Post draft, which NFL teams have the best current QB situations?

A proud old-school group, the Steelers have tumbled into a spot the place they’re ready on a diminished Aaron Rodgers. Pittsburgh made a proposal early in free company however has not seen the polarizing expertise commit. In the meantime, the staff’s 2024 QB plan — a Russell Wilson-Justin Fields setup — is out, each passers heading to New York. The Steelers have re-signed Mason Rudolph as safety, however the staff has positioned most of its chips on Rodgers, who now carries extra leverage after the staff waited till Spherical 6 (Ohio State’s Will Howard) to deal with the place. Passing on Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe and Shedeur Sanders, Pittsburgh seems pot-committed to Rodgers or a much less thrilling Kirk Cousins commerce.

Seeming to brush apart Shedeur Sanders by taking reaching for 5-foot-11 Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel in Spherical 3, the Browns will now see Deion Sanders’ son overshadow their roster. The uncommon staff to throw two darts on the place in a single draft, the Browns current their fifth-round choose with an oddly life like path to a beginning job. Solely the fast-sinking Kenny Pickett and 40-year-old Joe Flacco stand within the rookies’ approach, and nearly everybody had Sanders rated far forward of Gabriel as prospects. Sanders’ skillset clearly didn’t justify his baggage, however the Browns will join after grabbing him on a steep low cost. On the very least, this can take consideration away from the Deshaun Watson contract remaining on the books.

Anthony Richardson’s Tim Tebow-esque accuracy season has introduced the Colts to a determined place as properly. GM Chris Ballard and HC Shane Steichen’s jobs will likely be on the road, and their insurance coverage coverage could also be wanted if Richardson doesn’t make important strides this offseason. Daniel Jones, who obtained a aggressive provide from the Vikings, will push Richardson. The six-year Giants starter, outdoors of some rookie-year promise and a fluky 2022, has not lived as much as his draft pedigree. However he has an honest probability to return to a beginning position. Richardson at all times appeared a dangerous funding as a result of poor faculty accuracy; he might now be in an uphill battle in opposition to one other bust.

The post-Drew Brees Saints might ship boring on-field work, however their off-seasons ought to be the topic of at the very least a mini-documentary. Mickey Loomis, now the second-longest pure GM in NFL historical past, continues to do no matter it takes to make sure the Saints stay a lower-middle-class operation. As New Orleans eschews an overdue rebuild, Loomis restructured Derek Carr’s deal to lock him in for 2025 and make a 2026 separation pricey. Carr’s shoulder harm now leaves him unsure for 2025. Enter Tyler Shough, a seven-year collegian who battled intensive harm hassle throughout a three-school profession. The No. 40 choose — the staff’s highest since  Archie Manning in 1971 — has a path to edging Spencer Rattler to be the membership’s Carr insurance coverage.

In an fascinating place as a result of having seen top-10 choose J.J. McCarthy miss his whole rookie season, the Vikings successfully informed Aaron Rodgers to face by. Minnesota, and a full Brett Favre story arc, turned Rodgers’ choice. However the staff understandably doesn’t need the high-maintenance veteran interfering with McCarthy’s improvement. The Vikings are taking part in a lead position in stalling the Steelers’ plan, as they wait to see if McCarthy wants extra time studying or is able to roll. After a 14-3 season, stress exists for the staff to remain on monitor after letting Sam Darnold stroll in free company. Commerce pickup Sam Howell is now in place as an unremarkable backup.

The Steelers needed Justin Fields to remain, solely pivoting to Darnold and Rodgers pursuits after it turned clear he needed to check the market. The Jets swooped in, changing the gifted however borderline-toxic Rodgers with Fields. A two-year, $40 million deal ($30M at signing) for a participant who spent most of final season as a backup is an fascinating technique, and it does maintain the door open for a Jets QB choose. For now, although, Fields has a transparent runway to see if his dual-threat skillset can translate to a daily starter position once more. The Jets nonetheless have Tyrod Taylor as veteran insurance coverage, at the very least. 

