The possible quarterback carousel is the biggest story of 2020 NFL free agency. Some of the league’s best signal callers don’t have a contract for next season.

Three quarterbacks that reached the 2020 postseason could become free agents. The league’s two leading passers in the 2019 season are also unsigned. An eight-time Pro-Bowl quarterback is virtually guaranteed to find a new team this spring.

Here’s a ranking of the free-agent quarterbacks, from best to worst, for the 2020 NFL season:

1) Drew Brees

Despite turning 41 years old 10 days after the New Orleans Saints were eliminated from the playoffs, Brees has shown few signs of slowing down. In 11 regular-season starts, the veteran had the NFL’s best completion percentage (74.3) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (27-4). His 116.3 passer rating was a career-high. Brees had an 8-3 record under center before a poor performance in New Orleans’ wild-card game loss.

Brees is expected to either retire or return to the Saints on a short contract. He’s been New Orleans’ starter since signing with the team as a free agent in 2006.

2) Tom Brady

Great quarterbacks often seen their numbers fall off a cliff at the end of their careers. Just ask Brett Favre or Peyton Manning. Is Brady headed for a similar fate in his 21st season? His 2019 numbers indicate that he is no longer among the league’s elite signal callers, but the six-time champion could have plenty of good football left in him. Saddled with a poor group of playmakers, Brady still had one of the league’s lowest interception rates (1.3%). There still aren’t 10 quarterbacks that give you a better chance to win than Brady.

Brady will test free agency for the first time in 2020. The New England Patriots are favored to re-sign Brady, but they’ll have competition from the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders.

3) Dak Prescott

The 2019 season was probably Prescott’s best in the NFL. He was second in passing yards (4,902), fourth in touchdowns (30) and fifth in yards per attempt (8.2). The Dallas Cowboys had the No.1 ranked offense. Dallas also failed to make the playoffs, going 8-8 with a 1-6 record against playoff teams. The quarterback had an average passer rating of 84.2 in those games with eight touchdown passes and eight interceptions.

Dallas won’t let Prescott hit free agency. The Cowboys are likely to use the franchise tag on the quarterback, giving the two sides until July 15 to reach a long-term contract agreement.

4) Ryan Tannehill

In many ways, Tannehill is the most interesting quarterback that’s set to hit free agency. The veteran was an average quarterback, at best, from 2012-2018 with the Miami Dolphins. After spending six games as Marcus Mariota’s backup, Tannehill went 7-3 and took the Tennessee Titans to the AFC Championship Game. His 117.5 passer rating and 9.6 yards per attempt were both an NFL-best. Considering it was such a small sample size and he only had 369 passing yards in three playoff games, Tannehill can’t rank ahead of Brees, Brady or Prescott.

Tennessee will probably use the franchise tag on Tannehill. There’s been speculation that the Titans could be a fit for Brady or Philip Rivers in free agency, though neither scenario appears to be likely.

5) Jameis Winston

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers never knew what quarterback they were going to get with each throw, let alone each game, in 2019. Winston was first in passing yards (5,109) and second in touchdowns (33). He also led the NFL in interceptions (30) by a mile. He has 88 picks and 50 fumbles in his five-year career. The Bucs were third in total offense and fourth in points scored last season.

Winston will probably return to Tampa Bay for at least another season. The Buccaneers might be an attractive option for free-agent quarterbacks, given their talented receiving corps.

6) Philip Rivers

If any quarterback is in the middle of a steep decline, it’s Rivers. The 38-year-old was third in 2019 with 20 interceptions. His 23 touchdown passes were his lowest total in 12 years. Rivers has thrown for at least 4,286 yards in seven straight seasons, averaging 15 interceptions per year. His penchant for making costly mistakes this late in his career could make it difficult for the quarterback to return to the playoffs.

Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers have parted ways after a 5-11 season. The Indianapolis Colts might be the most logical fit for the 16-year veteran.

Drew Brees Saints Cowboys
Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys shakes hands with Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints after the Cowboys 13-10 win at AT&T Stadium on November 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images
RELATED STORIES
National Football League