NFL teams will do just about anything -- short of signing Colin Kaepernick, apparently -- to assuage their quarterback desperation.
The madness will begin anew with a 2018 veteran market that could feature two-time Super Bowl winner Eli Manning and others with varying pedigrees.
My top-10 list of best QBs who could switch teams in 2018 begins with one of Manning's NFC East contemporaries, Kirk Cousins. This ranking does not include Sam Bradford because of his knees. It does not include Carson Palmer, on the thinking he'll play with Arizona if he does come back for another season. Bengals backup AJ McCarron became a late scratch from the list on Sunday, after a surprise development pushed another passer into the 10th spot.
There are no top-tier quarterbacks here. Every one of the 10 needs a running game and defense more than the very best quarterbacks need either. There are quarterbacks who can win and have won when supported sufficiently.
1. Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins
Signed through: 2017 | Chances for change: Medium
The three-year negotiating stalemate between Cousins and the Redskins could culminate this offseason. Will the sides finally work out a long-term deal? Will Washington make Cousins a three-time franchise player at a cost of $35 million for 2018? The transition tag would carry a smaller price tag ($28 million) while letting Cousins explore the market.
Can Washington plausibly move on from Cousins? The QB ranks solidly within the top 10 in Total QBR since 2015 and will have suitors if he reaches the market. Cousins beat expectations early in the season when he produced despite losing his most reliable receivers, but he has had a tougher time as injuries wiped out more of his supporting cast.