I'm going to go a step further in analyzing your position.
You don't really want to franchise Tua either. You're just advocating for delaying a new contract, hoping he fails, because you prefer to get rid of him and replace him with a different QB.
That's fine if that's your opinion, but at least be honest and say that.
See, I can get to a place where someone is of the opinion that letting Tua play out the option year without an extension is best. I understand the logic there. We are committed to his fully guaranteed salary for this season regardless.
Franchise tag? I can't get there. It makes no sense, either financially or otherwise unless one just doesn't like and believe in Tua. And if that's the case, one should have enough conviction in their beliefs to just say that.
Tell me where I'm wrong.
You are dead wrong...
This is a if then else situation...
If Tua takes another step forward... We get to the superbowl I am okay paying him 60 million a year... for 5 years... a year from now.
Else...
It is time to consider our options.
I do not want to replace Tua right now.
I want to let him play out his contract and give him a legit shot to prove he is the QB to take us to the superbowl
I am glad they brought in Beckham and Smith as weapons so there will be no excuses.
Tua has elite talent around him... more weapons than any other QB
So this is his shot.
Step up and prove you are the F'ing man...
Then I am all for him getting paid... and getting the record breaking contract.
Tua steps up.... There is nobody I would rather have.
If he steps up... Pay him
I do not want to pay him when he has not shown us yet that he can be the guy to make us special... That we are a team that can win in the playoffs and get to the Superbowl
I will give a couple of examples.
Mahomes... broke onto the scene... Lit the world on fire... Showed he was the man and got paid.
Burrow... Ditto... Took his team to the Superbowl got paid
Do not agree with payibg Dak when he is not a Qb to win the big game or to take over in the playoffs.
Ditto Lamar Jackson
Ditto Trevor Lawrence.
Just because other teams make dumb mistakes... It does not mean we should blindly follow suit.
When Tua goes into Arrowhead or Orchard Park in January in the playoffs and wins a game.... Come back and talk to me... I will say that we should pay him whatever the rate is. He will have earned it.