The quarterback position continues to be a huge focal point in the National Football League. There were a few veteran signal-callers that changed teams this offseason, while there were six quarterbacks selected in the first round in April. That tied the NFL record set in 1983 when future Pro Football Hall of Famers John Elway, Jim Kelly, and Dan Marino were among the half-dozen hurlers picked in the first round that year.
Not only did quarterbacks go with the first three selections two months ago, all six signal-callers were gone with the first 12 picks. Those aforementioned top three choices are on the following list. Meanwhile, there are also a pair of veterans who were both drafted in 2012. Now each of those players is with its third different organization, and looking to bounce back after forgettable seasons (each for different reasons).
Here are the 5 top offseason moves at quarterback this offseason
5. Russell Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Russell Wilson was a third-round draft choice by the Seattle Seahawks in 2012. He was a Super Bowl champion (XLVIII) in his second season, then threw that infamous goal-line interception to Patriots’ cornerback Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl XLIX. He was a nine-time Pro Bowler in 10 years in Seattle.
Wilson was dealt to Denver in 2022, and his two-year stint in the Mile High City was less than memorable. He was released by the club this offseason and latched on with the quarterback-starved Steelers (who also dealt for Justin Fields). It’s a chance for retribution with a team that wants to play power football.
4. Drake Maye (New England Patriots)
For the second time in four years, the Patriots invested a first-round pick on a quarterback. The team is coming off a 4-13 season and was tied for last in the league in scoring in 2023. Bill Belichick is gone, and former Patriots’ Pro Bowl linebacker Jerod Mayo is the head coach. Shades of Houston’s DeMeco Ryans?
New England used the third overall pick on North Carolina’s Drake Maye. However, will he be the Week 1 starter? “The combination of traits and tape makes him a boom/bust prospect who might need patient management and coaching to help shepherd him toward his potential,” says NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.
3. Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders)
There was a time when the words “Heisman Trophy Winner” and “bust” were somewhat synonymous. In recent years, the top college player in the country has gone on to be more than respectable in the NFL. That’s what the Commanders are hoping for from LSU’s Jayden Daniels, the second overall pick in April.
Daniels’ 2023 campaign was amazing, although he decided not to play in the postseason. In 12 games, he connected on 72.2 percent of his throws for 3,812 yards, 40 scores, and just four interceptions. He also ran for 1,134 yards and 10 TDs. The early reviews have been positive for the one-time Arizona State product.
2. Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears)
Speaking of Heisman Trophy winners, the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft copped the award in 2022. Former University of Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams spent the past two seasons at USC. He threw 72 TD passes (10 interceptions) and ran for 21 scores in his two years with Lincoln Riley’s Trojans.
The Bears were busy this offseason. Along with returning veterans in wide receiver D.J. Moore and tight end Cole Kmet, the team traded for wideout Keenan Allen, signed running back D’Andre Swift and tight end Gerald Everett, and drafted USC teammate Rome Udonze. Williams could be the ideal triggerman.
1. Kirk Cousins (Atlanta Falcons)
After six seasons in both Washington and Minnesota, productive signal-caller Kirk Cousins took his talents to Atlanta this offseason via a four-year, $180 million contract. The 12-year pro comes off a season which was cut short by an Achilles injury. He joins a franchise that hasn’t reached the postseason since 2017.
In eight games in ‘23, Cousins threw for 18 touchdowns and was picked off only five times. On the other hand, Falcons’ quarterbacks Desmond Ridder (now with Arizona) and Taylor Heinicke combined for 17 TDs and 16 interceptions. Also, Atlanta drafted quite the insurance policy (Michael Penix Jr.) in the first round.