The NFL is a business, which is why players as high-caliber as Ahmad Bradshaw and Chris Canty can be cut without much warning.
The NFL free agency period doesn't begin until the new league year starts, but there are many players who likely will be finding new homes next season and some players out there could be game changers. There are a lot of big names in free agency this year, including Wes Welker, Ed Reed, Greg Jennings, Ahmad Bradshaw (now after being cut), Reggie Bush, Shonn Greene and many more. Here is a full list of free agents.
Here is a look at some of the top players out there for free agency in 2013 and where they might end up.
Joe Flacco, QB
Flacco is the top quarterback on the market, but after winning the Super Bowl there is no place he will end up but Baltimore. The real question for Flacco and the Ravens is how much money he will cost. His agent wants him to be the highest paid QB in the league, while reports have said that they are looking for a $20 million mega deal. Things will get done, but Ravens fans will be uneasy until they do. Flacco threw for 3,817 yards and 22 touchdowns this season and threw 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions in the playoffs.
Jason Campbell, QB
Campbell was solid for a number of years while starting for the Redskins and he performed admirably in place of Jay Cutler in Chicago while starting for him when the quarterback suffered a concussion. Campbell is not too old yet, at age 31, and many teams could look to him as a backup quarterback, including the Bears, where he played in six games and started one. He is valuable as a backup and could head somewhere like Houston or Minnesota, where a backup isn't established.
Matt Moore, QB
Moore has been in the league for six years and although he has never truly caught on as a starting quarterback, he was solid for the Dolphins in 2011, starting 12 games while throwing for 2,497 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while completing 61 percent of his passes. He had a chance to start this year in Miami, but was beat out by Ryan Tannehill. He could go back to Miami or move on to another team where he likely will be a backup again.
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB
The release of Bradshaw must have been tough for the Giants, as he was one of their most important players during two Super Bowl runs over the past six seasons. While he has been one of the team leaders, injuries have kept him from being the force on the field he should be. Possible destinations include the Kansas City Chiefs, as well as the New York Jets, who need to improve their running game desperately.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB
Mendenhall was the feature back in Pittsburgh before getting injured, but now it appears there is no chance he will be back with the Steelers. The running back missed most of 2012 with injuries and was later benched by Mike Tomlin. He only rushed for 182 yards this season and likely will be a second running back no his next team, possibly the Ravens, Chiefs and Browns.
Reggie Bush, RB
Bush has proven to be successful in Miami and had a nice little renaissance that showed he can be a feature running back. But after taking 227 carries this season and a bunch over the past few years, Bush may have put too much mileage on his legs as he gets older. The speedster was a good soldier in Miami and he had his first 1,000 rushing season in 2011. A team looking to make a splash is likely to sign him and his explosiveness is valuable out of the backfield catching passes as well. Possibilities include the Jets, Chiefs, Chargers and Jaguars.
Peyton Hillis, RB
Hillis looked like one of the best secrets in the NFL a few years ago after rushing for over 1,000 yards with the Browns and making the cover of Madden, but after demands for a contract and a strange injury in Cleveland, Hillis signed with the Chiefs and was stuck behind Jamaal Charles. He had 270 carries in 2010, but after getting less time with the ball in Kansas City, a team could get value out of a running back that is just 26.
Wes Welker, WR
The Patriots wideout has been one of Tom Brady's best targets, but in New England they don't like to pay anyone not named Brady or Wilfork, meaning Welker might be done in Boston. It's amazing that a player who averaged 111 catches and 1,221 receiving yards over five years might not have his own team interested, but the Patriots do things their own way. Possible destinations include the Bears, Vikings and Jets.
Osi Umenyiora, DE
There is always the possibility he returns to the Giants, but Osi has said he wants to start wherever he plays next and the Giants are stacked on the line already. Possible moves include the Cowboys, Jets, Vikings and Raiders.