The NFL’s quarterback carousel is about to turn with free agency right around the corner.
Daniel Jones and Malik Willis are free agent quarterbacks who could soon cash in. Are the Pittsburgh Steelers and free agent QB Aaron Rodgers committed for another year? Kirk Cousins is also expected to be among the free agent QBs.
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Where will this year’s top free agent quarterbacks land?
NFL teams are permitted to contact free agents at noon ET on March 9. Teams can officially sign free agents when the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 11.
USA TODAY Sports explores the best landing spots for the top free agent quarterbacks.
Daniel Jones (2025 team: Colts)
Best fit: Colts
It’s hard to see a scenario where the Colts let Jones walk after Jones’ career was revitalized in Indy. He enjoyed career-highs in completion percentage and passer rating despite his year being cut to 13 games due to an Achilles injury.
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Can Jones keep his positive trajectory at quarterback or was last year an anomaly? It seems like a safe bet Jones can continue to play well under coach Shane Steichen. Plus, Jones is aided by Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr. and a stout offensive line.
Aaron Rodgers (2025 team: Steelers)
Best fit: Steelers
If Rodgers does return for a 22nd season, it’ll likely be to reunite with coach Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh. McCarthy said he’s “definitely” open to Rodgers returning as QB1.
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The four-time MVP isn’t the QB he once was, but he’s still a capable starter who helped lead the Steelers to the playoffs. Rodgers won two MVPs and Super Bowl 45 with McCarthy as head coach in Green Bay. Can the two rekindle their magic in the Steel City?
Even if Rodgers does comeback, the Steelers need to soon figure out their quarterback of the future.
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Aaron Rodgers played football at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, California from 1998 to 2001. During his junior and senior seasons as starting quarterback, Rodgers amassed 4,419 passing yards while helping the Vikings to a 17-7 mark.
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See Aaron Rodgers’ NFL career as he nears retirement
Aaron Rodgers played football at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, California from 1998 to 2001. During his junior and senior seasons as starting quarterback, Rodgers amassed 4,419 passing yards while helping the Vikings to a 17-7 mark.
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California Golden Bears quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks to throw against USC at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Oct. 9, 2004.
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Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, drafted 24th overall by the Green Bay Packers, poses with family and friends during the 2005 NFL draft at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on April 23, 2005.
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Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers’ first round pick in the 2005 NFL draft, is introduced by GM Ted Thompson on April 24, 2005.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium on Nov. 29, 2007.
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Aaron Rodgers reacts after he threw a 7-yard touchdown to John Kuhn in the third quarter of the 2010 NFC divisional playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Jan. 15, 2011. Rodgers threw for three touchdowns and ran for a third in the Packers’ 48-21 win.
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Aaron Rodgers pumps his fist in the air celebrating the 2010 NFC championship game victory over the Chicago Bears on Jan. 23, 2011 at Soldier Field.
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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell presents the Super Bowl MVP trophy to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers at a news conference on Feb. 7, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 to win Super Bowl XLV.
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Aaron Rodgers celebrates the Super Bowl XLV title with Green Bay Packer fans during a Return to Titletown Celebration on Feb. 8, 2011 at Lambeau Field.
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President Barack Obama receives a jersey from quarterback Aaron Rodgers (L) of the Green Bay Packers during a reception for the National Football League Super Bowl XLV champions on the south lawn of the White House on Aug. 12, 2011 in Washington, D.C. The Packers, lead by head coach Mike McCarthy, finished the 2010 season with a winning record of 10-6, and defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 to win the championship.
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Aaron Rodgers plays during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Spyglass Hill Golf Course on Feb. 8, 2018.
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Danica Patrick and Aaron Rodgers look on during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the first round of the 2019 NBA playoffs between the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on April 17, 2019. Rodgers has an ownership stake in the NBA team.
