Looking for QBs with pedigrees?
Plenty of well-known names may be hitting the market in 2020
Several quarterbacks with impressive resumes could be looking for new teams in 2020 after disappointing performances this season.
The list of QBs who could be available includes guys with MVP trophies on their mantels, former No. 1 draft picks and longtime starters.
Here’s a look at some players who may be hitting the market:
The Giants benched their franchise icon in Week 3 to start first-round pick Daniel Jones, who has been inconsistent — hey, he is a rookie after all. Manning returned to the starting lineup last week because Jones has an ankle injury. He played well in the first half, throwing two touchdown passes in a 23-17 overtime loss at Philadelphia. Manning turns 39 next month and is in the final year of his contract. He may have to settle for a backup role to prolong his career.
Like Manning, he’ll be a free agent after the season after spending his entire career with the Chargers.
Unlike Manning, Rivers hasn’t lost his starting job and Los Angeles hasn’t drafted his successor. Rivers, who turned 38 last week, has 20 TD passes and 15 interceptions. His passer rating is down to 90.7 while his picks have gone up. He could end up staying to groom his replacement and play in the team’s new stadium for a season.
CAM NEWTON: He’s owed $18.6 million in 2020 but hasn’t played since Week 2 because of a foot injury that required surgery last week. Newton has been Carolina’s starter since 2011 and is 68-55-1 in his career. His future with the Panthers depends on his health and the preference of the new owner and the new coach the team has to hire to replace Ron Rivera.
The Jaguars gave Foles a four-year, $88 million contract in free agency that included $50.125 million guaranteed. But the 2018 Super Bowl MVP with the Eagles broke his collarbone in Week 1. He struggled in three games after returning and was benched for rookie Gardner Minshew this month.
Jacksonville has a dilemma in the offseason. Foles is guaranteed $15.125 in 2020, and he will count nearly $22 million against the salary cap. That’s too much money for a backup. Cutting Foles would cost the Jaguars nearly $34 million against the cap and trading him would cost nearly $19 million.
JOE FLACCO: The 2013 Super Bowl MVP with Baltimore was only 2-6 in his first season in Denver before a herniated disk ended his season. Second-round draftee Drew Lock is making his case to be the man for the Broncos.
JAMEIS WINSTON: Tampa Bay has a tough decision to make on Winston, who becomes a free agent after the season. Winston has thrown for over 4,000 yards this season for the third time in five years, but he also has a career-high 23 interceptions. He’s only had one winning season and the Buccaneers need to win the final three games to match that 9-7 record from 2016. Winston is playing in his first season under coach Bruce Arians, who says he wants to finish out the year before deciding the future of the quarterback in Tampa.
Tennessee was 2-4 in Mariota’s six starts before turning to Ryan Tannehill, who is 6-2 and leads the NFL in passer rating at 118.5. Mariota is in the final year of his rookie contract and should get an opportunity to revive his career with a new team.
After leading Cincinnati to five straight winning seasons to start his career, Dalton and the Bengals secured their fourth consecutive losing season weeks ago. Dalton was benched in November for Ryan Finley but regained his starting job and led Cincinnati to its only win.
Much has been said about a possible divorce from New England because Brady put up his house for sale, his contract voids on March 17, and the Patriots can’t place a franchise tag on him. If the 42-year-old six-time Super Bowl champion leaves, it’ll cost the team $13.5 million in dead money.
DREW BREES: His deal voids on March 18 and the Saints can’t place a franchise tag on him. Brees turns 41 next month and it’s tough to imagine he’ll play for a different team.
TEDDY BRIDGEWATER: He has a ton of value to the Saints playing behind Brees. Bridgewater is 22-12 as a starter. He should get an opportunity to be the No. 1 guy somewhere. If Brees retires, it could be in New Orleans.