With the 2022 NFL Free Agency period set to start in about a week, it is a good time to start previewing the group currently set to hit the market. To start, we will evaluate the quarterbacks who are going to be available. It does not consist of a guaranteed starting quarterback but there are a few who can lead a team. The San Francisco 49ers will likely be moving on from Jimmy Garoppolo. If he ends up being released, he would take the top spot on this list. With that being said, let’s take a look at the top eight quarterbacks set to be free agents.
8. Jacoby Brissett, Miami Dolphins
Brissett is a high-level backup with some experience. He could provide some good reliability for a winning team. Brissett has one full season as a starter. That year, he did throw for 18 touchdowns to six interceptions. For the last two years, he has been a backup. He spent the 2021 season with the Dolphins where he only started five games. Brissett should have a good market.
7. Tyrod Taylor, Houston Texans
Taylor played the most he had since 2017 last year. He recorded six starts for the Texans as he fought an injury and rookie Davis Mills was playing encouragingly. Taylor typically takes good care of the football. He can win as a runner on the move and can throw the football down the field. At this point, Taylor is not a starter in the league. He is still a very competent backup who would be solid for a team.
6. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Washington Commanders
Fitzpatrick has had a good long career. He will turn 40 this upcoming season and missed essentially all of last year with an injury. What he will still have left in him as a player remains to be seen. From 2018 through 2020 though, Fitzpatrick did some good things for the most part. As a leader, he can still bring a team together. His market will probably be from teams looking for a capable backup quarterback, which Fitzpatrick can still be.
5. Andy Dalton, Chicago Bears
Dalton spent last season with the Bears where he started six games. He committed too many turnovers last season as he threw nine interceptions. From the pocket, Dalton can still provide some good things for an offense. Entering year 12, Dalton is not a starter anymore. As a backup, he can bring some great experience and capable pocket passing to whoever signs him.
4. Teddy Bridgewater, Denver Broncos
Bridgewater has been a starter the last two years. He has ranked toward the low-end at the quarterback position compared to the league. His stats have been respectable though. Last season, he did throw 18 touchdowns to seven interceptions. The market for Bridgewater will unlikely have any starting jobs. In a backup role, Bridgewater can be a solid asset to a team.
3. Marcus Mariota, Las Vegas Raiders
Mariota spent the last two years with the Raiders in a backup role. He would on occasion get opportunities in the game to make plays as a runner. Mariota did have a couple of big runs to help the Raiders. Prior to his two seasons with the Raiders, Mariota was a five-year starter with the Tennessee Titans where he had three winning seasons. Mariota is not a starter but a great backup to have with experience.
2. Mitchell Trubisky, Buffalo Bills
The top two players listed here could be starters for teams in 2022. After spending the first four years of his career with the Bears as a starter, Trubisky was the Bills’ backup last season. He did not get any starts or very many opportunities late in games. Ultimately, Trubisky is a winning quarterback with a 29-21 record, 64 touchdowns to 38 interceptions, and has some good physical and athletic traits. His market should be intriguing to follow.
1. Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints
Winston was off to a great start in 2021 for the Saints before getting injured. He was cutting back on turning over the football in a big way as he threw 14 touchdowns to three interceptions. His record before the injury was 5-2. The Saints missed him tremendously after he got hurt. Winston is a capable low-end starting quarterback in the league. The Saints could bring him back on another short-term deal. If the Saints do go another route, Winston will likely have multiple suitors throughout the league.
[pickup_prop id=”18841″]
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @primetimesportstalk
Follow Ryan Moran on Twitter @_Ryan_Moran_
Main Image Credit:
