NFL Movement Series: Quarterbacks

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertJune 07, 2023
© USA TODAY Sports

Our first annual NFL Movement Series begins with the QB position, highlighting every move - every team - has made at the position since the beginning of the new league year.

QB1 Movement
Thus far, 5 QB1s have been extended (Jalen Hurts, Jordan Love, Lamar Jackson, Daniel Jones, Geno Smith), while two more (Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert) are in active negotiations for their next contract.

At least 2 free agents (Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo) will open Week 1 as a starting QB, with two more (Gardner Minshew, Baker Mayfield) in the fold as well. Three newly drafted QBs (Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson) are in the running to open the season as their team's QB1, while Aaron Rodgers is currently the only QB acquired via trade who will take the opening snap in 2023. And of course 1 QB1, Tom Brady, officially (officially) retired.

Based on current projections, 12 NFL teams are set to run a brand new QB1 onto the field this season in comparison to last year Week 1.

Cap Conversions
5 QB1 contracts have had cap conversions processed this offseason, none larger than the $45M salary to bonus transfer that Deshaun Watson received from the Browns (what will become an annual tradition like no other).

The QB Market
Financially speaking the QB market jumped from $50.1M to at least $52M per year (likely more after additional extensions hit the books). Based on an AAV/League Cap comparison, elite QBs are now chiming in at nearly 25%, which means a salary cap jump to $240M next season could equate to $60M per year contracts within the next 12 months. The going guaranteed rate for an elite QB is now approaching $200M from a practical standpoint, $140M fully guaranteed at signing.

Related:
2023 Free Agent Quarterback Signings
2023 Quarterback Contract Extensions

TEAM BY TEAM ANALYSIS

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

  • Converted $26.4M of Josh Allen’s salary into signing bonus, clearing $21M of cap space
  • Signed Kyle Allen ($350,000 guaranteed) to compete for the QB2 role
  • Re-signed Matt Barkley ($235,200 guaranteed) to compete for the QB2 role

Carolina Panthers

  • Signed Andy Dalton ($8M guaranteed) for the QB2 role
  • Drafted Bryce Young (#1 overall) for the (assumed) QB1 role

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

  • Converted $29.2M of Dak Prescott’s 2023 salary into signing bonus, clearing $22M of cap
  • Signed Cooper Rush ($2.75M guaranteed) for the QB2 role

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

  • Signed Case Keenum ($4M guaranteed) for a reserve role
  • Drafted C.J. Stroud (#2 overall) for the assumed QB1 role

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Signed Easton Stick to a 1-year extension ($1.15M guaranteed) for the QB2 role
  • Exercised a $29.5M 5th-year option for QB1 Justin Herbert, and are actively negotiating a multi-year extension with him
  • Drafted Max Duggan (Round 7) to compete for a reserve role

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

  • Converted Kirk Cousins’ $20M roster bonus into signing bonus, clearing $16M of cap
  • Signed Nick Mullens ($1.9M guaranteed) for the QB2 role
  • Drafted Jaren Hall (Round 5) to compete for a reserve role

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

  • Extended Daniel Jones ($81M guaranteed) for the QB1 role
  • Added UDFA Tommy DeVito (Illinois) to compete for a reserve role

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

  • Signed Sam Darnold ($3.5M guaranteed) to compete for a QB role
  • Signed Brandon Allen ($200,000 guaranteed) to compete for a reserve role

Seattle Seahawks

  • Extended QB1 Geno Smith ($27.3M guaranteed)
  • Re-signed Drew Lock ($1.75M guaranteed) for the QB2 role
  • Added Holton Ahlers (East Carolina) to compete for a reserve role

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

  • Drafted Will Levis (Round 2) to compete for the QB2 role

Washington Commanders


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