Tuesday, October 14, 2025

NFL free agent rankings: Quarterbacks

The 2025 NFL Draft class is fairly skinny at quarterback, with the potential for just one QB to go within the first spherical after an enormous class in 2024. That’s going to place elevated deal with the place in free company, and in contrast to a few years, there are a number of good choices obtainable getting into the offseason.

Former starters litter the top-10 checklist, so we wished to type them out for you. We polled a bunch of writers from round SB Nation to assemble consensus rankings in regards to the gamers. We had a unanimous primary and quantity two, however after that issues acquired messy.

We’ll take away gamers from the checklist as they re-sign with their present groups all the way in which as much as the opening of free company in March.

Different receiving votes

  • Drew Lock
  • Case Keenum
  • Carson Wentz
  • Josh Dobbs
  • Mason Rudolph
  • Marcus Mariota
  • Cooper Rush
  • Taylor Heinicke
  • Jarrett Stidham

10. Daniel Jones, New York Giants/Minnesota Vikings

Who is aware of what’s going to occur with Daniel Jones? He wants a profession reset after his failures with the New York Giants, and some weeks on the Vikings follow squad received’t be sufficient. Will a group give him an opportunity to compete for a beginning spot as a veteran bridge quarterback or is he on the heap of failed first-rounders caught as backups? UPDATE: The Colts are bringing in Jones to compete for his or her beginning spot.

9. Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams

With Matthew Stafford wholesome, Jimmy G didn’t play in 2024 till the ultimate week of the season. The final we noticed of him earlier than that, he was beginning for the Las Vegas Raiders and looking out very shaky. He’s attempting the Sam Darnold strategy of spending a yr with an excellent offensive thoughts within the hopes that somebody will choose him as much as be a veteran mentor or bridge starter in 2025. He was in a single voter’s prime 5 however fully out of the highest 10 for a number of others. UPDATE: Jimmy G heads again to the Rams.

8. Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars

A giant drop off amongst our voters from seven to Jones at eight, the previous first-round choose of the Patriots acquired an opportunity to begin some video games for the Jaguars in 2024. The identical failings he had in New England carried over, and at this level it might be honest to query if he has any juice left as a beginning choice within the league. UPDATE: Jones is the brand new backup in San Francisco, signing for 2 years.

7. Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts

As excessive as third in our voting, Flacco was additionally exterior the highest 10 on one other voting sheet. Merely put, we all know what Flacco is at this level in his profession. He’s a veteran backup who can spot begin and even start the season as a rookie waits within the wings, however he additionally turns 40 in January 2025 and may chuck the ball the place it has no enterprise being now and again.

6. Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers

His voting numbers have been wild; a bunch of voters had him fourth whereas some had him ninth and tenth. He’s a man with a excessive flooring and a low ceiling, particularly turning 38 throughout the 2025 season. He’s okay for a begin right here and there. UPDATE: Dalton signed a two-year cope with the Panthers in February.

5. Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots

A veteran bridge quarterback the previous few seasons, Brissett has confirmed he’s competent however a low-end starter within the league. He wasn’t excellent in 2024 when he started the yr behind the Patriots’ suspect offensive line, and he could also be transitioning into backup QB territory. UPDATE: Brissett is ready to be Kyler Murray’s backup in Arizona.

4. Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns

After making simply $4 million in 2024 and $4 million in 2023, Winston could possibly be in line for a bump this offseason with a comparatively weak NFL Draft class at QB. Winston is a giant play ready to occur, however you’re by no means positive if it’s going to be for you or the opposite group. It’ll take the suitable mindset out of a coach to work with the enigmatic Winston. UPDATE: Winston signed a two-year cope with the Giants at that $4 million/yr mark.

3. Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers

A former primary general choose, Fields began the season for the Steelers and seemed fairly promising. He had the very best completion share of his profession, the bottom interception quantity, and a stable yards per try via the air whereas including worth together with his legs. Our voters appear to assume he’ll have the ability to bounce again in the suitable scenario, however Pittsburgh could go one other route as a result of the second participant on our checklist was his teammate. UPDATE: Justin Fields heads to the Jets on a two-year deal.

2. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers

Wilson led the Pittsburgh Steelers to the playoffs in his first yr with the group. He has a protracted historical past of success within the NFL that was not less than little tarnished by his time in Denver. Little question his age is an element right here, as he turned 36 in November 2024. He very effectively might have made between $40 million and $50 million per season on a brand new deal, however his poor play down the stretch most likely drops him off. UPDATE: After Wilson’s late-season falter, he signed a one-year cope with the Giants.

1. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings

After a very spectacular season with the Minnesota Vikings, the previous top-3 choose goes to have his alternative of openings and he was our unanimous prime choose. The Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy tenth general in 2024 however he missed the season with a torn meniscus in his knee. Due to excessive demand, he might command a wage north of $40 million per season. Will the Vikings attempt to re-sign him? UPDATE: Darnold has agreed to a three-year cope with the Seahawks.

Just lately launched quarterbacks

These quarterbacks have been launched after our rankings have been put collectively within the lead as much as the 2025 league yr.

Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers hasn’t been formally launch, however experiences say the Jets are transferring on as a substitute of paying him $37.5 million for 2025. He performed in all 17 video games after injuring his Achilles to open the 2023 season and completed with 3897 yards, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and lots of questions on his skill to nonetheless do it at 41.

Gardner Minshew

Minshew would have had an excellent likelihood to make our top-10 checklist if he was a pending free agent in January. He’s been a spot starter for a number of seasons and has lots of expertise. He would have began greater than his 9 video games in Las Vegas in 2024, however he broke his collarbone. A profession 63% passer, he’s averaged 3443 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions over the course of a typical 17-game season. He’s additionally acquired moxie, and you’ll undoubtedly see a Ryan Fitzpatrick-type profession for him an a QB placeholder at a number of spots. He made $12.3 million in 2024 and was scheduled to money $12.5 million in 2025. UPDATE: Minshew jumped within the division to the Chiefs on a one-year deal to backup Patrick Mahomes.


Different free agent quarterbacks

  • Trey Lance
  • Easton Stick
  • Josh Johnson
  • Jeff driskell
  • Brett Rypien
  • Sam Ehlinger
  • Kyle Allen
  • Bailey Zappe
  • Brandon Allen
  • Nick Mullens
  • Kyle Trask
  • Buchele’s poem.
  • Tim Boyle
  • Zach Wilson

Free agent quarterbacks who have been signed to new offers

  • Shane Buechele re-signed with the Buffalo Payments
  • Andy Dalton re-signed with the Carolina Panthers
  • Jarrett Stidham is staying in Denver for 2 extra years
  • Jimmy Garappolo is again with the Rams
  • Sam Darnold agreed to an enormous cope with the Seahawks
  • Nick Mullens goes to the Jaguars on a two-year deal
  • Justin Fields agreed to a two-year cope with the Jets
  • Zach Wilson agreed to a cope with the Miami Dolphins
  • Daniel Jones heads to the Colts… ahem Indiana Jones.
  • Jacoby Brissett signed a contract with the Arizona Cardinals
  • Marcus Mariota re-upped with the Commanders
  • Kyle Trask is with the Bucs on a one-year deal
  • Mac Jones is with the 49ers on a two-year deal
  • Mason Rudolph re-upped with the Steelers for 2 years
  • Brandon Allen signed with the Titans
  • The Chargers signed Taylor Heinicke to a one-year deal
  • Kyle Allen signed a one-year deal in Detroit
  • Gardner Minshew joins the Chiefs on a one-year deal
  • Bailey Zappe signed a Chiefs deal, too.
  • Cooper Rush signed with the Baltimore Ravens
  • Jameis Winston signed a two-year cope with the Giants
  • Russell Wilson signed with the Giants and intends to be their starter
  • Tim Boyle signed with the Titans
  • Sam Ehlinger heads to the Broncos
  • Case Keenum joins the Bears to mentor Caleb Williams

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