The new NFL league year begins Wednesday, March 11 at 4 p.m. ET, which also signals the start of free agency.
Plenty of big-money deals are likely to be given out between Monday, when the legal tampering window opens, and then, some of which will likely go to quarterbacks. Below are the 10 best free-agent passers set to hit the open market.
1- Kyler Murray
Murray had a rough end to his Arizona Cardinals tenure, but he's still young enough that he will get another chance to prove he's the guy for another team. In seven years in Arizona, Murray put up 20,460 yards passing, 121 touchdowns, and 60 interceptions along with 3,193 yards rushing and 32 more scores. He's the perfect acquisition for a QB-needy team in the middle of the draft who doesn't want to reach for a quarterback.
2- Malik Willis
Willis is young (26) and looked awfully impressive when he's filled in for Jordan Love over the last two seasons. The only reason he's second on this list behind Murray is because he doesn't have the starting experience or the resume (Murray has two Pro Bowls). Willis recorded 1,233 total yards (972 passing, 261 rushing) and nine total touchdowns (six passing, three rushing) in two years with the Packers, and he's likely going to get a deal in the $25 million to $30 million-per-year-range to start somewhere next year.
3- Kirk Cousins
A four-time Pro Bowler, Cousins certainly isn't the player he once was, but he's still good enough to start for a handful of teams needing a bridge QB. The 37-year-old totaled 5,229 yards passing, 28 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions with an 86.7 passer rating and 12-10 record as a starter in two years with the Falcons.
4- Aaron Rodgers
The likelihood of Rodgers playing for any team besides the Steelers next year is pretty remote, but not zero. Most expect the 42-year-old to return for one more season in Pittsburgh, and after posting 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions last season, Rodgers showed he's still an effective signal-caller.
5- Joe Flacco
The 41-year-old Flacco isn't going to give you Pro Bowl numbers, but he will keep you entertained. Flacco threw for 2,479 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions last season with the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, and he showed if he has serviceable weapons to throw to (like Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins), he can still throw for a lot of yards, though he will likely have a lot of interceptions as well.
6- Marcus Mariota
Mariota filled in admirably in relief of Jayden Daniels last season. He threw for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while rushing for 297 yards and another score. The 32-year-old is one of the top backups in the league and can help carry a team through a small stretch without its starter.
7- Russell Wilson
Wilson was benched after just three games with the Giants last season, but that doesn't mean he still can't be a serviceable starter elsewhere. The 37-year-old probably has a few more solid starts left in him, and he could be a solid mentor for a team who drafts a young signal-caller that it doesn't want to throw into the fire right away.
8- Geno Smith
It's tough to tell if Smith really did fall off a cliff last season, if his drop in production as just a byproduct of an awful situation in Vegas, or a little of both. Smith is just one year removed from a 4,320-yard, 21-touchdown season, and at 35, he's likely got a few more solid years left in the right offense.
9- Tyrod Taylor
What puts Taylor a hair above Carson Wentz here is his mobility. The 36-year-old Taylor didn't exactly inspire in his limited action with the Jets last season, but he was in a bad situation with a limited supporting cast. Taylor has been effective at other stops, and he could be the perfect backup for a team who wants a veteran start capable of winning a few games if needed.
10- Carson Wentz
Wentz will likely have some options in free agency after his performance for the Vikings last season. The former No. 2 overall pick threw for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions in five games with a 2-3 record in relief of J.J. McCarthy. Wentz likely won't get a starting job handed to him, but he could be a solid insurance plan for teams with shaky QB situations.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.