QBs That NFL Teams Must Pursue in Trades Right Now

Quarterback isn't just the most important position in the NFL it might be the single most important role in all of professional sports. Teams that don't have an elite signal-caller are constantly fighting to land one, and there are very few franchises that couldn't stand to add more depth at the position.

Ironically, several quarterbacks are going to find themselves out of a job—or at least out of an active roster spot—in a month. Roster must be trimmed to 53 players by August 26, and cutdown day will send a slew of signal-callers to the open market.

There are more than a few teams that should look to get a jump on the market by trading for a quarterback right now. We're talking about teams with bad overall QB rooms—Bleacher Report's Alex Kay recently ranked the worst of the worst—but we're also talking about teams with good starters but questionable depth.

Here, we'll examine six quarterbacks who could realistically be acquired via trade, what they could offer in 2025 and the types of teams that should be interested. Factors like past performance, perceived upside, contract value, scheme fit and roster makeup were all considered.

Honorable Mention: Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

We're inclined to at least mention Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins because he's an experienced starter and, most likely, the best quarterback available via trade in 2025.

With Michael Penix Jr. now entrenched as the starter, Cousins could be viewed as expendable—and Atlanta could save $27.5 million in cap space by moving him. The Falcons appear comfortable with Cousins as their backup for now, but they left the door open for a trade all offseason.

The issue here is that Cousins has a no-trade clause and isn't likely to waive it for another backup opportunity. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported all the way back in March that the 36-year-old would wait until after the draft to waive his no-trade clause "to avoid the situation he found himself in last April."

For the record, the Falcons signed the four-time Pro Bowler to a four-year, $180 million deal only to use a first-round pick on Penix less than two months later. Cousins doesn't seem interested in being a placeholder once again.

Therefore, it's hard to identify a team that should trade for Cousins right now. His value will be highest to any contender that loses its starter before Week 1, and that's the situation most likely to entice Cousins to waive his no-trade clause.

Teams holding open quarterback competitions—like the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints—could also come calling about Cousins should their QB battles go awry.

Taylor Heinicke, Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

While Cousins may not be a top trade target until later in the year, Taylor Heinicke is a high-end backup teams should call about now. The Los Angeles Chargers won't be inclined to part with Justin Herbert's understudy for cheap—Heinicke is fully capable of steering the offense for a week or two if needed—but he could become available.

Heinicke, who was traded to the Chargers last August, is competing for the backup job with Trey Lance, who should have far more long-term backup potential. There doesn't appear to be a clear QB2 just yet.

"Right now, I don’t think there’s a depth chart to it,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman said, per The Athletic's Daniel Popper. “I think they’re both going to get opportunities, and we’ll see how that unfolds."

If Lance, the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, wins the backup job, Los Angeles may consider undrafted rookie DJ Uiagalelei as the emergency QB over Heinicke.

Teams that could use another potential bridge option in training camp, like the Colts and Saints, should see if Heinicke is available now. New Orleans' collection of quarterbacks—Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler, rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough and undrafted rookie Hunnter Dekkers—lacks experience. According to Jaclyn Hendricks of the New York Post, the Colts have seen both Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones "struggle" in early camp.

Heinicke, who has 29 career starts on his resume, might have a shot at winning the starting job in either New Orleans or Indianapolis.

Top Potential Suitors: Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints

Hendon Hooker, Detroit Lions

AP Photo/Gareth Patterson

Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker hasn't started an NFL game and may not even be the top backup to Jared Goff. The far more experienced (19 starts) Kyle Allen is also on the roster.

However, Hooker has intriguing potential as a 2023 third-round pick. The Tennessee product was coming off of a torn ACL when he was drafted, but had a solid NFL floor.

"His adequate athletic ability, velocity over the middle, and years of starting experience give him a decent baseline as a backup," Derrik Klassen wrote for the Bleacher Report Scouting Department before the 2023 draft.

Now in his third offseason, Hooker has started to show growth.

If the Lions aren't sold on Hooker as a long-term backup and/or successor to Goff, they could be willing to trade the final two years of his contract. The Chicago Bears and New York Jets are two teams that should see if he can be had.

The Bears, who employ former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as head coach, could view Hooker as a multi-year backup to Caleb Williams. With a high athletic ceiling, Hooker might mirror Williams' play style than Tyson Bagent or Case Keenum in Johnson's system.

The Lions, who employ former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as head coach, might want more depth behind Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor. Fields is dealing with a dislocated toe, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini, and Hooker's dual-threat potential would mesh with New York's QB room.

Top Potential Suitors: Chicago Bears, New York Jets

Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

This offseason the San Francisco 49ers scooped up 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones to fill their backup role behind Brock Purdy. Jones signed a two-year, $8.4 million contract that suggests San Francisco views him as a fixture of the QB room.

"I think Mac's capable of being a starter in this league," 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner.

With only Tanner Mordecai and seventh-round rookie Kurtis Rourke on the depth chart behind Purdy and Jones, the 49ers won't be eager to move their top understudy. However, a strong offer might get a deal done.

