NFL free company is a year-round course of, as groups scout opposing gamers in an effort to defeat them in the course of the yr and maybe signal them within the offseason.
Now that we’re on the finish of the 2024-25 NFL season, the free company image is coming into focus, and groups are starting to establish potential targets to enhance their roster weaknesses.
Listed here are the highest quarterbacks slated to hit free company in 2025. Click on right here for PFF’s full record of the highest 100 free brokers.
1. QB Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
2025 Free Agent Rank: 9
The talk surrounding Darnold within the 2025 offseason will probably deal with whether or not he may be greater than only a bridge quarterback. Whereas his uncooked regular-season stats have been spectacular — 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions — his efficiency in key areas was extra combined, with 33 big-time throws balanced by 24 turnover-worthy performs.
High free agent comparability: Jay Cutler, 2014
| Participant | Clear-pocket grade | 1st- & 2nd-down grade | Commonplace dropback grade | Sack charge | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Sam Darnold | 86.6 | 84.7 | 86.3 | 8.7% | ? |
| Jay Cutler | 90.5 | 70.5 | 79.0 | 6.5% | 14.7% |
*All information in tables displays two years previous to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Accessible in PFF’s free company rankings
2. QB Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
2025 Free Agent Rank: 19
If there’s a lesson to be discovered from the latest resurgences of extremely touted quarterback prospects like Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and others, it’s that we in all probability shouldn’t fully quit on a quarterback till they’ve had a shot with a high quality teaching workers and supporting forged. Whereas Fields did finally cede duties to Russell Wilson this season, we already noticed indicators of enchancment throughout his 4-2 run because the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ beginning quarterback. The bodily instruments are nonetheless simple and provide worth, even when he’s solely deployed in sure packages as a juiced-up backup.
High free agent comparability: Marcus Mariota, 2020
| Participant | Clear-pocket grade | 1st- & 2nd-down grade | Commonplace dropback grade | Sack charge | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Justin Fields | 83.9 | 72.3 | 71.5 | 9.0% | ? |
| Marcus Mariota | 79.3 | 67.9 | 75.5 | 10.9% | 4.4% |
*All information in tables displays two years previous to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Accessible in PFF’s free company rankings
3. QB Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
2025 Free Agent Rank: 44
It’s exceedingly tough to search out sure-fire beginning quarterbacks in free company, and Wilson is among the many prime choices — even when age is a priority, with Wilson set to show 37 years outdated in 2025. Very similar to there was no comparable contract scenario within the historical past of the NFL like Wilson’s headed into 2024, there actually isn’t free-agency comparability for Wilson headed into 2025, both.
High free agent comparability: N/A
| Participant | Clear-pocket grade | 1st- & 2nd-down grade | Commonplace dropback grade | Sack charge | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Russell Wilson | 91.6 | 80.7 | 92.2 | 8.6% | ? |
| – | – | – | – | – | – |
*All information in tables displays two years previous to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Accessible in PFF’s free company rankings
4. QB Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns
2025 Free Agent Rank: 85
Winston injected some life into the league’s worst offense, beforehand led by one of many league’s worst quarterbacks, in a backup function for the Browns, resulting in a breakout season for large receiver Jerry Jeudy, who was acquired within the offseason from the Denver Broncos and prolonged to a deal that now seems to be like a significant cut price. This alone was a welcome improvement and vital to study going ahead, as Cleveland traded away Amari Cooper on the deadline. As for Winston, he’s who we thought he was: a real gunslinger who’s simply as more likely to hold his workforce in a recreation as take them out of it.
High free agent comparability: Mike Glennon, 2018
| Participant | Clear-pocket grade | 1st- & 2nd-down grade | Commonplace dropback grade | Sack charge | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Jameis Winston | 85.3 | 64.8 | 67.2 | 6.9% | ? |
| Mike Glennon | 80.0 | 60.4 | 69.6 | 5.0% | 2.3% |
*All information in tables displays two years previous to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Accessible in PFF’s free company rankings
