Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon is the latest reminder that change happens quickly in the NFL; a young player's future is too often left to the whims of shifting regimes.
As recently as late November, Greg Schiano broke out the anointing oil, assuring reporters that he would "love" to have his white-hot QB "for a long time." Glennon topped our Making the Leap list in Week 13 while becoming the first rookie in NFL history to throw at least one touchdown pass in his first eight games.
As Glennon was collecting the Offensive Rookie of the Month award, NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell touted the 2013 third-round draft pick as "far more advanced" than Robert Griffin III.
Five games and four months later, new coach Lovie Smith essentially installed journeyman Josh McCown as his starter, leaving Glennon to twist in the wind.
Smith has acknowledged the Bucs will also consider a quarterback with the No. 7 overall pick in next month's draft, with Texas A&M star Johnny Manziel on the short list of candidates.
As we pointed out on Friday's edition of the "Around The League Podcast," Glennon will immediately hit the trade block if the Buccaneers pull the trigger on Johnny Football.
Where might Glennon land in that scenario? Here is our list of possible trade partners:
»*Tennessee Titans:* Coach Ken Whisenhunt has worked with pure pocket passers such as Ben Roethlisberger, Kurt Warner and Philip Rivers. He's been doing his due diligence on prospects leading up to the draft, suggesting a young quarterback is on the radar. The most obvious connection, though, is new quarterbacks coach John McNulty, who tutored Glennon in Tampa last season.
»*Arizona Cardinals:* Similar to Whisenhunt, Arians has always preferred big, strong-armed quarterbacks for his vertical offense. Glennon conducted a private workout for the Cardinals last season, and NFL Media columnist Michael Silver confirmed the team's interest in the former NC State star as Carson Palmer's eventual successor. We're not buying Arians' contention that Palmer will be under center for the next three or four years.
»*New England Patriots:* Schiano evaluated Glennon as the best quarterback in last year's draft. Perhaps he's shared that sentiment with football confidant Bill Belichick. Picking up Glennon for a mid-to-late-round draft pick would give the Patriots another option with Ryan Mallett due to hit free agency next offseason. It could also lead, in turn, to a Mallett trade.
»*Chicago Bears:* The Bears worked out Glennon last April, a sign that noted quarterback whisperer Marc Trestman's interest was piqued entering the draft. McCown's defection to Tampa has left Chicago with a glaring vacancy behind Jay Cutler.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" breaks down the draft with NFL Films' Greg Cosell.
