NFL Quarterback Carousel Spins Wildly: A Comprehensive Offseason Overview

The National Football League offseason is traditionally a period of intense activity, but the quarterback market this year has reached a fever pitch. Teams, seemingly desperate to secure or upgrade their signal-callers, have been engaging in a whirlwind of trades and free agency signings. Within just two days of the new league year commencing, an astonishing sixteen free agent quarterbacks had already agreed to terms with new teams, and three quarterbacks found themselves traded to new franchises. This rapid reshaping of quarterback rooms across the league leaves fans and analysts alike scrambling to keep up.

Despite the flurry of activity, two prominent veteran free agents, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers, remained unsigned as of the time of this writing. Wilson, seeking a fresh start after his departure from the Denver Broncos, reportedly met with both the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants, both teams looking for a veteran presence. Rodgers, meanwhile, is reportedly carefully considering his options after his stint with the Jets. The potential landing spots for these two established players remain a major talking point within the NFL community.

Let’s delve into the specifics of how this quarterback carousel has shaken out so far, focusing on the key transactions and their potential implications for the teams involved.

Major Moves: A Breakdown of the Quarterback Chaos

Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders: In one of the more surprising developments of the offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders acquired Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick. This move signaled a significant shift in direction for the Raiders, who were clearly seeking a more established quarterback option. Smith, poised to enter the final year of his three-year contract extension signed with the Seahawks in 2023, is reportedly in discussions with the Raiders for a new extension before the upcoming season. Smith’s journey has been remarkable. After spending several years as a backup, including two behind Russell Wilson in Seattle, he seized the starting role in 2022 and led the league in completion percentage (69.8%). Over the past three seasons with the Seahawks, he has started all 52 games, accumulating 12,226 passing yards, 71 touchdowns, and 35 interceptions with a completion rate of 68.5%. The Raiders are banking on his experience and recent success to provide stability and leadership to their offense.

Sam Darnold to the Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks moved quickly to fill the void left by Smith, agreeing to terms with Sam Darnold to become their new starting quarterback at the outset of the legal tampering period. After experiencing what could be considered a career resurgence with the Minnesota Vikings, Darnold inked a three-year, $100.5 million deal with Seattle, which includes a substantial $55 million in guaranteed money. Darnold’s 2024 season saw him throw for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions across 17 starts, marking the first time in his seven-year career that he played every game as a starter. Both his passing yardage and touchdown totals reached career highs, while his interception count was only slightly higher than his career-low of 11 in 12 games during the 2020 season. The Seahawks are hoping Darnold can build upon his momentum and provide a reliable presence under center as they navigate a period of transition.

Justin Fields to the New York Jets: The New York Jets made a significant move to secure their quarterback situation for the future, signing Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract with $30 million guaranteed. Fields, who spent the 2024 season as the backup to Russell Wilson with the Pittsburgh Steelers, started the first six games while Wilson recovered from a calf injury. During that span, Fields passed for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception, completing 66.3% of his passes. He also added 231 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 55 carries. The Jets clearly see potential in Fields and are investing in his development as a potential long-term solution at the quarterback position. This move also signaled a change in plans for Aaron Rodgers.

Aaron Rodgers Released by the Jets: Following the signing of Fields, the Jets officially released Aaron Rodgers at the start of the new league year. This move was anticipated, as the Jets had notified Rodgers in February of their intention to move on without him in 2025. Rodgers, now 41 years old, remains a free agent and is weighing his options. Despite his age, Rodgers is still considered a valuable asset and is expected to draw considerable interest from teams seeking a veteran quarterback with championship pedigree. Potential landing spots include the Giants, Steelers, and Vikings, all teams looking to bolster their quarterback situation.

Daniel Jones to the Indianapolis Colts: The Indianapolis Colts, as indicated by general manager Chris Ballard at the NFL Scouting Combine, were actively seeking a veteran quarterback to compete with young Anthony Richardson for the starting job. They fulfilled this objective by signing former Giants starter Daniel Jones to a one-year, $14 million contract. Jones was released by the Giants midway through the previous season after a disappointing 2-8 start, during which he threw for eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in ten games. He subsequently joined the Vikings’ practice squad and was later elevated to their active roster before the playoffs. The Colts are hoping that Jones can provide a stable and competitive presence in the quarterback room, pushing Richardson to improve and potentially serving as a reliable backup option.

Unanswered Questions and Lingering Concerns

While the flurry of quarterback moves has provided clarity in some areas, several questions remain unanswered. The ultimate destinations of Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers are still unknown, and their decisions will undoubtedly have a ripple effect across the league. Furthermore, the success of each of these newly acquired quarterbacks is far from guaranteed. Geno Smith must prove that his recent success is sustainable, while Sam Darnold needs to demonstrate that he can consistently perform at a high level. Justin Fields will be looking to develop into a reliable starter, while Daniel Jones aims to revitalize his career in Indianapolis.

The NFL quarterback carousel is a constant and unpredictable force. This offseason has been particularly chaotic, with a multitude of teams making bold moves to address their quarterback situations. Only time will tell which of these moves will prove to be successful, and which will ultimately fall short of expectations. As the offseason progresses, the focus will undoubtedly shift towards training camp and the preseason, where these new quarterbacks will have the opportunity to prove their worth and solidify their roles within their respective teams. The league will be watching closely to see how these quarterbacks perform and whether they can live up to the high expectations that have been set upon them.