Schefter: Jets, Steelers, Raiders, Giants, More Expected to Eye QBs in NFL Offseason

As the end of the 2024 NFL regular season nears, several teams have already started thinking about what they are going to do at quarterback for next year.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants are all expected to be players in the quarterback market.

Schefter also listed the Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns as teams that could explore their options at quarterback in the spring.

Schefter’s report also notes that Kirk Cousins is expected to be released by the Atlanta Falcons before he is owed a $10 million roster bonus on March 17.

Piggybacking off that news, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler cited the Giants and Browns as potential landing spots for Cousins.

Potential interest from the Raiders and Giants in free-agent quarterbacks is interesting because they would pick No. 1 and 2 overall in the 2025 NFL draft based on the current standings.

Even though there’s no guarantee right now that quarterbacks would be selected that high, it’s unusual for quarterback-needy teams to pass up that position in the draft when there are players regarded as high-first-round picks who will be available.

Of course, we frequently see teams double up on the position by signing a free agent and drafting a player in the first round. The Falcons surprisingly did it in 2024 by signing Cousins and drafting Michael Penix Jr. The Minnesota Vikings (Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy) and New England Patriots (Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye) also used that approach.

The Jets’ interest in free-agent quarterbacks suggests Aaron Rodgers won’t return in 2025. This isn’t totally surprising given how chaotic things have been around the organization this year, not to mention they have to hire a new head coach and general manager who may not be keen on entering their first year with the club building around a 41-year-old player.

Rodgers’ recent performance could be helping him build a stronger market than it seemed like there would be earlier in the season. He has thrown for 628 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in the last two games. His 45 rushing yards in a Week 15 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars were his most in a game since Sept. 26, 2019.

Pittsburgh would seem likely to just run things back with Russell Wilson. He has played well with 1,912 yards, 13 touchdowns and a 64.7 completion percentage in eight starts. The Steelers have already clinched a playoff berth and can lock up the AFC North with a win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

If Wilson struggles down the stretch and in the playoffs, perhaps the Steelers look to go in a different direction or at least explore younger options since he just turned 36 on Nov. 29.