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Aaron Rodgers is shown with back up quarterbacks Tim Boyle (left) and Jordan Love during the team’s training camp in Green Bay, Wis., on Aug. 24, 2020.
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Aaron Rodgers served as guest host of “Jeopardy!” for two weeks from April 6-15, 2021.
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Aaron Rodgers celebrates his rushing touchdown during a 24-14 win against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Oct. 17, 2021.
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Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback Aaron Rodgers stand arm in arm late in the fourth quarter of a 24-10 win against the Washington Football Team on Oct. 24, 2021, at Lambeau Field
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is lifted up by guard Lucas Patrick after breaking Brett Favre’s franchise record for touchdown passes during a Christmas Day 2021 game against the Cleveland Browns.
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Aaron Rodgers walks off the field with teammate Randall Cobb following a season-ending loss to the Detroit Lions on Jan, 8, 2023 at Lambeau Field.
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Aaron Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets prior to the 2023 season after spending the first 18 years of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers.
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is injured after a sack by Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd during his first drive with the Jets on Sept. 11, 2023.
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Aaron Rodgers looks on from the sideline during the New York Jets’ 30-0 loss against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 17, 2023.
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) signs a fan’s helmet before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, on Dec. 15, 2024.
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and wide receiver Davante Adams (17) high-five each other as they walks off the field after a 32-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars game at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, on Dec. 15, 2024.
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws his 500th career touchdown pass in the second quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) celebrates his touchdown pass to New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) (not pictured) during the fourth quarter of their game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Jan. 5, 2025.
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The ball used by New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers for his 500th touchdown pass is seen on the sideline during the second quarter of the Jets game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Jan. 5, 2025.
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks off the field with wide receiver Davante Adams (17) after a win against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Jan. 5, 2025.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers fumbles as he is hit by the Houston Texans’ Will Anderson Jr. The Texans’ Sheldon Rankins (90) returned the fumble for a touchdown as Houston went on to a 30-6 wild-card playoff win at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 12, 2026.
Malik Willis (2025 team: Packers)
Best fit: Dolphins
The rebuilding Dolphins appear poised to move on from Tua Tagovailoa. Miami’s already shown the door to Tyreek Hill, James Daniels, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and informed Bradley Chubb of his release as well.
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Miami seems like a natural fit for Willis. New coach Jeff Hafley and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan know Willis well from their time together in Green Bay. Willis deserves a chance to be a starting quarterback after successful spot duty with the Packers.
De’Von Achane, Jaylen Waddle and Willis would provide Miami with solid young building blocks on offense.
Kirk Cousins (2025 team: Falcons)
Best fit: Vikings
Cousins isn’t currently a free agent, but he’s expected to be released by the Falcons before the NFL’s new league year begins in March, a person close to the situation informed to USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
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A return to Minnesota makes a lot of sense for the Vikings and Cousins. Cousins knows Kevin O’Connell’s offensive scheme from their two years together in Minnesota. Cousins could also serve as a mentor for J.J. McCarthy who probably needs more time to develop into a starting-caliber quarterback.
Joe Flacco (2025 teams: Browns/Bengals)
Best fit: Bengals
Flacco uniquely started for both Ohio teams in 2025 and held down the fort in Cincinnati while Joe Burrow was out. The Bengals have interest in bringing Flacco back, but the 41-year-old wants an opportunity to start. Unfortunately for Flacco when it comes to starting QB opportunities, the demand doesn’t meet the supply this season.
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NFL free agency: The top 26 players (currently) scheduled to be available in 2026
Russell Wilson (2025 team: Giants)
Best fit: Falcons
The days of being QB1 appear to be over for Wilson. But maybe there’s a glimmer of hope for Wilson to start for the Falcons, who haven’t committed to Michael Penix Jr. Wilson could provide some competition in Atlanta’s QB room and, at the very least, be a veteran mentor for Penix.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on XÂ @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL free-agent QBs: Best landing spots for Willis, Rodgers, Jones