While there are still five weeks left in the 2022 NFL regular season, it’s never too early to look toward the future. While everyone is excited for the 2023 NFL Draft, headlined by Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Bijan Robinson, let’s not forget about the upcoming free agent class.
The top five list below consists of only free agents. Potential cap casualties like Carson Wentz, Mitchell Trubisky, and Marcus Mariota will not be included in the article. Here are the Top 5 Free Agent Quarterbacks for 2023.
1) Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
The former MVP is in the final year of his rookie deal. His 2018 draft class produced three busts at quarterback (Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and Josh Rosen) and arguably the best quarterback in the NFL, Josh Allen. While Allen signed a long-term deal with the Buffalo Bills last offseason, the Ravens will likely have to use the franchise tag on Jackson in March. The Ravens and Jackson want to work out a long-term deal that would tie the superstar quarterback to the franchise for the next several years. However, there is a problem.
Jackson reportedly wants a fully guaranteed contract, like the Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson this offseason. Meanwhile, the Ravens don’t want to give the quarterback a fully guaranteed deal. Baltimore will use the franchise tag on the quarterback if a long-term deal isn’t reached. The only way Jackson won’t be a Raven in 2023 is if the team trades him away for a bounty of draft capital. A potential deal would likely include three first-round picks and a pair of second-round selections.
Potential Landing Spots: Baltimore Ravens
2) Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 13 and Brady’s game-winning drive against the New Orleans Saints proves he is still an elite quarterback, even at 45 years old. After briefly retiring in the offseason, the future Hall of Famer returned to the Buccaneers in March. He could retire again in the upcoming offseason. However, if Brady decides to keep playing in 2023, don’t be surprised to see him leave the Buccaneers. The roster is getting older, and the team has drastically underperformed this season.
Instead, the superstar will likely look for a new team to continue his ring-chasing. A return to the New England Patriots is possible, given Mac Jones’ current status with the team, though that is unlikely. Brady’s hometown team, the San Francisco 49ers, could sign him if they have concerns about Trey Lance’s health or ability as the starter. However, an under-the-radar landing spot is the Tennessee Titans. Their head coach Mike Vrabel is a former Brady teammate in New England. Furthermore, Ryan Tannehill could be a cap casualty in the offseason, while Malik Willis isn’t ready to be the starter.
Potential Landing Spots: Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots
3) Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
When the Seahawks traded away Russell Wilson in the offseason, Smith was only supposed to be a bridge-gap quarterback. Every mock draft last year had the Seahawks selecting a quarterback in the first or second round. Instead, Seattle didn’t use any of their draft picks on a quarterback. Meanwhile, Smith is having a career year this season. The veteran quarterback is sixth in the NFL in passing yards (3,169) and fourth in passing touchdowns (22).
Seattle is on track to have a top-five pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from the Denver Broncos. They could re-sign Smith to a long-term deal and use the draft pick on defense. However, the Seahawks could re-sign Smith to a short-term contract or place the franchise tag on him and draft one of the top quarterbacks with the Denver pick. If he hits the open market, Smith will have suitors after coming off a career year. A playoff-caliber team that needs a quarterback would make the best suitors for him.
Potential Landing Spots: Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders
4) Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
Unfortunately, Garoppolo suffered a foot injury on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins and will miss the rest of the regular season. The good news is that the veteran quarterback could return in time for the playoffs. The only reason the former Patriot was on the field is that Lance suffered a broken ankle in Week 2. In the offseason, the 49ers and Garoppolo agreed to a reworked contract to keep the team from placing the franchise tag on the quarterback in March, allowing him to pick his new team in 2023.
While both sides are open to a reunion for next season, a return likely means the veteran quarterback will be the backup in 2023. Meanwhile, Garoppolo could land a starting job on the open market as a bridge-gap quarterback. Much will depend on what the quarterback wants from here in his career. However, Garoppolo will likely need to find a new team in the offseason if he believes he is a starting-caliber quarterback.
Potential Landing Spots: Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers
5) Daniel Jones, New York Giants
A year ago, many thought Jones wouldn’t be a starter in 2022. Furthermore, the Giants declined the fifth-year option on the quarterback’s contract in the offseason. Instead, the former top-10 pick is having a career year in Brian Daboll’s first season in New York. Jones is on pace for 3,350 passing yards this year, a career-high. Furthermore, he is on pace to throw only six interceptions after averaging 11 interceptions per season over the first two years of his career. Yet, despite having a career year, Jones isn’t guaranteed a long-term deal in the offseason.
The Giants are open to an extension and had talks with the quarterback earlier this year. However, they couldn’t reach a deal. The Giants could use the franchise tag and make Jones prove the 2022 season wasn’t a one-year fluke instead of signing him a long-term contract worth over $30 million a year. New York could also use the franchise, make Jones a bridge-gap quarterback, and use their first-round draft pick on a quarterback like Anthony Richardson. The former Duke star could hit the open market in the offseason, though my money is on a return to a Giants in some fashion.
Potential Landing Spots: New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts
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