This year’s crop of free-agent quarterbacks isn’t very exciting, but there are some competent guys out there who could make a difference on a team.
A solid backup quarterback could save a season if the franchise guy goes down (see: Matt Flynn). Just one day into free agency, there are already some strong rumors surrounding the biggest quarterback names that are available, but that doesn’t include everyone.
Josh Freeman is worth a flier for someone, but his names haven’t come up much in talks, same with Mark Sanchez. But, there are some leads out there as to where these quarterbacks will be playing in 2014.
Matt Schaub
Right now, Schaub seems most likely to land in Cleveland to compete with Brian Hoyer in training camp. Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain-Dealer reported on Monday that the Browns signing Schaub is a “serious possibility.”
Given the Browns’ history of having first-round quarterbacks fail in the NFL, this could be a smart move. Going into camp with Schaub, Hoyer and second-round quarterback such as Jimmy Garoppolo or someone even later in the draft like Taj Boyd.
Cleveland’s new offensive coordinator, Kyle Shanahan, coached Schaub in Houston for two seasons (2008 – 2010). In those two years, Schaub had the best two seasons of his 11-year NFL career, posting 4,770 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2009.
The Browns already have Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron as receiving options, so bringing in Schaub would be the safest and smartest move for them.
Josh McCown
After his short stint with the Chicago Bears, McCown has heard himself some suitors in free agency.
According to Sports Illustrated, Tampa Bay, Houston and the New York Jets are all interested in bringing him in.
From that list, Tampa Bay makes the most sense. Lovie Smith used to coach McCown in Chicago, albeit for one season, but it’s at least already an established connection. The Jets also seem to be interested in signing Michael Vick (we’ll get to that in a bit), so they could be out of the running, and Houston is in a better position right now to take a quarterback in the draft than signing one.
No matter who signs him, McCown could be a risky move. He hardly has any real playing time in the NFL, and he played in just eight games this year with the Chicago Bears, and he had Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall to throw to, plus Matt Forte in the backfield.
The only team interested that has similar weapons is the Texans with Arian Foster, Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins.
My pick is for McCown to end up in Tampa, but if Houston decides to go in a different direction that Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel or Teddy Bridgewater in the draft they could be a big player in the McCown game as well.
Michael Vick
Vick is the most talented quarterback to hit free agency this offseason, and he seems to be headed to the New York Jets.
Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report is reporting that Vick is telling his former Eagles teammates he thinks he’ll end up with the Jets, and it makes sense.
Vick could be a stop-gap quarterback of one or two years in New York, especially if they release Sanchez. Geno Smith doesn’t seem to be the answer, either, and Vick could provide New York with enough years to find someone in the draft.
After an injury, Vick was benched for the remainder of the 2013 season in favor of Nick Foles. Injuries have to be a concern for Vick, for hasn’t played in 16 games since his days with the Atlanta Falcons.
In seven games this season, Vick only completed 54.6 percent of his passes, and had five touchdowns compared to three interceptions and three fumbles. But there’s no doubt he has skill, and he’d be an upgrade for the Jets over Sanchez and Smith.
Matt Cassel
This definitely isn’t a rumor, but it’s still worth mentioning. Instead of joining a new team, Cassel signed a two-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings after briefly testing free agency.
If the Vikings don’t go after Vick or McCown, they could go for someone in the draft, but there is a real possibility that Cassel could be the starter for the Vikings again when the 2014 season starts.
He appeared in nine games for the Vikings, between rotations of Freeman and Christian Ponder.
The 31-year-old completed over 60 percent of his passes for 1,807 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Not great numbers, but Cassel at least has a better arm than Ponder.
If I am a Vikings fan, I still want them to go after Bridgewater or Manziel in the draft, but the Cassel signing at least gives them a security blanket.