Packers quarterback Malik Willis could be the top player available in free agency. | Kayla Wolf-Imagn ImagesIn this story:
Share on XAdd us on INDIANAPOLIS — The whispers of the early offseason are growing into shouts over the drinks and din of the bars in Indianapolis, with the NFL world buzzing at the 2026 NFL combine about the weeks ahead.
INDIANAPOLIS — The whispers of the early offseason are growing into shouts over the drinks and din of the bars in Indianapolis, with the NFL world buzzing at the 2026 NFL combine about the weeks ahead.
A few conversations stand out above the rest, including the players about to get paid and surprise the masses. To that point, look no further than two quarterbacks who couldn’t play more differently and couldn’t be in more different stages of their careers, but are tied by the common bind of being available at the right time.
A few conversations stand out above the rest, including the players about to get paid and surprise the masses. To that point, look no further than two quarterbacks who couldn’t play more differently and couldn’t be in more different stages of their careers, but are tied by the common bind of being available at the right time.
Malik Willis and Kirk Cousins.
Malik Willis and Kirk Cousins.
On Tuesday, a few announcements from podiums at the Indiana Convention Center should tell you plenty. For starters, first-year Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham told reporters the team would release Cousins on March 11, the first day of the new league year. Cousins, 37, will be free to find a new home, or perhaps return to an old one.
On Tuesday, a few announcements from podiums at the Indiana Convention Center should tell you plenty. For starters, first-year Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham told reporters the team would release Cousins on March 11, the first day of the new league year. Cousins, 37, will be free to find a new home, or perhaps return to an old one.
Then there were the words of the general managers, Jon-Eric Sullivan of the Dolphins and Monti Ossenfort of the Cardinals. Both stated that any possibility is on the table for their starting quarterbacks, Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray, opening the door for both to be shopped in trade talks. In Cleveland, GM Andrew Berry expressed false optimism about Deshaun Watson competing with Shedeur Sanders, a potential outcome born of the roster not having a solid starter at quarterback.
Then there were the words of the general managers, Jon-Eric Sullivan of the Dolphins and Monti Ossenfort of the Cardinals. Both stated that any possibility is on the table for their starting quarterbacks, Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray, opening the door for both to be shopped in trade talks. In Cleveland, GM Andrew Berry expressed false optimism about Deshaun Watson competing with Shedeur Sanders, a potential outcome born of the roster not having a solid starter at quarterback.
All of these roads lead back to Willis and Cousins, who enter the offseason with as much leverage as any player on the open market.
All of these roads lead back to Willis and Cousins, who enter the offseason with as much leverage as any player on the open market.
For Willis, 26, the opportunities will be there. The Browns, Dolphins and Cardinals all need quarterbacks. So do the Jets. While the Steelers, Colts and Raiders are also currently without starters under contract, it’s increasingly likely we will see Aaron Rodgers, Daniel Jones and rookie Fernando Mendoza secure those respective jobs.
For Willis, 26, the opportunities will be there. The Browns, Dolphins and Cardinals all need quarterbacks. So do the Jets. While the Steelers, Colts and Raiders are also currently without starters under contract, it’s increasingly likely we will see Aaron Rodgers, Daniel Jones and rookie Fernando Mendoza secure those respective jobs.
Arizona could have the most attractive situation of the four (Arizona, New York, Cleveland and Miami) because Ossenfort worked in Tennessee, where Willis was a third-round selection in 2023. The Cardinals also have an offensive-minded coach in Mike LaFleur, unlike the Jets and Dolphins. To that point, Cleveland also has a challenging financial situation. It has only $3.2 million in current cap space due to Watson’s deal, which includes four void years through 2030.
Arizona could have the most attractive situation of the four (Arizona, New York, Cleveland and Miami) because Ossenfort worked in Tennessee, where Willis was a third-round selection in 2023. The Cardinals also have an offensive-minded coach in Mike LaFleur, unlike the Jets and Dolphins. To that point, Cleveland also has a challenging financial situation. It has only $3.2 million in current cap space due to Watson’s deal, which includes four void years through 2030.
In our free-agent rankings, Willis is projected to get a $50 million deal over two years. It could easily be more, especially if a few teams engage in a bidding war. Consider how incredible that is when you realize Willis has thrown 89 passes over the past two years in only three starts. In those games, Willis threw for six touchdowns, zero interceptions and completed 78.7% of his attempts with a 2–1 record.
In our free-agent rankings, Willis is projected to get a $50 million deal over two years. It could easily be more, especially if a few teams engage in a bidding war. Consider how incredible that is when you realize Willis has thrown 89 passes over the past two years in only three starts. In those games, Willis threw for six touchdowns, zero interceptions and completed 78.7% of his attempts with a 2–1 record.
The sample size is comical. Caleb Williams had more pass attempts in two playoff games this season (90) than Willis has over two years (89). But with a draft class lacking any clear-cut first-round pick outside of Mendoza and a free-agent group short of any top-end talents, Willis’s combination of youth, athleticism and upside is tantalizing.
The sample size is comical. Caleb Williams had more pass attempts in two playoff games this season (90) than Willis has over two years (89). But with a draft class lacking any clear-cut first-round pick outside of Mendoza and a free-agent group short of any top-end talents, Willis’s combination of youth, athleticism and upside is tantalizing.
Cousins passed for 1,721 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight starts last season. | Dale Zanine-Imagn ImagesLanding spots for Cousins-->Landing spots for CousinsThen there’s Cousins, who, at 37 years old, is going to test the market once more.
Then there’s Cousins, who, at 37 years old, is going to test the market once more.
Cousins looked finished in 2024. He was benched in Atlanta for rookie Michael Penix Jr. after starting 14 games on a four-year, $180 million deal. In those contests, Cousins struggled coming off a torn Achilles from the prior season, throwing a league-high 16 interceptions.
Cousins looked finished in 2024. He was benched in Atlanta for rookie Michael Penix Jr. after starting 14 games on a four-year, $180 million deal. In those contests, Cousins struggled coming off a torn Achilles from the prior season, throwing a league-high 16 interceptions.
