Some familiar faces may end up in new places
This year’s NFL free agency feels different. It’s strange to see that there are so many quarterbacks whose destinations are unknown. And we aren’t just talking about any quarterbacks, we’re talking about elite level QB’s who have been with one team their entire careers.
Tom Brady
The biggest conversation in football right now is about where Tom Brady is going to end up come next season. People have pitched a way for him to end up on just about every team. There has been some talk of him going to the Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and even the Dallas Cowboys.
Others say he’s just messing around and is going to stay in New England with the Patriots. The debate is getting pretty divided, with some claims saying there’s no way he stays while others say it’s hard to imagine him leaving.
The main debate for him leaving the Patriots would be to prove his GOAT status. Some people say his six Super Bowl rings are only because of the mind of his head coach, Bill Belichick. It’s easy to see why he’d want to prove he’s great on his own.
Every Saints quarterback
Drew Brees officially announced on Tuesday he would indeed be coming back for his 20th season. During Pro Bowl week, there was speculation the 41-year old would hang ’em up, but now that he’s back it leaves questions for his backups.
The conversation around Taysom Hill is fascinating. Some believe if given the opportunity Hill could succeed being the guy, and win games as the lone starter on a team. However, Hill is already 29 and has attempted just 13 passes in his career. A desperate NFL needy team may take a shot and pay Hill, but the Saints are the favorite to retain him.
Then there’s the Saints’ main backup, Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater is younger and much more seasoned as a starter than Hill. Bridgewater had a successful season filling in for during Drew Brees’s injury, going 5-0 as a starter before Brees returned.
His contract with the Saints is up, but it’s possible they may want him to take Bree’s place. Reports are surfacing that Bridgwater may ask for 30 million dollars a year if he hits the open market. That price may be to steep if the Saints hope to keep Teddy around.
Indianapolis has been noted as a good fit for Bridgewater. With a stellar offensive line, a constantly improving defense and a good head coach in Frank Reich, the pieces would in place for Bridgewater to succeed.
The dark horse in the Bridgewater sweepstakes is the New England Patriots. Even if Tom Brady doesn’t stick around, Bridgewater would be an experienced starter for Belichick and the Pats to bring in to help retool their roster.
Phillip Rivers
Phillip Rivers has also spread the word of possible retirement. He hasn’t made any official announcement, but he’s already moved his family from their long-time home of San Diego to Florida.
If he were to stay, the Chargers already made it clear they wouldn’t want him back. Rivers, like Brady, has always been on the one team, so it would be interesting to see if he’d be willing to go another way.
Tampa Bay may be a potential landing spot for Rivers. Now Rivers might just be an older version of Jamies Winston at this point, but it is understandable to believe that Bruce Arians wants to bring in a veteran to run his offense.
Cam Newton
Cam Newton, an elite veteran whose status is up in the air. Newton is not a free agent, but Carolina has yet to full-back him as their starter moving forward After going out with injury, his backup Kyle Allen found some success early, but tailed off near the end of the year
The Carolina Panthers have been Newton’s home for his entire career, but they have a new coach in town who may want to change things up. The Chicago Bears make sense as a potential trade partner for Newton. If he’s healthy, and that is a big if considering Newton’s recent history, Newton would be an instant upgrade for the Bears. With the core of Chicago’s elite defense still intact, the Bears are in win-now mode.
The LA Chargers also make sense for Newton if they don’t grab a QB in the draft. The Chargers best quarterback on their roster right now is Tyrod Taylor. Head coach Anthony Lynn’s seat isn’t hot, but another unsuccessful season and he may be on the chopping block. Rolling into the 2020 season with Taylor as the starter may spell trouble for Lynn, so expect the Chargers to be active in finding Philip Rivers replacement.