Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) runs the ball past Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry III (58) during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee. NFL free agency begins Monday, allowing teams to agree to new contracts with free agents. Players can sign those contracts on Wednesday.
Last year, Minnesota Vikings free agent quarterback Sam Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks and helped them win a Super Bowl in Mike Macdonald’s second season as head coach.
The NFL is a copycat league. That means teams will be falling over themselves to find the next Darnold. This will create an opportunity for a quarterback to find a second or third opportunity in the NFL after being waived by his previous team.
Let’s give some predictions on where the top free agent quarterbacks in this class will land.
Malik Willis – Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins released Tyreek Hill and restructured a number of contracts. They are determined not to be handcuffed by Tua Tagovailoa’s salary going into next season.
Willis and new Dolphins coach Jeff Haffley were both with the Green Bay Packers. It feels like a no-brainer for the Dolphins to bring in their quarterback of the future through free agency.
Playing down south could be attractive to Willis, who grew up in the Atlanta area. Not to mention, living in Florida means no state income taxes on the massive contracts he’ll sign.
Kyler Murray – Cleveland Browns
November 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) leaves the field after defeating the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Image Amazing!
Everyone and their brother is linking Murray to the Minnesota Vikings. But why?
Of course, Kevin O’Connell is the man credited with reviving Darnold’s career. But was that actually Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski? He left the organization and the offense regressed while Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence had the best season of his career.
In Cleveland, Murray has the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of fellow Oklahoma Sooners Heisman quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was on the verge of becoming a franchise legend when he beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL playoffs.
Murray is a talented quarterback who throws twice the amount of touchdowns compared to interceptions while still rushing for plenty of yards and scores. He immediately assumed the QB1 role behind Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel. There is a threat that Minnesota may try to develop McCarthy, who was still a first-round pick.
New Browns coach Todd Monken helped Lamar Jackson win MVP in his first season together. This can be an interesting fit.
Geno Smith – Minnesota Vikings
December 28, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws the ball during the third quarter against the New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Vikings could bring in Smith to compete with McCarthy.
Smith’s tenure with the Las Vegas Raiders was a colossal failure, leading to his release. But the Raiders were also without Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Vikings are like that.
Smith, 35, could serve as a veteran bridge to the Vikings’ future. Whether McCarthy is part of that equation will be determined.
Russell Wilson – Atlanta Falcons
Last offseason, former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski met with Wilson about his quarterbacking in Cleveland. Now in Atlanta, Wilson can provide veteran insurance to Stefanski if Michael Penix Jr. can’t stay healthy or doesn’t.
Kirk Cousins - New York Jets
File this under “Why the heck not!”
The Jets need a quarterback. But they probably won’t draft a franchise quarterback until 2027. New York is giving Cousins one last chance to start in the NFL while also keeping Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson happy enough in the meantime.
Aaron Rodgers – Pittsburgh Steelers
January 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) listens during the second half of the AFC Wild Card round game against the Houston Texans at Accrazer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images It felt like a small reason why the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as head coach to lure Rodgers back.
The 42-year-old quarterback insists he hasn’t made a decision yet, but it would be surprising if he retired and quietly slipped into the shadows. It’s a match made in hell, as the Steelers and Rodgers are both egotistical parties too proud to accept the reality that their glory days are over.
