{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"What happens if Washington can't land Matt Stafford or Deshaun Watson?","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Watson_Stafford.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Imagn","published":1611863686,"caption":"

As the quarterback market heats up this offseason, the top two options for the Washington Football Team -- and others -- to pursue are Deshaun Watson and Matthew Stafford.

Washington is considered a "sleeper" team for both, and it's clear they are probably the top two options for the franchise. Yet, there is no guarantee that happens. Plenty of other teams will be in on the sweepstakes for Watson and Stafford. It will be a highly-contested battle for the two passers. What happens if Washington is on the outside looking in?

Obviously, the draft is an option, but in this scenario let's keep it to Washington grabbing a quarterback already in the league. Luckily for Ron Rivera and company, it's not just Stafford and Watson this year. The offseason is shaping up to potentially have a large quarterback shuffle, giving Washington a few other options to fall back on.

Who could that be? Here are a few passers to consider:

"},{"title":"Jimmy Garoppolo - San Francisco 49ers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Garrappolo_J_USATSI_15143403.jpg","credit":"© Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports","published":1611865488,"caption":"

Garoppolo's 2020 campaign was hard to judge due to injuries, but the 49ers may still want to move on for that very reason.

He's had a hard time staying healthy, and though the talent is there, has also struggled to consistently produce when on the field. His fit with the 49ers no longer seems great.

Washington could benefit from grabbing the 29-year-old, though. His ceiling isn't going to be incredibly dominant, but Garoppolo can manage a game and make the throws needed for the offense to find success. Think of him as an Alex Smith with a little more arm talent and mobility. Washington won with Smith in 2020 and this upgrade could be just enough to take some pressure off the defense.

Being that the team would have to eat some salary, it may also allow Washington to not give up a ton of capital in a trade, allowing it to continue to build around the quarterback in the offseason.

"},{"title":"Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Ryan_M_USATSI_15339577.jpg","credit":"© Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports","published":1611866464,"caption":"

Ryan is another name that hasn't directly been featured in trade talks just yet and maybe Atlanta wants to stick with him for the new regime.

There is also a chance a team with the No. 4 pick and a new head coach wants to move on from the veteran. If so, Washington could be a landing spot.

It's similar to the Stafford situation, and though Ryan is a little older, he still has the chance to produce for a couple of years and provide Washington with a win-now option. His contract will be a little pricey, and a first-round pick may be needed, but it will give Washington a stable quarterback to help it improve immediately.

"},{"title":"Sam Darnold - New York Jets","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Darnold_S_USATSI_15391506.jpg","credit":"© Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports","published":1611863761,"caption":"

Darnold is a name that may have been more prominent should the Jets have landed the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft and been set up to land Trevor Lawrence.

Now, it's possible that New York could hold onto the three-year pro and look elsewhere in the draft. Still, there is also a chance that the Jets decide to start the new regime with a new head coach and quarterback combo. Either way, it wouldn't hurt for Washington to give them a call.

Darnold has had his fair share of struggles and his decision-making needs improvement. However, he hasn't exactly had the best situation to begin his career. Little offensive help and a mess in the coaching department hampered the rookie's development. He still found a way to show flashes of an NFL-caliber arm and mobility.

In Washington, Darnold would be aided by a strong defense to take some of the pressure off, and a true No. 1 wide receiver in Terry McLaurin. Scott Turner may also be able to create a system that better suits Darnold's strengths.

Washington would still need to upgrade the offense around Darnold for him to truly blossom, but that's a scenario that exists with most of Washington's options. In pursuing the young QB, Washington could stumble upon a Ryan Tannehill situation in which it revives the career of a talented passer off to a rough start.

"},{"title":"Carson Wentz - Philadelphia Eagles","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Wentz_C_USATSI_15345306.jpg","credit":"© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports","published":1611866026,"caption":"

An inner-division trade to help a rival get a QB? It's uncommon, but maybe in the cards for Washington and the Eagles.

There is no final decision on the fate of Wentz in Philadelphia and he could still compete for a job next season. Yet Jalen Hurts' performance down the stretch and a new head coach coming in don't bode too well for the 2016 No. 2 overall pick.

Moving Wentz is more about a clean slate and potentially some draft capital rather than a salary dump but Washington could still show some interest.

The talent is there, and maybe a change of scenery is all that is needed for the quarterback to come back to the form that nearly earned him an MVP in 2017.

"},{"title":"Jacoby Brissett - Free Agent","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Brissett_J_USATSI_15413356.jpg","credit":"© Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports","published":1611866913,"caption":"

Just 28-years-old, Brissett is an enigma.

Swapping between a backup and starting role to begin his career, it's hard to know if he's just a really good second option or a formidable starter. His performance in 2019 (2,942 yards, 18 touchdowns, six interceptions) when the Colts had to scramble to replace Andrew Luck would suggest the latter.

If anything, Brissett could be a cost-efficient option that Washington could evaluate to be a starter, use in a quarterback competition or have as the perfect backup should the team look to bring in a rookie passer.

"}]}

If Washington can't land Matt Stafford or Deshaun Watson at QB, then what?