Transferring up from the last-place slot on this record’s pre-draft version, the Titans turned the most recent staff to learn from the NFL not implementing a draft lottery. Tumbling to 3-14, Tennessee landed Miami’s Cam Ward at No. 1. Contemplating the QB doubts that ensued after Ward (and the Titans rejecting Browns and Giants presents for the choose), the AFC South staff is sort of fortunate to have secured this draft slot this 12 months. Ward’s arm energy and playmaking potential offered attract for groups on this in any other case weak QB class, and he’ll sail to the Titans’ beginning position. Current 49ers backup is ready to again him up, whereas doubtless bust Will Levis seems on his approach out.

Andy Dalton’s automobile accident may very well be a seminal second in Charlotte sports activities historical past. Solely minor accidents occurred, however the crash close to the Panthers’ facility prompted Carolina to maneuver Bryce Young — benched two video games into the season — to return to motion. Nearing bust standing already, the 2023 No. 1 choose confirmed indicators of life upon returning to the lineup. Though Dalton misplaced his job as a result of an off-field harm, he didn’t take it personally, re-signing with Carolina on a two-year, $8 million deal. The Fifteenth-year veteran nonetheless ought to present a high quality QB2 presence for the Panthers, who must see if Younger is actually their long-term possibility.

Michael Penix Jr. has not but established himself as a confirmed starter, however for now, Kirk Cousins continues to be on the Falcons’ roster. Atlanta is unlikely to enter the season with the since-benched sunk value, and an fascinating commerce course of will start relying on among the QB-needy groups fare within the draft. Not notably correct in his three begins, the NFL’s newest southpaw passer did present some promising indicators upon changing Cousins late final season. He may have a full offseason to develop as a starter, with the Falcons now absolutely dedicated. They are going to be available in the market for a backup, in all probability, as soon as Cousins is jettisoned post-draft.

Contemplating how scorching the seats are in New York, a Giants workers that had been tied to prior-regime funding Daniel Jones for the previous three years nearly needed to take its swing within the draft. Enter Jaxson Dart, who leapfrogged Shedeur Sanders to turn out to be this 12 months’s second QB chosen. Ole Miss’ RPO-based offense will doubtless require Dart to spend time growing, as Russell Wilson ought to start the season because the starter. Wilson or Jameis Winston figures to turn out to be commerce bait because of the Dart trade-up. Whereas the Giants might stash Dart as their QB3, Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen might need to see their choose in motion as they try to stave off in-season ousters.

Caleb Williams trudged by an uneven rookie 12 months, seeing lesser prospects (together with Bo Nix, the sixth QB chosen final 12 months) have extra success as rookies. Williams led the NFL in sacks taken, because the Bears employed two play-callers and two head coaches. Chicago employed Ben Johnson with the first intention of placing Williams on a franchise-QB course. The Bears additionally introduced in a nomadic backup (Case Keenum) to mentor the No. 1 general choose. That is staff No. 8 and NFL metropolis No. 9 for Keenum. Identified extra for his arm-wrestling father, ex-Division II arm Tyson Bagent stays on the roster as a possible third-stringer.

Mac Jones‘ second-place Offensive Rookie of the Yr end should be a warning signal relating to a very optimistic Patriots QB outlook, however Drake Maye flashed an all-around skillset for an overmatched staff as a rookie. The Pats have given Maye Stefon Diggs, and one other weapon is probably going coming within the draft. Final 12 months’s No. 3 general choose drew sturdy presents from the Giants and Vikings, however the Patriots stood pat. Maye has a transparent runway now, as Josh Dobbs has changed Jacoby Brissett because the backup and rocket-armed third-stringer Joe Milton is now Dallas-bound. 

After thriving in Minnesota’s QB-friendly atmosphere, Sam Darnold will take a crack at replicating his gorgeous 2024 success with a brand new staff. The revived passer will goal Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp in Seattle, and the staff is dedicated to the Geno Smith alternative — for now. Drew Lock’s return poses no menace to Darnold, even when he regresses after leaving Kevin O’Connell’s offense. However the Seahawks’ Jalen Milroe third-round choose is fascinating by a long-term lens. The uncooked passer’s ceiling turned a pre-draft speaking level, and Darnold’s Seahawks deal incorporates a simple out after 2025. Milroe’s improvement will definitely have an effect on the staff’s Darnold plans.

