There looks to be several NFL teams that may need new QBs in 2014. Several factors could contribute to this including bad play, injuries or regime change. Here are the teams that are most likely to make a change at the most important position in football.
Cleveland Browns – The team has started three QBs this season and are sitting at 4-6. Jason Campbell is a stopgap and Brian Hoyer is a question mark going into 2014 because of his ACL injury. Brandon Weeden is dead and gone. They need a young prospect to mold in to their franchise player. There is no doubt that this team will be taking a quarterback with their No.1 pick.
This will happen regardless of how many assets they will have to sacrifice to get their guy.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Hands down the worst team in the NFL. Blaine Gabbert is one of the biggest busts in a long time. It is an indictment of how bad Gene Smith was during his tenure as General Manager. Chad Henne is mediocre at best. They will more likely than not have the No.1 overall pick. Whichever QB prospect is the best will start the Jaguars’ long rebuild.
Houston Texans – This one is a little iffy. Case Keenum has shown some flashes of being a good quarterback. The problem is that he has no wins and his head coach may be fired at the end of the season. Matt Schaub has been benched and is a disaster. A new coach would want his own guy and the draft is ripe with great prospects.
It depends if owner Bob McNair decides to clean house with Gary Kubiak and GM Rick Smith.
Tennessee Titans – Jake Locker has shown flashes of being a franchise quarterback. His problem is that he has been injured for the majority of his career. More likely than not, Mike Munchak will be fired as head coach. The transition in the aftermath of Bud Adams’ death may have the organization reshuffled. A new general manager would hire a new coach.
It could be Locker’s end in Tennessee if they don’t like what they see.
Minnesota Vikings – Christian Ponder is not the answer for this team. He has faltered this season and will likely cause Leslie Frazier his job. GM Rick Spielman may go to if Zygi Wilf decides to reboot the team. Josh Freeman has a few more weeks to prove he can be a competent QB. If not, they will draft a QB early.
Arizona Cardinals – The team has improved under new coach Bruce Arians. The defense is playing well and they are 6-4. Problem is, Carson Palmer is looking like a shell of his former self. He is throwing too many interceptions. They will either get a new QB in free agency or draft one to learn behind Palmer until that person takes over.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Mike Glennon has shown flashes and has led the team to its first two wins of the season. Greg Schiano is a near lock to be fired. The same process with a new GM would apply here. Has Glennon shown enough for a new regime to give him a chance?
Chicago Bears – This one is the most controversial of them all. Jay Cutler is a franchise quarterback when he is healthy. He has been injured several times in the past few years. The fact that GM Phil Emery has not resigned him is telling. Josh McCown has been excellent for the Bears in relief this season. Cutler is a free agent after the season and a new contract will eat away at their cap.
Emery may opt to let Cutler walk and draft a prospect for Marc Trestman to develop. There is also the possibility of Cutler getting the franchise tag and working on a one-year deal. It could go any number of ways for them.
These are the teams that I think may make changes to the quarterback position in 2014.
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