NFL Notes: Quarterbacks, 49ers, Redskins

February 11, 2018

Quarterbacks

Ben Volin of the Boston Globe expects the Jets, Broncos and Cardinals to all be in the mix for Kirk Cousins, who could end up becoming the first quarterback to top $30 million per year.
While Drew Brees could probably push for a similar salary to what Cousins gets on the open market, Volin expects him to offer the Saints some sort of a discount, considering the cap issues they’ve dealt with the past few years.
Volin believes the Eagles would be better off holding onto backup QB Nick Foles than trading him, barring an offer that completely blows them away.
As for the Bills, Volin expects them to draft another quarterback this offseason. Although, he wouldn’t be shocked if they elected to hold on to Tyrod Taylor for one more year, given that he has a reasonable salary and they may not be able to land Kirk Cousins in free agency.
Volin can’t see any team signing Sam Bradford as a starter, considering his history of knee injuries.
Vikings QB Case Keenum may not secure a starting job when all is said and done, according to Volin. But there’s at least a chance that a team like the Cardinals will be willing to pay him to be a seat warmer for a young quarterback.
Volin believes the Vikings could bring Teddy Bridgewater back on a short-term, incentive-based “prove-it” deal before considering a long-term extension afterward.
Volin notes that the Bears can free up $12.5 million by releasing Mike Glennon this offseason. Chicago could instead elect to re-sign Mark Sanchez at a low rate and have him serve as their backup quarterback.

We have some of these quarterbacks featured in our Top 100 – 2018 NFL Free Agents list.

49ers

49ers GM John Lynch said Friday that he believes the presence of QB Jimmy Garoppolo should make it easier on them to sign free agents this offseason, among other factors.

“It’s 75 degrees and sunny outside, we’ve got this guy, who wouldn’t want to be here?” Lynch said, via 49ers.com. “We want to become that. We want to become a destination where everyone wants to be. We’ve got a long way to go. We were 6-10, okay, so this is a big day for us, but we have a long way to go, and we’re fully aware of that.”

Redskins

New Redskins QB Alex Smith mentioned on the Murph & Mac podcast last week he’s “jacked” about joining the Redskins and “really excited” about the new opportunity.

“I’m jacked. I’m really excited,” Smith said, via the Washington Post. “Once I found out that things in Kansas City were going in a different direction, I was pumped at the opportunity, and when Washington came calling I was hopeful that that was a possible destination, and I’m just jacked that it worked out. They wanted me because the feeling was mutual, and I’m looking forward to it.”