Beginning the 2019 NFL free agency preview of available players, cut candidates, and landing spots, here is a look at the quarterback position around the NFL landscape:
2019 free agents
teddy Bridgewater
Bridgewater was quizzically not locked up after being acquired by the Saints this season and stands to hit the open market in the offseason. Bridgewater is years removed from his major knee injury and surgery. Bridgewater was accurate with a good enough TD-INT ratio to warrant more time as an NFL starter. If Bridgewater sees time in 2019, it will have been four years since his last starting opportunity. Bridgewater has the best blend of age, production, and pedigree of the 2019 free agent class at the position.
Ryan Fitzpatrick
"Fitzmagic" has oscillated between hot and horrible in 2018 with Tampa Bay after bouncing around six NFL teams previously. 2014 (Houston) and 2018 (for a stretch) stand out as Fitzpatrick's best seasons, but his moniker is more of a stopgap bridge option than a solution to an NFL team. Fitzpatrick would pair well with an incoming 2019 or 2020 rookie for a franchise making a quarterback change this offseason.
Tyrod Taylor
Taylor was effective in Buffalo with his rushing production and avoidance of interceptions. Taylor was abysmal in Cleveland to start 2018 before Baker Mayfield took over with a 49% completion rate and being one of the least effective quarterbacks in the NFL when pressured. Taylor would be fortunate to see future time as a spot starter after his recent erosion and projects as an NFL backup.
Brock Osweiler
Osweiler is arguably having his best NFL season in 2018, seeing significant time in Miami with Ryan Tannehill out. In the past two or three weeks, the shine has begun to come off Osweiler as he takes more sacks and the touchdowns have waned. However, Osweiler projects to stick as an NFL backup with spot start upside with his next opportunity.
Cut Candidates
Ryan Tannehill
- $26 million cap hit, $13 million dead cap
Tannehill has missed half of this season to-date and the overriding theme of Tannehill's career has been solid but unspectacular. Miami is at a crossroads with Tannehill as his contract turns cut-worthy in the offseason with a sky-high cap hit and the team's potential to save $13 million moving on. Brock Osweiler is also a free agent, which leaves Miami without any viable option if Tannehill is not in their plans.
Joe Flacco
- $26 million cap hit, $16 million dead cap
Flacco has been highly discussed as a cut candidate dating back to the drafting of Lamar Jackson in Round 1 this past offseason. Flacco has been solid and having arguably his best season since 2014. However, nothing but a deep playoff run will keep Lamar Jackson at bay for 2019 opportunity. While a 2020 cut is more likely from a contract perspective, Baltimore can save $10 million by moving on this offseason. If they keep Jackson on the bench in 2019, it would be a rare case for a Round 1 quarterback to sit for two seasons to begin their career.
Derek Carr
- $22 million cap hit, $8 million dead cap
The Raiders are loading up on draft picks and shedding players at an alarming rate. Carr has not been the reason for Oakland's struggles with little around him, but Carr's touchdown and interception rates are both career-worst marks this season through nine games. Oakland has been positioning themselves for their move to Vegas, which may or may not include Carr under center by then. Also, the Raiders are positioned to take a top quarterback in the 2019 draft if applicable.
Case Keenum
- $21 million cap hit, $10 million dead cap
Keenum looked like the classic veteran bridge for Denver to maintain their competitive window for another season or two. Instead, Denver sits at 3-6 with nothing but a flickering hope of a playoff push as they traded Demaryius Thomas away and Keenum has regressed back from his magical 2017 in Minnesota. Keenum's cap hit balloons to $21 million next year but unfortunately for Denver, Chad Kelly was their lone in-house option for future upside and Kelly cannot get out of his own way off the field. The Broncos are on the quarterback short list for a rookie in the next class or two with Keenum an option for 2019 at a maximum.
Eli Manning
- $23 million cap hit, $6 million dead cap
The Giants passed on a quarterback at No.2 overall in this past draft class, sticking with Eli Manning. While Manning has been statistically better than the past couple of seasons, he has been pointed to as one of the factors for the Giants continuing to underwhelm on offense and in the win column, rightly or wrongly. The Giants are back near the top of the projected 2019 draft order with another crack at a top quarterback prospect. Manning's contract has one year remaining and for the first time is cut-worthy as the team could save $17 million by moving on. Like many of these options, Manning looks to have a maximum of one year left with the Giants and offering a bridge to the next franchise-changing young hopeful.
Jameis Winston
- $8 million cap hit, $5 million dead cap
Blake Bortles
- $21 million cap hit, $17 million dead cap
Winston and Bortles are included on the list more for their suspect standing with their teams more than a cut-worthy contract. Winston's cap hit and potential savings are so low, Tampa Bay almost has to see what they have with him as the intended starter for 2019 before moving on. Bortles has so much dead cap, he is a bridge at a minimum until 2020. Neither team has any younger prospect waiting in the wings and both are firmly outside the top-five picks in the 2019 draft through Week 10.
2019 QUARTERBACK LANDING SPOTS
- Giants
- Buccaneers
The top tier includes the Giants and Buccaneers. Both teams have an elite set of skill position weapons with the offensive line as their biggest supporting cast concern. New York is more likely to produce an unchallenged 2019 starting spot for a rookie (or veteran) quarterback with Eli Manning's cut-worthy contract compared to Jameis Winston.
- Broncos
- Dolphins
- Jaguars
- Raiders
