NFL Free Agent Quarterbacks 2019: Who Are The Best Available Veteran QBs?

The NFL regular season has come to an end, and as always, there are teams who could be in the market for a new starting quarterback in 2019. The Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and Washington are examples of franchises that could look to improve their signal-calling situation in the offseason.

Unfortunately for those teams, this is not considered a strong quarterback draft class and the list of quarterbacks available in free agency is not particularly noteworthy, either. There are 29 QBs on expiring contracts right now, according to Spotrac, and precious few of them have valuable starting experience.

Tyrod Taylor

Taylor was one of the prized acquisitions in Cleveland this past offseason, but he played poorly enough to get benched early in the season in favor of Baker Mayfield. Mayfield set rookie records, putting Taylor in position to find a starting job elsewhere.

A Pro Bowler in 2015, Taylor was a solid three-year starter in Buffalo despite a lack of skill position talent around him. He is still only 29 years old and can complement a team’s passing game with his rushing abilities.

Teddy Bridgewater

Bridgewater will be a name to watch this offseason. The 26-year-old was a first-round pick in 2014 and led the Minnesota Vikings to the playoffs in his second season, but injuries kept him off the field for the better part of two seasons afterward. After a brief offseason stint with the New York Jets, Bridgewater spent 2018 as the backup to Drew Brees in New Orleans.

He started the final game of the regular season, a meaningless loss the Carolina Panthers, but did not do much to earn a big payday this offseason. He is still young and has enough potential that a team will likely give him a shot to earn a starting job in 2019.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick might be the most accomplished name on this list, but at 36 years old, he is unlikely to be anyone’s long-term solution at quarterback. The outgoing Tampa Bay Buccaneer put up gargantuan numbers starting in place of Jameis Winston, passing for 400 or more yards in three consecutive games.

However, he had four games with at least two interceptions this year and eventually lost the starting job to Winston. Turnovers have plagued Fitzpatrick throughout his career, so he might be best suited as a veteran backup to a team with an entrenched starter.

Potential trade targets

Teams in need of new starting quarterbacks might need to give up draft picks to get one. The trade market is much stronger than the free agent group in 2019. The Philadelphia Eagles could reportedly franchise tag Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles and then trade him in the offseason, as they plan on sticking with Carson Wentz going forward.

Foles is set to be a free agent, but there is no guarantee he gets that far.

Another former Super Bowl MVP in Joe Flacco is likely done in Baltimore after the rise of Lamar Jackson. His trade value remains to be seen, as he is 33 and is still on a large contract. The Jaguars and Dolphins could also look to get rid of Blake Bortles and Ryan Tannehill, respectively.