As the NFL season reaches its peak, several teams are looking ahead to the offseason to address their biggest needs. Considering the importance and impact of the quarterback position on the outcome of the game, managers and coaches are already thinking about the possibilities available following the NFL and college seasons.
Looking ahead to the quarterback class of 2025, it may be difficult for teams to find a franchise player in the draft. While three or four quarterbacks may emerge as first-round prospects, scouts will take a hard look at Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Texas’ Quinn Eers, Miami’s Cam Ward and Georgia’s Carson Beck to see if they deserve to be considered top prospects. With more games left to play, blue-chip draft prospects will have a chance to solidify their status with strong performances against elite competition down the stretch.
If teams are looking for a veteran to add to the roster, some interesting options on the market can serve as temporary solutions. Whether teams take a chance on Sam Darnold or Justin Fields after a string of strong games to start the season or roll the dice with Jameis Winston, Joe Flacco and Russell Wilson as seasoned veterans, there are plenty of opportunities on the market. . With breakout quarterbacks like Daniel Jones potentially on the market for a trade or salary cap injury, teams can find a solution, take advantage of a rehab project and be given a chance to thrive in a new environment.
Given the time to assess the situation to see which teams could jump in the quarterback market, here are a few teams to watch heading into the offseason:
New York Jets
Although Woody Johnson handed over the franchise to Aaron Rodgers, the four-time MVP was unable to deliver results as a team leader. After a disastrous run with a 40-year-old quarterback, the Jets need to pass the baton to a young “talented” player to usher in a new era. While the team has tried several times to find a quality quarterback in the draft, a failed experiment with a decorated veteran could force the Jets to take a chance on another unproven prospect to lead the franchise out of the doldrums.
Cleveland Browns
After watching Joe Flacco and Jameis Winston succeed by running the offense, the Browns can in the end they acknowledge their quarterback issue with Deshaun Watson installed as the starter. Besides owing the three-time Pro Bowler $92 million over the next two seasons, the Browns must explore the draft, free agent market and trade to see if they can land their QB1 of the future. Despite spending time in purgatory due to a bad contract that looks worse by the day, Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski must pass on Watson to keep their credibility inside the locker room. If winning is viewed as a priority in Cleveland, the Browns must find a long-term solution at quarterback to compete with the heavyweights in the AFC.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Gardner Minshew experiment failed miserably in Las Vegas, a veteran transformed into a money-making machine. The sixth-year champion has cost the Raiders several games with his poor points that have shut down his opponents’ gifts in competitive contests. While the team could turn to Aidan O’Connell as a possible solution if he closes out 2024 with a bang, the Raiders would be wise to acquire a talented franchise quarterback and the difficulty of dealing with Patrick Mahomes, Justin. Herbert and Bo Nix in the AFC West.
New York Giants
Daniel Jones’ days appear to be done in New York, and Brian Daboll appears to be considering a quarterback change. The former first-round pick failed to meet the requirements of a four-year, $160 million contract that eventually led to the Giants parting ways with Saquon Barkley. While Jones isn’t directly responsible for the loss of a franchise icon, his inability to carry the blame without Barkley on the roster suggests the team may have picked the wrong player when giving money to “franchise” players a few years ago. Since the team is not going anywhere after the quarterback who is more game manager than a game playerThe Giants must find a difference maker to close the gap on their division rivals and their elite QB1s.
The Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson’s benching and “removal” situation could force the Colts to get back into the quarterback market despite spending a top-five pick on some incredibly talented talent. With the second-year starter likely to be banished due to poor performance and questionable fitness (mental toughness questioned after he asked to leave a recent game due to fatigue), the Colts may be looking for a seasoned vet or another blue-chip prospect to take on. more like a future QB1. While general manager Chris Ballard will take heat for rolling the dice on an unproven quarterback, the Colts’ team builder can atone for his mistake by adding a winning quarterback in the offseason.
Potential free agents:
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
The former No. 3 pick has rediscovered his game and swagger working with Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota. Darnold enters Week 9, completing 67% of his passes with a 14:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 107.9 passer rating, directing a fast-paced rhythm/play-action hybrid offense that features his passing abilities in motion. The seventh-year champion has finally shown the consistency and big-play ability that has made him an all-time favorite among the league’s scouting community.
Justin Fields, The Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite losing his job after a solid run as a part-time starter, Fields will garner interest on the open market from teams looking for an ultra-athletic QB1/QB2. The fourth-year pro’s explosive running ability makes him an attractive option for a team looking to develop a dominant running game or add a player to an offense willing to inject some run-and-pass concepts.
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
The nine-year Pro Bowler may have changed the narrative of his game with his strong performance for the Steelers this season. Wilson’s experience, leadership skills and savvy make him an interesting prospect for teams looking for a veteran to provide an interim solution at the position.
Did Russell Wilson just prove to be the Steelers’ missing key to success?
James Winston, Cleveland Browns
The veteran will take his coaches on a roller coaster ride with highlights and hiccups as a playmaker, but teams looking for a QB1-level candidate should consider Winston as a fill-in. While the 10-year pro has been a scoring machine at times, he’s a big threat, a very talented passer and could drop a 300-yard game whenever he steps on the field as a starter. With few passers able to match his deep ball range and touch, Winston is a perfect fit for an offense with a vertical-based passing game.
Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts
The reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year is thriving as a starter in the twilight of his career. Flacco’s knowledge and skills allow him to fill a variety of roles as a starter or trusted backup on a team with playoff aspirations. Given his success coming off the bench over the past two seasons, the 17-year champion is the emergency backup you need in the bullpen.
2025 QB Class Candidates:
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
The quarterback’s most divisive vision in the class will turn off some managers with his glitz and glamor, but astute scouts will appreciate his polished game and playmaking ability. A natural passer with excellent arm talent and touch, Sanders can make every throw in the book as a drop-back passer directing a traditional pro-style offense. While the Colorado product needs to speed up his internal clock to avoid taking bad sacks, the impressive pass rusher can blossom into a star at the next level.
Quinn Ewers, Texas
The highly talented marksman ticked all the boxes as a talented defender with excellent tools. Ewers excelled in the biggest and brightest stage, leading the Longhorns back into title contention with a game ready to fix that has quarterback gurus and play-by-play callers pondering the possibilities with the young superstar at the helm. Although his 2024 campaign fell short of expectations, the NFL scouting community is willing to gamble high on his potential.
Cam Ward, Miami
The Hurricanes’ QB1 is on the rise after leading the “U” back to prominence with his impressive play in the pocket. Ward’s accuracy, touch, and leadership skills have earned positive reviews from analysts who closely scrutinize the performance of the 6-foot-2, 223-pounder and emerging title contender.
Carson Beck, Georgia
The silence on the star came after a slow performance that led to questions about his ability to play at the highest level as a champion. While his size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) and tools will interest some strategists, Beck’s consistent production could make it difficult for him to find a “franchise” quarterback on some draft boards.
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Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He also breaks down the NFL Network game again as the host of the “Moving the Sticks” podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.
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