There's a very glass-half-empty point of view, and that Breer quote definitely is that. There's also a very glass-half-full point of view, and it goes something like this:
The offensive line is very good, and has some exciting young players. The running back position is very good, especially as Damien Harris looks like the absolute real deal, a playmaker and powerhouse. The secondary doesn't just have older players - they have a young, elite corner in JC Jackson, and other solid secondary pieces who are young (Dugger, Jones, Williams, Bryant). Even if all the veterans left, they have talent there. But I think the veterans won't all leave, and the secondary will be a strength again next year.
Linebackers were decimated after last season, with the departures of key players and the Covid decision taking out Hightower. Now even if we assume High isn't coming back, there's some hope with the linebackers, with a year under their belt and some more growth. Played in the proper roles, Bentley, Jennings, and Uche can really help. As for the DL...well...there's issues there. Offensively, Byrd and Meyers are fine, legit WRs, but they are each slotted too high on the depth chart. The team needs a stud #1, which would make the WR group MUCH better. And the TEs...we simply don't know. There's talent there, but it's so raw and this has been a lost season. QB...well...that's the primary issue.
So to fix this....
- Need a QB.
- Need a #1 type WR.
- Need a good DT, preferably two.
- Need one more LB.
And I think they can be very good again with that. The good news is that the young players will have another year of development, they will have a good draft position (for them anyway), and they'll have lots of cap space. The last three items can be solved relatively easily, I think. The QB issue might be harder, but there are options:
- Draft a QB.
- Sign Fitzpatrick (assuming he's let go by Miami).
- Maybe trade for Wentz (I wouldn't go that route) or Hurts if Philly figures that one of them has to go, and they can't afford (financially) to trade Wentz. I don't see either of these Philly options as remotely likely, but they're worth exploring.
- Maybe trade for JG, if SF likes Mullens. Or if they are committed to JG, trade for Mullens.
- Explore trading for Minschew from Jax. He's got ability and he's young. If they draft Lawrence (likely) then Minschew will probably be available.
- Explore trading for Mariota, who probably could be pried from the Raiders.
There are ways to upgrade the QB position, and if this year's team had a decent QB, they're likely at 9 wins right now instead of 6.
The reality is almost certainly somewhere between the glass-is-half-empty and the glass-is-half-full perspectives. It won't be as hard as some think to get this team back to the playoffs, but it won't be as easy as others think.