Each year there seems to be a team that is in desperate need of a quarterback, this year is different.
There are a handful of teams that need a signal caller. Chicago, Washington, New England and Atlanta all have needs under center and select in the top ten of the NFL Draft in April.
Then there are the teams that have a guy but could potentially move them, some of the big names include Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson.
We look at potential moves and how teams may address their needs at quarterback.
All 32 quarterback situations are covered as we discuss the state of each franchise.
• Chicago Bears
The Bears have decisions this offseason at the quarterback position, and the need to address it is in their favor.
They hold both the No.1 and No.9 overall picks in this upcoming NFL draft in April.
The big question with Chicago is, what are their plans moving forward with former first round pick Justin Fields?
Fields has underperformed and has struggled to stay healthy.
– Do the Bears move Fields to another quarterback- needy team like New England get a second top five draft pick to fill other needs?
– Does Chicago take a quarterback with the first overall pick, or do they sign a veteran like Jake Browning and use the #1 pick on Marvin Harrison Jr.?
They can also trade down from the 1st pick and take a quarterback later if JJ McCarthy, Bo Nix, or Michael Penix Jr. is the guy they want.
Decisions need to be made in the Windy City and the Bears have all the leverage to find their QB of the future.
• Minnesota Vikings
The big question in Minnesota is, what will the Vikings do with Kirk Cousins?
It seems like Kirk’s asking price is high for a thirty-something quarterback coming off an Achilles injury, is Minnesota willing to pay him?
The Vikings and Cousins have mutual interest in getting something worked out, but the numbers must be right. WR Justin Jefferson is due for a record-breaking payday, and he has said that he will not sign until it is clear what the Vikings plans are under center.
The Vikings could possibly let Cousins walk and draft a quarterback; they hold the 11th overall pick in April’s draft and could select a QB there or even move up to get their future signal-caller.
Another possibility would be bringing in a cheaper veteran like Joe Flacco, Trey Lance or Jake Browning.
• Detroit Lions
Jared Goff is coming off a stellar year, leading the lions to not one—but two—playoff wins for the first time since 1957.
– Detroit’s offense was firing on all cylinders in 2023 averaging 27.1 points per game. Head coach Dan Campbell trust Goff, and it seems as if Goff has regained that confidence he once had with the Rams.
The Lions are in no rush to find another quarterback this offseason.
• Green Bay Packers
Just when everyone was ready to write the Packers off in 2023 and label QB Jordan Love as a bust, they shock the world by winning six out of the last eight games to end the regular season.
Then Love heads to Arlington and takes down the No.2 seed Cowboys with an impressive playoff debut going 16-21, 272 yards and three touchdowns to advance to the Divisional Round where he looked a bit more human.
Looks as if sitting behind Rodgers served Love good, and the Packers have their guy for the next ten-plus years.
NFC WEST
• San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have struck gold once again, Mr. Irrelevant has been all but that. Brock Prudy has busted on to the scene with a bang, leading San Francisco to the conference championship in his rookie season and following it up with a trip to the Super Bowl.
At that pace, if the pattern continues the Iowa State Cyclone will be hoisting a Lombardi Trophy soon. I only see an emergency quarterback filler for the 49ers.
• Arizona Cardinals
There was speculation last offseason about the Cardinals possibly moving QB Kyler Murray.
The Cardinals hold the fourth pick in this year’s NFL Draft and can possibly still shop Murray and select a QB.
The Cardinals seem all in with Kyler and coming off a knee injury the 26-year-old looked as if he had fully recovered as he didn’t seem to hold back when taking off to run.
I don’t Arizona making a big splash for a QB just yet.
• Seattle Seahawks
QB Geno Smith will be with the Seahawks roster at least one more year, as he collected $12.7 million Friday in fully guaranteed money.
Since arriving in Seattle, Smith has surprised people, especially after being selected to back-to-back Pro Bowls. With the departure of Pete Carroll, I wouldn’t be surprised if Mike Macdonald went after his own guy.
• Los Angeles Rams
Mathew Stafford is 36, and is playing with a chip on his shoulder. He delivered what he was brought to L.A. for, a Super Bowl, I doubt Stafford goes anywhere especially while having Cooper Kupp and rookie sensation WR Puka Nacua to throw the ball to.
I believe it is too early for the Rams to look for Stafford’s successor, but the Rams finally have a first round pick after sending so many to Detroit and could pick one at No.19.
