NFL free agency is currently ongoing, and the race to pick up the best quarterbacks has been heating up. So far there have been some pretty notable signings.
For instance, Jets veteran Trevor Siemian is reportedly signing a deal with the Atlanta Falcons, the Dolphins’ Zach Wilson is signing a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, and Sam Ehlinger signed with the Denver Broncos almost as soon as the window opened. As well as this, we’ve also seen these QB moves:
- Kyler Murray – Signed with the Minnesota Vikings
- Tua Tagovailoa – Signed with the Atlanta Falcons
- Malik Willis – Signed with the Miami Dolphins
- Daniel Jones – Re-signed with the Indianapolis Colts
- Joe Flacco – Re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals
- Josh Johnson – Re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals
- Tyler Huntley – Re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens
These are some big names that could shift team fortunes, but there is still value left to be had for quads that know what to look for. So how is the QB free agency shaking out, and what names might be yet to make an impact?
A Name Flying Under the Radar
One name that has been flying under the radar is former Minnesota Vikings starter Kirk Cousins, who was released by the Falcons this offseason.
Yes, he’s had a lack of turnover-worthy plays over the last few years, and his age makes him a bit of a concern – but that could be precisely the reason he’d fit as a short-term solution. In a way, he’s the perfect bridge quarterback for a year-long development plan, with his knowledge and professionalism making him valuable for an NFL franchise with a young quarterback.
The Chicago Bears, for instance, have been struggling in this regard. Although they have young talent on the roster and some intriguing offensive pieces on hand, they haven’t quite been able to unlock their quarterback’s full potential.
Sure, they’re a team on the rise with a strong defense and some exciting skill players, but bookmakers often stack football odds in their opponents’ favour, simply because of this uncertainty at such an important position.
Cousins could be the key to changing this, providing stability and experience to calm the offense and maximize the talent around him, and while he might not immediately change the expectations of bookmakers and fans, his presence alone could quietly shift the team’s trajectory.
More QBs to Consider
Another name that might be intriguing for franchises is Aaron Rodgers. His age entering the 2026 season is 42, and he’s currently ranked 16th in completion percentage and 23rd in QBR, but again, this would be a signing that is less about long-term upside and more about impact and leadership.
Rodgers can still elevate a team simply with his experience and ability to mentor younger players, giving a struggling offense a much-needed boost while the team evaluates its future.
As well as him, we have Russell Wilson. He started the season as the Giants’ number one, but he was eventually replaced by rookie Jaxson Dart due to his inconsistent play and turnover issues.
One of his big problems is declining mobility, making him more of a veteran number two at this stage of his career, but that doesn’t mean he’s not valuable for teams that need that. With a bit of system tailoring and proper support, he could be a stabilizing presence in the quarterback room, providing reliable depth and occasional starts to guide the quad.
Conclusion
The key point is that there’s still plenty of talent and value in the QB free agency. Many teams have gone for the immediate big-name signings and headline players – that’s just the way the free agency has shaken out – but we’re now into the secondary phase, where remaining franchises look at developing their depth, picking players that can guide younger quarterbacks for long-term success.