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This NFL offseason looks to be an exciting one with many quarterbacks changing teams. Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford have already switched teams. The Los Angeles Rams traded QB Jared Goff, a first-round pick in 2022, a first-round pick in 2023, and a third-round pick in 2021 to the Detroit Lions for QB Matthew Stafford.
Teams in the mix for new quarterbacks include the Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, and the New York Jets. The Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to draft Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick.
Here is a preview of where NFL QBs could land this off season.
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Deshaun Watson - Texans
2020 stats: CMP% 70.2 YDS 4823 TD 33 INT 7 Passer Rating: 112.4
Contract: 5 years, $168.1M
Watson, only 26 years old, is one of the youngest elite QBs to ever come on the market. It would take a massive haul to get him once Houston starts negotiating. Watson has carried the Texans the last 4 years and put up big numbers on a bad team in 2020.
Prediction: Traded to the Jets. The Jets will trade multiple first round picks including the second overall pick in the 2021 draft and to land Watson in the big apple.
(Bettina Hansen / The Seattle Times)
Russell Wilson - Seahawks
2020 stats: CMP% 68.8 YDS 4212 TD 40 INT 13 Passer Rating: 105.1
Contract: 3 years, $108M
Wilson, one of the top QBs in the game, as reported is frustrated with the Seahawks' offensive line struggles.
"I'm frustrated with getting hit too much," Wilson said Tuesday, per Gregg Bell of the News Tribune.
If on the market, Seattle could receive calls from over 20 teams, with huge offers for a quarterback of Wilson's stature.
Prediction: Stays. Seattle and Wilson will work things out, as Seattle focuses on acquiring help across the offensive line.
AP
Derek Carr - Raiders
2020 stats: CMP% 67.3 YDS 4103 TD 27 INT 9 Passer Rating: 101.4
Contract: 2 years, $42M
Carr, who is coming off a very good season and has an affordable contract is a nice option for teams in the market for a QB. Carr has thrown for over 4,000 yards in each of the past three seasons.
Prediction: Stays. It makes more sense to trade backup QB Marcus Mariota, who Carr is objectively better than. Las Vegas is unable to afford an upgrade, such as Dak Prescott or Deshaun Watson, so they will stick with Carr. Mariota, who carries a cap hit of $10,725,000 is a low-risk, high-reward option for teams looking to upgrade at the position.
AP
Sam Darnold - Jets
2020 stats: CMP% 59.6 YDS 2208 TD 9 INT11 Passer Rating: 72.7
Contract: 1 year, $9.8M
Sam Darnold, coming off a poor year, for a horrible football team. Darnold has shown glimpses of talent in the past, posses a strong arm. He would benefit well from going to a team with a strong supporting cast around him. Darnold went 7-6 as a starter in 2019 with a poor roster and Adam Gase as his coach. Under an affordable contract, Darnold cannot be overlooked.
Prediction: Traded to the Colts. The Colts, who are in need of a quarterback, will look to revive Darnold's career, in exchange for a 2021 second-round pick and another mid-round draft pick.
The Associated Press
Marcus Mariota - Raiders
2020 stats: CMP% 60.7 YDS 226 TD 1 INT 1
Contract: 1 year, $10.7M
Marcus Mariota, the 2nd overall pick of the 2015 draft, served as the backup to Derek Carr in 2020. Mariota is a low-risk, high-reward option, who has had success in the NFL. Mariota started and won a playoff game for the Tennessee Titans in 2017.
Prediction: Traded to the Patriots. Mariota goes to New England for a mid-round draft pick.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong )
Dak Prescott - Cowboys
2020 stats: CMP% 68.0 YDS 1,856 TD 9 INT 4 Passer Rating: 99.6
Contract: Free Agent
Dak Prescott would be the biggest free agent this offseason if the Cowboys do not allocate the franchise tag on him for the second year in a row. Prescott is coming off a season-ending ankle injury in 2020. On the open market, Prescott would be in line for a huge offer from an array of teams.
Prediction: Cowboys use franchise tag on Dak for second consecutive year. The Cowboys will not let Dak walk and they will not be able to agree on an extension either.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Jimmy Garoppolo - 49ers
2020 stats: CMP% 67.1 YDS 1,096 TD 7 INT5 Passer Rating: 92.4
Contract: 2 years, $53.4M
Jimmy G's name has been thrown around the QB carousel this offseason. He has started over six games in an entire season only one time in his career. In 2019, he went 13-3 and started in the Super Bowl defeat for the 49ers. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan would like an upgrade at quarterback, if possible.
Prediction: Stays in San Francisco. The 49ers will give it one more year with Garoppolo to see if he can be their franchise QB.
Carson Wentz - Eagles
2020 stats: CMP% 57.4 YDS 2,620 TD 16 INT 15 Passer Rating: 72.8
Contract: 4 years, $134M
Last, but not least, Carson Wentz will be traded this offseason. It was thought by many the trade would be done last week. Yet, trade talks have stalled due to GM Howie Roseman holding out for better offers. A deal is likely to be done by the third day of the new league year (March 19), to avoid paying Wentz a $10M roster bonus.
Prediction: Wentz is traded to the Bears for a 2022 first-round pick and a 2021 second-round pick. Roseman is able to get Bears GM Ryan Pace, who is in a make or break year for 2021 to pony up for Wentz.
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