Top Scheme Fits for Russell Wilson, QBs Potentially in 2024 NFL Offseason Carousel
In the wake of Super Wild Card Weekend, six more teams have entered the annual process of evaluating the season that was.
For some, a young core remains intriguing for future seasons. Others might convince themselves that they're only a quarterback away from making noise in their respective conference.
Teams in need of a new quarterback will have plenty of options this offseason. USC's Caleb Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels headline this year's draft class, while veterans like Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins and Justin Fields could all be available via trade or free agency.
With rumors already swirling about the QB carousel, let's get into the top scheme fits for some of the options who might become available this offseason. Team fits are listed in order of preference.
Russell Wilson
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ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Tuesday that a long list of suitors could pursue Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson this offseason, including the Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons. Peeling back the layers of each offensive architecture presents a clear top fit for the 35-year-old.
Minnesota Vikings
Under the offensive mind of Kevin O'Connell, the Vikings should remain competitive in the NFC North for some time. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson would be a heck of a supporting cast for Wilson, too.
At this point in his career, teams shouldn't ask Wilson to sit back and dissect a defense 35 times per game. However, when you have perimeter targets to pump with passes at a variety of depths, the best of Wilson is put on display.
Similar to his time in Seattle with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, landing in Minnesota to target the superstar talent around him (and playing in a dome 8-9 times per year) could help Wilson's confidence reemerge.
Atlanta Falcons
We'll see what Atlanta does at head coach and go from there, but the talent and offensive line should be intriguing for Wilson either way. Wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts would give him two young, high-end targets.
Don't underrate the presence of both Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, either. Not asking Wilson to play consistent hero ball could be the clearest path for his offensive success moving forward.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The connection between Wilson and Mike Tomlin would be intriguing, but the Steelers likely won't consider him the right addition to push them over the hump within a deep division.
The Steelers have some intriguing young targets in wide receiver George Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth, along with a promising right tackle in Broderick Jones. But they'll likely pursue a younger option to compete with third-year quarterback Kenny Pickett next season.
Kirk Cousins
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After knocking off the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles during Super Wild Card Weekend, the Buccaneers figure to re-sign Baker Mayfield this offseason. But allowing Kirk Cousins to lead this offense with playmakers in abundance would be something to watch.
A throwback type of pocket passer, Cousins would overwhelm the likes of Mike Evans (if the Bucs re-sign him as well) and Chris Godwin with targets. He'd also help young tight end Cade Otton and running back Rachaad White evolve their games.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons tried with Desmond Ridder. They gave Taylor Heinicke a shot, too. But getting a veteran in the building like Cousins to immediately showcase the talent around him would give Atlanta the top offensive arsenal in the NFC South, at least on paper.
Washington Commanders
Newly minted general manager Adam Peters had a say in the San Francisco 49ers drafting Brock Purdy two years ago as an efficient, accurate leader for an offense. While Cousins is far superior to Purdy as a pure thrower, both guys fall into the game-manager bucket at times, and there's nothing wrong with that.
The Commanders figure to take whichever of Caleb Williams or Drake Maye falls to them at No. 2, if they don't trade up with the Chicago Bears to No. 1. But an organization with five top-100 picks and the league's most cap space should be intriguing for any quarterback, especially with core offensive pieces like wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson and running back Brian Robinson Jr. in place.
Justin Fields
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New England Patriots
If the Chicago Bears move on from Justin Fields and take a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick, the Patriots should be interested.
After 24 years, Bill Belichick is no longer in Foxborough, but new head coach Jerod Mayo should be a breath of fresh air in New England. It's tough to succeed while changing coordinators and learning the verbiage of a new offense, but the Patriots would provide Fields with a fresh start as he enters a crucial stage of his career.
Atlanta Falcons
Fields is a native of Georgia and initially committed to the Bulldogs in college. Going back home could be both a unique story and a heck of an addition for whomever Atlanta names as head coach.
It would have been interesting to see how Fields operated in Arthur Smith's run-first, play-action-heavy attack, but the Falcons have plenty of skill-position talent to take advantage of.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Chicago would be wise to move Fields out of the NFC, and Pittsburgh could be the perfect landing spot. Head coach Mike Tomlin could be an invaluable shoulder to lean on, and competing within a loaded AFC North should bring the best out of Fields.
George Pickens and Diontae Johnson would likely be happy with this move as well.
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Ryan Tannehill
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Las Vegas Raiders
Time will tell if Aidan O'Connell is ultimately the future in Las Vegas, but Ryan Tannehill could provide a bang-for-your-buck type of addition who could either start or assist the 2023 fourth-rounder in the day-to-day life as a starting NFL signal-caller.
Tannehill's estimated $4.9 million market value won't break the bank, either.
New England Patriots
The Patriots could take a new face of the franchise with the No. 3 overall pick. But if they opt to go to the veteran route or eye Tannehill as a wily vet with some spot-start ability, this could be a nice landing spot.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If the Buccaneers let Baker Mayfield walk, want to bring star wideout Mike Evans back and go the veteran route under center again, Tannehill could be the guy.
Tannehill's lack of pop over these last few years won't excite many, but signing him for cheap in a division where it should be the Bucs' to lose moving forward could be the easy route to a .500 record. The NFC South remains as up in the air as any division in football.
Baker Mayfield
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Las Vegas Raiders
With star wideout Davante Adams in place and Antonio Pierce potentially set to become the permanent head coach, the Raiders could soon have a clear foundation in place.
If Baker Mayfield somehow gets away from Tampa Bay, Vegas is the clear spot where his game could continue to thrive. The Raiders need some spunk under center, and who better to provide that than Mayfield?
Minnesota Vikings
Who wouldn't want to throw to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison? T.J. Hockenson, too? Mayfield would likely love to make his way north to lead the Vikings for a roster that is entering put-up-or-shut-up time under head coach Kevin O'Connell.
The Vikings spent a fifth-round pick on Jaren Hall last season as a potential successor to Kirk Cousins, but that ship might have already sailed. They'll need an upgrade if Cousins does walk in free agency.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos are widely expected to move on from Russell Wilson this offseason, so Sean Payton and Co. figure to scour the depths of free agency and the draft to get their guy. While the dynamic of Payton and Mayfield would be Hard Knocks worthy, Denver has the pieces in place to compete on offense in the AFC West.
Learning a new offense isn't easy, but Mayfield proved this fall the type of success he can have with talent around him and a few seconds to scan a defense.
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