Several starting NFL quarterbacks are entering contract years and are slated to hit free agency next offseason. Meanwhile, others with multiple years remaining on their deals are strong candidates to be released or traded in 2025.
Let’s look at eight particularly well-known and/or accomplished signal-callers from either of those groups.
Listed in order of their likelihood of moving to a new franchise, here’s a rundown of the top quarterbacks most likely to do so come spring.
The Cowboys didn’t budge with the reigning MVP runner-up this offseason, leaving Prescott on the brink of a walk year at the age of 30.
That alone doesn’t mean he’s likely to escape, but the team’s unwillingness to save itself short-term money by working on a new long-term deal speaks volumes regarding the status of a quarterback who has been part of just two playoff wins and has thrown four interceptions in the team’s last two postseason losses.
Throw in that Dallas cannot use the franchise tag on Prescott next offseason, and there’s a very good chance he finds himself employed elsewhere for the 2025 campaign.
Reports emerged this offseason that Stafford isn’t happy with a contract that currently pays him the same average annual salary as Daniel Jones ($40 million) and is particularly low on guaranteed money by recent standards. He’s also 36 now. And despite a surprising resurgence last season, the post-Aaron Donald Rams may have seen their true Super Bowl window close.
With that in mind, it’s easy to envision Stafford lobbying his way out or the Rams pushing him out, particularly if L.A. comes back to earth a year removed from a five-win campaign.
Per Spotrac, the franchise can save $22 million against the 2025 salary cap by designating the two-time Pro Bowler as a post-June 1 cut.
Will the Cardinals tolerate a third consecutive incomplete or disappointing season from their franchise quarterback?
It’s tricky, because there are practically no cap savings associated with releasing Murray next offseason. The only way to really save cash by moving on would be via trade, but it’s hard to envision that if the 26-year-old isn’t able to get onto the field for a dozen or more games yet again.
But wilder things happen often in this league. Aaron Rodgers’ contract didn’t look any more escapable last offseason, nor did Russell Wilson’s this offseason, and yet the Packers and Broncos moved on anyway.
If Murray regains his magic from 2021 this year, it’ll be moot. If not, don’t be surprised if he’s a hot commodity on the 2025 offseason trade market.
Wilson is coming off back-to-back brutal seasons in Denver, but we’re still talking about a nine-time Pro Bowler who shouldn’t be that far beyond his prime at age 35. If a fresh setting gets him back on track on a one-year prove-it contract in Pittsburgh, the Steelers could have trouble keeping him in place.
That said, if Wilson has sudden success again with the Steelers, he and the team will likely be motivated to extend their relationship. And it helps that, according to Spotrac, Pittsburgh is projected to enter 2025 with more salary-cap space than all but three other teams.
Regardless, a leap to replace Prescott in Dallas or Murray in Arizona could make sense.
The Cardinals once bailed on top-10 pick Josh Rosen after one poor season. Just last year, the 49ers did the same after No. 3 pick Trey Lance didn’t prove himself in two seasons.
Could the Panthers do the same with Young after two failed campaigns in Carolina?
Considering how impatient teams and fanbases have become with young quarterbacks, it can’t be ruled out.
Young was the league’s lowest-rated qualified passer in 2023. If something similar happens again, the Panthers again finish last and the team finds itself holding a primo draft pick, fiery owner David Tepper could pull the plug on Young in favor of the next shiny thing.
It’s possible Tagovailoa will land a new deal with Miami before exiting the option year on his rookie contract, but the fact remains the 26-year-old star is just months away from free agency.
Another fact: Tua has struggled with both durability and delivery. Injuries (concussions in particular) were a problem for him prior to the 2023 season, where he remained on the field but went just 1-5 against playoff teams, with the offense significantly less productive than usual in those contests.
If he can’t come through in both areas in 2024, the Dolphins could go super bold and cast Tagovailoa aside in favor of one of the other quarterbacks on this list or a potential draft target.
It’s unlikely, but certainly not outside of the realms of possibility.
This case is similar to Murray’s in Arizona in that the Browns would likely have to make huge financial sacrifices to end the Watson era after three disappointing seasons. But again, the Jets and Broncos flipped the bird to similar dynamics the last two offseasons.
The 28-year-old former star from his days with the Texans has played in just 12 games since the end of the 2020 season, and he’s been far from impressive in most of those outings.
Maybe this is the year he gets it back together, in which case the Browns will surely hold onto a player whose five-year, $230 million contract is fully guaranteed. But if he falls on his face again, the team could try to find out if a desperate counterpart is willing to see if he can rediscover that Houston magic on its roster via a trade.
Financially, that’s likely the only realistic route.
Love isn’t likely going anywhere anytime soon, but until he signs an extension he’s included here. That’s because the 25-year-old breakout star from 2023 is entering a walk year, and it’s important to keep in mind that he’s only shined for a single half-season stretch in his four-year career.
If he proves that wasn’t a fluke, the Packers will almost definitely find a way to keep him around. But it’s also possible he blows up, in which case anything is on the table.
That’s assuming said blowup doesn’t transpire after Love inks a new deal between now and the end of the upcoming campaign.