While it is too early to talk about the free agent market in 2020, the New England Patriots could certainly look at the pool of signal-callers who will have expiring contracts that year. And for Will Brinson and Sean Wagner-McGough of CBS Sports, the Patriots could find the eventual heir-apparent for veteran quarterback Tom Brady, who is set to enter season 20 in Foxborough.
Among those who will turn free agents in 2020 are Brady, Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Jameis Winston, Jacoby Brissett, Ryan Tannehill, Teddy Bridgewater, Eli Manning, Case Keenum, Marcus Mariota and Blake Bortles.
On the Pick Six Podcast, Brinson predicted that one or a combination of Brady, Brees, Rivers, and Roethlisberger will retire in 2020.
There were reports that the Patriots will take a quarterback at some point in the 2019 NFL Draft to develop as a possible replacement for Brady, but Wagner-McGough believes that New England should consider looking into some names of signal-callers who will turn free agent. Of the long list of names, Brinson and Wagner-McGough said Wilson and Mariota could draw the biggest interest in the free-agent pool. “There will be bidders for them because they're so young and they flash good play. They just haven't sustained it throughout their careers,” said Wagner-McGough.
Patriots could pursue Mariota
The two also agreed that the Patriots could pursue Mariota as a possible successor to Brady once he decides to hang up his cleats after a storied career. “Mariota would annihilate in New England," Brinson said.
A second overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2015 NFL Draft, Mariota played 12 games in his rookie year, completing 230 of 370 throws for 2,818 yards and 19 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.
Mariota played 15 games in his second year, throwing for 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
In 2017, Mariota struggled with 13 touchdowns with 15 interceptions, but he led the Titans to the playoffs after eight years. They defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Game but lost to the New England Patriots the following game.
In four years, Mariota has tallied 12,004 passing yards with 69 touchdowns and 42 picks. He also ran for 1,270 yards and 11 scores.
Patriots also eyeing other quarterbacks
Aside from Brady, the Patriots have Brian Hoyer and Danny Etling in their quarterback depth chart. The Patriots reportedly have an eye on Duke’s Daniel Jones, but he could not be available when they make a pick at No. 32. The Patriots could also pursue Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen via trade or West Virginia signal-caller Will Grier from the 2019 NFL Draft.
Brady earlier mentioned that he plans to play until he’s 45 years old, but former New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez hinted that the veteran quarterback could suit up until he’s 50 years old.