Ideal Landing Spots in 2024 Free Agency: Quarterback

We have reached the month of March, which means the start of NFL free agency is just around the corner. Things are going to change rather quickly around the league, so this week we’ll highlight some of the top free agents at each position and which teams make the most sense as potential landing spots.

Check out the “best fit in free agency series”: RB | WR | TE

Ideal Landing Spots in 2024 Free Agency: Quarterbacks

Kirk Cousins

Age: 35
Ideal landing spot: Minnesota Vikings

It seems like there is a good chance Kirk Cousins returns to Minnesota, and that would be the most ideal destination for him. Prior to tearing his Achilles in Week 8, Cousins was arguably playing the best football of his career. Through Week 7, Cousins ranked sixth in completion rate (68.9%), second in passing yards (2,057), first in touchdown passes (16) and first in 300-yard games (4). Returning to Minnesota to throw passes to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson in a Vikings offense that ranked fifth in neutral-script pass rate (61.1%) and 10th in early down pass rate (55.5%) would give Cousins the best chance at success in 2024.

Justin Fields

Age: 25
Ideal landing spot: Atlanta Falcons

I know Justin Fields isn’t a free agent, but considering it sounds like he’ll be traded this offseason, it makes sense to include him here. With Chicago likely to select Caleb Williams first overall, Fields should be throwing passes elsewhere in 2024. Perhaps the most rumored landing spot has been Atlanta, which would be fun. Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson remain an exciting trio of weapons, while the new offense should be more fantasy friendly than Luke Getsy’s. The route combinations in Chicago have been so bad over the years, with multiple occasions where two wide receivers end their route in the same area. In Atlanta, Fields would join new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who likely implements pieces of Sean McVay’s motion-heavy, 11 personnel system that gets wideouts open.

Baker Mayfield

Age: 28
Ideal landing spot: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings (if no Kirk Cousins)

The best fit for Baker Mayfield would unequivocally be Tampa Bay if Dave Canales were still the team’s offensive coordinator. We did see Mike Evans just re-sign with Tampa Bay, which would obviously be great for Mayfield if Tampa Bay turns their attention to retaining him next. Mayfield had a bounceback season in 2023, throwing for 4,044 yards (ninth) and 28 touchdowns (seventh). He also ranked fifth in air yards per attempt (8.6) and was one of the best third down quarterbacks in all of football. Canales, who assisted Geno Smith’s breakout season in Seattle in 2022, played a large role in Mayfield’s career-best campaign. I also love the potential of Mayfield in Minnesota if the Vikings aren’t willing to pay a 35-year-old quarterback coming off an Achilles tear huge money.

Russell Wilson

Age: 35
Ideal landing spot: Pittsburgh Steelers

With the Broncos just releasing Russell Wilson, he now joins the list of free agent quarterbacks. Sure, Wilson isn’t the elite signal caller he once was, but he was much better last year than he was alongside Nathaniel Hackett the year before. Wilson remains at his best when making plays outside the pocket and taking vertical shots down the sideline, especially off play-action. I still go back to the end of his first season in Denver when the offense finally moved to a play-action passing game that also got Wilson outside of the pocket. In Weeks 17 and 18, the Broncos changed play-callers and during that span, their play-action rate climbed from 18% to 34%, while their outside-the-pocket pass rate jumped from 15.8% to 24%. And during that stretch, Wilson completed 61% of his passes and threw for over 500 yards.

Russell Wilson Denver Broncos 2024 Fantasy Football Ideal Landing Spots in Free Agency Quarterback

With Arthur Smith calling plays, the Steelers should utilize plenty of play-action. Atlanta quarterback Desmond Ridder posted a 31.9% play-action dropback rate alongside Smith last year, the third-highest rate in football. Of course, Wilson would be a perfect fit in former playcaller Matt Canada’s offense, as both refuse to throw to the middle of the field. But Wilson could develop a strong rapport with George Pickens, who saw 24.4% of his targets come off go routes last year. Reportedly, the Steelers aren’t interested in Wilson (or Fields) which makes zero (or perfect) sense considering the team.

Ryan Tannehill

Age: 35
Ideal landing spot: Pittsburgh Steelers

Both Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky are free agents, and while the Steelers continue to show faith in Kenny Pickett, this team could be looking for a backup quarterback if they don’t make a move for Justin Fields or Russell Wilson. Tannehill isn’t someone we are hoping starts at this point of his career, but as a backup who may have to make some occasional starts, the fit makes sense. He is very familiar with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, working with him in Tennessee 2019-2020.

Gardner Minshew

Age: 27
Ideal landing spot: Indianapolis Colts

With rookie Anthony Richardson only playing two full games last year, Gardner Minshew was asked to do a lot for the Colts. And he did enough to support Michael Pittman as a top-13 fantasy wideout and get the Colts to the cusp of the playoffs. I think the best scenario is for Minshew to return to Indianapolis, to guard against the chance case Richardson, who took a lot of unnecessary hits during his rookie year, can’t stay healthy. Plus, the Colts are one of the most fantasy-friendly offenses in football, as they led the league in average seconds per snap (24.0) and no-huddle rate (16.6%).

Jacoby Brissett

Age: 31
Ideal landing spot: Cleveland Browns

Joe Flacco had a fun renaissance last year down the stretch, but he’s also a free agent and at 39 years old, it seems unlikely he returns. If that is the case, Cleveland needs to find someone reliable at the quarterback position, especially given how elite this defense is. Cleveland hopes Deshaun Watson is much better in 2024 but if he’s not, Jacoby Brissett could give them a solid floor.