Even before the Kansas City Chiefs stood on the Super Bowl LVIII podium and raised the Lombardi Trophy, planning for the 2024 NFL season was underway. Beginning on March 11th, all 32 teams can start talking and negotiating with NFL players whose contracts expire. On March 13th, signings and trades become official, setting the playing field for the upcoming season.
This season is no different than seasons past, with quarterbacks having the top spot in many franchises. Because of this, here are the top five free-agent quarterbacks heading into the 2024 season.
5. Jacoby Brissett
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Jacoby Brissett has undoubtedly been around in recent years; the current Commanders quarterback has been with the New England Patriots in 2016, the Indianapolis Colts from 2017 to 2020, the Miami Dolphins from 2020 to 2021, the Commanders in 2022, the Browns in 2022, and then to the Commanders in 2023. He has proven to be a respectable fill-in player, but his teams have almost always asked him to be conservative with the ball. However, Brissett completed 18 of 23 passes for three touchdowns over three games for Washington. The prior year in Cleveland, he started eleven times.
A team likely to sign Brissett is the New England Patriots. The Patriots drafted him back in 2016, and while there have been leadership changes, there are remaining ties. Other possible teams include the Browns, Cardinals, and the Jets.
4. Gardner Minshew
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The 28-year-old quarterback for the Colts is still young. He perfectly fits between a starter and a backup but never quite settles into a definite role. After entering the 2023 season as Anthony Richardson's backup, he was put into action when Richardson suffered a season-ending injury. During the season, Minshew posted a career-high 3,305 passing yards.
The most likely team to sign Minshew is the Commanders. He is accustomed to Washington’s air raid offense under coach Kliff Kingsbury, something he ran under the late Mike Leach at Washington State. Other potential teams Minshew could go to are the Colts, Raiders, Steelers, and Vikings.
3. Ryan Tannehill
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This Tennessee Titans quarterback is 38 years old – certainly no longer a spring chicken. Due to injuries and turnovers, he has only managed to start 20 times since 2022. Before that, he resembled Jimmy Garoppolo with the San Francisco 49ers due to his solid play-action game management, but he was very dependent on his supporting cast. He was benched last season as the Titans struggled. He is most likely looking at a backup role this upcoming year.
The most likely team to sign Tannehill is the Pittsburgh Steelers, as his best years were under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Tannehill can run Smith's offense and bring leadership to the young Steelers' team. Other possible teams that could sign Tannehill are the Jets, Patriots, Steelers, and Vikings.
2. Baker Mayfield
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Mayfield's improvement in the 2023 season was a surprise, but it sure was good. In 2022, the Browns gave away their former top pick, and then the Panthers cut him in the middle of the season. Mayfield had to play on a one-year, $6.85 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, but he made the most of it. The quarterback led the Bucs to a division title and a postseason win. Even though he has had short-lived runs with the Panthers and the Rams, he has proven himself a starter.
The team most likely to sign Mayfield is the Bucs. Mayfield can grow with the team in their post-Tom Brady era and has experience with the Bucs' new offensive coordinator, Liam Coem.
1. Kirk Cousins
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For the past six seasons, this Vikings quarterback has been a stabilizing force, with 171 touchdowns and 55 interceptions, alongside 88 starts for Minnesota. Though he lacks a big-game resume, he is a steady passer. However, Cousins is coming off an Achilles' tear–a big concern for the 36-year-old quarterback.
The team most likely to sign him is the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta recently hired new head coach Raheem Morris, who brought over former Rams assistant Zac Robinson as offensive coordinator. With the Falcons' skilled players and a weak NFC South, it could be a great fit for Cousins. Other teams that could sign Cousins are the Broncos, Commanders, Falcons, and Vikings.
The 2024 season is shaping up to be a good one. With so much talent up for grabs, we can only wait to see what teams best utilize it.
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