With NFL free agency well underway, teams across the league have been strengthening their rosters in preparation for next season.
There is no position more important than quarterback and there have been plenty of moves by teams searching for their next signal-caller.
Russell Wilson is a Denver Bronco
The Denver Broncos agreed to trade several players and draft picks in exchange for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
The Broncos sent Seattle two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a fifth-round pick, as well as quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant and defensive lineman Shelby Harris for Wilson and a fourth-round pick.
They gave up a lot to get Wilson, but the 33-year-old had a hugely successful spell with the Seahawks, guiding them to their only ever Super Bowl win in the 2013 NFL season.
Denver have struggled to replace Peyton Manning after he retired following their Super Bowl success in the 2015 season.
Bringing Wilson in gives the Broncos a genuine gamechanger at quarterback and with the AFC West division getting stronger by the day, it’s a move the franchise had to make.
Cleveland Browns trade for Deshaun Watson
Another team that made a big trade at the quarterback position were the Cleveland Browns.
They sent their next three first-round picks, a fourth-round pick this year, a third-round pick next year and a fourth-round pick in 2024 to the Houston Texans in exchange for Deshaun Watson and a 2024 sixth-round pick.
Watson also agreed to a record-breaking contract with the Browns, a five-year deal that will be worth $230m (£174.4m) guaranteed.
The move for Watson also means that Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is expected to be on the move.
Mayfield was drafted by the Browns with the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft and in 2020 he helped Cleveland reach the play-offs for the first time in 18 years.
The Browns slipped to an 8-9 record last season though and didn’t reach the play-offs, leading to Cleveland exploring a trade for Watson.
Mayfield has handed in a trade request in Cleveland, and it appears his future is no longer with the Browns.
The Seahawks are a potential landing spot for Mayfield after trading away Wilson to Denver.
Indianapolis Colts say goodbye to Carson Wentz
The Indianapolis Colts traded Carson Wentz and their second-round draft pick this year to the Washington Commanders for Washington’s second-round draft pick this year, as well as third-round picks in 2022 and 2023.
The 2023 third-round pick could escalate to a second-round pick if Wentz takes 70 per cent of Washington’s snaps on offence this year.
Indianapolis ended their search for his replacement when they sent a third-round pick in this year’s draft to the Atlanta Falcons for Matt Ryan.
Atlanta swiftly addressed the quarterback position by signing free agent Marcus Mariota on a two-year deal, following his departure from the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mitchell Trubisky is Ben Roethlisberger’s replacement at Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers went into free agency in pursuit of a new starting quarterback, after Ben Roethlisberger retired at the end of last season.
Pittsburgh got their man early on in free agency when they signed Mitchell Trubisky to a two-year deal worth $14m (£10.6m).
Trubisky was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the second overall pick in the 2017 draft, ahead of both Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes.
He guided the Bears to the play-offs in both 2018 and 2020, but Chicago parted ways with him following the conclusion of the 2020 season.
The 27-year-old spent last season with the Buffalo Bills, serving as a backup to their starter Josh Allen.
Trubisky was keen to go somewhere he could compete for a starting position and believes that Pittsburgh is the perfect fit.
He said: ‘My goal through free agency was to find a way to get back on the field.
‘When an opportunity arose to play for coach Tomlin and wear a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform, I was so excited. Now I’m ready to roll and get to it.’
Elsewhere in the NFL
Elsewhere, Teddy Bridgewater signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins as an experienced back-up for Tua Tagovailoa.
Miami acquired wide receiver Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs for a host of picks, a first, second and fourth-round pick this year on top of a fourth and sixth-rounder next year.
The New York Giants also added a back-up quarterback with veteran Tyrod Taylor signing a two-year deal with the team.
Tom Brady halted Tampa Bay’s search for a new quarterback after coming out of retirement to return to the Buccaneers.
Some big-name quarterbacks decided to stay put where they are, despite undoubtedly being able to attract big offers across the league.
Kirk Cousins will remain with the Minnesota Vikings after agreeing to a one-year contract extension that will see him stay with the Vikings through at least the 2023 season.
One of the biggest question marks heading into the off-season was whether Aaron Rodgers would stay with the Green Bay Packers or not.
Rodgers signed a bumper new deal with the Packers that will see him earn $150.8m (£114.2m) over the next three years.
Days after Rodgers signed his deal, Green Bay traded away one of his favoured targets, as wide receiver Davante Adams went to the Raiders in exchange for a first and second-round pick in this year’s draft.
