November 22, 2024

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It could be another interesting NFL offseason for quarterback movement. Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield are free agents, and a few big-name quarterbacks might join them on the open market if their teams make a change. Plus, the Bears could shake up the QB dominoes with their looming decision on whether to keep Justin Fields or tap into a very good quarterback draft class, which starts at the top with Caleb Williams. In all, more than a dozen teams could move on from their current starting signal-caller.

We asked our NFL Nation reporters to serve as general managers for the teams they cover and decide what to do at the most important position in football. The stand-in GMs made decisions on their current starters, put together trade packages for passers who might be made available by their teams and came up with contract terms for free agents. They also projected extensions and cap casualty cuts. And finally, they mocked the first three rounds of the 2024 draft to address the future. This exercise was limited to quarterbacks who would either start or compete to start in 2024, with the exception of a few Day 2 draft picks who will almost certainly sit in Year 1, wherever they land.

So which teams pick up a new starting quarterback in our movement simulation of the next few months? Let’s predict the offseason’s starting QB changes with hypothetical trade packages, free agent signings and draft picks.

The past few offseasons have brought a few enormous quarterback trades, including Aaron Rodgers going to the Jets, Deshaun Watson joining the Browns and Russell Wilson heading to the Broncos. We might not see a deal of that level over the next few months, but at least one starting-level quarterback could be involved in a trade. Here’s one move to kick us off.

Contract status: Fields has one more year left with the Bears on his rookie deal, which will pay him $3.2 million in 2024 and cost $6 million against the cap. A decision on whether to accept or decline his fifth-year option for 2025 is due May 2, and it would cost $22 million.

The Raiders’ offer: In this scenario, the Raiders offered second- and seventh-round picks in the 2024 draft for Fields. Champ Kelly, who was their interim GM in the last half of the 2023 season, was with the Bears when they drafted Fields, and although Tom Telesco was hired as general manager, Kelly remains with Las Vegas as assistant GM. Some of this might hinge on how Telesco and whomever the Raiders hire as the offensive coordinator view Fields. But it makes financial sense for the Raiders because Fields — a three-year NFL vet who is younger than rookie Aidan O’Connell — is on his rookie contract and under team control for the next two years.

Las Vegas needs a long-term answer under center for Antonio Pierce (who had the interim tag removed from his head-coach title), and it is likely to move on from expensive vet Jimmy Garoppolo, who didn’t work out after signing with the Raiders last offseason. Fields threw for 2,562 yards, 16 touchdown passes and nine interceptions over 13 games, and he rushed for 657 yards and four scores on the ground. — Paul Gutierrez, Raiders reporter

Why the Bears agreed: Chicago general manager Ryan Poles has repeatedly mentioned the “unique” position the Bears find themselves in this offseason with the No. 1 pick, which they didn’t earn by way of their own record (Carolina’s pick). The Bears have a chance to insert the top QB in the draft class onto a team that has a solid foundation on offense and one of the league’s top defenses, which could turn them into a contender by next season.

So while the Bears may or may not want to move on from Fields, if they get an offer like this one — which allows them to recoup an early second-round draft pick — they would have a difficult time saying no. — Courtney Cronin, Bears reporter

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