New deals for some QBs Quarterbacks on the move

The next quarterbacks in line to receive big-money contracts include these three.

Lamar Jackson is eligible for unrestricted free agency next month. He played the 2022 season on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract after he and the Baltimore Ravens failed to agree to an extension. Jackson’s apparent insistence on receiving a deal similar to the fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract Deshaun Watson signed last offseason with the Browns complicated those negotiations.

Two other prominent quarterbacks — the Broncos’ Russell Wilson and the Cardinals’ Kyler Murray — signed deals last summer that were not fully guaranteed. So that could be a contentious issue for the next set of quarterback megadeals. The Ravens could use the franchise player tag on Jackson if they cannot agree to a contract with him, either to keep him or as a precursor to trading him.

Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts and other quarterbacks drafted in 2020, including Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert, have completed their third seasons and are eligible for extensions.

Rodgers and Jackson are not the only high-profile quarterbacks potentially on the move. The Raiders released Derek Carr, who has visited the Saints and the Jets. Jimmy Garoppolo, Daniel Jones, Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield are eligible for free agency. There has been speculation about the Patriots listening to trade offers for Mac Jones.

The Seahawks seem likely to re-sign Smith, the NFL’s comeback player of the year. The Giants could place the franchise tag on Daniel Jones, but they have only one tag to use and also must deal with the pending free-agent status of tailback Saquon Barkley. Garoppolo is expected to leave the 49ers and could be an attractive option for a number of teams.

Brady also is eligible for free agency. But he’ll stay retired this time, won’t he?