NFL QB carousel: All teams with new quarterbacks after first wave of free agency

Teams across the NFL wasted no time in making moves for quarterbacks early in the offseason.

As of the time of writing — two days after the new league year began — 16 free agent quarterbacks have agreed to terms on a new contract. There have also been three quarterbacks involved in trades in the last week as the quarterback carousel keeps moving.

Absent from the plethora of moves — at least so far — are two of the top veteran free agent quarterbacks that hit the market: Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers. Wilson has met with both the Browns and Giants as of Friday, according to reports, while Rodgers is reportedly mulling over his options.

Here's how the quarterback carousel has shaken out so far:

NFL free agency: How the QB carousel has moved in 2025

Raiders trade for Geno Smith

In one of the biggest surprise moves so far this offseason, Las Vegas got its new starting quarterback by sending Seattle a 2025 third-round pick. Smith is due to enter the final year of the three-year contract extension he signed with the Seahawks in 2023, but reports indicate he and the Raiders are looking to get another extension done before the season.

The Jets' 2013 second-round pick spent five years with the Seahawks in total. The first two were as Russell Wilson's backup before Smith took over the starting quarterback mantle in 2022 and went on to lead the league in completion rate (69.8%). Smith started each of the 52 games he played in for Seattle over the last three seasons, tallying 12,226 yards, 71 touchdowns and 35 interceptions on a 68.5% completion rate in that span.

Seahawks sign Sam Darnold

In a near-immediate follow-up to the team trading away Smith, Seattle agreed to terms with Darnold to be its new starter at the start of the legal tampering period. Fresh off of a career year, the former Viking signed a three-year, $100.5 million deal with $55 million guaranteed.

Darnold finished the 2024 season with 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 starts — the first time in his seven-year career to play every game as a starter. His yard and touchdown totals were both career highs, and his interception mark was just one higher than his career low (11 in 12 games in 2020).

Jets release Aaron Rodgers, sign Justin Fields to be new starter

In February, the Jets notified Rodgers they planned to move on without him in 2025.

About one month later, Gang Green signed the 26-year-old Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract, including $30 million guaranteed. Fields served as the Steelers' backup to veteran Russell Wilson in 2024, but he started the first six games of the season as Wilson recovered from a calf injury.

Fields threw for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and an interception with a 66.3% completion rate in his six starts for Pittsburgh. He also rushed 55 times for 231 yards (4.2 yards per attempt) and five touchdowns.

Two days after Fields and the Jets agreed to terms on their deal, the team officially released Rodgers after the start of the new league year. Rodgers, 41, has yet to sign with a new team as of the time of writing.

Colts sign Daniel Jones to compete for starting job

Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine that the team planned to bring in a veteran quarterback to compete with young gunslinger Anthony Richardson for the starting job. On Thursday, they did just that, signing the former Giants starter to a one-year, $14 million deal.

New York cut Jones halfway through last season after a shaky, 2-8 start that saw the sixth-year veteran throw eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 games. Shortly after his release, he signed on with the Vikings' practice squad and joined the team's active roster before the playoffs.

In 2025, Jones will compete with Richardson for the starting gig in Indianapolis. Richardson finished the 2024 season with 1,814 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions on 126-of-264 passing (47.7% completion rate). He was benched partway through the season after a confession that he took himself out of a Week 8 game for one play because he "needed a breather." He returned to the starting role a few weeks later. The Colts went 6-5 in Richardson's 11 starts.

Backup quarterback changes

Browns trade backup quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, 2025 fifth-round pick for Eagles backup quarterback Kenny Pickett
Cardinals sign veteran Jacoby Brissett to two-year, $12.5 million deal
Patriots sign Joshua Dobbs to two-year, $8 million deal
Steelers bring back Mason Rudolph with two-year, $8 million contract
Marcus Mariota returns to Commanders on one-year, $8 million deal
49ers agree to terms on two-year, $7 million contract with Mac Jones
Chargers retain Taylor Heinicke on one-year, $6.2 million contract
Dolphins sign Zach Wilson to one-year, $6 million deal
Nick Mullens signs with Jaguars for two years, $4.5 million
Buccaneers re-sign Kyle Trask with one-year, $2.79 million deal
Brandon Allen joins Titans on one-year, $1.42 million contract
Chiefs re-sign Bailey Zappe with one-year deal, bring in Gardner Minshew on one-year contract
Lions sign Kyle Allen to one-year contract

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL free agency: How QB carousel has played out so far

Topics

NFL free agency grades: Bears, Broncos, Vikings impress in first wave, Texans confound

Plenty of NFL teams have made significant upgrades in the early stages of free agency. Here's a look at the best- and worst-graded teams.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Free agency buzz: Falcons target desperate team with Cousins move

Atlanta sees the QB chairs running out, and it's in no hurry to help teams by releasing Kirk Cousins by Sunday. Here's more after first day of NFL's new year.
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Five best 2025 NFL free agency moves: These teams and players shine

Here are the five best moves after the first wave of free agency. One calculated risk. An offensive line fortified. A star goes West.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
NFL free agency: Every move the Colts have made so far

Let's break down each of the Indianapolis Colts five new free agent additions this offseason.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Jaguars way too early 53-man roster prediction after first wave of NFL free agency

After the first wave of NFL free agency, here is a way too early projection of the Jaguars' 53-man roster.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Colts way too early 53-man roster prediction after first wave of NFL free agency

Here is a way-too-early look ahead at what the Colts' 53-man roster could look like for the 2025 season following the first wave of NFL free agency.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Bears' updated 2025 salary cap space after first wave of free agency

The Bears made a slew of moves during the first week of free agency. Here's an updated look at their 2025 salary cap.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
NFL free agency: Bears' updated 2025 roster after first wave of moves

Here's a look at where the Bears roster stands following the first wave of free agency.
Yahoo Sports - 23h
NFL free agency: Breaking down every move the Jaguars have made so far

Let's break down every free agent signing that the Jacksonville Jaguars have made so far.
Yahoo Sports - 2d

NFL QB carousel: All teams with new quarterbacks after first wave of free agency

NFL free agency: How the QB carousel has moved in 2025

Raiders trade for Geno Smith

Seahawks sign Sam Darnold

Jets release Aaron Rodgers, sign Justin Fields to be new starter

Colts sign Daniel Jones to compete for starting job

Backup quarterback changes

Topics

Related

NFL free agency grades: Bears, Broncos, Vikings impress in first wave, Texans confound

Free agency buzz: Falcons target desperate team with Cousins move

Five best 2025 NFL free agency moves: These teams and players shine

NFL free agency: Every move the Colts have made so far

Jaguars way too early 53-man roster prediction after first wave of NFL free agency

Colts way too early 53-man roster prediction after first wave of NFL free agency

Bears' updated 2025 salary cap space after first wave of free agency

NFL free agency: Bears' updated 2025 roster after first wave of moves

NFL free agency: Breaking down every move the Jaguars have made so far

More from Yahoo Sports

Commanders have one glaring need one week into free agency

Commanders have one glaring need one week into free agency

Best free agents available for the Ravens after the first wave of free agency

Best free agents available for the Ravens after the first wave of free agency

Marlborough racing tips and best bets for today’s races

More in Sports

Commanders have one glaring need one week into free agency

Commanders have one glaring need one week into free agency

Best free agents available for the Ravens after the first wave of free agency

Best free agents available for the Ravens after the first wave of free agency

Marlborough racing tips and best bets for today’s races