Probably the most fascinating storyline a couple of quarterback on the transfer this offseason does not contain a free agent. As an alternative, we’re ready to see what the Bears are going to do with Justin Fields — and any potential suitors by way of commerce.
What Chicago does with Fields — and the Bears might nonetheless maintain him as a substitute of utilizing the No. 1 general choose within the NFL Draft on somebody like Caleb Williams — may decide what occurs with the opposite quarterbacks who’re free brokers. And that is the place Kirk Cousins, notably, comes into play.
Relying on the place you look, Fields is being linked to a number of groups, together with Atlanta and even Minnesota. These are two groups who’re additionally within the combine for Cousins, with Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell saying on the NFL Community that he needs Cousins “to be the quarterback of our staff in 2024.”
Cousins is well the prize of this free agent class. The subsequent greatest quarterbacks are Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson. For Mayfield, it seems possible he’ll keep in Tampa Bay, particularly after the Buccaneers prolonged Mike Evans’ contract Monday to maintain him from being a free agent.
As for Wilson, he was knowledgeable Monday that the Broncos are releasing him. Will probably be fascinating to see if a staff provides Wilson, 35, the possibility to start out once more in 2024.
The opposite free agent quarterbacks are most definitely headed for backup roles, together with Ryan Tannehill, Gardner Minshew, Joe Flacco, Jameis Winston, Jacoby Brissett, Tyrod Taylor and Joshua Dobbs. Of this group, Tannehill possible has one of the best likelihood to earn a beginning job this season.
Listed below are the quarterbacks who’re set to be free brokers that matter.
Kirk Cousins
Cousins, 36, was on his strategy to one other standout marketing campaign in 2023 earlier than he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 8. He was on tempo for a career-best season in yards (4,953) and touchdowns (38), and hopefully he can choose up the place he left off, irrespective of the place he performs in 2024. He additionally scored at the least 22 Fantasy factors in 5 of the eight video games he performed final season. On the finish of February, Cousins shared a social media put up that confirmed him backpedaling and throwing in an indoor tennis facility. He additionally mentioned within the put up that he was “inspired by the progress” that he is made to date. Most definitely, Cousins will keep in Minnesota, and he ought to be considered as a high-end No. 2 Fantasy quarterback. He has incredible weapons in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and hopefully a wholesome T.J. Hockenson (knee), whereas enjoying in a terrific system. However his age and harm maintain him from being a No. 1 quarterback in my rankings, and I’d solely draft Cousins with a late-round choose in one-quarterback leagues.
Enjoyable Fantasy touchdown spot: Atlanta. If Cousins does signal with a brand new staff then the Falcons would make sense. New Atlanta offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, like O’Connell, comes from the Sean McVay teaching tree. And the Falcons have loads of glorious playmakers for Cousins in Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts. Going to Atlanta can be a terrific different if Cousins leaves Minnesota.
Baker Mayfield
It is exhausting to think about Mayfield leaving the Buccaneers after he simply had the second-best season of his profession (18.6 Fantasy factors per recreation in 2023). And receiver Mike Evans staying in Tampa Bay is probably going a superb signal that Mayfield will return as effectively. ESPN reported that Buccaneers basic supervisor Jason Licht characterised the union with Mayfield because the “good marriage” for Tampa Bay. And Licht mentioned on the NFL Mix that the Buccaneers are targeted “on signing Baker.” It is sensible for each events since Mayfield helped Tampa Bay attain the divisional spherical of the NFL playoffs in 2023. And Mayfield revived his profession after going from Cleveland to Carolina to the Rams earlier than ending up as Tom Brady’s alternative final summer time. Mayfield shall be thought of a No. 2 Fantasy quarterback within the majority of leagues in 2024, and he might undergo with the lack of offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who’s now the top coach for the Panthers. However Evans staying is nice for Mayfield, and he ended the common season with at the least 20 Fantasy factors in 4 of his last 5 video games.
Enjoyable Fantasy touchdown spot: Atlanta. I do not see Mayfield leaving Tampa Bay, but when he did then going to the Falcons can be one of the best likelihood for him to extend his Fantasy worth. Taking part in with Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts can be a plus for Mayfield, and we might get 4 revenge video games for him in opposition to the Buccaneers and Panthers on this situation.
Russell Wilson
I am skeptical that Wilson will get one other likelihood as a full-time starter in 2024, and I would not be stunned if he is a bridge quarterback someplace for a rookie. He is 35, and two groups have now moved on from him previously three seasons in Seattle and Denver. To be honest, Wilson wasn’t terrible in 2023 at 19.7 Fantasy factors per recreation, and he had 26 passing touchdowns in 15 video games. He additionally scored three speeding touchdowns. Now, possibly Wilson simply wasn’t a superb match for Sean Payton, which is sensible. With the proper staff — and proper weapons — Wilson might nonetheless put up high quality stats and find yourself as a standout Fantasy quarterback as soon as once more. However he is not somebody I will be focusing on as a No. 1 possibility within the majority of leagues in 2024.
Enjoyable Fantasy touchdown spot: Las Vegas. I can see the Raiders drafting a quarterback and pairing that rookie with Wilson. In Las Vegas, Wilson would nonetheless have high quality weapons led by Davante Adams, and we might like to see these two matchups for Wilson in opposition to the Broncos.
Ryan Tannehill
I do not see a state of affairs the place Tannehill finally ends up beginning in 2024. He struggled in 2023 in his last season with Tennessee earlier than he was changed by Will Levis, and Tannehill is 35 now and higher fitted to a backup function. However there’s a situation that is sensible for Tannehill to stay Fantasy related in 2024, and that is if he indicators in Pittsburgh to reunite with former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Tannehill’s two greatest seasons of his profession got here below Smith in Tennessee in 2019 (21.5 Fantasy factors per recreation) and 2020 (25 factors per recreation) when Smith was the offensive coordinator for the Titans, and Tannehill could possibly be an affordable different to place stress on struggling starter Kenny Pickett. If he ended up beginning sooner or later for the Steelers then Tannehill could possibly be a shock No. 2 Fantasy quarterback in most leagues.
Enjoyable Fantasy touchdown spot: Pittsburgh. The Steelers have high quality weapons in George Pickens, Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth, and Tannehill would hopefully assist them greater than Pickett has the previous two seasons. Being reunited with Smith would hopefully assist Tannehill as effectively, and he might re-emerge as a top quality Fantasy possibility through the season.
Who’s on the lookout for a QB?
Minnesota
Tampa Bay
Atlanta
Las Vegas
Pittsburgh
New England
Washington
Denver
New York Giants