NFC EAST
• Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have decisions to make with two-time Pro Bowler Dak Prescott. Dallas could save $34 million against the salary cap by trading or cutting Prescott before March.
Owner Jerry Jones seems to want the 30-year-old QB long term. They traded for backup Trey Lance recently,
I don’t see Dallas addressing the quarterback position. Especially after such a great season that ended in disappointment in front of their home crowd.
• Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts is one of the top NFL quarterbacks in the NFL, The Eagles don’t need to address the quarterback position for a long time. Having a reliable backup isn’t a terrible option.
• New York Giants
The G-Men locked into a four-year $160 million contract with Daniel Jones in March, so looks like the Giants hands are tied at the moment.
Jones suffered an ACL injury this past season and his legs are a big part of his game; Let’s see if that factors in to what the Giants want to do at the quarterback position.
With all the money invested in Danny Dimes I don’t see the Giants going after a quarterback this April in the draft.
• Washington Commanders
The Commanders have the No.2 overall pick in the 2024 draft, and are in position to select their new franchise quarterback. After benching Sam Howell twice last season, I think Washington has seen enough.
I believe they will draft D.C. native Caleb Williams as the No.2 pick in the 2024 draft. In 2012, Washington had the second pick and took RGIII, I see them doing the same thing and having a lot of success.
NFC SOUTH
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Former No.1 overall pick Baker Mayfield has finally found his home in Tampa Bay, he led the Bucs to the playoffs in his first year under center.
Baker has a great supporting cast with two of the premier receivers in the NFL in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
The swagger Baker once had with the sooners seemed to be back as Mayfield had a career year.
Not to mention he took down the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs. Baker Mayfield is the guy in Tampa Bay.
• Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young was drafted by the Panthers No.1 overall last year, so it is safe to say he will be under center for a long time in Carolina.
The roster lacks talent and they need to get their young QB some help fast. The Panthers do not have a first round pick in the 2020 draft, after trading it to Chicago to move up and select Young.
• New Orleans Saints
It was a rough first year in the big easy for Derek Carr, but he did show flashes still being able to perform at a high level.
Unless Drew Brees comes out of retirement, I believe Carr will get another shot under center in 2024. Unless someone on the coaching staff prefers Jaimes Winston, I would not be surprised.
• Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta tried playing musical quarterbacks last season and that did not bode well for them going back and forth from Desmond Ridder and Taylor Hieneke.
The Falcons have the No.8 pick in the NFL draft and could select a quarterback there.
Michael Penix JR, JJ McCarthy, and Bo Nix should still be on the board. Rumors have it that ATL might be a potential destination for Russell Wilson, I like the chances of this happening and believe Russell Wilson will be an Atlanta Falcon come this offseason.
AFC West
• Kansas City Chiefs
There is no question who the QB in Arrowhead will be. Patrick Mahomes is going for a three-peat and is on the verge of having a Brady-like career.
• Las Vegas Raiders
Jimmy Garoppolo seems to be on the outs in Las Vegas and Aiden O’Connell wasn’t the answer. The Raiders hold the 13th pick in the draft, now that Antonio Pierce is officially the head coach look for him to take his guy with that selection.
Penix Jr makes the most sense for Las Vegas Raiders at No.13.
• Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert is recovering from a broken finger butshould be good to go for the start of the 2024 season.
Herbert is the Bolts’ franchise quarterback for years to come, he was having a heck of a year before the injury. Hopefully, they can get him some protection up front this offseason.
• Denver Broncos
Russell Wilson’s time in Denver looks to be coming to an end sooner than we all expected.
Reports saying that he has put his $24 million home for sale may be the writing on the wall.
Which leaves us wondering what the Broncos are going to do at QB. Wilson started off slow but then picked up the pace as the season went on, but what is his trade value now?
Denver holds the 12th pick in the draft and very much like the division rival Raiders, Sean Peyton can try to get his guy or move up in the draft.
Bo Nix would be a solid pick for Peyton and the Broncos.
AFC EAST
• Buffalo Bills
It’s safe to say Bills Mafia don’t need to worry about the quarterback position for quite some time.
Josh Allen is one of the league’s premier passers— the Bills were so close to making it to the Conference championship.
Expect Buffalo to have another postseason run next year with Allen leading the way.
• Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa had himself a career year in 2023 throwing for 4,624 YDS, and 29 TD’s and was selected to his first Pro Bowl.
