NFL Quarterback Merry-Go-Round: A Look at Each AFC Team's Passing Situation

Last year's QB news was all about Brett Favre versus Aaron Rodgers, the injuries to Tom Brady and Carson Palmer, and Peyton Manning's offseason knee surgery.

So far, this season has once again been about Favre's retirement, the Jay Cutler trade, and we're also back to the Jets not having an answer at quarterback.

From injuries to trades, to the draft and coaching changes, here is a team-by-team look at each team's quarterback situation going into this month's NFL Draft. This column will cover the AFC quarterbacks from East to West, with the NFC column coming later.

New England Patriots

The trade of Matt Cassel leaves no doubt in anyone's minds: Tom Brady is still their guy, and he appears on the right track to full health. Kevin O'Connell is primed for backup duty, while Gutierrez rounds out the Patriots' passers.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills don't have J.P. Losman around anymore as another average-passer insurance policy, so Trent Edwards better put together a healthy and complete season. The addition of Terrell Owens could really send his stock in either direction, but even though it may not lead to wins, something tells me T.O.'s presence should result in an abundance of solid stats.

Miami Dolphins

Chad Pennington is back as the starter, but likely for his final run. Miami's head office has declared they want Chad Henne to assume the starting role by 2010, killing two birds with one stone. They're betting that Pennington can do it for now, while they bank on Henne improving. Can we really expect both to happen? Nah.

New York Jets

They didn't get Jay Cutler, so it's looking more and more like drafting or trading up for a quarterback is in the works. If you really think that Kellen Clemens can win this starting job, you've got another thing coming. Brett Ratliff has the best shot out of camp, based solely on his abilities, arm, and size. He's a better quarterback than Clemens or Erik Ainge, and the offseason will show that.

Of course, this all changes when they inevitably draft their guy later this month.

Baltimore Ravens

Joe Flacco is returning for year two of the Praying Mantis experiment, and considering his rookie trial ended in an AFC Championship loss, a lot of people are excited for the sequel. Flacco should blossom in his second run, while he's backed up by Troy Smith, who is a quality second guy, as well as 37-year old veteran Todd Bouman.

Cincinnati Bengals

Should we celebrate or cringe over the fact that Cincy should be getting a fully healthy Carson Palmer back for next season? Well, whatever he can muster up should be better than anything Ryan Fitzpatrick can do, right? Newly signed back-up J.T. O'Sullivan and Carson's brother, Jordan Palmer, round out the position.

Cleveland Browns

The battle and heat is officially on. Are we going with the supposed one-year wonder or the guy who broke his finger? Both quarterbacks still have a ton of upside, so who will it be, the guy with the experience, or the guy who was drafted by the franchise? I'm going with Brady Quinn.

Pittsburgh Steelers

There's no question that two-time champion Ben Roethlisberger will be the guy for this year, as well as years to come, but who will be backing him up? The Steelers are still fans of Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwitch, but Leftwitch continues to pursue starting possibilities. Either way, with Dennis Dixon in the mix, there should be two or three guys competing for a solid backup position throughout the preseason.

Houston Texans

The question here is not about talent. The Texans shipped off Sage Rosenfels because they knew the talent they have in Matt Schaub is extraordinary. But can he stay healthy? The chemistry between Schaub and the rest of his offense is closing in on the land of Drew Brees, but the guy has got to make better decisions, as well as stay on the field.

The weapons around him make him a candidate for 4,000 yards and over 25 scores if he can stay healthy. Getting Dan Orlovsky also shows up their backup needs, and it's arguable he's a better talent than the departed Rosenfels.

Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning is getting older, but not to the point that anyone is seriously concerned about last year's knee surgery or of any future injury risks. Manning maybe be losing Marvin Harrison, but he's still got an insanely good offense and weapons galore to keep him at a solid pace for Brett Favre's career touchdown record. Jim Sorgi continues to wait his turn.

Jacksonville Jaguars

It's clear that David Garrard is the best quarterback on Jacksonville's roster, but I'm afraid that's not saying a whole lot. Considering the only other competition is Cleo Lemon, the odds are good that Jack Del Rio tries to spice up the position by addressing it in this month's draft.

It also doesn't help that the Jaguars cut ties with the improving Matt Jones, but even if Garrard does remain the man, the results can't be too much better than what we saw last year.

Tennessee Titans

Jeff Fisher says Kerry Collins is their guy, and after the contract he signed, he kind of better be. However, the teams isn't paying Vince Young the money they are to hold a clipboard. The consensus is three things that can or will happen: Young gets traded, he's installed in special packages, or he actually wins the job from Collins.

The Titans signed a capable backup and spot-starter in Patrick Ramsey, so if Young doesn't make drastic improvements, he could be made available to other teams.

San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers has begun to meet his potential, and as long as the Chargers' defense can hold up their end of the deal this year, he could continue an upswing that could lead San Diego back to the Super Bowl. Well, maybe.

Billy Volek is a decent veteran that could keep the Chargers' season from going to hell if Rivers goes down. They're in prime position with their group of quarterbacks. Can the rest of the team follow suit?

Denver Broncos

The got rid of one problem, but now need to address two others. First, which guy do they march into the fire with, Kyle Orton or Chris Simms? And on top of that, when do they draft a quarterback, and who will it be?

Trading up to nab Mark Sanchez or Matthew Stafford is exactly what they should do, and I believe it will happen. Sanchez has more gusto than Stafford, and I feel he's the best personality fit for Josh McDaniels' system. Still, despite all the noise this Cutler trade brought into the organization, the whole "problem" has actually turned out fairly well.

Kansas City Chiefs

They got their guy in Cassel, and still have either a quality backup in Tyler Thigpen or potential trade bait. There's still no guarantee Cassel is a strong player outside of New England, so a genuine quarterback camp battle isn't out of the works. Brodie Croyle, while less than spectacular as a starter, still has a cannon arm and some moxie. He'd be a heck of a third option.

Oakland Raiders

Is JaMarcus Russell still the guy? Yes, for the moment, anyways. You never know with Al Davis. He could swing a trade or draft his "new guy" any time, but at least for now, it seems there's a high amount of confidence in Russell.

In fact, Russell was actually pretty decent in the final three weeks of the season, and could make some huge strides if the Raiders add a few weapons on offense. Relying more on an effective ground game could help him immensely as well.

Stay tuned for the NFC edition of this column.