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Pickings are slim at veteran quarterback, as usual
Posted by Mike Florio on February 9, 2014, 2:40 PM EST
As a result, true franchise quarterbacks never become available in free agency, barring serious injury questions, like Drew Brees in 2006 and Peyton Manning in 2012.
The quarterbacks who become available in any given year rarely become franchise quarterbacks; few become starters. Still, every year, quarterbacks are available, via free agency or trade.
Here’s a look at the guys who will most likely be available in 2014, and where they could land.
Michael Vick: He’s confident he’ll be a starter, and for good reason. If there’s a coach who believes Mark Sanchez would be the starter of said coach’s team from Day One, there will be a spot for Vick, somewhere. In Cleveland, Jacksonville, Houston, Tennessee, Oakland, Minnesota, and Tampa Bay, Vick would be the starter immediately. With the Jets, Bills, and Bengals, Vick could give the current starter a run for his starter’s money. While Vick is far closer to the end of his career than the beginning, he may have one solid year left.
Josh McCown: A late-career surge in 2013 could make him an attractive option for a team looking for a veteran backup — or for a team that wants someone to mentor a younger player. In the right situation, he also could be a full-season starter. Regardless, McCown won offensive player of the week honors in 2013. None of the other guys on this list can say that.
Matt Cassel: Cassel didn’t walk away from $3.7 million in Minnesota because he thinks he’ll get less elsewhere. He’ll make more as the short-term starter in Houston (where he would be reunited with former Pats assistant Bill O’Brien) or as the full-season answer in Oakland. At worst, Cassel will make slightly more as the veteran backup to an established starter.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]16773[/ATTACH] Destined to be cut by the Jets with a $9 million salary for 2014, Sanchez could be an intriguing option for a team that needs a quarterback and that has the supporting cast he never really enjoyed in New York. Not many first-round busts have had strong second acts, but Sanchez could still develop into a decent starter, in the right situation.
Josh Freeman: After being run out of Tampa and languishing on the bench in Minnesota, Freeman has become a forgotten man. At best, he’ll get a chance to prove that he can and will work as hard as a quarterback needs to work in the today’s quarterback-driven NFL. If he fails, it could be over for Freeman.
Matt Schaub: With former Texans offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in Cleveland, some think Schaub will land there if/when he’s cut by the Texans. With a $10 million salary, it’s likely more “when” than “if” Schaub gets the heave-ho in Houston. At best, he’ll keep a spot warm somewhere for a rookie, providing protection against the possibility that the newcomer won’t be ready — and a little in-house competition to help get him there.
Kirk Cousins: Former co
Posted by Mike Florio on February 9, 2014, 2:40 PM EST
AP
The Seahawks’ total-team dominance notwithstanding, the NFL still consists of franchises that have franchise quarterbacks — and franchises that are looking for franchise quarterbacks.As a result, true franchise quarterbacks never become available in free agency, barring serious injury questions, like Drew Brees in 2006 and Peyton Manning in 2012.
The quarterbacks who become available in any given year rarely become franchise quarterbacks; few become starters. Still, every year, quarterbacks are available, via free agency or trade.
Here’s a look at the guys who will most likely be available in 2014, and where they could land.
Michael Vick: He’s confident he’ll be a starter, and for good reason. If there’s a coach who believes Mark Sanchez would be the starter of said coach’s team from Day One, there will be a spot for Vick, somewhere. In Cleveland, Jacksonville, Houston, Tennessee, Oakland, Minnesota, and Tampa Bay, Vick would be the starter immediately. With the Jets, Bills, and Bengals, Vick could give the current starter a run for his starter’s money. While Vick is far closer to the end of his career than the beginning, he may have one solid year left.
Josh McCown: A late-career surge in 2013 could make him an attractive option for a team looking for a veteran backup — or for a team that wants someone to mentor a younger player. In the right situation, he also could be a full-season starter. Regardless, McCown won offensive player of the week honors in 2013. None of the other guys on this list can say that.
Matt Cassel: Cassel didn’t walk away from $3.7 million in Minnesota because he thinks he’ll get less elsewhere. He’ll make more as the short-term starter in Houston (where he would be reunited with former Pats assistant Bill O’Brien) or as the full-season answer in Oakland. At worst, Cassel will make slightly more as the veteran backup to an established starter.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]16773[/ATTACH] Destined to be cut by the Jets with a $9 million salary for 2014, Sanchez could be an intriguing option for a team that needs a quarterback and that has the supporting cast he never really enjoyed in New York. Not many first-round busts have had strong second acts, but Sanchez could still develop into a decent starter, in the right situation.
Josh Freeman: After being run out of Tampa and languishing on the bench in Minnesota, Freeman has become a forgotten man. At best, he’ll get a chance to prove that he can and will work as hard as a quarterback needs to work in the today’s quarterback-driven NFL. If he fails, it could be over for Freeman.
Matt Schaub: With former Texans offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in Cleveland, some think Schaub will land there if/when he’s cut by the Texans. With a $10 million salary, it’s likely more “when” than “if” Schaub gets the heave-ho in Houston. At best, he’ll keep a spot warm somewhere for a rookie, providing protection against the possibility that the newcomer won’t be ready — and a little in-house competition to help get him there.
Kirk Cousins: Former co
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