While each of the past two NFL offseasons has featured at least one prominent veteran free agent quarterback changing teams, the 2025 free agent QB class doesn’t have quite the same track record.
This past spring, Kirk Cousins departed the Minnesota Vikings for the Atlanta Falcons, who gave him a four-year deal worth $180 million. In 2023, Derek Carr landed a $37.5 million AAV from the New Orleans Saints after being cut by the Las Vegas Raiders — who turned around and handed Jimmy Garoppolo a three-year, $72.75 million contract (which they’ve already exited).
Do any free agent quarterbacks have a chance to earn that sort of deal next offseason? Here are the best QBs scheduled to hit the market in 2025.
Best 2025 NFL Free Agent Quarterbacks
1) Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
If Sam Darnold is going to take advantage of his luxurious Vikings offensive situation and become the latest in a long line of NFL late-bloomer quarterbacks, Week 1 was a good start.
Darnold completed his first 12 passes in Minnesota’s 28-6 win over the New York Giants, finishing 19-of-24 for 208 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He hit Justin Jefferson for a game-high four completions but otherwise spread the ball around, connecting with eight different receivers in Sunday’s victory.
The Vikings’ upcoming schedule gauntlet (San Francisco, Houston, Green Bay, New York Jets, Detroit, Los Angeles Rams) could damper Darnold’s production. But if he keeps playing like he did in Week 1, a contract in the Baker Mayfield neighborhood — three years, $100 million — won’t be out of the question in 2025.
2) Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
While the Steelers only had to give up a conditional sixth-round pick to acquire Justin Fields from the Bears this offseason, his market value will increase if he can keep playing like he did in Pittsburgh’s Week 1 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Fields appeared far more comfortable in new Steelers OC Arthur Smith’s system than he ever did in Chicago. He didn’t turn the ball over, absorbed only two sacks, made a few big-time throws to WR George Pickens, and used his rushing ability to help bleed the clock late in Pittsburgh’s win.
Fields still has a long way to go as a passer, but Sunday was heartening.
3) Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots
Jacoby Brissett might be the NFL’s best backup quarterback, but he’s a starter for now.
The 31-year-old gave the Patriots a valiant performance in their Week 1 win against the Cincinnati Bengals, completing 15 of 24 passes despite being pressured at a league-high rate (44.8%), per TruMedia. Brissett, not the most mobile QB, even added seven carries for 32 yards and three rushing first downs.
He will likely give way to New England first-round rookie Drake Maye at some point this season, but Brissett will never be out of work for long. He’s the ideal bridge quarterback, a role he should play for another team in 2025.
4) Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
In his 2021 rookie campaign, Mac Jones led the Patriots to the playoffs while ranking eighth in success rate and 14th in EPA per play.
Jones’ ensuing two seasons were disasters, but it’s hard to lay all the blame on his shoulders. The former first-round pick dealt with New England’s offensive weapon and OL issues and had Matt Patricia as his play-caller in 2022.
Jones may not draw much interest unless he’s forced to relieve an injured Trevor Lawrence and thrives in 2024. Still, he might have a remaining upside that attracts QB-needy teams.
5) Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns
The last time Jameis Winston started more than 10 NFL games in a season (2019 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), he led the league with 5,109 passing yards and threw 30 touchdowns. Of course, he also tossed 30 interceptions that season, displaying a recklessness that most NFL clubs would not tolerate.
Winston excelled in seven starts for Sean Payton’s 2021 New Orleans Saints before suffering a torn ACL; he’s made only three starts since.
The Browns are hoping for improved play from Deshaun Watson, but he hasn’t been productive since playing for the Houston Texans. If Watson continues to struggle in 2024, Winston could get the call in a well-schemed offense designed by two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski.
Which Teams Will Need a QB Next Offseason?
PFN Draft Analyst Ian Cummings believes two to three quarterbacks will be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, with Georgia’s Carson Beck and Penn State’s Drew Allar as the most likely candidates.
NFL teams that don’t think they’ll be able to land one of next year’s best prospects — or can’t swing a trade for a veteran quarterback — will have to turn to the free agent QB market. Which teams could be eyeing signal-callers next spring?
8) Cleveland Browns
The Browns restructured Watson’s contract just before Week 1, spreading his money into future seasons and eliminating any chance Cleveland had to get out of his fully guaranteed deal any time soon.
Watson looked almost unplayable against the Dallas Cowboys, completing just 24 of 45 attempts for 169 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He took more sacks (six) and was pressured more often (24 times) than any quarterback in the league on Sunday.
