Who Still Needs a QB? 1 Sentence to Describe Each Team's Urgency After 2023 NFL Draft
Now that the NFL draft is complete and the leaguewide quarterback carousel has essentially stopped spinning for 2023, it's time to take the temperature of every signal-caller situation.
After we looked primarily at age, trajectory, experience, contract, injury history and the state of the team itself, let's break down every squad's quarterback need level with a single sentence for each.
Contract information courtesy of Spotrac.
Prime Candidates to Pursue a New Franchise Quarterback Next Offseason
Atlanta Falcons: Third-round picks with questionable accuracy don't get much room for error, so it's a make-or-break year for Desmond Ridder, as Caleb Williams and Drake Maye will be in the mix for 2024 if he fails.
Green Bay Packers: Even with his new extension, Jordan Love received just a short-term commitment as Aaron Rodgers' successor, and the team could bail for an outside option next offseason.
Los Angeles Rams: Considering Matthew Stafford's cost and age, you get the feeling this will be his last year with the likely rebuilding Rams.
Minnesota Vikings: If Kirk Cousins doesn't get it done again in 2023, there's no way the Vikings will keep the 34-year-old at whatever premium he'd demand.
New England Patriots: There's already been chatter that Mac Jones could be running out of time, as Bill Belichick might be running out of patience.
New York Jets: Rodgers has flirted with retirement and could be one-and-done, which would send the Jets back to the quarterback market.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Even with the pedigree of a first-round pick, Kenny Pickett can't afford another poor season without expecting the Steelers to go back to the drawing board in 2024.
Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks hitched their wagon to Geno Smith, but his strong 2022 season could be an aberration, and they can get out of that new contract next offseason.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask are the only quarterbacks on the roster, and neither has done much to indicate they can be long-term starting options.
Washington Commanders: If Ridder is on the hot seat as a sophomore third-rounder with the Falcons, Sam Howell's chair should be even hotter as a sophomore fifth-rounder with the talented Commanders.
Probably Not In the Quarterback Market Until 2025 or Later
Arizona Cardinals: They've chosen Kyler Murray as their quarterback, realistically for at least the next two years, as they'd have a $81.5 million dead cap hit if they released him prior to June 1 next offseason.
Baltimore Ravens: One week ago, the Ravens gave Lamar Jackson the most lucrative contract in NFL history.
Buffalo Bills: The well-paid Josh Allen has finished in the top three in MVP voting twice in the last three years, so the Bills are good.
Carolina Panthers: The Panthers just spent two first-round picks, two second-round picks and wide receiver DJ Moore on rookie Bryce Young, so they're out of all quarterback sweepstakes for at least a couple of years.
Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow is the fourth-highest-rated passer in NFL history and is just entering his prime with a new contract likely on the horizon, so don't expect any changes for years.
Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson is the third-highest-rated passer in NFL history, and nobody would trade for his fully guaranteed contract if his play goes south.
Detroit Lions: There's talk of a Jared Goff extension, but even if the Lions decide to bail on him after the 2023 campaign, they would likely give new backup Hendon Hooker a chance.
Houston Texans: You have to think No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud is locked in for multiple years as the Texans rebuild.
Indianapolis Colts: You have to think No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson is locked in for multiple years as the Colts rebuild.
Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes is good at football.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence made a massive leap as a sophomore and has earned the right to at least play out the four years on his rookie deal.
Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert is in a spot that resembles Burrow's: Nothing's happening for several years.
New Orleans Saints: Derek Carr's new contract isn't tiny, and the Saints also selected Jake Haener in the fourth round, so I don't think they'll make any big moves next year.
New York Giants: Daniel Jones got paid and should get two or three years at minimum.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Hurts is the highest-paid player in the NFC.
Tennessee Titans: Even if the Titans bail on Ryan Tannehill this or next year, second-round pick Will Levis will almost certainly get the nod.
Somewhere in Between
Chicago Bears: The Bears traded out of the top spot and passed on the prime quarterbacks in this class—a strong indication they believe in Justin Fields—but he's shaky enough as a passer that if he struggles in 2023, they could bail for Williams or Maye.
Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott's high-priced contract is actually tradeable and releasable next spring, so I wouldn't rule out a big change from the increasingly desperate Cowboys if he struggles again in his age-30 campaign.
Denver Broncos: I think this Russell Wilson sitch has to run at least three years, especially now that he's in a third system in three seasons, but abandonment isn't out of the question if things go really badly again in 2023.
Las Vegas Raiders: Jimmy Garoppolo is new, and the Raiders moved up in Round 4 for Aidan O'Connell, but they can pocket some cash by bailing on Garoppolo next offseason, and O'Connell will have to show something before then if they're otherwise intent on taking a shot at a blue-chipper.
Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa is coming off an awesome season, but his concussion history is enough of a concern for the Dolphins to remain in this limbo section.
San Francisco 49ers: A Trey Lance trade looks like a distinct possibility, and nothing is promised with the inexperienced, lowly drafted Brock Purdy, which could send the 49ers back into the signal-caller sweepstakes soon.
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