The sitting out situation

By Trevor Speetzen January 03, 2025 09:40

Photo by CBS Denver

It’s 2025, the new year has begun and a few selected NFL teams are already looking ahead to the next season. As the 2024 playoffs approach, the teams that are already eliminated have their sight set on free agency and the upcoming draft in Green Bay.

Teams like the New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns are paying close attention to the college bowl games and playoffs to see who will fit well with their teams.

While all of these teams have holes to fill, probably one of the most important positions to address in the quarterback position.

While the Patriots and maybe the Browns are already set at quarterback, teams like the Titans, Giants and maybe even the Jets are looking at some college QBs that could fit in with their teams.

While the 2025 QB draft class won’t be anything like the 2024 class, they’re still some college QB talent to be looked at for the 2025 class.

Quarterbacks like Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Carson Beck and maybe Quinn Ewers are names to look out for in the upcoming draft.

The prospect with the most promise seems to be Miami’s Cam Ward. Ward recently just broke the record for most passing touchdowns for a college quarterback, surpassing Case Keenum.

However, Ward’s actions during the Pop-Tart Bowl against Iowa State has drawn some criticism. After breaking the record, Ward decided to sit out the second half of the bowl game, even though his team was only up by ten points.

Ward's actions were defended by some, including former pro quarterback Robert Griffin III who sent out a tweet supporting Ward’s decision.

“Same people criticizing Cam Ward for sitting out the 2nd half of the Pop Tarts Bowl, would be saying how dumb it was for him to play if he got hurt,” Griffin tweeted. “He didn’t have to play AT ALL. Instead he gave us a half of jaw dropping plays. Stop villainizing these student athletes.”

While Griffin makes a point, it also looks very concerning that Ward would abandon his teammates in the middle of their final game of the season.

If Ward was to sit out at the very beginning of the game, that would make sense. However, not playing the second half after starting the game looks very bad on his character.

Prioritizing his draft stock over his team can be very concerning for certain NFL teams and people have to wonder if he even has the mentality to play in the NFL.

Sanders was also playing a “meaningless” bowl game and his Colorado Buffaloes got destroyed 36-14 in the Alamo Bowl by BYU, but Sanders continued to play for his team.

Sitting out the last game of the season seems like a selfish decision and it really speaks about a player’s character. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett did the same thing during his time at Pittsburgh.

While it clearly didn’t have any effect on his career, we all know how Pickett’s NFL career turned out. Sitting out and not panning out in the NFL doesn’t look good for anyone as it can speak volumes on a college player’s ego and arrogance.