The 2023 NFL offseason is underway. Teams can start making use of the franchise tag this week, and earlier than lengthy, free company might be kicking off as effectively. March 13 marks the official begin date for authorized tampering, when golf equipment can start negotiating with unsigned gamers, and March 15 is when new offers — and trades — may be finalized. As per traditional, the quarterback place is ready to dominate the panorama. Unlike final 12 months’s veteran market, which included a top-five rounded out by Ryan Fitzpatrick and Mitchell Trubisky, the 2023 crop options a number of repeat Pro Bowlers.
Here’s a take a look at the 5 largest names set to be obtainable, plus loads of different choices, in addition to projected contract values and logical touchdown spots:
Notes: QB ages are as of Sept. 1, 2023. AAV denotes projected common annual worth.
Age: 26 | Season: sixth | Last Team: Ravens
Lamar Jackson
USATSI
The hole between Jackson and the remainder of the free agent QB market is huge, however his solely possible availability will come by way of commerce, or a comparable transfer. If/when the Ravens use the unique franchise tag to safe him for one 12 months at $45 million, they’d management his rights however have the liberty to deal the QB within the occasion of an extra contract standoff. A non-exclusive tag ($32.4M), in the meantime, would allow Jackson to barter with different golf equipment, who may then safe the QB by surrendering two first-round draft picks to Baltimore. Rest assured that both method, barring a long-term extension with the Ravens, Jackson can have at the least a dozen suitors. He stays unproven as a big-game passer and has now missed at the least 5 video games on account of damage in back-to-back years. But at 26, with an MVP and two 1,000-yard speeding seasons underneath his belt, he possesses the game-changing electrical energy — as each a speedy scrambler and flick-of-the-wrist thrower — to warrant a profitable funding.
Projected AAV: $50M
Logical matches
The Dolphins are publicly dedicated to Tua Tagovailoa regardless of the QB’s scary medical historical past, however Jackson can be a superbly athletic figurehead for Mike McDaniel, the well-versed run-game strategist. Miami can also be nearer to the QB’s hometown in Florida, the place he’d simply have the perfect receivers of his profession. The Falcons are additionally nearer to house, and extra importantly have a dire want for long-term QB juice, with run-heavy coach Arthur Smith getting into 12 months three. The Jets are keen to spend massive with principally each different talent group prepped for a playoff run. The Patriots have Mac Jones however are resetting the offense underneath new (outdated) coordinator Bill O’Brien, and have misplaced luster post-Tom Brady. The Raiders want a QB after slicing Derek Carr and have more cash to spend than all however two groups. And the Ravens, regardless of a evident lack of WR funding, have constructed themselves to lean on Jackson’s strengths on the bottom.
Age: 26 | Season: fifth | Last Team: Giants
Daniel Jones
USATSI
Going into 2022, few would’ve forecast Jones making the Giants want they’d exercised the fifth-year possibility on his contract. The former No. 6 general choose was an athletic however hapless starter for his first three seasons. Under Brian Daboll, he was decidedly extra composed, controlling the ball and excelling together with his legs regardless of a makeshift supporting solid. The jury remains to be out on his capability to constantly win via the air, which is reasonably vital contemplating he is approaching 12 months 5 and can command sizable cash. But he proved down the stretch in 2022, particularly in his street playoff win, that he is able to guiding a frisky contender with correct assist. Theoretically, with higher safety and weapons, he is nonetheless bought untapped upside.
Projected AAV: $29M-$35M
Logical matches
The Colts appear destined to deal with their longstanding QB gap via the draft, however new coach Shane Steichen can be a strong match after guiding the Eagles’ adaptable Jalen Hurts-led offense. The Falcons, like Jones’ Giants, deploy an old-school ground-and-pound strategy and will use a longer-term resolution underneath heart. The Giants would do effectively to return their homegrown prospect alongside improved weaponry, so long as the worth is affordable on a two- or three-year deal. The Patriots have unsuccessfully leaned on Mac Jones for the form of regular effectivity Jones supplied in 2022. The Ravens make sense as a run-heavy system within the occasion Lamar Jackson is dealt. And the Titans, who additionally prefer to lean on the run and protection, are poised for a makeover after the ageing Ryan Tannehill struggled to remain wholesome.
