The 2014 free agency period is continuing at a furious pace with some serious quarterback moves being made over the past few days and weeks. NFL offenses from coast to coast will see new arms under center for the start of the 2014-2015 season.
One of the most recent quarterback developments came with the announcement that the Philadelphia Eagles would be signing Mark Sanchez after the New York Jets released the quarterback Friday. Meanwhile, the Eagles unloaded Michael Vick to the Jets and may also lose their top wideout DeSean Jackson to New York.
As for Sanchez, he will have to fight Nick Foles for the starting position and may even have to compete with Matt Barkley for the backup role if that doesn't work out.
Vick will be paired with Geno Smith in New York, and his acquisition is one of the team's most significant free agent moves thus far other than picking up wide receiver Eric Decker for relatively generous terms.
The Jets snatched up Vick for one year at $5 million, and they will still be able to do much more work with their $27.5 million in remaining salary cap space.
The Houston Texans traded their starting quarterback, Matt Schaub, to the Oakland Raiders for a sixth-round draft pick, but that might not make Schaub a lock to run the Raiders offense next season.
Still, his new contract paves the way for him to make up to $21 million in the next two seasons. If the Raiders plan on drafting another QB (with the fifth overall pick) to potentially battle Schaub for the position, he could end up as an extremely expensive quarterback coach.
To replace Schaub in Texas, the team turned to ex-Titans QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Over nine seasons, Fitzpatrick has been hit or miss. He started nine games last season for Tennessee after a three-year stint with the Buffalo bills. He has 85 total games, inluding 77 starts. He put up 2,454 yards through the air last season with 14 touchdowns.
The Texans have the top pick in the draft this season, though. They could easily use it to take the best quarterback on the market. Candidates include Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles, A.J. McCarron, and Logan Thomas.
Again, the latest veteran QB signing could wind up in a coaching capacity if the Texans bag a potential first-year starter.
Down in Tampa Bay, Darrelle Revis departed from the Buccaneers defense to leave room for the signing of Josh McCown. Still, the Bucanners have the seventh overall pick in the draft, and could decide to add another talented QB if the teams ahead of them don't take the one they have in mind first.
This McCown acquisition is as much about experience as it is about potential. McCown showed tremendous poise and professionalism last season in relief of Jay Cutler in Chicago. He threw for over 1,800 yards and 13 scores with only one pickoff.
The Cleveland Browns could also pull the trigger on a big name QB with their fourth overall pick in the draft. Even the re-signing of Chad Henne in Jacksonville is no indication that Jacksonville is no longer in the market for a young arm.
Jacksonville picks third in the draft, and there is bound to be a solid quarterback available with the ability to beat out Henne for the starting role.
The St. Louis Rams will pick second this year, and they could also use a star quarterback to help the team overcome some of their historic offensive struggles. Though they are more likely to pick a top offensive or defensive lineman, a quarterback of the highest caliber would give this team a fighting chance to compete for the playoffs next season.
The Minnesota Vikings may also be in the QB market with the eighth selection in this year's draft, and the unpredictable Matt Cassel is set to start for the team this season.
All across the league, there are intriguing openings where quarterbacks will have to fight to secure the starting role for their respective teams. Free agency is still underway while the draft looms large with plenty of target acquisitions who could revolutionize their new teams.
Most of those blue-chip players are quarterbacks, and this could be one of the most talented draft classes in history as far as quarterbacks go. The next Tom Brady could be among this year's draftees, and a Super Bowl berth could be in the future for whoever signs the arm with the greatest natural ability and potential.
At the same time, this upstart rookie class could simply put more fire under the rear ends of the elder veterans. The result could be some amazing and unexpected numbers put up by the seasoned veterans.
As the free agency period continues, look for more teams to add quarterbacks as potential starters or glorified coaches and backup candidates.
Better safe with a veteran than sorry with a draftee dud.
