The New Reality No. 226: 2025 Free Agent Quarterbacks

The 2025 NFL free-agent class is loaded with big names at the skill positions. Here is a look at the quarterbacks potentially on the move and the dynasty impact of their free-agent status.

Last year and in general with the biggest names in free agency, most returned to their incumbent team. Quarterback is a bit of a different animal than the other skill positions as notable players rarely see true free agency with the franchise tag as a significant weapon to retain and continue to work a deal with the league's most important position. 

QUARTERBACKS

Tier 1

• Sam Darnold
• Justin Fields
• Russell Wilson

All three represent Week 1 options for teams. Sam Darnold is in the Baker Mayfield zone of earning a new contract and potentially with Minnesota, depending on how the season concludes. At a minimum, Darnold will have multi-year contract allegiance within his options in the offseason with the current Spotrac estimate as four years and $133 million. If adding to Darnold in the dynasty trade market, a return of a 1st or 2nd++ is within reach.

While Justin Fields is far from an ideal starting NFL quarterback, he did show progress this season with Pittsburgh and offers elite rushing upside. Fields is a candidate to see a one-year prove-it deal a la Sam Darnold in 2025 to earn or compete for a starting role.

Russell Wilson was house money this season for the Steelers, considering Denver was picking up the check on Wilson's massive salary, as only $1.2 million was on the hook for Pittsburgh. Wilson has played better than the "pitchforks" feel to run Wilson out of Seattle and especially Denver. Wilson can still be a stopgap option for a team developing a younger option, even for multiple years. At most, Wilson is trading for a future 2nd in Superflex dynasty leagues and sometimes for a 3rd+.

Tier 2

• Jameis Winston
• Joe Flacco
• Andy Dalton
• Drew Lock

Jameis Winston and Joe Flacco are still auditioning for 2025 roles this season. Winston's profile has been the same in 2024 as previously: a high-variance bold thrower who can single-handedly win or lose a game, depending on the week. Flacco has landed opportune QB2 spots in back-to-back seasons behind Deshaun Watson and now Anthony Richardson to fuel a string of starts in 2023 and 2024. Flacco's age (he will be 40 years old in 2025) makes him a planned backup to a younger option as the best case for the offseason outcome. Drew Lock has only 794 attempts in his NFL career and fewer than 100 since 2021. With Daniels Jones' contract ramifications with an injury, Lock will likely see starts to close this season as an audition for future opportunities.