For just the second time since 2004, the Super Bowl will feature a quarterback not named Brady, Manning (either one) or Roethlisberger when the Chiefs take on the 49ers in Miami. It’s a clash of styles, with high-flying Kansas City going against old school San Francisco, but it’s after the game when the real intrigue begins for many.
Quarterback is kind of important – we all know this. And while the Chiefs and Niners are both set under center, much of the NFL can’t say the same. And the crop of unrestricted free agents in this year’s class are perhaps as intriguing as ever. Future Hall of Famers, high-risk talent and a surprise are all set to hit the open market, some for the first time ever. Who’s out there for the taking, and where will they suit up for 2020?
Tom Brady:
It’s been flirted with before, but for the first time ever it seems realistic that Tom Brady could wear another team’s jersey in an NFL game. He’s indicated he wants to come back for another season at age 43, but a lot of signs point to it being outside New England. Between his house in Brookline being put up for sale, coming off a statistically poor season and taking discounts for years, the GOAT might be looking for a fresh perspective.
However, the Patriots have no other options at quarterback (sorry, Jarrett Stidham), and anyone in need of a one-year stopgap probably isn’t going to contend in 2020. Best bet? He comes back to the Pats.
Drew Brees:
If you expect to woo Drew Brees out of New Orleans, then you’re going to be disappointed. There appear to be two options for the 41-year-old. He’ll either stay with the Saints and make another go-around at a Super Bowl, or he’ll retire. For the first time last weekend he told reporters that he’s not ready to decide yet. We think a one-year deal to stay in New Orleans is likely.
Philip Rivers:
Now here’s someone who will don a new uniform. The longtime Chargers’ starter moved his family out of the San Diego area, and Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported over the weekend that the team has moved on from the 38-year-old. There’s still gas in the tank – he’s never missed a start since becoming the guy in 2006, and last year threw for 4,615 yards, his eighth straight 4,000-yard season.
So if not LA, then where? If New England wants an older QB, there’s one out there who’s slightly more familiar with the system. Tampa Bay would be an intriguing option, and could be the play, given the Bucs are at a major crossroads. They can give Rivers a short-term deal for big money now, and find a successor. They’re only other option, meanwhile...
Jameis Winston:
...is putting all their chips in the Winston basket, which is a risky proposition. Sure, the former No. 1 pick is insanely talented – he just led the league with 5,109 yards in 2019 and threw 33 touchdowns. But he also threw 30 interceptions, becoming the first player ever with a 30-30 season. In five years as a starter Tampa Bay has never won more than nine games and have four losing seasons in that span. Not to mention, Winston has already been suspended once for conduct.
Combine all those extremes together, and you’ll still have someone that could get $100 million on the open market. There have been multiple reports that Tampa expects to bring him back, but there’s seemingly enough doubt about it that one can’t help but think they’ll move on.
Ryan Tannehill:
No one upped their stock nearly as much as the former top-10 pick. Acquired for a seventh-round pick in March, Tannehill took over the Titans’ job midseason and transformed the Tennessee offense. From his takeover to the end of the season, the Titans had the NFL’s highest-scoring offense, while he led the league in yards per attempt, yards per completion and passer rating. Though in the postseason Derrick Henry did the majority of the work, Tannehill was still under center as they made a surprise run to the AFC Championship Game.
The Titans already have to pay Henry big money this offseason, and paying both QB and running back big money seems unlikely. However, Tannehill has said he wants to stay in Tennessee, so we think the franchise will make it happen.
Teddy Bridgewater:
Recovered from his gruesome knee injury, Bridgewater made himself a lot of money in 2019. With Drew Brees out, Bridgewater went 5-0 as the Saints’ starter, throwing nine touchdowns to two interceptions. He hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2015, but at 28 years old there’s still enough talent there where a three-year deal worth decent money. For the Chargers, Bears or even Titans, it could be worth a look.
Case Keenum:
He lost his starting job to Dwayne Haskins after going just 1-7 in eight starts, but much of that isn’t on the veteran. Washington didn’t exactly fill the cupboard in 2019, and Keenum is two years removed from an NFC title game appearance. If he goes somewhere, it will only be as a cheaper stop-gap than some of the other options out there. Could he go to Chicago and give Mitch Trubisky a run for his money? Or perhaps Miami, where the quarterback they likely draft may not be ready?
