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NFL rumors: Best landing spots for top remaining QBs via trade, free agency

By Jacob Ellerbee

Baker Mayfield NFL Rumors CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 26: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field after a game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Baker Mayfield NFL Rumors CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 26: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field after a game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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NFL Rumors: Matt Ryan
NFL Rumors: Matt Ryan; Jan 2, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) calls a play at the line against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium. (Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports) /

We’re sifting through the latest NFL rumors to see where the top remaining quarterbacks will land via trade and free agency

The Deshaun Watson domino has finally fallen, which means NFL rumors have moved on to the next available quarterbacks and where they might land.

Watson, armed with a no-trade clause, decided to play for the Cleveland Browns after multiple reports stated the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints were the final two teams in the running to land the controversial star player.

While Watson’s sexual assault-related criminal charges have been dropped, he still faces 22 civil lawsuits in court. It’s unknown what sort of penalty Watson may face from the NFL and when he might be eligible to suit up for the Browns after having sat out the entire 2021 season while a member of the Houston Texans.

Now that the Watson trade is complete, it’s expected to speed up the trade and free agent markets for teams still looking for a quarterback or an upgrade at the position.

Baker Mayfield needs to be traded, which is something he asked for several days ago. There are several other signed quarterbacks who are expected to be traded and even more who are free agents looking for contracts.

Let’s take a look at where some of the biggest names available on the trade and free agent market may end up in the coming days.

NFL rumors: Where will Matt Ryan play in 2022?

2021 Team: Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons seemed to be at the one-yard line in negotiations to bring Watson to the ATL but fell through when Cleveland dangled a fully-guaranteed, five-year, $230 million deal. 

Veteran QB Matt Ryan, 36, is due a $7.5 million roster bonus. He was eligible to cash in on that bonus on March 18, however, both he and the Falcons agreed to delay the bonus until March 22.

That’s a pretty interesting thing to do since Atlanta and Ryan both had to agree to delay it. The reason for delaying it was to potentially land a replacement for Matty Ice.

The Falcons didn’t land Watson and most teams are probably not interested in making a big trade for a player who will be in his age 37 season with only one Super Bowl trip on his resume.

The most likely scenario, as awkward as things have played out, is to keep Ryan on the roster and draft a quarterback in the draft to be his eventual replacement.

Prediction: Atlanta Falcons

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