Dec 15, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) calls indicators in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs throughout the first quarter at Huntington Financial institution Subject. Obligatory Credit score: Scott Galvin-Imagn Pictures As a former No. 1 general choose with a cannon for an arm and 10 seasons beneath your belt as an NFL quarterback, free company is usually a funky expertise.
How a lot would you anticipate to be paid for beating the division-winning Baltimore Ravens and playoff-qualifier Pittsburgh Steelers (in a snow globe Thursday night time sport) in a stretch of 4 weeks?
That is the place Jameis Winston’s thoughts goes earlier than Tuesday, when groups can formally use the franchise tag and the NFL’s seemingly half-day offseason involves a detailed.
Winston is just not the highest free agent or veteran quarterback available on the market, in fact. However whereas others would possibly make a critical play for Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold and Russell Wilson, might Winston be a shock moneymaker whereas purchasing for a spot to throw his one hundred and fifty fifth profession TD move?
With profession earnings over $76 million after signing for $1.2 million to again up Deshaun Watson with the Cleveland Browns in 2024, Winston is a doable placeholder for groups such because the Tennessee Titans or Las Vegas Raiders whereas they develop a youthful choice.
Backups are cost-effective by way of their potential significance and general significance. A former No. 2 general draft choose, Carson Wentz was No. 2 for the Chiefs in 2024 with a assured take of solely $2.2 million, a modest determine for the one-snap-away circumstance he walked into behind Patrick Mahomes in Kansas Metropolis.
Winston might strategy the $8 million vary the New England Patriots paid Jacoby Brissett to be the short-term frontman earlier than handing the keys to Drake Maye in 2024. Marcus Mariota, yet one more former No. 2 general choose chosen one spot behind Winston in 2015, was paid $6 million to assist train and peer-coach Jayden Daniels for the Washington Commanders.
Which different NFL free brokers would possibly get more cash than anticipated in March?
Vikings CB Byron Murphy
Estimated Worth: $16 million per season
Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits idle on the sector earlier than the sport between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures Murphy picked off a team-leading six passes in 2024, and the Vikings are careworn on salaries, together with legendary sidekick Harrison Smith—a free agent with 13 seasons in Minnesota—at security. If Charvarius Ward leaves the San Francisco 49ers as anticipated, he’s within the operating with Murphy as the perfect cowl man available on the market. Nonetheless, groups on the high of the draft would possibly have already got their eye on Colorado’s Travis Hunter or Michigan’s Will Johnson, who could be had at a fraction of the worth of a high free agent nook.
Murphy is barely 27 and will command greater than $15 million per 12 months after becoming a member of the Vikings in 2023 on a two-year deal at $8.75 million yearly.
49ers LB Dre Greenlaw
Worth: $10 million per season
Feb 8, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) throughout a press convention earlier than Tremendous Bowl LVIII at Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa. credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports activities He is 27 and did not erase doubts about his potential to return to the junkyard canine model of play that made him a perennial Professional Bowl candidate alongside Fred Warner. The positives? His age and well-known work ethic.
He additionally mastered the 3-4 protection and can be utilized in a number of methods relying on the scheme. The negatives? Simply now over the one-year mark since rupturing his left Achilles, Greenlaw lasted 30 snaps in his first sport again in December, then tried to play by Achilles and knee discomfort per week later, solely to be shut down after 4 performs. Greenlaw retains a excessive worth due to his rep and the proliferation of former 49ers staffers all through the league, specifically DeMeco Ryans with the Houston Texans and former assistant GM Adam Peters, who now calls the pictures for the Commanders.
Cardinals LG Will Hernandez
Worth: $11 million per season
Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals guard Will Hernandez (76) in opposition to the Washington Commanders at State Farm Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Pictures Given a selection between Hernandez and Chiefs RG Trey Smith, one other unrestricted free agent, most groups are going to lean into Smith.
If the Chiefs do tag Smith, contemplating left guard and part-time left sort out Joe Thuney is also up for a brand new deal, Hernandez represents a stellar fallback choice. He wrapped up a two-year, $9 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals however performed simply 5 video games in 2024 attributable to a torn ACL. As a result of the harm occurred in October, he’s more likely to be prepared for coaching camp however celebrates his thirtieth birthday on Sept. 2. A staff with a gap to fill and a power-run scheme might simply provide $9 million to $12 million yearly on a three-year deal.
