Updated March 6, 2025
This is a feature I do every year prior to free agency. I will attempt to predict where the prominent free agent and rookie quarterbacks will land during the offseason. Here’s the full list of the significant quarterbacks available this spring:
Kirk Cousins
Sam Darnold
Jaxson Dart
Justin Fields
Daniel Jones
Jalen Milroe
Aaron Rodgers
Shedeur Sanders
Cam Ward
Carson Wentz
Russell Wilson
Jameis Winston
With so many teams that need quarterbacks, this game of quarterback musical chairs is going to make this spring extremely interesting.
So, why wait? I’m going to project all of these quarterbacks to teams on this page, and I may update this if I hear anything, or if any news breaks. Here are my projections, alphabetically:
Kirk Cousins, Falcons 
Kirk Cousins was the first quarterback on this page last year, and he’s back once again after a failed season in Atlanta. Cousins stated that he won’t be traded until the 2025 NFL Draft is over, which makes sense because he’ll know which team missed out on a quarterback. I believe that’ll be the Raiders because they reportedly don’t like any of the free agents at the position, and they’re not in a spot where they’ll be able to land Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders.
Sam Darnold, Vikings 
There’s chatter that the Vikings could re-sign Sam Darnold, which wouldn’t really make any sense. They’re in a great financial situation because they have a quarterback under a rookie deal in J.J. McCarthy. Sure, we don’t know how McCarthy will perform, but did anyone have any faith in Darnold last year? McCarthy is Kevin O’Connell’s hand-picked quarterback. I believe Darnold will leave and perhaps go to the Steelers, who have a ton of cap space. There’s nothing connecting Darnold to the Steelers aside from the cap room. Excluding the Raiders, who reportedly don’t like Darnold very much, the Steelers have the most money available of any team that needs a quarterback.
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss 
There’s a growing sentiment that Jaxson Dart will be a first-round pick. I don’t think he’ll be taken in the top 10, or anything, but if some team snatches him in the teens or early 20s, it wouldn’t surprise me. There could be a team desperate for a quarterback in the second round that makes a move. The Jets make a ton of sense, as new regimes mean new quarterbacks.
Justin Fields, Steelers
The Steelers will reportedly look to retain Justin Fields over Russell Wilson. Even if this occurs, I don’t think it’ll be as a starter. If the Steelers sign Sam Darnold and keep Fields, that’ll give them two youngish quarterbacks they can look to develop and compete against one another.
Daniel Jones, Vikings 
There are reports tying Daniel Jones to the Colts. Indianapolis obviously needs a steady backup because of Anthony Richardson’s regression from a year ago. And based on his play, there’s a chance Jones could be an instant upgrade. Remember, Jones has never played a full season with a strong offensive line and a talented receiving corps. He’ll have that, plus Jonathan Taylor in Indianapolis. I could see Jones establishing himself in Indianapolis, much like Geno Smith and Sam Darnold did in Seattle and Minnesota, respectively.
Jalen Milroe, Alabama 
I expect the Seahawks to find a future successor for Geno Smith at some point in the 2025 NFL Draft. Perhaps they’ll do so in the second round, where I expect Milroe to go. Milroe has plenty of talent, but he’s incredibly raw and needs to be developed. He can sit behind Smith for a year or two before emerging as the starter.
Aaron Rodgers, Jets 
Aaron Rodgers said he wants to play for a contender, but with Matthew Stafford returning to the Rams, I don’t see any viable opportunities for him to do so. He may have to settle for a less-exciting option like Tennessee. Rodgers owns property in Nashville and is friends with two high-ranking officials in the Titans’ front office.
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado 
I know a scout who believes Shedeur Sanders will be drafted in the second round. However, all it takes is for one team to fall in love with him and draft him in the opening round. Perhaps it’ll be the Browns, who will be drafting a quarterback, according to Adam Schefter. If Schefter is correct, it might be Sanders by default if the Giants leapfrog them for the No. 1 pick.
Cam Ward, Miami 
There aren’t many good reporters who work for ESPN, but Jordan Ranaan is one of them. Ranaan reported that the Giants are looking to jump over the Browns to land the No. 1 pick, which they would use to draft Cam Ward. Charlie Campbell also reported that the Giants like Ward more than Sanders.
Carson Wentz, Chiefs
The Browns had a chance to obtain Carson Wentz in the 2016 NFL Draft, but passed on him. Maybe they’ll finally land him nine years later. They’ve been connected to Wentz, who could come in and serve as the bridge quarterback until Shedeur Sanders is ready to start.
Russell Wilson, Steelers
I projected Russell Wilson to the Giants in this space last year, so I’m going to do it again. Wilson going to the Giants would be like the Browns signing Wentz. We often see teams drafting young quarterbacks early sign veterans just in case their rookie isn’t prepared to play. Wilson has expressed interest in playing for the Giants, making this match a logical one.
Jameis Winston, Browns
Speaking of teams potentially drafting quarterbacks early, the Jets could do that with Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe. If they do, signing someone like Jameis Winston would make sense. Besides, Jets fans would have fun watching Winston throw 30 touchdowns and 60 interceptions if he were able to start all 17 games in 2025, and I’m sure Garrett Wilson would be thankful for the stat bump.
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