Age: 31 | Season: tenth | Last Team: 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo
USATSI
A favourite of Kyle Shanahan for years, Jimmy G was on monitor for profession numbers after changing the injured Trey Lance. Then got here his personal damage — the newest in a protracted line of them — and rookie Brock Purdy’s emergence, which rendered him extra replaceable. Garoppolo’s repeatedly confirmed he could be a high-floor chief, going 32-15 with a 100.2 score as a starter since 2019. Over the final 5 years, nevertheless, he is missed a mixed 31 video games on account of damage, enjoying a full season simply as soon as in his nine-year profession. You’d suppose he is 35, the quantity of scars he is absorbed. Someone overlooked of the top-tier QB sweepstakes could effectively guess on him as a short-term rental, however he may simply as simply enter 2023 as bench insurance coverage.
Projected AAV: $15M-$30M
Logical matches
How about succeeding Tom Brady as soon as and for all, however with the Buccaneers? Tampa could not have a ton of money to spend, and the crew may pair him with a rookie. The Dolphins make a world of sense not solely as a result of Tua Tagovailoa is equally as unavailable on account of damage, however as a result of coach Mike McDaniel labored immediately with Garoppolo in San Francisco. The Jets are a possible plug-and-play vacation spot for any confirmed starter. The Patriots may push Mac Jones with out completely unseating him by reuniting with Bill Belichick’s former pupil. The Panthers determine to faucet into the QB draft class however may benefit from an skilled stopgap. And the Raiders make use of Josh McDaniels, Garoppolo’s former OC with the Patriots.
Age: 26 | Season: fifth | Last Team: Panthers
Dec 26, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) calls a sign through the second quarter in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium.
Jim Dedmon / USA TODAY Sports
Darnold discovered among the juice he’d been lacking in 2022, as he went 4-2 because the starter whereas finishing 58.6% of his passes for 1,143 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. In what was a shock to most, Darnold was Carolina’s greatest quarterback this previous season, and now that his contract is up, the previous No. 2 general choose may very well be enjoying for an additional crew in 2023.
Projected AAV: $5M-$6M
Logical matches
It has already been reported that Darnold has had talks with Carolina a couple of new deal, though the Panthers are taking a look at including one other potential starter as effectively. If the Titans resolve to maneuver on from Ryan Tannehill this offseason, Darnold is a youthful, cheaper alternative that may take pleasure in working with among the best operating backs within the league in Derrick Henry. If we wish to keep on with the opportunity of Darnold discovering a beginning job, we should always carry up the rival Falcons. Marcus Mariota has already been launched after which Desmond Ridder remains to be growing. Darnold may very well be an possibility for Arthur Smith to carry aboard.
5. Marcus Mariota
Age: 29 | Season: eighth | Last Team: Falcons
Nov 20, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) throws a cross in opposition to the Chicago Bears within the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Brett Davis / USA TODAY Sports
Mariota did not final a full season in Atlanta, as he was benched after which by no means performed for the crew once more. The Falcons formally launched Mariota on the final day of February. In 13 video games performed final season, Mariota went 5-8 because the starter and accomplished 61.3% of his passes for two,219 yards, 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. After years of backing up Derek Carr in Vegas, Mariota bought one other likelihood to be a starter, and it did not pan out. Still, there are certainly groups on the market within the dual-threat weapon. Last 12 months, Mariota rushed for a career-high 438 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Projected AAV: $3M
Logical matches
It’s very doable Mariota returns to backup standing for 2023. The Bills may very well be a crew that appears to choose up Mariota and groom him very similar to they did for Mitchell Trubisky. The similar goes for the Chiefs, who misplaced Chad Henne to retirement this offseason. The Cardinals may very well be a crew that appears so as to add the versatile Mariota to begin the season earlier than Kyler Murray returns from his torn ACL.
Other choices
Andy Dalton
USATSI
Andy Dalton (35, Saints)Jacoby Brissett (30, Browns)Carson Wentz (30, Commanders)Gardner Minshew (27, Eagles)Teddy Bridgewater (30, Dolphins)Taylor Heinicke (30, Commanders)Baker Mayfield (28, Rams)Case Keenum (35, Bills)Jarrett Stidham (27, Raiders)Cooper Rush (29, Cowboys)Mason Rudolph (28, Steelers)
A couple of of those vets will inevitably have alternatives to begin to open 2023, even when most of them have previous their respective primes. Some might be added after which shortly changed atop the depth chart by rookies. A couple of connections to watch:
Dalton’s former Bengals QBs coach, Ken Zampese, now holds the identical place with the CommandersMinshew labored alongside — and practiced in opposition to — new Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon in Philly, from 2021-2022Wentz is a famous favourite of latest Panthers coach Frank Reich, who tutored him with each the Eagles and ColtsBridgewater performed underneath new Broncos coach Sean Payton for 2 seasons, going 5-0 as a starter changing the Saints’ injured Drew Brees; and Payton publicly predicted Bridgewater would take over for Tua Tagovailoa in 2022
