As is tradition, it’s time to spend the hottest days of the summer discussing something that won’t take place until the spring of year. The quarterback carousel is relevant in July, though, because long-term planning never takes a rest. I’m not saying that a quarterback-needy team at this very moment is trying to figure out what’s happening with Kirk Cousins, but I am saying that what happens to Cousins this year—and the young, talented QB with upside whom the Atlanta Falcons selected at No. 8 in the draft even after signing Cousins—is going to factor heavily into the plans of a team whose original plan did not work out.
Anyway, here’s a one-liner on every single team I could see needing a quarterback or a competitive, veteran upgrade going into the 2025 season. Some of these scenarios are far-fetched, but listing out all 19 illustrates what kind of flux the league is in.
Teams are not listed in order of likelihood, I’m just spinning through division by division.
Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa has yet to sign a contract extension. As of this moment, he’d be a free agent at season’s end (though the Dolphins could franchise tag him).
New York Jets
I mean, do you know where Aaron Rodgers is right now? Right at this moment? No. Neither do the Jets. It’s all on the table, man.
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland cannot really separate itself from the massive, fully guaranteed Deshaun Watson deal. But if Watson disappoints, gets injured again or proves to be middling in his return from shoulder surgery, the Browns will have no choice but to add real competition and admit a mistake.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Russell Wilson is on a one-year deal and Justin Fields did not have his fifth-year option exercised. Enough said.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have a spicy roster and a wunderkind coach in Shane Steichen. Anthony Richardson has all the tools, but is raw. If he cannot keep himself out of harm’s way again, could he find himself deemed replaceable or at least sideline-able?
Tennessee Titans
This will be an evaluatory year for Will Levis, after which, I would imagine, Brian Callahan will get a chance to keep his guy or find a new one.
Denver Broncos
Sean Payton laid his chips on the table with a high-risk, high-reward QB selection with Bo Nix at No. 12. Is the coach patient enough to slog through a rebuilding season with no promise and head into a third year as a sitting duck?
Las Vegas Raiders
When the choices are Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew II both playing for a re-signed interim head coach, nothing is certain.
Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones has yet to re-sign Dak Prescott, and while letting Prescott hit the market seems ludicrous, Dallas’s situation has not felt sensical in a while.
New York Giants
Daniel Jones knows he is in a make-or-break season with Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito behind him eyeing starter’s snaps this year. If Jones flounders, the QB position could get blown up entirely in New York.
Philadelphia Eagles
Relax. Relax. But … the Eagles moved on from Carson Wentz shortly after signing him to an extension. If Hurts again fails to capture his 2022 form without Steichen, his former OC, could the team get curious about doing to Hurts what Hurts once did to Wentz?
This is a stretch, for sure, but what if the team, similar to Jared Goff’s Los Angeles Rams, comes incredibly close to realizing its potential and feels as if it’s one QB upgrade away?
Carolina Panthers
I’m bullish on a Bryce Young renaissance, but would team owner David Tepper allow new coach Dave Canales to explore other options if this season is a throwaway?
New Orleans Saints
The Saints can get out of Derek Carr’s deal after this season, and there is obviously a heavy make-or-break vibe to the Dennis Allen regime in New Orleans this year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield’s contract is not totally prohibitive. Tampa Bay could move on, especially if there’s a slate clearing following the 2024 season.
Arizona Cardinals
The dead money in Kyler Murray’s deal drops significantly after the 2024 season. Jonathan Gannon loves Murray, but would that change if Murray is injured again or the Cardinals underperform?
Los Angeles Rams
Barring any extension or reworking, Matthew Stafford will become Goff-level vulnerable after this season, and we all know that Sean McVay isn’t going to hesitate pivoting if it suits the offense.
San Francisco 49ers
Personally, I think the team is preparing to hand Brock Purdy the bag. But—BUT—what if Kyle Shanahan gets another full-season evaluation on the former Mr. Irrelevant and comes away thinking he would rather have Cousins for one last title push before Christian McCaffrey & Co. age out?
Seattle Seahawks
Sam Howell could push Geno Smith this year. Smith has been a great story in Seattle, but Mike Macdonald is (likely) going to want his own signature QB at some point.
