In the great game of professional football, no position can impact a contest more than the quarterback. The dictator of offensive dynamics, engineers of the aerial pass and architects of the game plan—quarterbacks are the lifeline between a team’s success and failure in the NFL. Think of the dollar amounts doled out to these gunslingers as opposed to other positions. Only 14 of the top 30 highest-paid players in the NFL in 2015 will play positions other than quarterback. Of that list, the top 10 are all quarterbacks, including Colin Kaepernick, Jay Cutler, and Tony Romo. At the professional level, one can be a median-level talent and still get paid higher than most due to the tremendous value of the position.
Regardless, in this quarterback driven market, inflated deals will continue to be made league-wide as front offices scramble for a stop-gap at quarterback. So who will fill these holes this year? Take a look at the possible landing spots for the top free agent quarterbacks on the market this season.
Austin Davis, St. Louis Rams
Photo Courtesy: foxsports.com
With Davis’ current team $1.5 million over the salary cap, a return to St. Louis is currently out of the realm of possibility barring a release of Sam Bradford. Davis filled in for the injured Bradford, and his backup Shaun Hill, for 10 games this past season. In those 10 games, he put up 2,001 yards with 12 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions. While those numbers are nothing to gawk at, he did complete 64 percent of his passes.
Davis is one of the cheapest options on the free agent market, and one with considerable upside due to the fact that he is only 25. Teams looking for depth at the quarterback position could do much worse than the third-year gunslinger. The Cleveland Browns have $47 million in cap space and are in need of depth at the position due to Brian Hoyer’s desire to test the open market. Davis would be a good fit in a low-pressure environment like Cleveland. The media’s primary focus will remain on Johnny Manziel as long as he wears a professional uniform, making it easier for any other quarterback to fly under the radar on that roster.
Michael Vick, New York Jets
Photo Courtesy: thenypost.com
While the elusive quarterback that set league-records for rushing yards as a quarterback is but a shell of his former self, Vick has matured as a veteran leader in New York. This signifies that he would thrive in a backup setting on a contending team. Though he started just three games in 2014, Vick’s veteran presence helped Geno Smith begin his maturation process into the quarterback the New York Jets hope he will become.
Probable landing spots include the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns or Chicago Bears.
With John Fox at the helm in Chicago, a ground-oriented attack centered around Matt Forte is sure to follow creating a perfect scenario for Vick. Due to Jay Cutler’s injury history and poor attitude—combined with Chicago’s $23,887,633 in cap room—the Bears are the front-runners to land Vick as their backup.
Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans
Photo Courtesy: Bleacher Report
The Tennessee Titans are parting ways with their quarterback four years after they selected him eighth overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. Due to various injuries, Locker has never started or played more than 11 games in an NFL season. Yet the upside remains with the oft-injured gunslinger. At just 26-years old, Locker boasts a diverse skill-set that includes an above-average ability to create opportunities with his legs in addition to his arm. Locker has never had the time to fully develop in a system at the professional level, and thus is a relative unknown on the free agent market.
Possible destinations for Locker include the aforementioned Browns and Eagles, the latter of which have been rumored to have already shown interest in the quarterback. Eagles’ coach Chip Kelly is searching for a mobile quarterback to add further confusion to his already complex offensive system. Locker is the youngest and most capable mobile quarterback on the open market, making him a solid fit. All this in addition to the fact that he will come at a reasonable price due to his medical history.
Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles
Photo Courtesy: USA Today
Disregarding the long-term history of the man responsible for the butt fumble, Sanchez played well enough in Philadelphia last season to garner starter-caliber money from a team in need of a quarterback. While starting eight games in 2014, the 28-year old veteran accumulated 2,418 yards and a completion percentage of 64.1. Despite a poor touchdown to interception ratio of 14-to-11, Sanchez was capable enough to win five of the nine games he appeared in last season. Likely to be the most sought-after quarterback on the open market, Sanchez will follow the money and an opportunity for playing time when deciding on his destination.
Sanchez’s former coach and mentor, who also happens to have a tattoo of the quarterback on his body, is now the coach of the Buffalo Bills. Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez were a match made in hell for Jets’ fans, but do not count out a reunion.
Buffalo allowed the fourth-fewest points in the league last year, averaging 18.1 points given up per game. With a strong defense and a run-heavy offense, Sanchez is a perfect fit for a Bills’ team on the edge of relevancy in the NFL. Signing with Buffalo would create a reunion with his old coach, the chance to play with the up and coming Sammy Watkins, and Sanchez would have the safety-valve that is one of the league’s best defenses to lean on. Selecting the Bills is not only the easiest option for Sanchez, but also the best decision for the quarterback himself.
Photo: Fansided.com