2020 is set to be a interesting offseason for quarterbacks, with a host of big names looking set to hit the market. The potential for the NFL landscape to be shaken up has excited fans and the destinations of many of these big names will dominate headlines for weeks to come. Here are some of the best fits for upcoming free agents.
Staying put…
Several of the quarterbacks on this list look set for interesting moves but there are a handful that I cannot see leaving their current teams. Despite the media speculation surrounding a move, Tom Brady is likely to sign a new deal in New England. The Titans will either look to give Tannehill a new deal or be sensible and make him prove his worth with the franchise tag. Dak Prescott on the other hand seems to have done more than enough to earn a new deal in Dallas but even if Jerry Jones doesn’t agree they will tag him rather than let him walk.
Philip Rivers – Indianapolis Colts
After 16 seasons with the Chargers, Rivers is set to hit free agency in March. His announcement earlier this month that he has moved to Florida led to a wave of speculation linking him with Tampa Bay, but there are good reasons to consider a move to Indianapolis a much more suitable option. Rivers worked with Frank Reich in San Diego and is good friends with their offensive coordinator, Nick Sirianni and these kind of relationships can play a key part in such moves.
The Colt’s roster is built to win now and their set up would suit Rivers. He has suffered for years playing being one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, but his lack of mobility would not be as much of an issue in Indianapolis given their solid pass protection unit they have put together. Over the past year concerns have been raised about his diminishing arm strength, something that would be helped by playing in a dome with the Colts. Indianapolis definitely need to add some weapons at receiver this offseason, but of all the franchises in need of a new starting quarterback they have arguably the greatest chance of a playoff run in 2020. Despite coming off a poor season, Rivers is still a good quarterback and should have a couple of years as a top-level passer left in him which is exactly what the Colts need right now.
Jameis Winston – Chicago Bears
Let me start this by saying that if I was an NFL GM I wouldn’t go anywhere signing Jameis, particularly not when he is asking for at least $30 million per season. Despite flashes of brilliance he is too turnover-prone to be a starting quarterback in the NFL and any team that gives a a big long-term contract to a player who just threw for 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in his fifth year deserves what they get.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Winston was franchise tagged by Tampa Bay and given a second season in Bruce Arians’ offense but there is a very real chance that they will let him walk. If they do then I don’t see Jameis getting a starting job at another franchise, but the potential for a prove-it deal with the Bears may just suit both parties. Mitchell Trubisky has been underwhelming since he came into the league and with the Bears currently undecided on whether to pick up a fifth-year option set to cost them $24 million, having some competition at the position in 2020 could only be a benefit.
Jameis will offer the Bears the downfield threat that they lack with Trubisky and could hopefully create some competition that will up both of their performances. If Matt Nagy can succeed where others have failed in limiting his puzzling and often downright stupid passes, this could be worth the risk.
Teddy Bridgewater – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With Drew Brees coming back to the Saints, Bridgewater looks set for free agency and after impressing in his five game starting spell this season he doesn’t appear to be short of suitors. Assuming that Jameis moves on, the Bucs would be a great landing spot, offering a huge amount of receiving talent for him to work with in the form of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Tampa Bay struggled to deal with Jameis Winston’s turnovers in 2019 and could have finished much better than their 5-11 record if they had had a more considered quarterback under center. Bridgewater would offer just that, with one of the best turnover-worthy play rates amongst starting quarterbacks in 2019.
There are two question marks that the Bucs would need to consider though. The first is price and this would be an issue for any team. Reports are that Bridgewater is demanding upwards of $30 million per year and he has not done enough to show that he is worth this kind of investment. The second issue would be whether he offers what Bruce Arians is looking for in a quarterback. His offense typically relies on a quarterback that is willing to make throws down the field and play an aggressive style. Bridgewater may be able to do that but he has earned a reputation on his short and intermediate passing game and whether or not his playstyle is too conservative for the Bucs will have to be considered. Nevertheless he is one of the safer bets in free agency and could be the missing piece in the Tampa Bay jigsaw that will help them to become a top ten NFL team.
Taysom Hill – Carolina Panthers
This is something of a rogue choice but it could be an intriguing option for the Panthers’ new head coach Matt Rhule. With rumours of a full-scale rebuild and Panthers owner David Tepper echoing the lingering questions about Cam Newton’s fitness, the option to trade the 30-year old former MVP and gamble on Taysom Hill might be worth a go.
Despite his limited outings in New Orleans, Hill has been impressive when he has played and his putting his versatility as the heart of a team’s offense could bring huge rewards. Given the success the Ravens had in 2019 with a dual-threat quarterback the Panthers could try something completely new and use Hill as a triple-threat. Given Rhule’s brand of physical, run-first football this seems like a good fit.
There is risk involved with this option. Hill is 30-years old and has thrown a total of 15 passes for 169 yards across his entire career and despite Sean Payton talking him up as the next Steve Young he trusted Teddy Bridgewater instead when Drew Brees went down injured earlier this season. He is also a restricted free agent and there are rumours that the Saints would demand a high price, but if the Panthers can get him for a limited outlay, the benefits would certainly outweigh the negatives. Not only should he come cheap, but he will allow them to stock up on draft picks by trading Cam Newton. If it works out then it was a great move and if it doesn’t and the team collapses they will be in an ideal position to take either Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields in 2021, both who look set to be top-tier NFL quarterbacks.
Marcus Mariota – Los Angeles Chargers
Like Jameis Winston, Mariota is another quarterback that I would have questions about and any potential suitors should be wary of offering him a significant contract. Having said that, the Chargers look likely to miss out on both Joe Burrow and Tua when they pick at No. 6 in the upcoming draft and Justin Herbert just doesn’t look like a top-ten talent.
Mariota hasn’t pulled up any trees in Tennessee, averaging just over 200 yards and 1.2 passing touchdowns per game. He posted his highest PFF Passing Grade of 72.8 in 2017 which was only good enough for 17th in the league that year. Despite this he is only 26 and there is every chance that he could be picked up for a bargain price given the end to his time with the Titans. His mobility would be well suited to the Chargers who have been unable to offer Philip Rivers any real protection for years and if they can bring back Hunter Henry they have one of the best receiving corps in the league. Getting Mariota on a relatively cheap deal would definitely be worth the limited risk involved.
