2021 Free Agent Market Watch: QBs the Steelers can’t afford

Indianapolis Colts v Pittsburgh Steelers — Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images

BTSC takes a look at the top free agents at each position, whether or not they are in the Steelers price range. Here are the Quarterbacks

Disclaimer: The author realizes that the 2021 Steelers are probably going to be burning in Salary Cap Hell and can’t pony up much money for free agents. However, you never know what they have planned and it’s the author’s responsibility to highlight the free agent options.

The Steelers already have a crowded quarterback room with Ben Roethlisberger’s deal reworked, Mason Rudolph established as a backup, the arrival of Dwayne Haskins and the possibility of a signal-caller arriving in the draft. However, should the Steelers decide that they need to address the position in free agency, this is who is looking for a deal at the position.

ONCE AGAIN. THE AUTHOR REALIZES THAT THE STEELERS DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS FOR MANY OF THESE PLAYERS. HOWEVER, THIS IS THE LIST OF WHO IS AVAILABLE TO THE ENTIRE LEAGUE AND THE STEELERS. YOU CAN CRITICIZE THE IDIOT AUTHOR ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER OR BLEACHER REPORT COMMENTS SECTION FOR WASTING YOUR TIME AND NOT KNOWING ANYTHING AT ALL, AGAIN AND AGAIN. HOWEVER, THESE WILL CONTINUE TO APPEAR.

Most Notable Free Agent Quarterbacks

Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys

Age 27, 6’2”/238 lbs.

Stats: Games Played – 5, QB Record: 2-3

Passing

Attempts: 222, Completions: 151, Completion Percentage: 68%, Yards: 1,856, Yards Per Game: 371.2, Touchdowns: 9, Interceptions: 4

Rushing

Attempts: 18, Yards: 93, Yards Per Attempt: 5.2, Touchdowns: 3

No. 9 PFF Position Ranking

Overall Grade 85.2 (Elite), Passing 80.4 (High Quality), Rushing 78.9 (High Quality)

Dak Prescott is said to be ready to go after suffering a horrendous dislocation and compound fracture to his ankle in Week 5. Prescott was throwing at an epic rate before he went down. Prescott has said that he wants “Mahomes Money” and is probably going to get it due to his accuracy, mobility and decision smarts. PFF projects $39.5 million per year for the former fourth-rounder.

Note: PFF was pretty much on point as Dak signed a four-year/$160 million dollar deal on Monday to remain with Dallas.

Jacoby Brissett – Indianapolis Colts

Age 28, 6’4”/238 lbs.

Stats: Games Played: 11, QB Record: 0-0

Passing

Attempts: 8, Completions: 2, Completion Percentage: 25%, Yards: 17, Yards Per Game: 1.5, Touchdowns: 0, Interceptions: 0

Rushing

Attempts: 1, Yards: 19, Yards Per Attempt: 1.1, Touchdowns: 3

PFF Position Ranking – Not Ranked

Overall Grade 75.6 (High Quality), Passing 52.5 (Below Average), Rushing 88.2 (Elite)

Brissett has had plenty of starting experience in the NFL with a 12-20 record for the Patriots and Colts. Jacoby, known more as a game manager and a rusher, but not as a big thrower… may be best suited as a backup. With Carson Wentz now in Indy, No. 7 may be on the move. PFF is projecting $7 million per year.

Cam Newton – New England Patriots

Age 32, 6’5”/245 lbs.

Stats: Games Played: 15, QB Record: 7-8

Passing

Attempts: 368, Completions: 242, Completion Percentage: 65.8%, Yards: 2,657, Yards Per Game: 177.1, Touchdowns: 8, Interceptions: 10

Rushing

Attempts: 37, Yards: 592, Yards Per Attempt: 4.3, Touchdowns: 12

No. 23 PFF Position Ranking

Overall Grade 70.9 (Above Average), Passing 67.8 (Above Average), Rushing 66.2 (Above Average)

Newton has an MVP on his resume’, but that 2015 season has been an exception and not the rule for the first-overall pick in the 2011 Draft. Cam will win games and his legs make him a dangerous weapon at times. But inconsistency and a penchant for sustaining injuries have become a hallmark of No. 1 in his career. PFF is forecasting a one-year deal for $5 million.

Ryan Fitzpatrick – Miami Dolphins

Age 38, 6’2”/228 lbs.

Stats: Games Played: 9, QB Record: 4-3

Passing

Attempts: 267, Completions: 183, Completion Percentage: 68.5%, Yards: 2,091, Yards Per Game: 232.3, Touchdowns: 13, Interceptions: 8

Rushing

Attempts: 30, Yards; 151, Yards Per Attempt: 5.0, Touchdowns: 2

No. 19 PFF Position Ranking

Overall Grade 75.1 (High Quality), Passing 70.7 (Above Average), Rushing 80.8 (High Quality)

Ryan Fitzpatrick could quite possibly be the best short-term quarterback in NFL history. But his play the past three seasons has been the finest of his long career. With exceptional intelligence and a live arm, Fitzpatrick can still get it down despite nearing 40. The veteran of eight teams, according to PFF, has the potential to earn $10 million on a one-year deal next season.

Jameis Winston – New Orleans Saints

Age 27, 6’4”/231 lbs.

Stats: Games Played: 4, QB Record: 0-0

Passing

Attempts: 11, Completions: 7, Completion Percentage: 63.6%, Yards: 75, Yards Per Game: 18.8, Touchdowns: 0, Interceptions: 0

Rushing

Attempts: 8, Yards: -6 , Yards Per Attempt: – 0.8, Touchdowns: 0

PFF Position Ranking – Not Ranked

Overall Grade 38.2 (Poor), Passing 39.5 (Poor), Rushing 56.6 (Average)

Winston is an aggressive quarterback that lives and dies by the sword. The first-overall pick in 2015 could still be a starter in this league, If not, a valuable backup. PFF projects a $7 million per year price tag for Winston.

Steelers Free Agent Quarterbacks

Joshua Dobbs

Age 26, 6’3”/216 lbs.

Stats: Games Played: – 1, QB Record: 0-0

Attempts: 5, Completions: 4, Completion Percentage: 80%, Yards: 2, Touchdowns: 0, Interceptions: 0

Attempts: 2, Yards: 20, Yards Per Attempt: 10.0, Touchdowns: 0

PFF Position Ranking – Not Ranked

Overall Grade 70.2 (Above Average), Passing 61.8 (Average), Rushing 68.7 (Above Average)

After being cut by Jacksonville, Dobbs came back to the Steelers right before the season opener last year, He played sparingly in the season finale against Cleveland and likely won’t be back after the addition of Dwayne Haskins.