QB Carousel: Where Will Top Quarterbacks Go?

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The NFL free agency period is a top of new possibilities, dream scenarios, and shifts of the NFL balance of power sort of speak. There will be three major changes right away as the top-tier quarterbacks will look for new homes. Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers, and Geno Smith will be on the move this off-season. Where will they end up? These quarterbacks might tell you where they’d like to go before making a decision but it doesn’t always pan out the way they think. One of these quarterbacks has a current contract but will likely move via trade.

Lamar Jackson

Jackson wants to play for the Buccaneers. However, Tampa Bay will likely favor a different quarterback thus making Jackson rethink his strategy. Jackson might not be a fit for the Tampa Bay offense anyway. Jackson is a great developing quarterback who needs to make sure his durability remains intact. However, there is an offense that will make him use all his skills, open up his toolbox, and give him the opportunity to lead his team to a Super Bowl right away. That team is NOT Tampa Bay! That team is the Seattle Seahawks.

Think about it. Seattle likes improvising quarterbacks. Geno Smith absolutely balled out but the problem is Jackson is an immediate upgrade. He plays like Russell Wilson and Smith anyway and is actually capable of doing bigger things. The Seahawks project to have over $31 million in cap space in 2023 which will be just enough to get Jackson.

Jackson will sign a 5-year deal for $130 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks.

Aaron Rodgers

Tampa Bay no longer has Tom Brady after his retirement. Therefore, it’s time to reload in Tampa Bay. Although there will be some temptation to easily sign Lamar Jackson, the team will move in a different direction with long-time veteran Rodgers who should work perfectly with Mike Evans and company. This move is a safer bet than signing Jackson but comes with a different risk. Rodgers’s career will be over soon and the Buccaneers will have to go back to the drawing board in a few years. Unfortunately, the price will be very high as the Buccaneers will likely give a first-round pick and several more draft picks in the process.

Rodgers traded to Tampa Bay. No restructuring of contract.

Geno Smith

Seattle should probably keep Geno Smith but they won’t do it. Smith set new team records and logic would suggest sticking with what works. Smith worked perfectly in Seattle and there’s usually no reason to bring someone new in and start over with building team chemistry.

Seattle will take the risk and sign Jackson with the tremendous upside being a possibility. This Will make Smith leave and sign with the Baltimore Ravens. Smith plays similarly to Jackson so it’s not a bad move for the Ravens. Smith made less than $4 million this season but the Seahawks discussed a contract extension with Smith for two more years. Baltimore projects to have just over $26 million in cap space for 2023 meaning Jackson will be another team and Smith will sign with Baltimore.

The contract talks won’t go anywhere once Seattle figures out it’s in the Jackson sweepstakes.

Smith will sign a 2-year, $ 35 million deal with the Ravens.