NFL free agent rankings: Quarterbacks

February 18, 2025

The 2025 NFL Draft class is pretty thin at quarterbacks, and after the huge class in 2024, there could only be one QB going in the first round. There are several good options available to enter the offseason.

The former starters are scattered across the top 10 list, so we wanted to sort them out for you. We voted for a group of writers around SB Nation to gather consensus rankings on players. There were unanimous number one and number two, but it became messy after that.

Players will be removed from the list as they will re-sign with their current team until the opening of the free agency in March.

Other votes: Drew Locke, Mason Rudolph, Marcus Mariota, Cooper Rush, Case Keenum, Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, Jarrett Stidham, Josh Dobbs

10. Daniel Jones, New York Giants/Minnesota Viking

Who knows what will happen with Daniel Jones? He needs a career reset after a failure with the New York Giants, and a few weeks on the Vikings practice squad will not be enough. Will the team give him the opportunity to compete for the starting spot as a veteran bridge quarterback, or is he stuck as a backup in the mountains of the first round that he failed?

9. Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams

Jimmy G did not play in 2024 until the final week of the season due to Matthew Stafford's health. We saw him last before that, so he started towards the Raiders in Las Vegas and looked very unstable. He is trying Sam Darnold's approach to spending the year with a good offensive mind in 2025, hoping someone will come to pick him up to become a veteran mentor or bridge starter. Some other.

8. Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jagger

With a big drop-off among seven voters at age 7 to 8 for Jones, the former Patriot former round pick got the opportunity to start several games for the Jaguar in 2024. I think it's fair to question whether he still has juice as a starting option in the league.

7. Joe Flaco, Indianapolis Colts

Just like third in our vote, Flacco was also outside the top 10 on another voting sheet. Simply put, we know what Flacco is at this point in his career. He is a veteran backup and can even find or start a season when the rookie is waiting on the wing, but he turns 40 in January 2025 and chucks the ball that doesn't have business from time to time. You can do it.

6. Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers

His votes were wild. Many voters had him fourth, while some had him ninth and tenth. He is a man with high floors and low ceilings, and will be 38, especially during the 2025 season. He's fine to start everywhere. update: Dalton signed a two-year deal with the Panthers in February.

5. Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots

Brissett, a veteran bridge quarterback for the past few seasons, has proven that he is capable, but a low-end starter in the league. He was not so good when he began the year behind the Patriots' suspicious offensive line in 2024, so it could be he's moving into the territory of backup QBs.

4. Jamis Winston, Cleveland Browns

After making just $4 million in 2024 and $4 million in 2023, Winston was able to line up this offseason in the relatively weak NFL draft class in QB. Winston is a big play waiting to happen, but you will never know if it will benefit you and the other teams. To work with the mysterious Winston, we take the right mindset from our coach.

3. Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers

The former number one overall pick, Fields began his Steelers season and looked quite promising. He had the highest rate of completion in his career, lowest intercepts, and had solid yards per attempt in the air, adding value to his legs. Our voters seem to think he can bounce back in the right situation, but Pittsburgh may go in a different direction as the second player on our list was his teammate. Not there.

2. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers

Wilson led the Pittsburgh Steelers into the playoffs in his first year with the team. He has a long history of success in the NFL, but that was largely intact by at least his time in Denver. He turned 36 in November 2024, so there's no doubt his age is a factor here. He was able to make between $40 million and $50 million per season with new deals.

1. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Viking

After a truly impressive season with the Minnesota Vikings, the former top three pick chose his opening and he was our unanimous top pick. The Vikings drafted JJ McCarthy No. 10 in 2024, but he missed the season with a torn meniscus in his knee. Due to high demand, he was able to order a salary of $40 million per season. Will the Vikings try to re-sign him?