Since the inception of free agency, the changes to the yearly NFL landscape have had immense consequences on fantasy football. While this year’s group of quarterback isn’t plentiful, it does involve some key names and future hall of fame members. Here is a breakdown of some of the important names to track this off-season, and possible guesses for their future.
Tom Brady
Former Pick #199 has played 19 years in a Patriots jersey. He just completed a one year contract of $23 million (with a $20.5 million signing bonus). That’s correct, he made $43 million last year – side note, conversely, I made the same amount, minus three zeros. Brady cannot be franchise tagged in 2020, leaving him a true unrestricted free agent. He has stated that he is open to play elsewhere next year, but can we really believe that? The Patriots have $42 million in cap space for 2020, and it’s highly unlikely they don’t throw a majority of that at Brady for one more year. Besides, can anyone truly see TB in any other NFL jersey?
Drew Brees & Teddy Bridgewater
We have to lump these two together simply because the Saints have a big decision to make. The two of them together have a calculated market value of $56.5 million per year. However, the more important number here is $12.6 million. That’s New Orlean’s cap space currently. Keeping either one means getting very creative with their roster and contracts, which could possibly change the face of this team. Also important to note here is that Brees cannot receive the franchise tag. So, what happens? This could turn into the Taysom Hill show in New Orleans next year. They may decide to keep Bridgewater and hope he signs for under his CMV of $20 million, but the Saints will have to get clever and restructure some contracts to do that. Most likely, Brees is playing in a different city next year. Tampa Bay?
Dak Prescott
Remember at the beginning of the 2019 season when Jerry Jones said a long-term deal with Prescott will get done? Then Prescott’s first two games were huge, and suddenly that “talk” of a long-term deal kind of just vaporized. Dak’s $33 million calculated market value, as well as his inconsistent play later in the season, may not be in the plans for the Cowboys, especially with a new coaching regime. There are other guys looking for a bigger contract here too. However, Jones runs the show here and he is extremely loyal to his team/extended family (see Jason Garrett saga). McCarthy will make it work with Dak, but I don’t think the contract will be the amount Dak is expecting.
Phillip Rivers
After a down year, Rivers is ready to move on. The former overall #4 pick has spent his entire 15-year career with the Chargers. However, he never really wanted to leave San Diego and seemed to be a little bitter once the relocation occurred. Now that he is an unrestricted free agent, he wants a change. Moving approximately 2,300 miles tends to send a pretty clear message. He’ll still command a large salary, somewhere in the high $20 million range, but there will be plenty of teams who will want him as a bridge guy to a younger QB. Since he did move to Florida, the natural speculation is him landing with the Dolphins or Buccaneers, but another possibility could be the Panthers.
Jameis Winston
It seems hard to believe that a QB with over 5.100 yards and 33 TDs would wear out his welcome with a new coaching staff, but that’s certainly what it seems. I guess 30 interceptions will do that. It doesn’t sound like Arians is a fan, and his comments at the end of the season enforce that opinion. Winston is looking to get $30 million ($1 million for each interception I suppose). With $91 million, Tampa Bay has plenty of cap space, but do they really want to spend a third of that on the only member of the 30/30 club? The Bucs have two stud WRs and an open, downfield passing game. That’s enough to lure a guy like Brees or Rivers. Because of that, I cannot see Winston in Tampa next year.
Other Notables
Yes, there are a few other QBs I didn’t mention, but because I don’t think it will be news-worthy. Ryan Tannehill will/should be resigned by Tennessee. Eli Manning has stated he will only play somewhere if he gets the starting job. It’s possible he gets to start the season somewhere, but will it last the whole season? Probably not. Honestly, I think retiring is his best option right now. Finally, Marcus Mariota lands as a backup somewhere, as does Kyle Allen.