The head injuries may have had Miami worried last offseason, but it seems like it’s a thing of the past.
Miami found their guy and should be set for years to come. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are both capable of taking a short pass to the house or blowing the top off a defense with their speed, which is instrumental to the development of Tua.
• New York Jets
Expectations were high in the big apple last season, and it seemed as if the Jets were the Super Bowl favorites with the acquisition of four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers.
Well, the 40-year-old legend tore his Achilles on the third snap of the year on their home field at MetLife stadium. Aaron intends to return for a 19th season. Can he return to his MVP form?
It wouldn’t be a terrible idea if the Jets started looking towards the future, possibly doing what Green Bay has done for the last two decades, drafting a quarterback and allowing him to learn from one of the best the game has ever seen.
• New England Patriots
New England has the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and is most likely set up to selecting the best available QB at number three.
The top three Quarterbacks are USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolinas Drake Maye, and Heisman Trophy winner from LSU Jayden Philips.
I believe the Patriots will select one of those guys with the third overall selection.
Although things could get interesting as the Patriots have been linked to making a blockbuster trade for Chicago Bears’ Justin Fields.
AFC NORTH
• Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow is one of the NFL’s best young guns and will look to bounce back from a wrist injury in 2024.
The real question with Cincinnati’s quarterback position is backup Jake Browning.
Browning filled in for Burrow after the injury and played exceptionally well, I believe he will get a shot to start for a quarterback needy team.
A team like Chicago would benefit from signing him to a cheap deal and using all their draft capital to address needs at wide receiver, offensive line, running back, defensive secondary, etc.
• Baltimore Ravens
The reigning MVP Lamar Jackson will look to add more hardware next year, this time a Lombardi Trophy.
Jackson had an incredible year by throwing for 3,678 YDS and rushing for another 800 yards, leading his team to a league best 13-4 record.
Jackson also led his team to the AFC Championship game, expect Lamar to continue his stellar play in 2024.
• Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson landed a massive contract with the Browns in 2022 for $230 million, the most guaranteed money in a contract in the history of the NFL.
Watson’s season was cut short after suffering a broken bone in his throwing shoulder requiring to undergo season ending surgery.
With the amount of money, the Browns have invested in Watson don’t expect them to explore other options at QB, other than an insurance policy like Joe Flacco that played well and led Cleveland to the playoffs.
• Pittsburgh Steelers
The post-Big Ben era has not been kind to Pittsburgh.
Sources say there is internal division over Kenny Pickett or Mason Rudolph. Pickett has underperformed and struggles to get the ball to his stellar wide receivers in George Pickens and Dionte Johnson.
It’s unclear yet if Pittsburgh has given up on Pickett, rumors have linked the Steelers to making a move for a veteran signal caller like Kirk Cousins.
Jake Browning would be an option as well; he knows the division and could be a cheaper option than Cousins. Ryan Tannehill could also be a option.
AFC SOUTH
• Houston Texans
Houston hit the jackpot in the 2023 NFL Draft when they selected CJ Stroud. The 22-year-old phenom exceeded all expectations in his rookie campaign, leading the Texans to a AFC South title with a 10-7 record.
Stroud has all the supporting pieces around him to continue to succeed in the NFL, and the Texans have their guy for the next ten-plus years.
• Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson’s first year in the NFL was cut short due to a season ending shoulder injury. The former Gator looked impressive to start his career, he will need to rely more on his arm than his legs, if he wants to have a long career.
Indy is set at quarterback and may just need to keep Gardner Minshew around for insurance. Look for Richardson to bounce back and have a solid career.
• Jacksonville Jaguars
First overall pick Trevor Lawernce looks to take his game to the next level this upcoming season. The former Clemson QB threw for over 4,000 yards in his third year and seemed to benefit from the acquisition of Calvin Ridley.
The Jags had the opportunity to make another playoff run but their franchise quarterback was dealing with some late season injuries. I expect Lawrence to continue playing at a high level and getting the jaguars back to the post season.
• Tennessee Titans
The Titans drafted Will Levis early in the second round of the 2023 draft.
I expect them to stay put and develop him to be their franchise quarterback, he did show bright spots but it’s clear he needs time to develop.
Levis has a big arm and can make all the passes to succeed. Malik Willis was selected in the third round in 2022, but when given the opportunity he has not looked good.
Will Levis is the Guy for now in Tennessee.