As the offseason begins to take shape, the discussion on
roster improvement and player movement is front and center. Teams will be
looking to shed salary on top of the players already listed as free agents. As
of today these are the top listed FA’s looking for new contracts. The Fantasy Football
impact is definitely real as players entertain staying with their clubs or
moving on to a new system. Exciting times are upon us, as teams begin to
re-tool and build for next season. It’s time to speculate!
Top Free Agent Quarterbacks:
Drew
Brees (NWO)
Age:
38 | 2017 Salary: $24,250,000 | FA Rank #1
The 2017
season was one of the worst years statistically for the great Drew Brees. It
became clear that Brees is beginning to break drown as the arm strength just
doesn’t seem to be what it used to be. Already on record saying he would like
to return to the Big-Easy, Drew could be left out of team plans in 2018 unless
he’s willing to take a home town discount. Currently the Saints have almost 32
million against the cap and would have to get creative to re-sign the future
Hall of Famer. The Saints were good enough to be a top competitor this season
and would likely improve their chances with building from the draft. ADF does
believe there is mutual interest in both sides coming together on a new
contract that would be conducive in helping them build a stronger team.
There is a possibility
Drew Brees has played his last down in a Saints uniform, and if this is the
case, he most likely would only entertain going to a club that has a definite
Super Bowl chance. Jacksonville and Denver would appeal the most as instant contenders
with the Cardinals and the Bills as high potential teams to make some noise. Brees
most likely finds a way to stay in New Orleans but he has options.
Kirk
Cousins (WAS)
Age:
29 | 2017 Salary: $23,943,600 | FA Rank #2
Franchise
tagged for the last two seasons in Washington, Kirk Cousins wonders if this
will be the year he’s able to test the free agent market? Perhaps the most sought
after Quarterback in this year’s free agent class, Kirk has shown all the tools
and is at an age where he could play for five to eight more years. The Redskins
haven’t alluded to which way they plan to go in regards to Cousins, but the
general understanding is they don’t value him as their franchise Quarterback
for the future. The possibility of the franchise tag being used for a third
year is easy to see as Washington has no real option other than the draft to
upgrade the position. Paying Kirk at a 44% increase from last year’s tag number
might not be something the Skins brain trust is prepared to do. Kirk should be
on the move this offseason.
It’s clear
that Cousins is open to all options as he is looking for his first lucrative contract
in the NFL, one he perhaps deserves. Kirk will undoubtedly set his price based
on the surrounding pieces each team currently has and the direction they plan
to go. If the Browns are an option, expect Kirk to get top dollar, if the Bills
are an option, Kirk could take less money for the betterment of the team.
Either way Cousins will generate top dollars. All teams in need of a
Quarterback with cap space would be open to signing Kirk to a long term deal.
Browns, Bills, Jets, Jaguars, Cardinals all could be viable options for
Cousins.
Jimmy
Garoppolo (SF)
Age:
26 | 2017 Salary: $870,975 | FA Rank #3
It’s incredible
to have been witness to all that transpired with Jimmy G, the Patriots, and the
now the 49ers. Essentially it seems as though San Francisco has hit the jackpot
in attaining a franchise Quarterback for nothing more than a second round pick
and a bag of footballs. It’s easy for the fan base and media (respectively), to
get excited about what Garoppolo was able to accomplish since taking over the
reins back in week 12. Having learned behind arguably the greatest Quarterback
of all time in Tom Brady, and never losing a game as an NFL starter, Jimmy fits
the mold of a franchise QB to a tee. There’s no question the 49ers will be
giving Garoppolo a new contract this offseason, the question will be if it’s
long term or the franchise tag? With a slim resume, the San Fran brain trust
will be cautious in how they handle Jimmy’s contract this offseason. The
franchise tag is appealing as it creates a ‘prove it scenario’, for Jimmy to
generate a long term contract based on his performance. If Garoppolo excels
under the tag, the 49ers may be on the hook for a monster contract moving
forward. Either way, it’s a nice problem to have especially since they have
money to burn under the cap.
All signs
point to things improving in San Francisco! With nearly 120 million under the
cap, the 49ers are in a prime situation to sign top Wide Receiver free agents
like Jarvis Landry and Allen Robinson. Under Kyle Shanahan and reloading this
offense with talent, the 49ers should be a team able to generate a lot of
points and should be much improved in 2018.
Case
Keenum (MIN)
Age:
29 | 2017 Salary: $2,000,000 | FA Rank #4
What Keenum
has done since taking over the starting duties for the Vikings has been unbelievable.
Signed for insurance purposes in the offseason, his two million dollar salary has
been an absolute bargain. The Vikings find themselves in a very interesting situation
once their offseason begins. Having all three rostered Quarterbacks entering
free agency will force their hand a choose one for the future. Employing
Keenum, Bradford, and Bridgewater – the Vikings are paying 21.7 million dollars
to the position which makes them near the middle of the pack at money spent on Quarterbacks.
If Keenum is their choice moving forward he will expect a hefty raise as he has
engineered his best numbers in the Minnesota system. At the age of 29, Case
still has bright years in front of him if indeed he is simply a late bloomer in
star ability.
Keenum’s
best option for a large pay day would likely be on the open market to a team
that is starving for Quarterback talent. Case could pose as a fill-in mentor
role for a squad who drafts a future franchise Quarterback in the upcoming draft.
If Keenum brings home the Lombardi Trophy to the Skol-Nation, it might be tough
seeing him wearing different colors next season. The narrative for next season
will of course be, “can Case replicate his performance from 2017”? It’s a question
one may not want to gamble their future on.
Sam
Bradford (MIN)
Age:
30 | 2017 Salary: $18,000,000 | FA Rank #5
At age 30
and coming off yet another knee injury that forced him to watch from the
sidelines for most of the season, Sam Bradford almost certainly won’t return to
Minnesota for the 2018 season. The Vikings acquired Bradford from the Eagles in
desperation once their young pivot (Bridgewater) went down with a nasty knee
injury. With Teddy fully recovered and Keenum finding his stride, Bradford is
the odd man out in this trio rotation. Since being picked #1 overall by the
Rams, Sam has only flashed his ability in the NFL and has never fully put it together
for teams to take notice. With that said, there will be many suitors for
Bradford’s services as QB hungry teams will always be calling. Sam should be
able to generate middle of the pack dollar value on the free agent market with
a chance to start with an impressive camp and preseason. At this point in his
career, Bradford would benefit from a situation that is conducive with pocket
protection. A stable offensive line and a great run game should be what Sam has
his agents looking for.
Both the
Cardinals and the Bills have top tear Running Backs that would take pressure off
the pass game allowing Bradford to find his receivers. The Bills do have a
better offensive line than Arizona but that could be addressed in the draft and
free agency. The NY Jets and the Jacksonville Jaguars could also come into play
for the veteran who will be searching for a new address in the coming months.
Bradford could find himself in a decent to favorable situation in 2018.
Teddy
Bridgewater (MIN)
Age:
26 | 2017 Salary: $1,712,376 | FA Rank #6
Concluding
his rookie contract and coming off a serious knee injury that had his career in
question, the Vikings have to decide if they want to risk the future on Teddy.
Bridgewater hasn’t played for roughly two seasons, and in some circles is
damaged goods as players with injuries of this magnitude never fully regain
their confidence. With that said, the Vikings will do everything in their power
to evaluate Bridgewater in hopes he can return to the field as a starting caliber
player. The potential exists that the Vikings could convince Teddy to stick
around for a season or two as backup if they choose to sign Keenum to a long
term deal. It’s difficult to envision Bridgewater cashing in big on the open
market, so Minnesota might be the place where he belongs.
It’s not inconceivable
that coach Zimmer will convince Minnesota management to sign Teddy so he can
become the starter moving forward on a team friendly deal. With all the star
talent on the defensive side of the ball, eventually the Vikings will be forced
to break out the cheque book. Bridgewater could find himself under contract
with a starting role in Minnesota if the numbers are agreeable to both parties
and benefits the team salary cap.
Potential Value Quarterbacks:
Tyrod Taylor
(BUF) *
AJ McCarron
(CIN) **
Josh McCown
(NYJ)
Blaine
Gabbert (ARZ)
David Fells (MIA)
Chase Daniel
(NWO)
*Should be
released by the Bills this offseason.
**Arbitration
hearing may get him out of Cincinnati this offseason.
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