Still, even if the Browns wanted to bench Watson, his massive cap charges would probably force them to draft a quarterback on an affordable, slotted contract or bring in another Winston-type at a marginal cost.
7) New York Jets
The Jets might need a quarterback if they make a deep playoff run and Aaron Rodgers retires. On the flip side, Gang Green could be searching for a signal-caller if everything goes wrong in 2024. In that case, Rodgers, head coach Robert Saleh, and general manager Joe Douglas will likely all be gone.
It’s hard to imagine New York reuniting with Darnold (or Darnold wanting to return) after his previous stint with the Jets, which could leave Gang Green looking at Fields or a draft pick if Rodgers isn’t around next year.
6) New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr was outstanding on Sunday, finishing fourth in QBR after carving up the Carolina Panthers for 200 yards and three touchdowns. But New Orleans won’t get to play Carolina every week, and Carr isn’t necessarily a lock to make it through the season as the Saints’ starter.
The Saints restructured Carr’s contract this offseason, making it more difficult for him to be released in the future. However, New Orleans could consider a post-June 1 cut next spring. The club would save $30 million in 2025 cap space while spreading Carr’s dead money over the ensuing two seasons.
The Saints used Day 3 draft picks on QBs Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler over the past two years. If Carr drifts back to league-average quarterback play by the end of the year, New Orleans could take a look at its younger options and determine whether Haener or Rattler could start in 2025.
5) Tennessee Titans
Tennessee was one of the league’s most active teams during the spring, signing WRs Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, and RB Tony Pollard while adding left tackle JC Latham and center Lloyd Cushenberry IV to what had been the NFL’s worst offensive line.
All those new additions should raise the Titans’ floor. But they’ll also give new head coach Brian Callahan and offensive coordinator Nick Holz a look at Will Levis in upgraded circumstances.
Week 1 didn’t represent the greatest start, as Levis averaged just four yards per attempt and took two sacks in Tennessee’s loss to the Bears. Things won’t get much easier when the Jets and Packers defenses come to town in Weeks 2 and 3.
4) Carolina Panthers
How aggressive will the Panthers be with Bryce Young, who ranked 27th among 30 qualifying quarterbacks in EPA + CPOE composite in his 2023 rookie season? Will first-year head coach Dave Canales give last year’s top pick time to develop? Or will Carolina’s new regime quickly move on from Young if he struggles again in 2024?
Young completed just 13 of 30 attempts for 161 yards and two interceptions while taking four sacks in the Panthers’ embarrassing 47-10 loss to the Saints on Sunday. A league-leading 23.3% of his passes were considered off-target, per TruMedia and PFF’s charting.
Canales has helped other quarterbacks like Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield turn their careers around, but those passers are far more physically talented than Young.
3) Pittsburgh Steelers
Fields’ first start for the Steelers was relatively encouraging, but Pittsburgh still lacks a long-term quarterback plan.
General manager Omar Khan declined Fields’ 2025 fifth-year option after acquiring him from the Bears in March. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson’s veteran minimum contract only runs through this season.
While reports have suggested the Steelers want to extend whichever quarterback, it remains unclear whether Fields or Wilson will emerge as Pittsburgh’s primary starter. Fields has the job for now, but both quarterbacks could make starts in 2024.
2) New York Giants
The Giants spent all offseason trying to replace Daniel Jones, but he’s still their starter — at least to begin the season. While Jones’ contract structure might eventually get him benched, his performance in New York’s Week 1 loss to the Vikings was so poor that he could get pulled before any financial questions come into play.
Jones went 22-of-42 for 186 yards (4.4 yards per attempt), threw two interceptions (including a pick-six), and took five sacks in Big Blue’s 28-6 defeat.
The Giants can save $30 million in 2025 cap space by designating him as a post-June 1 cut next offseason. At this point, it would be beyond surprising if Jones is still on New York’s roster in April 2025.
1) Las Vegas Raiders
Gardner Minshew II seemed to win the NFL’s least interesting quarterback battle by default over Aidan O’Connell. The Raiders’ new starter wasn’t very efficient in Las Vegas’ Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, finishing 26th in QBR on Sunday while leading only one touchdown drive.
The Raiders have the NFL’s worst quarterback situation. When a team is in this position, it typically cycles through multiple options. O’Connell remains likely to make starts in 2024, but neither of Las Vegas’ QB choices feels like a long-term selection.
Getting back on the veteran quarterback train doesn’t seem like the best idea for the Raiders, either, especially if Minshew struggles after Garoppolo’s 2023 debacle. No team needs a rookie QB reset more than Las Vegas.