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As the 2022/2023 NFL season comes to a close and the playoffs begin, the focus shifts to players that will become free agents in the offseason. Several of the top quarterbacks in the league will be free agents, making it a highly competitive market for teams looking to improve their rosters.
The free agency period promises to be exciting for fans and teams alike, as the decisions made by these players will have a major impact on the league landscape heading into next season.
The excitement of free agency is a unique experience for players. Top players who have put up good performances during the season tend to bargain huge contracts with their current team or other interested teams. Players with underwhelming performances dread free agency as it might spell the end of their time in the NFL.
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1. Free Agent Tom Brady
Brady is considered by many to be the greatest player to ever play the game. The seven-time Superbowl champion, five-time Superbowl MVP, and three-time League MVP are among a plethora of other league awards and records. Brady's greatness is simply unmatched.
Brady, having announced his retirement from the NFL after the previous season, made a comeback this season to fulfill his contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played an instrumental role in leading the team to the playoffs and securing the NFC South division championship.
He will be a free agent in the offseason. If he decides to play another season, lots of teams will be willing to pay for his services. For example, his former team, the New England Patriots, the San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Jets among others.
2. Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Jackson will be a free agent during the off-season. Jackson is an exceptional quarterback, Heismann trophy winner, NFL unanimous MVP winner (only the second person to achieve such), and the league record for most rushing yards for a quarterback in a single season.
After the Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson a $230 million all-guaranteed contract, Jackson requested something similar, but the Ravens have refused to offer him the same. Jackson, who has been out injured for weeks, might make his return from injury in the playoff game against the Bengals.
Time will tell if the Ravens will give in to Jackson's demand for a huge all-guaranteed contract or if he will have to take his services to other teams.
3. Baker Mayfield
Mayfield played the last couple of games for the Los Angeles Rams to end what was a season to forget for both the players and the team. After being traded to the Carolina Panthers by the Cleveland Browns, the Heismann trophy winner had a below-par season marred by injuries and poor performances.
Mayfield requested to be released by the Panthers and they granted the request. The Rams acquired his services and he played the remaining five games of the season following Matthew Stafford's season-ending injury. Mayfield threw for 850 passing yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions in his five games as a Rams player.
Mayfield will be a free agent in the off-season and will hope that teams will offer him a contract for his services.
4. Geno Smith
The Jets drafted Smith in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. Smith was the Jets' starting quarterback, but lost his place due to injuries and inconsistent performances. He was the backup quarterback for the New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, and Seattle Seahawks.
After Russell Wilson was traded by the Seahawks to the Denver Broncos, the Seahawks gave Smith a one-year contract as the team's starting quarterback. The deal, which initially seemed like a gamble, paid off this season. Smith had a remarkable 2022 season, putting up impressive performances.
Smith led the league in pass completion percentage, earning his first Pro Bowl selection, and guided the Seattle Seahawks to the playoffs as the number seven seed in the NFC. He will be a free agent in the off-season, and the Seattle Seahawks are expected to offer him a new contract to continue his successful work with the team.
5. Jimmy Garoppolo
Garoppolo won two Super Bowls with the Patriots as the quarterback backup for Brady. Garoppolo, nicknamed "Jimmy-G", was drafted in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Patriots and was traded to the 49ers after four years.
In 2018, the 49ers and Garoppolo agreed on a five-year, $137.5 million contract. In 2019, he led the team to the NFC Championship game, but got injured against the Green Bay Packers.
Currently, hampered by injuries and losing his starting role to Trey Lance at the start of the season, Garoppolo's chances of getting a big contract as a free agent might be slim.
