Four Free Agent Options for Quarterback-Needy Patriots

The New England Patriots have a new head coach and a new offensive coordinator in place. The next step appears to involve signing a new quarterback to replace former first-round draft pick Mac Jones.

The New England Patriots are reportedly exploring the veteran quarterback market in hopes of stabilizing a position that's been in flux since Tom Brady's departure.

It doesn't appear as if the Patriots will be asking new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt to resurrect former first-round pick Mac Jones's career, especially considering the team has $101 million in salary cap space heading into free agency.

Even if New England decides to use the No. 3 overall draft selection on a young franchise field general, it has the means to also sign a seasoned bridge quarterback. Although the market isn't exactly flush with future Hall-of-Famers, there are a few practical options available.

Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield are the two "top-tier" veterans capable of earning fat contracts. When it comes to more reasonably priced choices, Ryan Tannehill and Gardner Minshew are estimated to earn average annual values around $5 million apiece according to Spotrac. Here's a look at each of the four quarterbacks and what they have to offer.

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Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The former No. 1 overall draft pick came into his own while at the controls for the 2023 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Accounting for his most productive season to date, Mayfield did not miss a start while leading the Bucs to the NFC South division crown. The 28-year-old completed a career-high 64.3 percent of passes for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns.

In addition to providing an upgrade at quarterback, could signing Mayfield enhance the odds of luring receiver Mike Evans to Foxboro? It's certainly worth exploring for Eliot Wolf and Co.

Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings

Teams are likely proceeding with caution when it comes to the 35-year-old Cousins, who is working his way back from an Achilles tear but has seven 4,000-yard passing campaigns under his belt.

Although he would instantly elevate the Patriots' offense, Cousins is not a player to build around at this point in his career. Also, he is more or less a .500 career quarterback. Only twice in his eight full seasons as a starter has his team reached the 10-win mark.

Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans

The former first-round pick never established himself as a franchise player but has made as least eight starts in each of his 11 NFL seasons. In his fifth season with the Tennessee Titans, the 35-year-old Tannehill slipped to second string behind rookie Will Levis. Filling in for an injured Levis at times, he went 3-5 as a spot starter with four touchdown passes and seven interceptions.

It comes down to a matter of preference but Tannehill is comparable to Jones in terms of talent. 

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Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts

After two-year stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles, the gritty Minshew landed with the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year deal. Taking the reins when rookie starter Anthony Richardson suffered a season-ending injury, the 2019 sixth-round pick threw for 3,305 yards with the Colts going 7-6 in his starts.

Over 49 career appearances, Minshew, or "The Mustache," owns a 62.6 completion percentage to go along with 59 touchdown passes and 24 interceptions. The Patriots could replicate the Colts' 2023 strategy by drafting a quarterback early and signing Minshew as a battle-tested insurance policy.