There will be some quarterback movement this offseason, primarily creaky veterans or backups, but possibly a franchise guy, too. We're a couple of weeks from the start of the league year, but it's not too early to talk about what may happen.
This Marc Sessler column breaks things down pretty reasonably, I think. The highest-profile pieces seem to be Kirk Cousins and Jimmy Garappolo -- two potential franchise quarterbacks who don't seem to fit with their current franchises much longer.
Initially I couldn't conceive that Washington would move Cousins, who has given the team solid play at quarterback the last two seasons. But it sure sounds like a divorce is coming. He supposedly wants out. The team has dragged its feet on working out a long-term deal. They can franchise him again, but they'd then have an unhappy quarterback on a one-year deal who they risk losing for nothing a year from now. That's because to franchise him a third time would cost roughly $36 million for the 2018 season -- not realistic, obviously.
If only Washington could find a viable trade partner. And it sounds like they can in Kyle Shanahan out in San Francisco. Sessler thinks the deal will happen, and at this point I agree.
What then will Washington do? Tony Romo, if released, would certainly be intriguing and fun. A top rookie prospect developing in Jay Gruden's offense, as Cousins did, is another possibility. Hard to see that player being better than Cousins right away, but all signs are that Washington will need to have an alternative.
Garoppolo to Cleveland is his other prediction. The Browns certainly have the need and the ammunition to make such a deal. There will be other teams interested in the Patriots backup, but Chicago doesn't have as much to offer, and supposedly interested New Orleans doesn't have a starting quarterback vacancy.
The other quarterbacks on the move are less significant. Either they're short-term options, likely to get injured, or desperation stopgaps who no one will be excited about. Would Jay Cutler make the Jets a contender? Would he likely stay healthy or lead the team to the playoffs? Not really.
But Tony Romo to Chicago, which does have some pieces in place to make a run in the NFC North, makes sense. Buffalo keeping Tyrod Taylor around also looks very possible.
All just talk right now, but it's not too far off that these moves will begin happening, changing a handful of franchises dramatically for the 2017 season.
--Andy Richardson