The 2023 NFL offseason is officially underway. How can we tell? Well, if you listen closely you can hear the music playing in the background while available quarterbacks play a game of QB musical chairs.
Let’s take a quick look at some of the biggest moves at the quarterback position across the league.
Aaron Rodgers
The situation involving Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers is nothing short of fascinating. Rodgers went on the Pat McAfee show for nearly an hour and dropped a ton of information about his future in the NFL. Rodgers stated the Packers informed after him that they plan to move forward without him and he intends to play for the New York Jets this upcoming season. There is just one problem… Rodgers is still under contract with the Green Bay Packers. The two sides are still working out compensation to make this move official. Stay tuned because this could get interesting if a deal isn’t done prior to the NFL Draft.
Lamar Jackson
Here is another quarterback who hasn’t technically moved from his previous location, but with the Baltimore Ravens placing the nonexclusive franchise tag on the former league MVP, other teams can now negotiate with Jackson. Now, the Ravens will have the opportunity to match any offer sheet Jackson were to sign or be compensated with two first-round picks if they decide not to match an offer. Stay tuned.
Jimmy Garaoppolo
The Las Vegas Raiders decided to part ways with Derek Carr, only to bring in another veteran quarterback who previously worked with Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels back in New England. That is right, Jimmy G is on his way to Las Vegas. Garoppolo is a polarizing quarterback. On one side, he has proven that he can win football games in the NFL (40-17 career starting record). But on the other hand, Garoppolo hasn’t been able to stay healthy or win a Super Bowl with a very talented roster. What is more confusing is that the Raiders brought in a veteran quarterback, which suggests they want to contend this season, but they turned around and traded away a Pro Bowl tight end in Darren Waller less than a week later. Interesting…
Derek Carr
Speaking of the Raiders, their former quarterback, Derek Carr, is officially the new man under center for the New Orleans Saints. Carr’s disappointing 2022 campaign was capped off by McDaniels deciding to bench Carr for the final couple of games of the season. Now, he will aim to revitalize a once potent offense that still features Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas and Chris Olave in a very winnable division.
Baker Mayfield
It was a wild 2022 NFL season for Baker Mayfield. After he was selected at No. 1 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, Mayfield was unceremoniously traded to the Carolina Panthers after the Cleveland Browns traded for Deshaun Watson. Things didn’t work out for Mayfield in Carolina and was released on December 5, 2022. However, Mayfield showed some promise by filling in admirably for Matthew Stafford as a member of the Los Angeles Rams to close out the 2022 season. Now, he will aim to beat out former the former University of Florida product, Kyle Trask, in an open competition to become the heir apparent to Tom Brady for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mayfield signed just a one-year deal with the Bucs, which means this could be Mayfield’s last chance to compete for a starting job in the NFL.
Derek Tate was born and raised in the Tampa Bay Area. He has been covering the NFL for the last five years and is currently the Sports Director and Play-by-Play Announcer for the TV station in northern Michigan, NewsNet. When he isn’t watching, analyzing, living, eating or breathing NFL Football, he enjoys spending time with his one-year-old daughter, Kennedy.