As the offseason gets into full swing, many are starting to focus on both the upcoming NFL draft and the upcoming free agency. With that in mind, there are some serious names available; frankly there are some Hall-of-Fame type names available right now.
Let’s take a look at some of the free agents as well as other news from around the league.
Big Name Quarterbacks Available In Free Agency?
One thing is for sure this offseason; there is no shortage of big-name quarterbacks available in free agency this year. You have a couple of Hall-of-Famers in Drew Brees and Tom Brady as well as other interesting names like Teddy Bridgewater.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at five of the bigger names that will be on the free-agent market:
Tom Brady (60.8 completion %, 4,057 yards, 24 touchdowns, eight interceptions)
It is hard to think Tom Brady without thinking about the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick, but as of right now, people are left to believe that it is a chance he goes elsewhere. Rumors have swirled about the Las Vegas Raiders as well as the Tennessee Titans, but I have a hard time thinking that if the 42-year-old decides to play again, that it won’t be for the Patriots.
Drew Brees (74.3 completion %, 2,979 yards, 27 touchdowns, four interceptions)
Like Brady, it is hard to see Brees playing anywhere but with the Saints. Also, like Brady, I have a hard time actually seeing him play anywhere else. Especially when you take into account that he only played 11 games due to surgery on his thumb, his numbers are awfully impressive.
The 41-year-old still has something left in the tank, and I would anticipate a reunion with Brees and coach Sean Payton in New Orleans.
Ryan Tannehill (70.3 completion %, 2,742 yards, 22 touchdowns, six interceptions)
Tannehill surprised many when, after taking over for the disappointing Marcus Mariota (also a free agent), that he was able to lead the Titans not just to the playoffs, but was able to make a decent run in the playoffs too. Granted, most of that was due to the running game, but Tannehill showed that he can help to manage a game under center.
I would guess he returns to the Titans, but of the first three, he is the most likely to leave for somewhere else.
Teddy Bridgewater (68 completion %, 1,384 yards, 9 touchdowns, 2 interceptions)
For teams looking for more of a long-term investment, Bridgewater is probably the best option available on the free-agent market. In fact, it wouldn’t shock me if someone paid Teddy handsomely for his services.
In a league that is driven by quarterback play, Bridgewater has the potential to be really solid. In his brief services this year while Drew Brees was sidelined, Bridgewater led the Saints to a 5-0 record while putting up pretty decent stats.
Philip Rivers (66 completion %, 4,615 yards, 23 touchdowns, 20 interceptions)
At 38 years old, Philip Rivers is no spring chicken, but he still has a little left in his legs. A lifetime Charger, he and the team have agreed to go separate ways this offseason, and he will be looking to latch on with a new team come the fall.
More than likely, he will want to play for a contender as he shoots for a Super Bowl win before exiting the game. While he no longer is an elite quarterback, he still has a solid arm and can probably play well in the right system.
Prescott Turned Down Serious Money
On the topic of quarterbacks, Dak Prescott has the potential to become a free agent this offseason; however, I did not include him above because I don’t anticipate him ever getting there. One of two things will happen: either Dallas will use their Franchise tag on him, or they will work out a long-term deal. One way or another, Dak is going to get paid.
Interestingly, though, it appears that Dak had an opportunity to be paid and turned it down. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, it appears that Prescott and the Cowboys were on their way to striking a deal that would have paid Prescott upwards of $33 million per year until Prescott turned it down wanting to be paid more money.
In fact, it appears that he wants to be the highest-paid quarterback in the league, exceeding the Seahawks’ Russell Wilson and his $35 million per season contract. It is certainly questionable whether Prescott has earned that big of a contract, but it appears he may be willing to hold out to get it.
Last season, with the Cowboys, Prescott was 388 for 596 for 4,092 yards, 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also rushed 52 times for 277 yards and another three touchdowns.
Still, despite these strong numbers, he was only able to lead the Cowboys to a disappointing 8-8 record. Regardless, Prescott will certainly look to make a lot more than he has made to this point in his career, and while it may be slow to get there, it will likely be with Dallas.
Will Lee Be Back In Dallas Next Year?
Speaking of the Cowboys, they have another decision to make in veteran linebacker Sean Lee. Lee is a free agent and is set to test the market, but is not opposed to returning to Dallas.
The problem is that even though he has been a key cog in the Cowboys’ defense for years, injuries and age are starting to catch up to him. With that in mind, are the Cowboys willing to likely overpay to keep Lee in Dallas, or are they willing to watch one of the defensive stars walk away to another team?
Time will tell on this one, but it is certainly one of the most challenging yet interesting decisions Jerry Jones will have to make.
Last season, with Dallas, Lee had 86 tackles (4 tackles for loss), one sack, and one interception over 16 games. He has been with the Cowboys since breaking into the league in 2010, but turning 34 in July, he certainly is on the back nine of his career.
Tua’s Hip On Track
While Tua Tagovailoa will not be able to do any physical activity at the draft combine, he did receive some good news as it approaches. At a recent checkup, his hip was found to be healing nicely, and his range of motion was good, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
With the draft still a couple of months away, it is still possible he will be cleared beforehand to do some activity for scouts, but at the combine, he will simply go through the interview processes while teams also look through his medicals.
Still, while limited in what he can do, at least he has good news to share with teams that are considering drafting the potential star quarterback.
