Ranking the five best quarterback free agents in 2023

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports)
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports)
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 04: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before the game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 04: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before the game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

Ranking the five best quarterback free agents in 2023

2. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers

Jimmy Garoppolo is a free agent this year and does not look like he’ll return to the 49ers, where he helped the team go to three NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl.  Garoppolo, in my opinion, is not a franchise quarterback, but some team may pay him like one.

The New York Jets do make sense as a landing spot for Garoppolo.  They are in desperate need for a quarterback, but I could also see the Carolina Panthers making a play for him.

1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

This is a given.  Right now, Jackson is a free agent and is by far the best free agent quarterback on the market.  Apparently, he and the Ravens could be as much as $100 million apart in contract negotiations.

I do wonder how big of a chance there is that the Ravens end up trading Jackson.  They’d get an insane return back for the former MVP, so it could make sense.  Jackson has also struggled with staying healthy towards the end of the season, and it’s likely due to the style of his play, so maybe Baltimore is not willing to pay out a massive extension.