into the loaded 2027 NFL Draft pool for QBs with 25+ game experience:

* Arch Manning

* Trinidad Chambliss

* Brendan Sorsby

* Julian Sayin

* Dante Moore

* C.J. Carr

* LaNorris Sellers

* Jayden Maiava

Could using valuable draft capital to trade back up into the 1st round to draft Ty Simpson backfire for the Cardinals the way trading up for Josh Rosen did in the 2018 draft?

Take a look at these draft eligible QBs in 2027 --- where would you rank Ty Simpson among them? 

If you don't have him ranked in the top 4-5, then chances are very strong that you are going to want the Cardinals to draft a better QBOF in 2027.

Shouldn't the Cardinals do everything they can to avoid repeating their mistakes from the past, especially when it comes to the QB position?

As Red Rain Podcast's Saguaro Sam has been maintaining for weeks, "the Cardinals have to make sure they get the QB position correct in 2027. They have to get it right this time more than ever."