After a regarding begin, Bo Nix made super strides in Sean Payton’s offense. Payton confirmed he might coax high quality play from a rookie arm, and he did so regardless of Denver missing weaponry at each skill-position spot save for the place Courtland Sutton lined up. Nix’s 29 rookie-year TD passes are the second-most in NFL historical past, and Denver now has Evan Engram complementing Sutton. Contemplating the muddy waters this QB draft introduced, the Broncos touchdown their man in 2024 seems to be to have been clever. The Broncos let third-stringer Zach Wilson stroll however saved Jarrett Stidham on one other two-year contract, giving Nix a succesful backup.

The Seahawks lower bait on Geno Smith after three starter seasons, and his subsequent Raiders extension (two years, $75 million) reveals maybe a decrease opinion of the late bloomer inside the league than amongst media. Smith’s 2024 season, nevertheless, equaled his breakout 2022 in yards per try (7.5) and surpassed it in completion fee (70.4%). Sadly, he threw 15 INTs final season. The Raiders, although, have a confirmed starter in his mid-30s. And Smith’s short-term extension permits the staff to maintain trying. For now, Pete Carroll will coach his former reclamation mission once more. On/off starter Aidan O’Connell stays rostered as properly.

A humbling expertise for the Jaguars, 2024 additionally introduced a step again for Lawrence. It’s protected to query whether or not the ex-Clemson super-prospect will come near justifying the hype. Lawrence confirmed difference-making potential down the stretch in 2022, however harm hassle has plagued him now for 2 years. Appreciable expertise stays, and the Jaguars confirmed desperation — through the ability inexperienced coach Liam Coen now wields — in pursuing a coach that may assist him break by. (And Lawrence now has Travis Hunter to focus on.) The Jags let backup Mac Jones stroll, bringing in Nick Mullens — who labored with new OC Grant Udinski in Minnesota — as a backup.

With Professional Bowl left deal with Terron Armstead retiring, Tua Tagovailoa’s state of affairs doesn’t seem improved. The Dolphins are dedicated, nevertheless, after becoming a member of the Jags, Packers, Lions and Cowboys in finishing dear QB extensions final summer time. Tagovailoa solely completed 11 video games final season, and his subsequent concussion will convey critical retirement rumors. When wholesome, the lefty is correct and has rated extremely in Mike McDaniel’s offense. The sixth-year passer wants to point out that kind this 12 months. One other Tua harm would convey, gulp, Zach Wilson — given $6 million assured — into motion. Quinn Ewers will step in as a developmental arm.

Time could also be operating out for Kyler Murray in Arizona; the previous Professional Bowler has not achieved a lot of be aware since getting back from a December 2022 ACL tear. Murray is getting into his seventh season because the Cardinals’ QB, and the staff did climb by 4 wins final 12 months — Murray’s first season with good NFL attendance since 2020. With Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride signed long run, Murray must remind of his early-years kind. It might additionally assist if the Playing cards added yet one more receiving weapon. Arizona added skilled backup Jacoby Brissett to again up Murray, who has missed 18 profession video games.

Jordan Love carries a $55 million-per-year wage. His lack of accomplishments present how a lot leverage starter-level quarterbacks command. That mentioned, Love completed fifth in QBR final season and led the Packers to a 10-win marketing campaign regardless of lacking early time as a result of a Brazil harm. Upside stays for the Aaron Rodgers successor, who’s signed by 2028. Love’s completion share dropped, however his yards per try climbed to eight.0. The Packers have now added a possible No. 1 vast receiver, taking one (Matthew Golden) in Spherical 1 for the primary time in 23 years. Inexperienced Bay has commerce pickup Malik Willis returning as a backup.

