jmt57
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I don't see a need to limit the search for third QB to Brissett, especially since there is a new HC and new OC.
There will be plenty of options, at many different price points (and age and experience):
(Age listed below is as of September 1, 2025; won-loss record is for their career in regular season games)
Former Patriots:
Jimmy Garoppolo (30, Rams; 43-21) - intriguing, but probably wants another legitimate chance to start
Jacoby Brissett (32, Pats; 19-34) - holds NFL record with 1.4% career interception rate, but seemed overly cautious
Mac Jones (26, Jaguars; 20-24) - I can't envision any scenario where he would want to return
Jarrett Stidham (29, Broncos; 1-3) - the idea is to get an experienced starter, right?
The Rest of the Field:
Russell Wilson (36, Steelers; 121-77-1) - began '24 well, then faded down the stretch. Plenty of experience, but probably too much $
Joe Flacco (40, Colts; 105-86) - looks good for a while, then quickly shows his age
Andy Dalton (37, Panthers; 84-82-2) - the Red Rifle could be the right fit for this position
Kirk Cousins (37, Falcons; 83-74-2) - will soon be a free agent, but he'll be looking for starter money & a starting opportunity
Carson Wentz (32, Chiefs; 47-46-1) - probably too pricey; may be looking to start again
Sam Darnold (28, Vikings; 35-38, 14-3 last year) - will be looking to start and command big bucks; not an option for New England
Jameis Winston (31, Browns; 36-51) - looks great one moment, then throws bad back-to-back picks to lose the game
Marcus Mariota (31, Commanders; 34-40) - drafted 1-2 with Winston in 2015; worth considering
Teddy Bridgewater (32, Lions; 33-32) - worth considering for this role
Case Keenum (37, Texans; 30-36) - also worth consideration
Daniel Jones (28, Vikings; 24-44-1) - will be looking for an opportunity to compete for starting position
Taylor Heinicke (32, Chargers; 13-15-1) - could be worth looking into for this role
Mason Rudolph (30, Titans; 9-8-1) - may be worth considering
Cooper Rush (31, Cowboys; 9-5) - had some good games against average teams, not so much vs better teams
Drew Lock (28, Giants; 10-18) - doesn't seem to fit this role, though he did look good in week 17 win vs Colts
Justin Fields (26, Steelers; 14-30) - 11th overall pick in 2021 is not really a good fit here, or for this role; reclamation project elsewhere
Zach Wilson (26, Broncos; 12-21) - if Geno Smith and Sam Darnold can suddenly improve once they leave NJ, why not Zach as well?
Kyle Allen (29, Steelers; 7-12)
Tyler Huntley (27, Dolphins; 5-9) - looked decent with Ravens, but not so much when called on in Miami
Nick Mullens (30, Vikings; 5-15)
C.J. Beathard (31, Jaguars; 3-10)
Joshua Dobbs (30, 49ers; 3-12)
Trey Lance (25, Cowboys; 2-3) - had the talent to be #3 overall; was that an incorrect assessment, or just bad timing with an injury?
Brandon Allen (32, 49ers; 2-8)
Josh Johnson (39, Ravens; 1-8)
Jeff Driskel (32, Commanders; 1-10)
Tim Boyle (30, Giants; 0-5)
Easton Stick (29, Chargers; 0-4)
Sam Ehlinger (26, Colts; 0-3)
Feleipe Franks (27, Panthers; 0-0)
Kyle Trask (27, Bucs; 0-0) - 2nd round pick was supposed to be TB's heir apparent in Tampa, but that never materialized
There will be plenty of options, at many different price points (and age and experience):
(Age listed below is as of September 1, 2025; won-loss record is for their career in regular season games)
Former Patriots:
Jimmy Garoppolo (30, Rams; 43-21) - intriguing, but probably wants another legitimate chance to start
Jacoby Brissett (32, Pats; 19-34) - holds NFL record with 1.4% career interception rate, but seemed overly cautious
Mac Jones (26, Jaguars; 20-24) - I can't envision any scenario where he would want to return
Jarrett Stidham (29, Broncos; 1-3) - the idea is to get an experienced starter, right?
The Rest of the Field:
Russell Wilson (36, Steelers; 121-77-1) - began '24 well, then faded down the stretch. Plenty of experience, but probably too much $
Joe Flacco (40, Colts; 105-86) - looks good for a while, then quickly shows his age
Andy Dalton (37, Panthers; 84-82-2) - the Red Rifle could be the right fit for this position
Kirk Cousins (37, Falcons; 83-74-2) - will soon be a free agent, but he'll be looking for starter money & a starting opportunity
Carson Wentz (32, Chiefs; 47-46-1) - probably too pricey; may be looking to start again
Sam Darnold (28, Vikings; 35-38, 14-3 last year) - will be looking to start and command big bucks; not an option for New England
Jameis Winston (31, Browns; 36-51) - looks great one moment, then throws bad back-to-back picks to lose the game
Marcus Mariota (31, Commanders; 34-40) - drafted 1-2 with Winston in 2015; worth considering
Teddy Bridgewater (32, Lions; 33-32) - worth considering for this role
Case Keenum (37, Texans; 30-36) - also worth consideration
Daniel Jones (28, Vikings; 24-44-1) - will be looking for an opportunity to compete for starting position
Taylor Heinicke (32, Chargers; 13-15-1) - could be worth looking into for this role
Mason Rudolph (30, Titans; 9-8-1) - may be worth considering
Cooper Rush (31, Cowboys; 9-5) - had some good games against average teams, not so much vs better teams
Drew Lock (28, Giants; 10-18) - doesn't seem to fit this role, though he did look good in week 17 win vs Colts
Justin Fields (26, Steelers; 14-30) - 11th overall pick in 2021 is not really a good fit here, or for this role; reclamation project elsewhere
Zach Wilson (26, Broncos; 12-21) - if Geno Smith and Sam Darnold can suddenly improve once they leave NJ, why not Zach as well?
Kyle Allen (29, Steelers; 7-12)
Tyler Huntley (27, Dolphins; 5-9) - looked decent with Ravens, but not so much when called on in Miami
Nick Mullens (30, Vikings; 5-15)
C.J. Beathard (31, Jaguars; 3-10)
Joshua Dobbs (30, 49ers; 3-12)
Trey Lance (25, Cowboys; 2-3) - had the talent to be #3 overall; was that an incorrect assessment, or just bad timing with an injury?
Brandon Allen (32, 49ers; 2-8)
Josh Johnson (39, Ravens; 1-8)
Jeff Driskel (32, Commanders; 1-10)
Tim Boyle (30, Giants; 0-5)
Easton Stick (29, Chargers; 0-4)
Sam Ehlinger (26, Colts; 0-3)
Feleipe Franks (27, Panthers; 0-0)
Kyle Trask (27, Bucs; 0-0) - 2nd round pick was supposed to be TB's heir apparent in Tampa, but that never materialized











