The Nine Biggest-Name QBs Still Available in NFL Free Agency

These guys could help some teams. Probably. Well, Maybe.

The NFL world has been busy this week with free agency getting started. While deals can’t be official until the league year starts on Wednesday, we do know where one big-name QB (Jimmy Garoppolo) and some perennial backups will be calling home next season.

Teams still looking for quarterback help have some pretty slim pickings left in front of them. But there are still some intriguing names out there, though it does feel like the lower you go down a list of available names the more it feels like you’re sifting through the bargain DVD basket at your local Best Buy. 

With that being said, let’s look at the nine biggest names that are still available. 

Baker Mayfield

The former No. 1 overall pick had a wild season last year in which struggled with the Panthers and then looked pretty decent with the Rams. He has a ton of experience as a starter and could be good a good fit for a team like the Bucs, who are looking for QB help. 

Jacoby Brissett

Brisset started 11 games for the Browns last year while they awaited Deshaun Watson’s return and although he only won four games (including a victory over Tom Brady and the Bucs), he played pretty well considering the difficult position he was in with Cleveland. 

Teddy Bridgewater

The former first-round pick has played for five teams since coming into the league in 2014 and it feels like he’ll be playing for a sixth team in 2023. Bridgewater spent last season with the Dolphins on a one-year deal and lost the only two games he started before suffering a hand injury. 

Gardner Minshew

Minshew spent the past two seasons as a backup with the Eagles. He’s shown in short stints that he can be a decent option but it feels like his best role is as a rarely used backup. 

Marcus Mariota

Mariota’s one season with the Falcons came to an awkward end after he was benched in the final few games. He then he left the team to have season-ending knee injury and was eventually cut by last month. He has starter experience with the Titans and Falcons (he also appeared in 11 games for the Raiders) and could be a good backup for a team in need. 

Andy Dalton

Note: Dalton has reportedly signed a multi-year deal with the Panthers.

Dalton is a free agent after starting 14 games for the Saints last season. That was his third team in as many years (Cowboys, Bears) and it’s clear his franchise-carrying days are over but his experience could help some teams. Just as a backup, though. 

Carson Wentz

Wentz’s only year in Washington was an ugly one, as he lost his starting job to Taylor Heinicke after breaking his finger in a Week 6 loss to the Bears. Wentz did win nine games for the Colts in 2021 but he’s never come close to playing like he did with the Eagles before suffering an injury in their Super Bowl-winning season of 2017.

Cooper Rush

The former Dallas Cowboys backup is one of the more intriguing names on this list only because we don’t know a ton about him except that he went 4-1 last season (and 1-0 in 2021) while filling in for an injured Dak Prescott. He looked pretty solid in some big situations and it should be interesting to see which team wants to take a chance on him. 

Drew Lock

The former second-round pick has started 21 games since joining the NFL in 2019 but none of those happened last season when he rode the bench in Seattle after being a part of the Russell Wilson trade.