Because so many quarterbacks were healthy in 2018, so many quarterbacks refuse to age or retire, and so many quarterbacks have been selected early in the last few drafts, the 2019 offseason quarterback carousel barely moved.
Nick Foles jumped to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Joe Flacco was jettisoned to the Denver Broncos, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen moved to the Miami Dolphins, and Case Keenum joined the Washington Redskins, but that was about it in terms of starting-caliber veteran quarterbacks.
However, 2020 looks like it’ll be a hell of a lot more complicated now that the feces is hitting the fan at the quarterback position on a wide array of NFL rosters. Here’s a rundown of which well-known quarterbacks could be on the move in the upcoming offseason.
Tom Brady?
Gotta include a question mark there because Brady isn’t likely going somewhere new at the age of 43. But his contract expires after this season and ESPN’s Adam Schefter has floated the idea that the six-time Super Bowl winner could finish his career elsewhere.
Potential landing spots:
- Raiders, if Jon Gruden can convince him to come home and replace Derek Carr
- 49ers, if John Lynch can convince him to come home and replace Jimmy Garoppolo
- Broncos, if John Elway can convince him to finish his career the way Peyton Manning did
- Chargers, if Philip Rivers retires and they become desperate to make a splash
- Bears, if he wants to join a respected team with a stacked defense
- Saints, if Drew Brees retires, Teddy Bridgewater walks and Sean Payton makes a good pitch
- Panthers, if they move on from Cam Newton and are willing and able to outbid everyone else
- Wherever Josh McDaniels accepts a head-coaching job
Predicted landing spot: New England
Philip Rivers
The soon-to-be 38-year old’s contract is set to expire. And while he seems like he’d rather retire than play outside of Southern California, you wonder if he’s growing tired of never winning with the Bolts. I wouldn’t completely rule out a move up the coast to San Francisco or Oakland.
Predicted landing spot: Los Angeles Chargers
Cam Newton
The Panthers appear to have something in 5-0 interim starter Kyle Allen, and they used a third-round pick on Will Grier in 2019. They can save $19.1 million by moving on from Newton, who hasn’t been the player he once was. Still, you’d think the uniquely talented former MVP would have his pick of the litter as a 30-year-old free agent. I could see it coming down to Pittsburgh, San Francisco. and Oakland, with the 49ers the top destination if they move on from Jimmy Garoppolo.
Predicted landing spot: San Francisco
Kyle Allen
Allen looks like he could be the long-term answer in Carolina, but the Panthers could trade him if they decide to stick with Newton and roll with Grier as a backup. You’d think they could get a huge bounty for the 23-year-old, but I think they’ll actually keep him over Newton.
Predicted landing spot: Carolina
Dak Prescott
All signs have been pointing to Dak signing a long-term contract in Dallas, but he’s listed anyway because he’s technically nine regular season games away from becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Predicted landing spot: Dallas
Teddy Bridgewater
Bridgewater has probably done enough during his undefeated stint in place of Drew Brees to earn a starting job somewhere. He’s not the player Newton is, but he might be more steady. Chicago can appreciate that, and would view him as a worthwhile veteran upgrade over Mitchell Trubisky.
Predicted landing spot: Chicago
Drew Brees
He’ll be 41 after this season, so anything’s possible. In all likelihood, he’ll return to New Orleans or retire. But he could be forced out if the Saints opt to lock of Bridgewater instead.
Predicted landing spot: New Orleans
Ben Roethlisberger
He looked toast before suffering a season-ending injury, and I think this time off will convince a tired, seemingly out-of-shape 37-year-old to take his $232 million in career earnings and walk away. Then the Steelers will have to decide whether Mason Rudolph is right for the long-term job.
Predicted landing spot: Retirement
Eli Manning
Not even Elway will likely be willing to pay Manning as a starter now. If he doesn’t wind up in Denver, he’ll walk away.
Predicted landing spot: Retirement
Joe Flacco
Flacco looks completely resigned, and I don’t think he’ll want to be part of what looks like a rebuild in Denver. Doubt the Broncos want him back either.
Predicted landing spot: Retirement
Derek Carr
I don’t think Jon Gruden is satisfied with Carr as his quarterback, so much so that I could see Oakland joining San Francisco and Pittsburgh in the Newton sweepstakes. Ultimately, though, Elway will trade for Garoppolo, freeing up the 49ers to bring in Newton.
Predicted landing spot: Oakland
Jimmy Garoppolo
Elway has limited rope left. He can’t afford to draft another quarterback and wait, and Flacco won’t cut it in 2020. Garoppolo and Newton make a lot of sense, but the former is probably cheaper and definitely younger. Besides, he’d have no choice to come over in the event of a trade. I think Newton would pick San Francisco over anyone else except maybe Pittsburgh.
Predicted landing spot: Denver
Nick Foles
His injury history is a concern, but nobody else will probably be willing to take that on either. Plus, Foles is expensive. He’ll have a dead cap number of $33.9 million in 2020.
Predicted landing spot: Jacksonville
Gardner Minshew
The Minshew Magic is almost gone. Jacksonville could consider an offseason trade, but they might prefer to keep him in place as Foles insurance.
Predicted landing spot: Jacksonville
Mitchell Trubisky
The Bears have to realize Trubisky isn’t the answer, and I’m sure they’d trade him if they could. But I’m not sure anyone would see him as a starter right now, so he’ll have a chance to “compete” with Bridgewater this summer.
Predicted landing spot: Chicago, as a backup
Marcus Mariota
Watch for Tennessee to go back to the draft well and let Mariota walk to a fresh environment. The Seahawks, Browns, Texans, Chiefs, Cowboys, Giants, Panthers and Cardinals all make sense.
Predicted landing spot: Seattle, as a backup
Jameis Winston
Ditto for the Bucs regarding the draft. Winston has worn out his welcome. I’d watch for him to reunite with former Bucs coaches in either Atlanta or Cleveland.
Predicted landing spot: Atlanta, as a backup
Andy Dalton
I think the Bengals realize it’s time to use a first-round pick on a quarterback, especially since they’ll likely have a top-five selection. I’m expecting Cincinnati, Miami, Tennessee and Tampa Bay to most aggressively chase quarterback prospects early in the draft, while the Bears, Broncos, Steelers and possibly Raiders and 49ers instead look for veteran upgrades.
Predicted landing spot: Cleveland, as a backup