NFL free company has arrived, with groups benefiting from the authorized tampering interval earlier than the beginning of the brand new league 12 months, March 12.
Offers abound, so let’s grade the notable quarterback agreements to date.
Geno Smith | Las Vegas Raiders
Deal: Raiders commerce 2025 third-rounder to Seattle Seahawks for Smith, per NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo | Grade: B-
In Vegas, Smith will reunite with Raiders head coach Pete Carroll, whom he performed for in 4 of his 5 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
Smith gives some stability for the Raiders. In 2024, Vegas QBs Gardner Minshew II and Aidan O’Connell mixed for 17 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions. Per The Athletic’s Tashan Reed, Vegas plans to launch Minshew in the beginning of the league 12 months.
Smith, in the meantime, completed with the league’s fourth-most passing yards (4,320) and tied for thirteenth in landing passes (21) in 17 begins in 2024.
Smith, nevertheless, is turnover-prone. Over the previous three seasons, he has tossed 11 interceptions or extra twice. He additionally turns 35 on Oct. 10.
Sam Darnold | Seattle Seahawks
Deal: Three years, $100.5M ($55M assured), per ESPN’s Adam Schefter | Grade: C
Final season, the previous New York Jets flop salvaged his profession with the Minnesota Vikings. In 17 video games in 2024, Darnold completed fifth within the league in passing yards (4,319) and TD passes (35).
However can he replicate these numbers with a weaker supporting solid in Seattle?
Final season, the Seahawks allowed 54 sacks, which tied for the third most within the league. On Sunday, Schefter reported the Seahawks dealt large receiver DK Metcalf — a two-time Professional Bowler — to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2025 second-rounder. Additionally they swapped 2025 sixth- and seventh-rounders.
Darnold, 27, has but to show he can succeed outdoors Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system. In his first six seasons with the Jets, 49ers and Panthers, he by no means threw greater than 19 TD passes.
Justin Fields | New York Jets
Deal: Two years, $40M ($30M assured), per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini | Grade: C
Fields, 26, will doubtless be New York’s QB1 in 2025. The club has confirmed it is shifting on from QB Aaron Rodgers. Journeyman QB Tyrod Taylor is below contract in 2025, however he has a 28-28-1 regular-season report.
In 2024, Fields went 4-2 in six begins with the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier than Russell Wilson changed him. Nonetheless, he will not be coming into an excellent state of affairs in New York.
New Jets HC Aaron Glenn hasn’t proven he can develop QBs. Exterior of WR Garrett Wilson — who tied for seventh within the league in receptions (101 in 17 video games) in 2024 — the Jets lack playmakers. New York tied for twenty fourth within the league in factors scored (19.9) final season.
Fields nonetheless hasn’t solved his accuracy points, both. In 4 seasons with the Steelers and Chicago Bears, the 2021 No. 11 total decide has accomplished a below-average 61.1% of his passes.
Matthew Stafford | Los Angeles Rams
Deal: Contract restructure (phrases nonetheless undisclosed), per Stu Jackson of the team website | Grade: A
On March 3, Rams head coach Sean McVay told the media he is been “sleeping significantly better” since they restructured Stafford’s deal.
At 37, Stafford remains to be among the many finest QBs within the league. In 16 regular-season video games in 2024, he accomplished 65.8% of his passes for 3,762 yards and 20 TD passes.
Stafford may very well be ready to win his second Tremendous Bowl ring in L.A. On Sunday, Schefter reported the Rams and six-time Professional Bowl WR Davante Adams agreed to a two-year, $46M deal. Adams and fellow WR Puka Nacua might kind an explosive duo for L.A.
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