Free agency in the NFL kicked off in exorbitant style as hundreds of millions of dollars were aimlessly thrown at players by teams looking to make an impact. Brock Osweiler, perhaps the biggest move of Wednesday's free agency period, was signed by the Houston Texans for a massive $75 million. This is for a quarterback who has made seven career starts and has been a backup so far in his career.
With arguably the greatest signal caller to ever play the game, Peyton Manning, giving a tearful goodbye to the league earlier this week, the Broncos lost Manning and Osweiler, their only two reasonable options. This leaves Denver alongside the Cleveland Browns. the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Jets as the teams with the biggest question marks behind center. Let's make some bold predictions on what direction they will take.
Denver Broncos
Starter: Colin Kaepernick
Mark Sanchez has changed his own reputation in the last few seasons and can fit into some systems as a decent starter. One has to think, however, that the Broncos acquiring him mostly has to do with trade bait for Chip Kelly, the 49ers coach who loves Sanchez and knows how to use him. Kelly would give up Kaep but it will take Sanchez as well as some high-quality offensive players as well to make him jump on the trade.
Cleveland Browns
Starter: Josh McCown
The 36-year old in his second season in Cleveland is highly underrated. Cleveland needs a veteran at this point in their history. Johnny Manziel obviously did not work out as he was released on Friday. McCown actually set records in Cleveland in his first season and had a 457-yard performance against the Baltimore Ravens. Expect McCown to play his three-year deal out with a rookie in the midst, perhaps drafted next year if they elect to take Joey Bosa, a freak of nature defensive end, at pick number two instead of Carson Wentz or Jared Goff.
San Francisco 49ers
Starter: Jared Goff
The Calfornia Golden Bear makes sense as a starter for a team that needs to clean the slate and start over. He is an interesting prospect for a fast-paced offense that Chip Kelly will install in the bay area and he falls at a good position for the 49ers to draft his safely. Colin Kaepernick has lost favor. He admits he likes the Browns because Hue Jackson now coaches there. He could go there but all that appears clear so far is that he won't be a 49er.
New York Jets
Starter: Ryan Fitzpatrick
Fitz, probably the most underrated veteran quarterback in the league, is being hotly pursued by the Denver Broncos while in continued negotiations with his current team, the Jets. Many believe that Todd Bowles system that allowed him to score 31 touchdowns last season, is one of the only places he can put up such numbers. In an interesting sidenote, Robert Griffin III has already worked out for the Jets. In their ideal world, Geno Smith would be done and Fitz would return for a season where RG3 provides backup duties.
