2024-25 College Basketball Power Rankings (March 3)
Mike Randle
With the NFL Combine behind us, the focus now shifts to the start of free agency next week, one of the most exciting times for football fans. After the post-Super Bowl lull, the action finally picks up again. The legal tampering period brings its usual confusion, but one thing is certain: Adam Schefter’s tweets are just a week away.
This is an absolutely brutal year to be a QB-needy team. It is probably one of the worst free-agent QB classes in recent memory, and the incoming QB class is relatively poor (that article is for another day). But we can’t just not talk about it, so let’s dive in.
Ideal Landing Spots in 2025 Free Agency: Quarterback
Sam Darnold
Age: 27
The year is 2025, and Sam Darnold is the belle of the QB free agency ball. If you told me this even a year ago, I would have called you a liar, but here we are. There is no way around it: Sam Darnold played excellent football in 2024. He led the Vikings to a 14-3 record, keeping the team in the race for the NFC North title until Week 18. Darnold finished the year ranked fifth in passing yards (4,319) and touchdowns (35). Additionally, Darnold was dealing as a deep ball thrower. Not only did he finish fifth in deep-ball pass attempts, but he also finished first in deep-ball passing percentage (49.3%). Darnold is safely a top-20 QB in the NFL and the best QB available by a wide margin in both free agency and the upcoming NFL Draft.
Ideal Landing Spot: Las Vegas Raiders
Justin Fields
Age: 25
Justin Fields has yet to receive a fair shake in the NFL. There are certainly questions about his ability to be a great passer and processor, but he more than makes up for that with his ability on the ground. Between his time with the Bears and his short stint as the starter with the Steelers, Fields has never had a consistent or quality offensive playcaller. He was 4-2 as the Steelers starter and showed enough to get a shot at a starting role in 2025. Returning to Pittsburgh makes a lot of sense, given the available options, especially considering the Steelers’ draft position in 2025.
Ideal Landing Spot: Pittsburgh Steelers
Jameis Winston
Age: 31
While Winston is undoubtedly a volatile option at quarterback, he is safely a top-32 quarterback in the NFL and the ideal bridge quarterback for one of these rookies to sit behind. And every single one of these 2025 rookie QBs could benefit from not being thrown into a starter role with no other option. In typical Jameis fashion, he was on pace for a 4,242-yard passing season with 26 touchdowns. The issue? He was also on track to throw 24 interceptions, highlighting his usual boom-or-bust nature. He is great for your fantasy team but not your real-life football team. If he finds a place with good passing options and a good run game to back it up, it could work in the short term.
Ideal Landing Spot: New York Jets
Russell Wilson
Age: 36
In 11 starts last season, Russell Wilson put up a respectable 2,482 yards with 16 touchdowns. Considering the options, it’s fair to say he is not who he used to be, but there is enough left in the tank to garner some interest. Wilson may not excite a fanbase, but he offers stability as the franchise determines its next move. While the ceiling is low, the floor is high enough for a savvy, offensive-minded head coach to squeeze just enough out of him to make it to 2026. The Giants have the No. 3 overall pick and could grab their QB of the future and sit him behind Wilson until they are ready to go.
Ideal Landing Spot: New York Giants
Daniel Jones
Age: 27
It’s fair to say the Giants lost confidence in Daniel Jones, but he also lost confidence in them. Jones has never been an elite quarterback, but he has proven capable of starting in the NFL. While his contract was egregious, he did earn a second lucrative deal — something that doesn’t happen unless a player is at least a top-32 option. But what does he have left in the tank? His best bet is to go somewhere where he has a shot to compete and start.
Ideal Landing Spot: Indianapolis Colts
Marcus Mariota
Age: 31
Mariota has proven to be a capable backup and is likely one of the better journeyman backups available. Though he saw limited action in 2024, he proved he could still step in and finish the job. The Commanders lost starter Jayden Daniels against the Panthers. Mariota came in to ice the game, throwing for 205 yards and two touchdowns. He did it again vs. the Cowboys in Week 18, throwing for 161 yards and two touchdowns. He may not be the QB he once was, but he has gas in the tank and should be a top-eight backup in 2025.
Ideal Landing Spot: Washington Commanders
Jacoby Brissett
Age: 32
It’s tough to fault Brissett for his time in New England, as the situation was about as brutal as it gets for a quarterback. Labeling Brissett as a bridge quarterback is a stretch, but his inclusion here highlights how bleak the 2025 QB market is. The Titans have new leadership, and I expect them to wash their hands clean of Will Levis. It makes sense for him to come in and compete with whoever the Titans select at No. 1 overall.
Ideal Landing Spot: Tennessee Titans
Honorable Mentions
These guys aren’t technically free agents, but as the magic eight ball says, signs point to yes.
Aaron Rodgers
Age: 41
While Rodgers is still technically a Jet, the team has announced it will release him in the coming days. While free agency is looming for this future Hall of Famer, his two years with the Jets are more than forgettable. One thing that is almost guaranteed is that Rodgers will not take a backup role. While he is still an NFL starter, it’s very clear he is in the back half of that 32.
Ideal Landing Spot: Cleveland Browns
Kirk Cousins
Age: 36
Less than a year after a disastrous four-year, $180 million contract, it’s officially Michael Penix Jr. time in Atlanta. While Cousins thinks he still has some good football left, the tape and the box score say otherwise. Recovering from a torn Achilles at his age may be too tall of a task. Cousins under center, dropping back — it simply couldn’t happen. He probably finds himself in a starting role, but ideally, he goes somewhere where he can compete for one.
Ideal Landing Spot: Tennessee Titans
