Contracts can be a good source of dynasty information, including for injury and performance security. Below are the five veteran quarterback contracts to watch in the next year that have dynasty implications.
Related -- see quarterbacks who could be cut before the 2024 season >>>
Incumbent 2023 Starters
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota
Kirk Cousins is in the final year of his contract with the Minnesota Vikings. In 2022, Cousins threw for 4,547 yards, the most since his career high in 2016. Cousins did see a drop in yards per attempt (7.1), the lowest since his first season in Minnesota in 2018. Cousins has expertly managed the market throughout his career and earned more than 200 million dollars in NFL contracts. There will be teams in need of a quarterback in 2024, but Cousins will be 36. After a disappointing initial season in 2018, Cousins ranked 7th, 10th, and 10th in expected points added per play before falling to 19th in 2022. This will be a critical year for Cousins. If he is a disappointment, he may find himself in the bridge-quarterback territory like Jimmy Garoppolo. But if he rebounds, Cousins could find himself in a potential multiple-year starting opportunity like Derek Carr’s contract in New Orleans.
Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee
A loser in the NFL Draft, Ryan Tannehill enters the 2023 season in the final year of his contract. The Titans hired new general manager Ran Carthon who began to turn the page on the pre-2023 era Titans. The team released tackle Taylor Lewan, center Ben Jones, and wide receiver Robert Woods while allowing guards Dennis Daley and Nate Davis to leave in free agency. All these moves indicate a reset of their franchise. The team then traded up to select Will Levis with the 33rd pick in the NFL Draft and may want to evaluate Levis before they enter a good quarterback draft class in 2024. This all makes Tannehill a lame duck with a poor supporting cast. Tannehill may find himself in a bridge-quarterback territory in 2024.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay
Baker Mayfield is now on his fourth team in the past two seasons and enters the 2023 campaign with Tampa Bay with very low expectations. Tampa Bay has an over/under of 6.5 wins, which is tied for the second-lowest in the league with Houston, Indianapolis, and Washington, ahead of only Arizona. The team ranked 25th in ESPN’s pass block win rate in 2022 and lost tackle Donovan Smith in free agency and traded guard Shaquille Mason to Houston. While the offensive line is a concern, Mayfield has a good collection of skill position players led by Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The 2020 version of Mayfield could capitalize on the opportunity, but the last two seasons create plenty of doubts about this potential. This is a critical year for his future opportunities as a starter.
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