This may be a tad low for a C.J. Stroud-fronted crew, however the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Yr took a step again in 2024. Stroud noticed his yards per try freefall from 8.2 to 7.0 and his INT depend rise from 5 to 12 between 2023 and ’24. This got here regardless of the Texans having fun with higher O-line well being final season. Houston has since traded Stroud’s finest blocker, Professional Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil, amid an O-line overhaul that options free agent Cam Robinson in that position. After WR harm hassle final season, the Texans additionally gave Stroud two Iowa State wideouts ( Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel) on Day 2 of the draft. They need to assist whereas Tank Dell undergoes one other rehab effort.

To a level, all QBs are weaponry-dependent. Nobody receives such criticism like Purdy, who certainly benefitted from a four-All-Professional skill-position fleet and Kyle Shanahan’s play-calling acumen. Purdy nonetheless moved properly previous the bar Jimmy Garoppolo set and bailed the 49ers out of the Trey Lance mess. He didn’t strategy his high-end 2023 marks, however the former Tremendous Bowl starter held his personal regardless of being with out two of his All-Professional toys ( Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk) and Corridor of Fame-bound LT Trent Williams. A bounce-back effort ought to start, although it’s fascinating the participant Shanahan initially needed in 2021 — Mac Jones — is now Purdy’s backup.

Baker Mayfield silenced skeptics in 2024, proving (with a distinct play-caller, no much less) his 2023 rebound was not a fluke. Profession-high marks flooded the previous Progressive pitchman’s stat sheet, and the Buccaneers continued their run of NFC South titles. The Bucs saved gifted however injury-prone Mike Evans sidekick Chris Godwin and noticed rookie Jalen McMillan ship sturdy complementary work down the stretch. (Bordering on overkill, the Bucs additionally added first-round WR Emeka Egbuka.)  Mayfield, who will by some means be on a sixth play-caller since 2021, ought to be positioned to maintain going within the weaker of the 2 conferences (QB-wise). Backup Kyle Trask re-signed as properly.

Unlikely to be scrutinized to a comparable diploma if he held a distinct residence tackle, Dak Prescott earned second-team All-Professional honors in 2023. Consistency has eluded the previous fourth-round discover, however he offers the Cowboys a excessive ground. Prescott has guided Dallas to 5 playoff berths, together with 12-win seasons in three of the previous 4 years, however does typically settle in as a high-second-tier possibility (His contract-negotiating expertise are on the Kirk Cousins stage, nevertheless.) The commerce for rocket-armed Patriots draftee Joe Milton provides some intrigue, after Trey Lance didn’t transfer the needle in two seasons.

Jared Goff has confirmed his 2022 reemergence was no fluke, guiding the Lions to back-to-back NFC North titles and a 15-2 2024 season. Questions concerning the former Rams No. 1 choose sustaining this manner post-Ben Johnson are legitimate, as a much less flashy OC (John Morton, who was a midlevel Broncos staffer final season) takes over. The Lions have seen Goff put up top-six QBR finishes in two of the previous three seasons, constructing a contender round a participant who had been a commerce throw-in piece. Hendon Hooker has not turn out to be a surefire backup, nevertheless, and the Lions will pit the third-rounder in opposition to journeyman Kyle Allen in a QB2 battle value monitoring.

Properly-timed losses maintain altering franchise trajectories. The Commanders’ late-Ron Rivera-era swoon handed them Jayden Daniels, who turned a power multiplier instantly after carrying some questions because the second-best prospect within the 2024 draft. Outplaying Caleb Williams as a rookie, Daniels dragged Washington to its first NFC championship sport in 33 years. This snapped the NFL’s second-longest drought, and Daniels — because of Deebo Samuel — may have extra assist subsequent season. The staff additionally re-signed backup Marcus Mariota, who offers the staff a comparable skillset (albeit a a lot lower-end model) if Daniels have been to overlook time.

This area will not be giving up on Justin Herbert, a wildly gifted passer. Although, expectations might should be adjusted. Jim Harbaugh restrained the five-year veteran final season, however Herbert — regardless of a receiving corps housing Ladd McConkey and little else — offered elite effectivity throughout Harbaugh’s newest turnaround effort. Herbert’s 23-3 TD:INT ratio did precede a disappointing wild-card exhibiting in Houston, however the Bolts deserve some blame for not equipping their ace with a lot McConkey complementary assist. (That might change via this draft .) The staff added Trey Lance to compete with Taylor Heinicke for the backup job. Underneath Harbaugh, Lance qualifies as an fascinating flier.

