NFL Expert Warns Teams Might Be Underestimating Mike Glennon

Incredible the early talk of NFL free agency hasn’t been the biggest names set to hit the market. Instead it has been all about Mike Glennon.

As usual the quarterbacks are dominating the discussion. Though the free agent class at the position is weak, Glennon is viewed as the best of the bunch. Yet that convinces nobody that the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup has any business starting games for another franchise. He was so bad that the team went out to get Josh McCown to replace him three years ago. What has changed since then?

Well nothing has changed saved for the perception of the player. Some believe that Glennon was given a raw deal by difficult circumstances. He had two head coaches and three offensive coordinators in his first two seasons. There was no continuity and no structure. It’s hard for any quarterback to thrive in those circumstances.

More from NFL Mocks

Matt Bowen played in the NFL for seven seasons and is now known as one of the top experts who has written for ESPN and Bleacher Report among others. He has a reputation for being a film junkie with a deep technical understanding of the game. Seeing the uproar surrounding Glennon, he decided to review the tape. What he came back with probably wasn’t what many were expecting.

"“Mike Glennon tape (2013, 2014): Arm strength jumps off the screen. When throwing from a stable platform, Glennon can fit the ball into tight windows and hit the deep out, dig, seam, corner, fade. Ball comes out clean. And he is going to challenge defensive backs in coverage. Good feel and anticipation off play action too. Find the lane and deliver the ball. I think Glennon has enough athleticism to produce on sprint and boot action. And he will show the ability to make the occasional off-schedule play. Keeps the eyes down the field. Also works quickly through his progressions and improved reading coverages from Year 1 to Year 2. When forced to throw from an unstable platform, Glennon lacks accuracy and placement. He will sail some throws and his footwork suffers when the pocket breaks down. Needs to improve mechanics and release versus pressure. Step into throws. And find more touch to drop the ball over the top of second-level defenders. The way I see it, Glennon needs more reps. That’s the key. However, from a coaching perspective, he has the tools to develop.”"

In essence what he’s saying is Glennon is an unfinished project. Tampa Bay got started on it but moved on to Jameis Winston before they ever fully explored what he could do. In 18 starts with went 5-13, but managed to throw for over 4,000 yards, 30 TDs and 15 interceptions in that span. By the look of things he made the best of a bad situation. The Chicago Bears seem willing to give him another crack at the steering wheel to see if he’s learned something.

If Bowen is right, they may be onto something that several other teams never bothered to consider. They chose to fall back on their own presumptions. This is how it goes with an NFL offseason. The boldest moves require a certain leap of faith. Glennon hasn’t started a game since 2014. Most have long since given up on him commanding a huddle again. Now here he is.

Home/NFL Hot Takes