NFL Free Agency: Which Top QB Could Reach 2016 Market?
By Erik Lambert
Dec 8, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) talks with New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) after a Chargers win at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers won 37-14. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, it is still very early in the 2015 calendar year to be talking about the off-season of 2016 but given the 24/7/365 mentality the league has become, it’s never too early anymore. So it’s important to step back and note just how high the ceiling could possibly go for NFL free agency next year, especially at the quarterback position.
A host of prominent names have expiring contracts and to date no strong rumors indicating they are anywhere close to reaching long-term extensions. Aside from Andrew Luck, who had his 5th year option picked up, the others remain in limbo. This begs the question, which of them could actually hit the open market?
Eli Manning
Any time a player turns 34-years old, it inevitably starts the questions about how much longer does he have in the league and does he deserve big money anymore. Eli Manning has hit that zone. He hasn’t gotten the New York Giants to a playoff berth since 2011, but still has two rings protecting his name along with a strong finish to last season. Unless he completely implodes this coming year, it’s more than likely the Giants will lock him up long before free agency comes into play.
Philip Rivers
This situation is very interesting. For a time Philip Rivers was considered all but gone in San Diego, the prized centerpiece of a rumored San Diego Chargers trade with Tennessee for the rights to Marcus Mariota. It didn’t happen, and now the two sides have resumed their battle over a new contract. Rivers apparently has no desire to sign a new one given the ongoing speculation that the Chargers are moving to Los Angeles, something he doesn’t want to do. That impasse is not like other typical ones teams face.
Cam Newton
Much of where this situation goes between Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers could depend heavily on how things play out in 2015. If the team wins and he has a good year, a deal will probably get done quickly. So what happens if both struggle? Newton has the kind of personality that would embrace the attention of shopping his wares in NFL free agency. Whether the Panthers would let him do that is another story, given the franchise tag in their back pocket.
Russell Wilson
It’s never a good sign when reports indicate a player and his team are “tens of millions” of dollars apart on contract negotiations. Still, Russell Wilson doesn’t strike as the kind of player who would string things out. Lauded for his wisdom and understanding of how things work, it’s more than likely he’ll figure things out with the Seattle Seahawks before too long. That is unless they decide to lowball him, playing on the assumption the team success was more due to defense and Marshawn Lynch.
Conclusion
Based on the decided lack of movement typical of the quarterback position from year to year in free agency, it fair to expect most of these prominent names aren’t going anywhere. Anything is possible, but given how few of these types are coming out of college every year, teams aren’t liable to just let them walk for nothing.
At the same time, one must insist that fans keep a close watch on that Rivers situation out on the West Coast.