In the long run, a Matthew Stafford-fronted group ought to clearly not rank this extremely. For 2025, the current trade-block resident nonetheless represents an elite possibility. Sean McVay continues to kind an early Corridor of Fame path, and the Rams properly backed off their odd Stafford commerce consideration. Agreeing to a team-friendly extension years in the past value Stafford, who rebounded properly in 2023 to reaffirm his place as a top-10 QB by main the staff to back-to-back playoff berths. Stafford is 37 and injury-prone, nevertheless, which does invite consideration as a result of Jimmy Garoppolo’s standing as a brittle performer. That mentioned, Garoppolo is without doubt one of the league’s higher QB2s when wholesome.

Eradicating all doubt about his long-term starter viability, Jalen Hurts sliced up a powerful Chiefs protection in a cruise to Tremendous Bowl LIX MVP honors. A near-flawless efficiency gave Hurts the fascinating declare to having outplayed Patrick Mahomes in two Tremendous Bowls. Hurts is way over a Tush Push beneficiary, and the Eagles might must dial that again — ought to the NFL not power them to — in a long-game effort round their QB. Hurts rebounded from a step again in 2023 and elevated his standing within the sport within the course of. The Eagles traded 2024 backup Kenny Pickett, giving 2023 sixth-round choose Tanner McKee an opportunity to fill a spot that seems a bit wobbly. 

A transparent prime tier stays, protecting Hurts and Stafford headlining the second flight of QBs. This placement could also be unfair to Lamar Jackson, who has earned back-to-back first-team All-Professional seasons. On the entire, he has outplayed two of the starters in entrance of him right here over the previous two seasons. Playoff shortcomings stay a difficulty within the celebrity’s late 20s. Jackson, although, dropped his masterpiece for a Ravens staff nonetheless showing a receiver quick. Their electrical maestro has made it work and will likely be headed to Canton in the future. Baltimore has switched out journeyman extraordinaire Josh Johnson for longtime Cowboys backup Cooper Rush.

Joe Burrow in all probability denies Josh Allen MVP if the Bengals characteristic a league-average protection final season. Sure, the Ravens swept the Bengals final season and have made each the previous two playoff brackets (to Cincinnati’s zero). Burrow additionally has elite weaponry, in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. However Burrow rebounded from a regarding wrist harm final season, exhibiting an necessary full season of well being. He delivered dominance, however Cincy’s protection let down its franchise centerpiece. The Bengals additionally felt the Carson Palmer-like stress from Burrow this offseason, paying his receivers and heightening the stress on all events for 2025.

Unquestionably the NFL’s most achieved lively quarterback, Patrick Mahomes proved within the AFC playoffs he can nonetheless ship when it issues. A woeful Tremendous Bowl outing, nevertheless, tabled the untimely debate in opposition to Tom Brady and Peyton Manning for all-time greatness. Mahomes has taken a step again since his 2022 MVP season, and it’s not as if his pass-catching state of affairs has been considerably worse than the Ravens or Payments’ setups. It may be argued Josh Allen did far more with much less final season. That is nonetheless nitpicking for the Chiefs, who’ve an all-time nice in his prime. Additionally they added one other skilled backup in Gardner Minshew.

Maddening harm misfortune continues to befall the Payments in opposition to the Chiefs, who maintain upending their rivals after regular-season losses. That mentioned, Josh Allen has been the NFL’s most harmful quarterback since Joe Brady changed Ken Dorsey as offensive coordinator. Final season introduced an MVP exhibiting after the staff traded Stefon Diggs and took on $31 million in lifeless cash. No Diggs alternative emerged, with Amari Cooper delivering little, but Allen motored alongside as an all-around dynamo. The Payments ought to be leery of unleashing Allen on runs, as a result of punishment he absorbs, however they’ve the sport’s prime possibility at 28. Mitch Trubisky is a shaky QB2, however Allen has confirmed fairly sturdy.