With 30 NFL teams hanging at home on their couches, this is when the offseason rumors begin churning. With a handful of question marks at the quarterback position throughout the league, the ‘where will he play?’ narratives are set ablaze. I want to throw my hat in the ring and take some stabs as to where some big-name QB’s could potentially land before the 2023 season kicks off.
Jimmy Garoppolo-Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The way that Todd Bowles is attempting to structure this Bucs team is similar to their Super Bowl winning year (2020). Not only is this a great system for QB Jimmy G, but one in which he is very familiar. A stout defense, run game (huge need for Tampa Bay), and weapons galore would welcome Garrapolo with open arms as it is similar to the Niners.
Though this move would keep the quarterback in the NFC, I don’t think this would be of wild concern for the 49ers. They are not division rivals, either. Garoppolo is expected to be healed from his foot injury in the next couple of weeks.
Aaron Rodgers-Green Bay Packers
We have all seen this song and dance before and, while he has his demands, this is nothing new in any way. I would not be completely stunned if he made a move, but I still am leaning toward seeing Rodgers return in Green and Gold.
I also am not sure any new team is willing to endure the polarizing nature of which Rodgers is accompanied. Maybe I am over the repetitive offseason Rodgers theories, but I just think we will see him back at training camp come July.
Derek Carr-New Orleans Saints
I’d like to think that Derek Carr, while definitely falling short during his years with the Raiders, is still in the thick of his career. Carr boasts four 4,000-yard passing seasons and could have some fun slinging it to Thomas, Kamara, rookie Olave and more.
While it is tough to imagine a supporting cast quite like he had in Las Vegas (Jacobs, Waller, Adams to name a few), I really believe that sometimes a fresh start can move mountains for these franchises and quarterbacks alike.
Lamar Jackson-Washington Commanders
This Commanders team has some really good things going on on both sides of the ball. A rigid front five paired with some fun weapons in McLaurin, Gibson, and Robinson would have a guy like Lamar Jackson foaming at the mouth.
After another failed Carson Wentz experiment and mediocre play (solid as a backup) from Taylor Heinicke, it seems like the Commanders’ best interest would lie in a fresh start with someone like Jackson. To add his multi-faceted, athletic abilities would elevate this team immensely.
No team has more quarterback questions than the San Francisco 49ers as they had a surprising emergence in rookie QB Brock Purdy after watching both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo go down with injury in the regular season. There has definitely been talk of a QB going home to the Niners, but with two young and great options in Lance and Purdy, I just don’t see that.
How teams like the Colts, Raiders, and Ravens will fill quarterback vacancies is where we sit back and let the football Rubik’s Cube work its magic. If I have learned one thing over my 25+ years of NFL fandom it is not to be surprised by unexpected, blockbuster moves!
We will most certainly see trade-ups in the draft, wild free agent transactions, and so much more. Where do you think these quarterbacks will be this year? Let’s discuss on Twitter!