Free agency preview: Quarterbacks will dictate other moves as Bills watch
The Buffalo Bills are clearly set with Josh Allen at quarterback, but with backup Mitch Trubisky a pending free agent, the Bills have some work to do. Not only that, but they’ll want to keep an eye on the free-agent quarterback market, knowing that free-agency often ebbs and flows based off...
This is the first of 11 stories previewing the start of NFL free agency on March 11.
When it comes to offseason buzz, there is no buzzier position than quarterback. As the NFL gears up for free agency, quarterbacks will determine how the dominoes fall across the league.
The Buffalo Bills are clearly set with Josh Allen at quarterback, but with backup Mitch Trubisky, a pending free agent, the Bills have some work to do. Not only that, but they’ll want to keep an eye on the free-agent quarterback market, knowing that free-agency often ebbs and flows based on quarterback movement.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen, left, greets backup Mitch Trubisky on Jan. 4 against the Jets.
Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
The free agent quarterbacks and this year’s draft class leave much to be desired. While Fernando Mendoza of national champion Indiana will likely go No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders, the rest of the draft class still needs a fair amount of development. That makes free agency even more important.
While Trubisky has embraced his backup role and loves Buffalo, Bills general manager Brandon Beane understands that the 31-year-old quarterback is still likely to explore other options before committing anywhere.
“Like always as a free agent, like these other guys, you'll want to see what his market is,” Beane said in January. “Does anyone want him to try and start or not? You know, guys want to play. But I think Mitch really likes it here, and we would definitely be open to bringing him back if we can make it work, and he doesn't have some great opportunity.”
While other teams may be looking, it makes sense for Trubisky and the Bills to come to an agreement to bring him back to Buffalo. There are other major needs on the Bills’ roster that a backup quarterback can’t catapult up the list, and Trubisky is comfortable in Orchard Park.
Elsewhere, quarterback movement will also shape the rest of the division. The Miami Dolphins benched Tua Tagovailoa to end their season. The New York Jets are evaluating as well. In New England, the Bills have seen how quickly a team can ascend with a franchise quarterback in Drake Maye. While the Jets and the Dolphins work through their options, it’s worth watching how those teams evolve this free agency.
The market could shift more if Tagovailoa and Arizona's Kyler Murray are officially released. Both of their respective teams are reportedly seeking trade partners, though Tagovailoa’s contract has proven prohibitive. The Cardinals are expected to release Murray next week.
Some early quarterback news came Tuesday, as the Indianapolis Colts placed the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones, giving them the right of first refusal in negotiations. Jones was on an upward trajectory with the Colts until he tore his Achilles late in the season. Now, he’ll get another ride with Indy.
In-house: While waiting to see where Trubisky lands, the Bills have already done a little work to round out their quarterback room. The Bills signed Shane Buechele to a one-year contract in February. He returns after a quick end-of-season stint with the Kansas City Chiefs. Buechele is close with Allen – a clear requirement of any Bills backup quarterback – and he is familiar with the Bills system, having first joined the team in August 2023.
Top of the heap: Malik Willis. Willis, who turns 27 in May, was selected in the third round by the Titans in 2022. After he was traded to the Packers in 2024, Willis was able to show his dual-threat abilities in 11 games with Green Bay. He was able to develop under coach Matt LaFleur, and he still has upside, even though he has limited reps as a starting quarterback.
Names to know: Aaron Rodgers. Gone are the days when Rodgers himself dictated how the free agency would go. Now 42 and coming off a less-than-ideal season with Pittsburgh, Rodgers could easily decide to go the retirement route. But he likes to take his time with decisions, and until that’s official either way, he’ll merit some looks around the league. Other veteran quarterbacks on the market are Joe Flacco, Russell Wilson, and Kirk Cousins, who will be officially released next week. Marcus Mariota and Jimmy Garoppolo are free agents, as well.
Under the radar: Kyle Allen, Case Keenum. Think of “under the radar” here to mean around the league, certainly not to the Bills, who have already rostered both of these quarterbacks in the past. Kyle Allen is particularly close with Josh Allen, but Keenum’s veteran presence has also been appreciated in the past. If the Bills can’t make things work with Trubisky, it would not be surprising for them to bring in a different familiar face.