With the 2024 season in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look ahead. Before we get to the draft, we start a new league year and a free-agent frenzy. Ahead of that, I’ll be looking at five impact free agents—and a couple of honorable mentions—at each of the four big fantasy positions. Today, it’s a look at quarterbacks.
No. 1: Sam Darnold
2024 Team: Minnesota Vikings
About: Darnold was a big question mark heading into 2024. He signed a one-year, $10 million deal to be the veteran bridge for the Vikings. They proceeded to draft J.J. McCarthy as the QB of the future. But thanks to a good off-season and McCarthy’s injury, Darnold was the man under center for the Vikings all year. He had a career year, guiding the Vikings to a 14-3 record as he completed 66 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and just 12 interceptions. But his struggles during Week 18 and the Wild Card Playoff game made it unclear if he was a good long-term fit for the Vikings.
Now, with Kevin O’Connell suggesting the team is happy to let Darnold test free agency, it seems like he’ll be playing elsewhere in 2025. Doubtless he’ll get a good deal to be in the mix to start somewhere. Will he be able to replicate his 2024 performance? That remains in some doubt. He’s a low-end QB2 right now, but I’d feel better if he was my QB3 heading into free agency. This doesn’t feel the same as it did with Baker Mayfield following 2023. I have more questions. Still, he’s likely the biggest domino in the free-agent QB market in 2025.
No. 2: Russell Wilson
2024 Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
About: The Broncos once paid a steep price to bring Wilson to Denver. It didn’t work out. That led to him being released last off-season, with the Broncos willingly eating a massive cap hit over two seasons to be done. That wasn’t a great sign. He signed a one-year, low-money deal with the Steelers to rehab his image.
Wilson became the Steelers ‘ starter after starting the season injured and unavailable. While he guided the team to the playoffs, a middling final stretch of games and a middling Wild Card performance cast doubt on his long-term future. He’s said he wanted to be back in Pittsburgh, but do they want him? Reports vary, with the latest seeming to indicate the Steelers are moving on. But does that mean Wilson is out of options? Probably not.
In fact, there’s some buzz he could end up in Las Vegas with Pete Carroll. That’s probably a best-case scenario at this point. Either way, wherever Wilson ends up it will be his last chance to prove he is still a consistent starter. For now, Wilson is a QB3 in Dynasty. But I wouldn’t count on him going into 2025.
No. 3: Justin Fields
2024 Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
About: Fields became expendable after the Bears earned the No. 1 overall pick. He was part of the equation at quarterback for the Steelers, starting for the first part of the season. Fields started six games, going 4-2. He completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns against one interception. He didn’t seem to have wowed Mike Tomlin and the Steelers, who benched him for the remainder of the season.
But there’s new life this off-season, as it seems the Steelers might want him back. Would he be the only one back? Would he be the starter? Those are all fair questions that remain unanswered. But Fields has an upside in fantasy. While his value seemed dead mid-season, I’m starting to be intrigued by the possibility of him ending up somewhere and getting a real shot in 2025. For now, he’s a QB3 for me.
No. 4: Jameis Winston
2024 Team: Cleveland Browns
About: Winston signed with the Browns last off-season, and while it seemed like an odd fit, he ended up starting and playing well—for a while. The Browns went a different way to close the season, deciding to look at younger players. And while the team is cap-strapped in 2025, they still need a quarterback with Deshaun Watson likely out. It doesn’t seem like a return to the Browns is in the cards for the Browns.
So, Winston is a player in need of a team. He’s at the stage of his career where it’s no lock he’d get a chance to compete for a job, but he should go somewhere. And, if he gets on the field, he could make a difference. At this stage, he doesn’t need to be rostered but he’s a player that’s worth watching. If he lands in the right spot—like say a New York Giants team with no QBs on the roster, I’d grab him as a QB4 with upside.
No. 5: Mac Jones
2024 Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
About: Jones flamed out with the Patriots. As Bill Belichick left last off-season, the team traded Jones for a Sixth-Round pick to the Jaguars. There, he backed up Trevor Lawrence. But down the stretch, he got his shot to start. While the Jaguars didn’t have a successful season on the field or in the win column, Jones looked decent. In fact, from Week 13 on, he was QB15 for fantasy.
Now, he’s a free agent. It’s quite possible he’ll end up signing as a backup again. Or he could get a shot to be in the mix for a QB-needy team. Unlike some of his fellow draft classmates like Zach Wilson and Trey Lance, we’ve seen Jones have success as a starting quarterback. That makes him an intriguing under-the-radar option. He probably isn’t rostered in your league, but if he lands in a good spot, he’s a player I would stash as a QB4 with upside.
Honorable Mention: Jimmy Garoppolo
About: Jimmy G. spent last year as a backup for the Rams. He looked good in his start Week 18. He has been a solid starter before and could make his way to a QB-needy team again. It could even be that he’s the Rams’ solution to a post-Matthew Stafford life.
Honorable Mention: Carson Wentz
About: Is Wentz ever going to be a starter again? At this point, that might be a longshot. But Wentz is a capable and interesting backup. It’s worth monitoring where he lands.
Honorable Mention: Andy Dalton
About: Dalton has squarely entered the veteran backup phase of his career. But he has the potential to be an effective spot or temporary starter in addition to putting up some fantasy numbers. If he ends up in Cleveland, or behind a young QB, he’d be worth a stash.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
