There’s an argument out there on what to call this period. I like Phase Two of Free Agency, since the first big wave of guys have already signed and teams need to address issues after the draft. Phase three would then be guys signed during preseason to cover injuries. That’s it. Those three phases are all you need. This whole five phases thing is just nonsense.
If I say “post draft,” we’re all on the same page, regardless of your phase allotment.
Here are the best three quarterbacks still without a job as of May 11, 2018.
Colin Kaepernick
7th season, 58 starts, 28-30 career record, 59.8 career completion percentage, 12,271 yards, 72 touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 2,300 career rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns
Kaepernick is currently in the middle of a court case against the NFL. Kap is alleging collusion among NFL owners that’s keeping him unemployed based on his anthem kneeling protests. It’s a shame for so many reasons. First, Kaepernick is most certainly good enough to be a back up quarterback in the NFL. In fact, I’d argue that’s all he ever was good enough to be. Certainly the numbers after his first season and a half bear that out. Second, it’s because Kaepernick’s talent in no way justifies this much attention.
But he should have a job. And the truth is, if the NFL was smart and wanted to “collude” against Kaepernick, they’d make sure he’s on a roster so the spotlight is off. Never has a guy who played so poorly for so long been so popular. And it’s all because no NFL team will step up to the plate and sign him.
Of course, in the past, Kaepernick has been his own worst enemy when it came to getting signed. Famously, the Baltimore Ravens were going to offer him a job when his girlfriend posted a Tweet comparing Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti and former linebacker Ray Lewis to the bad guys from Django Unchained. Needless to say, the offer didn’t happen.
Regardless of the hot takes you’re going to read, Kaepernick isn’t a franchise quarterback. He is, however, an NFL quarterback since there are at least 70 of them in the league at any given time.
Best fit: Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers
Derek Anderson
12th season, 47 starts, 20-27 career record, 54.1 career completion percentage, 10,413 yards, 60 touchdowns, 60 interceptions
Anderson has been Cam Newton’s back up with the Carolina Panthers for the last seven seasons and has been pretty decent in that role. He’s 4-4 and averaged a 67.4 completion percentage in those games, throwing seven touchdowns and five interceptions. He also holds the distinction of being one of the few quarterbacks that had a winning season with the Cleveland Browns. He went 10-5 as a starter in 2007 and that alone should be enough to keep him a job in the NFL.
Anderson is 34 and nobody’s idea of a QB of the future. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him back in Carolina before the preseason starts since Garrett Gilbert and Taylor Heinicke are backing up Newton as of this writing. In fact, the Panthers should look hard at all these guys.
Best fit: Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers
Matt Moore
11th season, 30 starts, 15-15 career record, 59.6 career completion percentage, 6,938 yards, 45 touchdowns, 36 interceptions
Moore has been locked in with the Miami Dolphins for the last seven seasons and carved out a nice niche as their back up. Even with Ryan Tannehill out last season, Miami still wanted Moore to ride the bench. He started only two games for an injured Jay Cutler.
The Dolphins have added a slew of young arms this offseason in Brock Osweiler and Bryce Petty, cast-offs with “potential” from other teams. That’s put Moore is in the wind. He should be good enough to land somewhere, especially a team that likes a QB with some mobility.
Best fit: New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers
