Top 5 NFL QBs set to hit free agency

NFL Free agency is set to begin on March 15, with the legal negotiating period beginning on March 13. Quarterback Tom Brady retired this off-season on February 1, 2023, and was set to headline the free-agent QB class.

Teams with top free agent QBs in the NFL, such as the Baltimore Ravens, Lamar Jackson, the Seattle Seahawks, and Geno Smith have begun contract talks already. They could potentially stay with their respective teams.

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Other veteran quarterbacks like Daniel Jones, Jimmy Garoppolo, Baker Mayfield, Jacoby Brissett, Sam Darnold, and others haven’t gained much steam in re-signing with their teams. They could hit the market.

Given how crazy the NFL is, even Smith and Jackson could hit the open market.

Here are the top five QBs of the 2023 off-season:

#1 – Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson is easily the best free-agent quarterback this off-season. He is the only one on the list to have won an MVP title. When he did so in 2019, he broke the record for most rushing yards in a single season for a quarterback.

He is the best dual-threat quarterback in the NFL and is also among the most-winning QBs in the NFL, with a career record of 45-16. Jackson has led the Ravens to the playoffs in four different seasons but hasn’t had any playoff success with a 1-3 record.

#2 – Geno Smith

Geno Smith has revived his career this season. After being a backup for nearly 10 years, Smith started the season for the first time since 2014 and had a career-best performance.

He set the franchise record for most passing yards in a single season in Seahawks history while leading them to a 9-8 record, which was good enough to make the playoffs.

He led the league in completion percentage, threw over 30 touchdowns, and is a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year.

#3 – Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy Garoppolo will be entering his 10th NFL season this year, and will likely be on his third team.

He has two Super Bowl victories as a backup and led the 49ers to where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Prior to this season, he was the 49ers’ starting quarterback for the last four-and-a-half seasons. Garoppolo started in 10 games this season as Lance went down with an injury for the year.

Garoppolo has a career record of 40-17 with an impressive passer rating of 99.6 in his career. He will gain interest as a veteran but may get paid less due to his foot injury (Lisfranc) suffered in Week 13 of last season.

#4 – Daniel Jones

Daniel Jones was the New York Giants’ first-round pick in 2019. The team elected not to use the fifth-year option on him last year, so he is set to become a free agent this off-season.

In a prove-it year, Jones had the best season of his career. While he only threw for 15 touchdowns, he set a career-high in passer rating at 92.5, while throwing career-highs in completions, attempts, completion percentage, yards, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns.

The Giants are expected to re-sign him but he could certainly garner interest if he hits the open market.

#5 – Baker Mayfield

People forget that Baker Mayfield led the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs and a playoff victory not too long ago.

The former first-overall pick was shuffled around this season as he was traded from the Browns to the Panthers, then released and picked up by the Rams.

He went 2-8 as a starter this season, throwing for 10 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and 2,100 yards. He could be a quality backup in the NFL for a team next season who gains interest in him.