Now that the Super Bowl is in the books, all 32 NFL teams now turn their attention to the offseason, with free agency set to open on March 15. This means general managers are working overtime trying to determine which players could be the best fit to help improve their rosters. But there is no position more important than quarterback, and there happens to be multiple Pro Bowl free agent quarterbacks whose contracts have now expired.
In addition to Lamar Jackson, Geno Smith, and Derek Carr, there are also other quarterbacks who can represent an immediate improvement over several starters from 2022. In an ever-changing football landscape, where might some of these top free agent QBs sign this offseason? That’s the question we set out to answer down below.
Baker Mayfield finds a new home
While he’s likely not No. 1 on any team’s list of quarterback targets, Baker Mayfield will be joining a new team this offseason. Prior to his five-game stint with the Los Angeles Rams, there was no way Mayfield would land a starting job in 2023. But Mayfield impressed in Los Angeles, sparking an offense that had lost its horns despite having to learn a new scheme and build chemistry with his new teammates on the fly.
Mayfield may have to wait out the market a bit while seeing which teams strike out on their first, second, and even third choice, but with as many as nine teams seeking a new QB, Mayfield could find himself heading into the year as a team’s QB1.
How about a team like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? They already have a Pro Bowl cast of receivers with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, giving Mayfield two immediately reliable options. It’s also a roster that may feel they’re still in their window of contention and may not be ready to turn to 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask just yet. While the Bucs could do a lot better, Mayfield is an improvement over their internal options.
Prediction: Baker Mayfield signs with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jacoby Brissett lands a starting role
The Cleveland Browns traded for Jacoby Brissett, knowing he’d have a chance to start several games for them in 2022 as Deshaun Watson served his suspension. There was no telling how the journeyman QB would perform in his seventh year in the league, but Brissett handled himself well, keeping the Browns in contention until Watson took over after 11 starts.
Finishing with a career-high 64% completion rate, Brissett may have earned himself a starting role in 2023. If so, it may be in another situation where a rookie is waiting in the wings or maybe serving as a one-year stopgap. If that’s the case, there may be no better fit than the New Orleans Saints.
- Jacoby Brissett stats in 2022: 2,608 passing yards, 12 TD, 6 INT
They’ve been slowly declining each of the past two seasons, going from a 12-win team down to nine and seven wins this past year. Still facing a cap crunch, the Saints won’t have much money to spend (if any), and their first pick isn’t until selection No. 30, which means finding a franchise QB this offseason may be difficult. Brissett would be a fine bridge QB for a year or two until the Saints can invest more into the position.
Prediction: Jacoby Brissett signs with New Orleans Saints