Certain things occur like clockwork: the rising tide, swallows returning to Capistrano, a Hollywood scandal, and NFL players wearing out their welcome. We expect them to happen, and we are never disappointed. But not all player exits are the same. Some depart over money or playing time, sometimes it’s mutual, and other times the player is so poisonous they need to go ASAP.
Let’s take a look at 10 NFL star players that need to find a new place of employment. No one on our list is poisonous to their teams, but things clearly aren’t working out. (All stats are prior to 2023 season)
Zach Wilson – New York Jets
The easier choice for a candidate from the Jets would be a 39 year old QB with a major Achilles injury, but time will remove Rodgers from the game soon enough. Zach Wilson needs to leave New York for the sake of Zach Wilson. He is still young, only 24, and can play in the NFL. In fact, his stats over his first 3 years are similar to New York legend Phil Simms. Wilson’s failures are more a product of the team, but the fans have turned on him. Some athletes just can’t handle the pressure of the “Big Apple” but shine elsewhere. It’s time to let Zach Wilson go and see if he’s more like former NY quarterbacks Geno Smith or Mark Sanchez.
Matthew Stafford – Los Angeles Rams
What is the market for a 35 year old, Super Bowl winning quarterback that still puts up solid numbers? The Rams should find out. It was only two years ago that Stafford was leading Los Angeles to victory over Cincinnati in Super Bowl LVI, but that team is no more. The Rams current on-field performance indicates the team is ready for a rebuild. Unless it’s a matter of preference for being in LA, he should look to cut ties with the Rams. Matthew Stafford only has a few more years left as a starting quarterback in the NFL, and while he may have a lot of knowledge to offer a young team, his remaining years should be spent pursuing Super Bowl glory.
Saquon Barkley – New York Giants
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Saquon Barkley is a really good running back… when healthy. The Giants need to capitalize on his skill and youth, only 26 years old, and trade him while he’s healthy. Barkley is a free agent after the 2023 season and is currently playing under the Franchise Tag. Attempting to resign him long term will be costly, causing New York to go somewhere they’re not comfortable or a messy divorce. The Giants are a mess on the field and do not look like they will be contending any time soon. The smartest move is to trade Saquon Barkley for something before he walks out the door and New York gets nothing in return.
Russell Wilson – Denver Broncos
Russell Wilson can still play, it’s just that the Broncos can’t. While he might not be as skilled as in his younger days, at 34, Wilson is still more than capable of leading a team to the playoffs. It’s just not going to happen in Denver. If 2022 was a nightmare season, 2023 is shaping up to be much worse. The team looks lost, and Wilson has had issues with new coach Sean Payton. The best thing for everyone is to cut ties. The Broncos can finally rebuild, and Russell Wilson can latch on to a contender and have another chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Jimmy Garoppolo – Las Vegas Raiders
Jimmy Garoppolo is an interesting case. He put up respectable numbers and took the 49ers to a Super Bowl, but he has dealt with injuries throughout his career. Some might even call him “injury-prone”. Now with Las Vegas, Garoppolo isn’t having a ton of success, but that’s because of the team. The Raiders are a mediocre team at best and this 31 year old QB isn’t going to be the difference maker. He’s steady, has got decent numbers, and is under a relatively friendly 3 year $72 million deal. A team can win with him, but not the Raiders. It’s time for “Jimmy G” to leave Las Vegas.
Derrick Henry – Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry has a lot in common with Saquan Barkley. They are both solid running backs, upcoming free agents, and playing on bad teams. Despite being slightly older, 29 to 26, Henry seems to be a bit more durable. Based on the early results of the 2023 season, it appears he still has some life in his legs. The issue is the direction the team is going. The Titans have one of the older rosters in the NFL (based on average age) and need to decide if they can retool rather than rebuild. Either way, doing so around a soon to be 30 year old running back wouldn’t be smart, making Derrick Henry a player likely needing to move on.
Mac Jones – New England Patriots
Things are going south in New England very fast. For the first time in over two decades Bill Belichick’s job status is in question, and Mac Jones, their once-believed quarterback of the future, suddenly looks like he’s ready for a stint on the Practice Squad. The sad reality is that the quarterback has regressed every season, but so have the Patriots as a whole. Is the team struggling because of the player, or is the player struggling because of the team? With a career record below .500, a potential quarterback controversy brewing, and clear distrust from the coach, the best thing for Mac Jones’ career is to look for greener pastures elsewhere.
Kirk Cousins – Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins is a 35 year old quarterback who is a pending free agent at the end of the 2023 season. Since he’s only been in Minnesota for 6 years, his departure should be relatively painless. Whether it’s due to injuries, age, or underperformance, the Vikings appear to be in a freefall this year. They need to either retool or rebuild. Whichever option is picked, unless they think they are 1 or 2 pieces from a Super Bowl contender (they’re not), things shouldn’t be left in the hands of a soon to be 36 year old Kirk Cousins. It’s time to thank “Captain Kirk” for the job done in Minnesota and beam him to a contender to chase a title.
Adam Thielen – Carolina Panthers
Adam Thielen has been a consistently solid #2 receiver for his entire 10 year career. After spending 9 years in Minnesota, he is now in his 1st year with the rebuilding Carolina Panthers. Sure, he makes a great target for rookie quarterback Bryce Young to throw to, and by all accounts, he’s not a disruption in the locker room. But Carolina is going nowhere. By the time they will be ready to contend, the 33 year old Thielen won’t be of much help. He deserves a chance to play for a playoff bound team. Currently working on a very team friendly, 3 year deal, Adam Thielen would be a desirable asset for the Panthers to move… plus, it would be the right thing for his career.
Justin Fields – Chicago Bears
In 2021 the Bears were rebuilding and were able to use the 11th overall pick in the draft on quarterback Justin Fields. Three years later, Fields has shown signs that he might be a future franchise quarterback, and Chicago is still rebuilding. The Bears are a disaster and Fields’ talents are being wasted. He’s 24 years old and under contract through 2025, depending on an option, so salary cap issues shouldn’t prevent a trade from happening. “Da Bears” could probably benefit more long term by trading Fields for multiple assets, as a young, two-way QB doesn’t become available often. It’s time for Justin Fields to move on so Chicago can speed up their rebuild.
