Where does AJ McCarron rank among this year's free-agent QBs?
AJ McCarron's victory in his grievance hearing against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday is expected to have him join the 2018 free-agent quarterback class.
Related - Report: McCarron wins hearing against Bengals, will become UFA
He'll provide quarterback-needy teams another flavor in what was already a widely diverse class - one which offers plenty of potential, but with no shortage of question marks. The wrong signing could cripple a franchise in the short term and land a general manager on countless lists examining the biggest free-agent snafus for years to come.
*Drew Brees' consistent reiterations of a return to the New Orleans Saints keep him out of consideration and leave the top spot open for another candidate.
6. Josh McCown
Age: 38
2017 team: Jets
2017 cap number: $6.5 million
McCown represents the ideal target for a team willing to be patient in a rebuild. He offers an acceptable substitute to spending up for the big name free agents and also allows a team to avoid throwing an untested - and unqualified - rookie into action as a Week 1 starter.
The 38-year-old is coming off a bounce-back season with the New York Jets. He posted a completion percentage of 67.3 to go along with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while winning five of the 13 games he started.
Despite coming off yet another injury-shortened season, the rugged veteran has said he won't be retiring. Age and the risk of another injury will keep his price tag low, in both money and term, but he again proved to be an effective bridge for a transitioning team and could do the same this season.
5. AJ McCarron
Age: 27
2017 team: Bengals
2017 cap number: $735,413
McCarron will enter free agency as the most unproven option of the quarterbacks with a legitimate chance at a starting role.
Jimmy Garoppolo's instant success and record contract with the San Francisco 49ers are at the far end of the positive spectrum. Mike Glennon and his immediately regretted deal with the Chicago Bears are at the opposite end.
McCarron's made just three NFL starts and thrown a modest 133 passes. His relative youth and unknown potential will earn him the starting chance he seeks, but his victorious bidder should have a Plan B ready.
4. Sam Bradford
Age: 30
2017 team: Vikings
2017 cap number: $18 million
Bradford's contract year got off to an excellent start in a Week 1 victory over the New Orleans Saints. He completed 27 of 32 pass attempts for 346 yards and three touchdowns, but he'd make just one other start in 2017, being pulled due to an injury aggravation in Week 5 against the Chicago Bears.
The 30-year-old hasn't played all 16 games since 2012, though he had played 29 of 32 from 2015-16. He could be a candidate for a shorter "prove it" deal before getting another long-term contract.
3. Teddy Bridgewater
Age: 25
2017 team: Vikings
2017 cap number: $2,179,387
Bridgewater and the Vikings could be headed for an ugly separation, similar to that of McCarron and the Bengals.
The Vikings could fight to have his contract extend into 2018, as they risk losing all three quarterbacks who are currently set to be on the roster for just one more month.
He threw for 6,150 yards and 28 touchdowns while completing 64.7 percent of his passes in his first two seasons, leading the Vikings to a playoff berth in his second year.
There's reason to be optimistic of a full return to form from the injury that caused him to miss all but one series in the last two seasons, as he still has age on his side as the youngest available starting candidate.
2. Case Keenum
Age: 29
2017 team: Vikings
2017 cap number: $1,906,250
Keenum is the most likely to be retained by the Vikings after leading the team to the NFC Championship Game as Bradford's backup - and the second backup to Bridgewater.
Future success isn't guaranteed with just one (very) productive season on his record, but general managers have shown to have short memories in the past amid desperation to find a franchise signal-caller.
1. Kirk Cousins
Age: 29
2017 team: Redskins
2017 cap number: $23,943,600
Cousins has enjoyed the longest run of continued success among all available options.
He has completed 67 percent of his passes since becoming the Redskins' full-time starter in 2015, totaling 81 passing touchdowns with another 13 coming on the ground.
More importantly, he's played all 48 games over his three seasons as the starter.
He'll be the marquee, and safest option on the open market and is best suited to helping a team win now. Accordingly, he'll also require the longest contract and most guaranteed money.
The free-agent well runs dry pretty quick after that.
Jay Cutler will surely draw some measure of interest, but his first year post-retirement left plenty to be desired.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Drew Stanton, Blaine Gabbert, Matt Moore, Geno Smith, EJ Manuel, Brock Osweiler, Scott Tolzien, T.J. Yates, and Tom Savage all received starts in 2017, but they'll be looking for backup roles, at best.
(Contract figures courtesy: Over The Cap)
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)