There are about to be some big names at the most important position in sports on the move.
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When NFL free agency begins, and perhaps even before, some top and potential franchise quarterbacks will be changing zip codes.
Here are some informed predictions on how what promises to be a fascinating quarterback carousel winds up looking like when the music stops spinning later this spring.
Justin Fields: Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are going to come away with a franchise quarterback this offseason. Nothing matters more to the franchise's trajectory than getting the right signal caller to maximize the young and explosive weapons in place.
Owners of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, there seems to be significant momentum building towards the Bears trading Justin Fields.
Fields' skill-set, particularly as a runner and his ability to extend plays to buy time on passing downs with his legs, makes him an ideal fit for an offense that features explosive and versatile running back Bijan Robinson and field-stretching wide receiver Drake London. While Fields still needs to make strides from the pocket, completing just 61.4 percent of his passes last season, his upside on zone-read plays with Robinson in particular could throw Atlanta's playbook open and put the Falcons in position to push for the NFC South crown immediately.
Kirk Cousins: Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota simply isn't in a position to move on from Kirk Cousins. The Vikings have neither the cap space nor a premium draft pick within range of the top prospects in this year's class to ensure being able to come away with a quarterback of the future this offseason.
Meanwhile, when healthy, Cousins has proven capable of leading the Vikings to the postseason. Even before getting injured in Week 8 of the 2023 campaign, Cousins had passed for 2,331 yards with 18 touchdowns to just five interceptions, while completing 69.5 percent of his passes. Presuming Cousins returns, thanks to dynamic wide receiver Jordan Addison entering his second season, this incarnation of the Vikings' offense would be the most explosive the 35-year-old has had around him in his career.
Russell Wilson: Las Vegas Raiders
There's a groundswell of skepticism among several NFL executives and scouts that Russell Wilson still has the ability to be a top quarterback in this league. Following two wildly disappointing seasons in Denver that saw him regress dramatically, there's some doubt that Wilson will have a strong market. With the Broncos expecting to move on from Wilson, there may not be as many suitors for the veteran as there might have been a few years ago.
However, few situations offer a greater opportunity to reinvigorate Wilson's career than that presented by the Raiders. Davante Adams continues to be one of the game's premier and most productive wide receivers. Moreover, there is a palpable strong veteran presence in the Raiders' locker room, evident in Las Vegas' second-half rally around interim head coach Antonio Pierce, who secured the full-time role this offseason. Not to be overlooked is the prospect of facing the Broncos twice each season, adding to the allure of Wilson taking his talents to Vegas.
Ryan Tannehill: Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Steelers seem to be keeping every quarterback option on the table this offseason. It remains to be seen whether the Steelers will trade for a potential franchise quarterback, or hold an open competition between Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph.
But, if Pittsburgh is all-in on Arthur Smith's offense, Ryan Tannehill makes some sense as a modest upgrade over the young quarterbacks currently residing in the Iron City. Tannehill's best seasons came during his two seasons with Arthur as the Titans' offensive coordinator, completing 67.3 percent of his passes for 6,561 yards with 55 touchdowns to just 13 interceptions over that span. Tannehill isn't the same player he was in 2019, but his experience in Smith's offense could be enough to keep the Steelers in the mix in a hyper-competitive AFC North division.
Baker Mayfield: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield didn't just experience a career renaissance in his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but improved as the 2023 campaign went along.
The Buccaneers' offense is going to look wildly different in 2024, especially following offensive coordinator Dave Canales' departure as the Carolina Panthers' head coach and All-Pro wide receiver Mike Evans potential exit via free agency. But, Mayfield proved last season he can get the most out of Tampa's weapons. It remains to be seen whether the Buccaneers will use the franchise tag to keep Mayfield in place, but there's plenty of reason to believe both sides saw enough last season to commit to a long-term deal.
Mac Jones: Denver Broncos
If Sean Payton and the Broncos are looking for a reclamation project, Mac Jones might wind up being a terrific fit in Denver.
When Jones is at his best, and most effective, he thrives in terms of timing and accuracy. If Payton is able to help Jones recapture what worked during his rookie season, in which the former first-round pick completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 3,801 yards, this could be a potent match.
