Who Still Needs a QB? Describing Each Team's Urgency After 2025 NFL Draft

Now that the NFL draft is done and the quarterback carousel has almost stopped spinning for 2025, it's time to take the temperature of every signal-caller situation in the league.

Looking primarily at age, trajectory, experience, contract, injury history and the state of the team, let's break down every squad's QB-need level with a single sentence for each.

In each category, teams are listed from most to least desperate.

Contract information courtesy of Over The Cap.

Prime Candidates to Pursue a New Franchise Quarterback Next Offseason (if Not Sooner)

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Will Aaron Rodgers sign with the Steelers this offseason?

Pittsburgh Steelers: Even if they do make something happen with Aaron Rodgers, there’s a good chance it’ll be a one-year affair considering that Rodgers is an erratic 41-year-old who hasn’t been good since 2021. 

New Orleans Saints: Derek Carr’s future is highly in doubt considering his age, injury situation and price tag. Rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough likely won't sway the Saints away from pursuing another option next offseason unless he shines in 2025. 

New York Jets: It’s probably safe to assume this is a one-year audition for Justin Fields, who won’t cost them anything to move away from in 2026. Fields hasn’t cut it in two other spots, so there’s a good chance he doesn’t stick with Gang Green long-term. 

Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders must know deep down that 34-year-old Geno Smith is a bridge quarterback who's coming off a 15-interception campaign in Seattle. They wouldn't have a dead cap hit if they trade him next offseason, so they figure to pursue a longer-term option after this year. 

Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford is back for more, but there’s a good chance he'll decide to hang ‘em up after this season. The Rams could also decide to move on from him if they don’t see the value in an expensive, past-his-prime quarterback who has a 91.8 passer rating since the start of 2022. 

Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson is on very thin ice after throwing 12 interceptions in 11 games as a sophomore. The Colts signed Daniel Jones this offseason, but it’s entirely possible that both of those guys flunk out.

Seattle Seahawks: Sam Darnold’s contract doesn’t leave Seattle exposed beyond 2025, so it’s safe to assume this is a one-year audition. Based on what happened at the end of last season, there’s a good chance he fails.

Somewhere In Between

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa

Carolina Panthers: 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young made significant improvements last year and finished the season extremely strong. But if he reverts at all to what we saw in his rookie season, the Panthers could bail. 

Cleveland Browns: You might have expected the Browns to be listed higher, but they're down here because they have so many options. It might take them a while to get through Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett before they give Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders a shot, so there’s a decent chance they’re still not back to the drawing board next offseason. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield probably can’t afford to throw 16 interceptions again like he did last season. If he doesn’t become more consistent and reliable in 2025, the Bucs could bite the financial bullet and move on. 

Miami Dolphins: There’s a lot up in the air with Tua Tagovailoa in terms of both health and execution, but he's still young and just signed a big-money deal only a year ago. 

Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals are deeply tied to Kyler Murray financially for the next two years, so they'll likely wait until the end of 2026 before doing anything drastic. With that said, lost hope and a trade after another disappointing season is not outside the realm of possibility. 

Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud’s sophomore slump was real. If he continues down that path in Year 3, the Texans could rethink their future under center before he reaches the end of his rookie contract in 2027. 

Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy is essentially a rookie after missing all of last season with a torn ACL. When you spend a high first-round pick on a quarterback, he deserves at least two full seasons to make his case.

Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr. played only three games last year, but he shined in those starts. He'll get at least a full season or two to audition for the long-term job after the Falcons took him with the No. 8 overall pick in 2024.

Probably Not In the Quarterback Market Until 2027 or Later

AP Photo/Gareth Patterson

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

Tennessee Titans: They didn't just spend the No. 1 overall pick on Cam Ward with the intention of going shopping for another quarterback anytime soon.

San Francisco 49ers: All signs are pointing toward a long-term deal for Brock Purdy, but negotiations could still blow up, and he could easily fall off a cliff in 2025. The jury remains out on whether he's a long-term franchise quarterback. 

New York Giants: Even if Russell Wilson doesn’t pan out, it’ll likely be a while before they test and draw conclusions on rookie first-rounder Jaxson Dart. Don’t expect the Giants to dive back in on a quarterback for at least a few more years. 

Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott is unreliable and not cut out to lead them deep into the playoffs, but they’re pretty much handcuffed to him for the next two years. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence is Prescott but six years younger. There’s a little more hope, at least. 

New England Patriots: Drake Maye flashed enough with limited support as a rookie to keep that “two-year test” timeline rolling forward. 

Chicago Bears: The same goes for Caleb Williams, who also benefits from being a No. 1 overall pick. 

Denver Broncos: As did Bo Nix, who actually outplayed both of the above quarterbacks in 2024. 

Washington Commanders: And as did Jayden Daniels, the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

Detroit Lions: Jared Goff is a big-money quarterback in his prime, and the Lions are too competitive to suddenly give up on him anytime soon, even if he comes up short in January again next year. 

Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love is a fringe top-10 quarterback making huge money in his mid-20s. The Packers aren’t doing anything here for a while. 

Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert is coming off the best year of his career and is under contract through 2029. Enough said. Love and Herbert have slightly longer leashes than Goff due to their upside. 

Philadelphia Eagles: Reigning Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts is under contract through 2028. 

Kansas City Chiefs: Future Hall of Famer Patrick Mahomes is under contract through 2031. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow’s 103.3 passer rating since the start of 2021 ranks No. 1 among all qualified quarterbacks who have been active during that stretch, and he’s under contract through 2029. 

Baltimore Ravens: Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson put up the fourth-highest-rated passing season of all time in 2025, and he’s under contract through 2027. 

Buffalo Bills: The Approximate Value metric at Pro Football Reference registers Josh Allen as the most valuable player in the NFL since the start of 2020, and he won his first MVP in 2024. Following a fresh extension this offseason, Allen is under contract through 2030.