NFL: Top 10 Free Agent Quarterbacks

kevin roberts by Senior Writer Written on February 16, 2009

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TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01:  Kurt Warner #13 of the Arizona Cardinals takes his gloves off as he leaves the field after the Cardinals lost 27-23 against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fl
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

This off-season is full of questions for any team not named the Steelers. It all starts with the team that lost to Pittsburgh in the final game.

While Kurt Warner and his family ponder another two years in Arizona versus life after football, it's time for us to take a step back and look at the big picture.

What happens with him will ultimately have a domino effect with all the other teams; spelling out the fate for all the free agent quarterbacks out there.

If Kurt Warner were to retire, the Cardinals would be in the market for a reliable back-up to Matt Leinart. If he chose to go to another team, that would take another starting position away from a different potential candidate.

So take a look at the nine other signal-callers who are worthy of a chance somewhere (even though some may be a bit of a stretch) and where they might end up.

1. Kurt Warner

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01:  Kurt Warner #13 of the Arizona Cardinals takes the field before playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.  (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

There's no way Kurt Warner is walking away from a setup like this. Anquan Boldin's gripe with the front office, combined with the loss of Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley, certainly take a bit of the shine off of it, but there's just no way Warner walks.

He's gone from not getting drafted to bagging groceries, to a miracle Super Bowl winner, to career backup and back again.

At this point, if the wishes are coming true, keep feeding the fountain.

Warner will be back in Arizona.

2. Jeff Garcia

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 19: Quarterback Jeff Garcia #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers plays against the Seattle Seahawks at Raymond James Stadium on October 19, 2008 in Tampa, Florida.  (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Recent news has the Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially cutting ties with Garcia, saying he will not be back with the team.

I guess when they ousted coach Jon Gruden, Garcia's fate was written on the wall.

Garcia still has a ton in the tank, is still mobile, and is as accurate as they come. He doesn't make a ton of huge plays, but he's cut down on mistakes more and more throughout his career.

Whoever gets him will get a terrific game-manager with the ability to occasionally win games by himself.

Garcia's most likely landing spot as a starter would be with Minnesota, which is a team that's a good quarterback away from being a serious title contender.

I'm sure they'll keep their fingers crossed for Brett Favre, but the odds are they give up, pass on Tarvaris Jackson, and give the Garcia experiment a shot.

It's unlikely Garcia would sign with a non-contender, even if the money were right.

3. Kerry Collins

NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 10:  Quarterback Kerry Collins #5 of the Tennessee Titans looks on in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 10, 2009 at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee.  (Photo by Jonathan

He's probably the least athletic or mobile quarterback on the list.

He can't really be depended on to win games anymore, but he's the third most cerebral, still has a strong arm, and knows how to guide his team.

Collins was used very sparingly on a run-first team, and is likely to end up back with the Titans when he realizes for himself that he had a lot less to do with the Titans' success than people believe.

Collins will stay put.

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 14:  Richard Seymour #93 of the New England Patriots strips the ball from Brian Leftwitch #7 of the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 14, 2003 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.  (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

4. Byron Leftwich

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 14:  Richard Seymour #93 of the New England Patriots strips the ball from Brian Leftwitch #7 of the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 14, 2003 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.  (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Last year Leftwich was solid in spot duty for the Steelers, and looked pretty solid filling in for Ben Roethlisberger when called upon.

Leftwitch has never lived up to his first-rounder billing, but he has the size and the arm to be at least decent in this league.

He'll easily get a job as a clipboard holder somewhere, but he's looking for a chance to start.

His most likely landing spots for a shot at a starting gig are Chicago, New York (Jets), Tennessee, and Minnesota.

There are more teams who could use him, but right now those appear to be his best fits.

I'm going with him landing on a NFC North team, either Chicago or Minnesota, and right now I'm thinking the Bears, because the Vikings would probably prefer Jeff Garcia's mobility and leadership.

5. Rex Grossman

CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 09:  Rex Grossman #8 of the Chicago Bears calls a play in the huddle against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field on November 9, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. The Titans won 21-14.  (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Grossman has enough experience to snag another starting job somewhere else, but he makes so many mistakes that he's quite a gamble.

He has solid athleticism, a good, fast release, and actually has been to the Super Bowl.

With the right team, Grossman could be reborn.

Landing with a division rival is a real possibility, even if it's as a backup.

Kansas City and St. Louis are two other teams that would make a lot of sense.

Going back to Chicago is not an option.

He'll have to settle for a shot in Detroit.

6. Chris Simms

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms scores a touchdown against the Washington Redskins in an NFL wild card playoff game January 7, 2006 in Tampa.  The Redskins defeated the Bucs 17 - 10.  (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Chris Simms has been on every team's list as a potential backup, so now the issue is where he wants to play.

Simms could end up taking over for Favre in New York, and the San Francisco 49ers are a possibility, too.

We haven't seen a whole lot of him lately, but if he can return to pre-spleen injury form, he may still have a career ahead of him.

He's probably in contention with Garcia and Grossman for any NFC North openings, and only time will tell which one he wins.

7. Kyle Boller

BALTIMORE - DECEMBER 3:  Kyle Boller #7 of the Baltimore Ravens blows into his hands during warm-ups before the game against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium December 3, 2007 in Baltimore, Maryland.  (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Boller could end up in New York, too, as he is familiar with new Head Coach Rex Ryan. Ryan could bring him in as an insurance policy.

Boller seems to suffer from an extreme lack of confidence, and it leads to very erratic play.

Boller can, at times, appear to have everything under control. He can be very effective managing an offense, but then a light goes off—and he's cold.

8. J.P. Losman

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 14:  Brad Butler #60 and Duke Preston #75  of The Buffalo Bills pass block for JP Losman #7 against the New York Jets during their game on December 14, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Photo by Al Bel

Losman is an extreme hot/cold player who would benefit from better options at receiver and tight end.

Despite being a fairly mobile player, he lacks great vision in the pocket, and has only average accuracy.

Losman has enough potential for a team to sign him as a camp "battle" guy. NFC North teams are again a factor, but signing with the rival Jets wouldn't be surprising, either.

Losman will probably go where he has the best chance to start, and that will be either Kansas City or Detroit.

9. J.T. O'Sullivan

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 14:  Quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan #14 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Brandon Mebane #92 of the Seattle Seahawks on September 14, 2008 at Qwest Field in Seattle Washington. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 33-30 in overtime. (Ph

O'Sullivan was probably the better statistical quarterback for Mike Martz' offense, but Shaun Hill found ways within the offense to win.

O'Sullivan has solid arm strength, knows how to run an offense, can handle complex terminology, and has better than average mobility in the pocket.

He's probably waiting to see what happens with Mike Martz before he signs anywhere, but he may not have the time to see.

O'Sullivan is a big risk, but the Rams are hurting at quarterback these days.

A switch to a team with players that have played in a familiar offense and O'Sullivan would be able to develop good chemistry.

10. Charlie Frye

SEATTLE - OCTOBER 12:  Quarterback Charlie Frye #5 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to make a pass play during the game against the Green Bay Packers on October 12, 2008 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 27-17. (Photo b

Frye has the size and tools of a successful NFL quarterback, but something's missing.

Other than his starting experience, he doesn't have a ton to offer as far as immediate help.

It's not impossible for him to come back to Seattle, but Detroit and Chicago again could factor into his fate.

A trip back to the AFC as a backup in Pittsburgh or New England (depending on if Matt Cassel gets traded) is possible, as well.

One thing is for certain: The opportunities are running out.

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written on February 16, 2009 Sports


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