Why would a team trade for a backup who hasn't been a high-level starter over the past few seasons? Well, Jones will only turn 27 in September, was a rookie Pro Bowler with the New England Patriots and still has the upside of a future starter. Spending the offseason in Kyle Shanahan's QB-friendly system certainly won't hurt.

Teams that run a similar offense and/or need a quarterback of the future would make the most sense for Jones.

The Jets could have interest in Jones since they don't have a long-term QB plan in place—aside from their flier on Justin Fields, who is currently injured. Jones' skill set wouldn't match those of Fields and Taylor. However, he could provide something similar to Goff, who was coached by Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand in Detroit.

The Los Angeles Rams don't have a successor to Matthew Stafford in place, and Jones could be a strong candidate for that role. He doesn't possess Stafford's raw arm strength, but when at his best, Jones has shown impressive accuracy and timing. Those traits would mesh with a Sean McVay spacing-based offense that is quite similar to Shanahan's conceptually.

Top Potential Suitors: Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets

Kenny Pickett, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

The Browns are holding an unusual four-way, open QB competition involving Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, rookie third-round pick Dillon Gabriel and rookie fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders. Pickett, a 2022 first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, may end up being the odd man out, even though he's impressed in early camp.

"[Kenny's] first two days have been stellar," quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave said, per Dylan Feltovich of SI.com. "...he's had his share of triumphs these last two days, especially when throwing on the run. [He's] incredibly accurate for just jumping back into camp after us being off for a number of weeks."

Flacco has already proven himself in Kevin Stefanski's offense, having helped the Browns reach the playoffs as a late-season addition in 2023. He's probably the top bridge option if the Browns go with a veteran in Week 1. Gabriel and Sanders are both rookies who probably have more long-term potential.

Cleveland appears open to keeping all four quarterbacks on the active roster. However, teams typically only keep three, and it would behoove other QB-needy teams to see if Pickett is available now.

The Browns probably don't view Flacco as expendable, and Gabriel and Sanders are unlikely to generate much interest as relatively late draft prospects.

Pickett was never a high-level starter in Pittsburgh, but he was saddled with a poor offense during his time there. He does have 25 starts on his resume, is only 27 years old, and spent last season learning behind reigning Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Saints, who hired former Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as their head coach, should consider adding Pickett to their QB competition. So should the Colts, who employ former Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen as their head coach.

Top Potential Landing Spots: Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints

Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Matt Ludtke

As is the likely case with the 49ers and Jones, the Green Bay Packers won't rush to move backup quarterback Malik Willis. The main backup to Jordan Love showed last season that he can be a serviceable starter in Matt LaFleur's system.

Willis appeared in seven games with two starts for Green Bay in 2024 and finished with a 124.8 QB rating and a 2-0 record. He is the obvious choice for the QB2 role over Sean Clifford and undrafted rookie Taylor Elgersma. However, it's unclear what the Packers' long-term plan for Willis might be.

A 2022 third-round pick by the Tennessee Titans, Willis was traded to the Packers last offseason and is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He shouldn't be in danger of being cut, but he might be available for a strong offer if the Packers have confidence in Clifford and/or Elgersma.

Now, a team would likely have to overpay to pry Willis away from Green Bay, and that's a dicey proposition. While he's looked good under LaFleur, he didn't play well in his two seasons with the Titans. Tennessee used a second-round pick on Will Levis a year after drafting Willis and just took Cam Ward.

However, Willis has a high level of potential as a dual-threat signal-caller, and he's still only 26 years old.

The Rams should have some interest in Willis as a potential heir to Stafford. While his play style is different than Stafford's, he's flashed in a LaFleur offense that is similar to McVay's—LaFleur was the Rams' offensive coordinator in 2017.

The Steelers should also consider kicking the tires on Willis. Aaron Rodgers isn't a long-term solution in Pittsburgh, and Willis' dual-threat skill set would fit the system of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Steelers wanted to bring back Fields before losing him to the Jets and pivoting to Rodgers.

Top Potential Suitors: Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers

Jameis Winston, New York Giants

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

The New York Giants signed Jameis Winston to a two-year, $8 million deal this offseason, which suggests they like his value as a multi-year backup. However, Winston may never get a chance to be the Giants' starter because they also signed Russell Wilson and then used a first-round draft pick on Jaxson Dart.

Dart is the future and Wilson, it would seem, is the present.

"These guys will be out here competing, but Russ is our starter," Giants head coach Brian Daboll said on Wednesday, per ESPN's Jordan Raanan.

While Winston may not be completely expendable, a few teams should see if he is available. The 31-year-old does have an alarming turnover problem, but he can still stretch the field and pilot a high-powered passing attack.

In one of his seven starts with Cleveland last season, Winston threw for 497 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

While Winston can be an effective spot starter and is a tremendous locker room leader, he should most interest teams looking for a dedicated backup and mentor. The Minnesota Vikings and Titans would both make sense.

While Minnesota did trade for Sam Howell this offseason, it doesn't have a ton of experience behind second-year quarterback and first-year starter J.J. McCarthy.

The Titans, meanwhile, are largely expected to open the season with Ward as their starter. They have some experience in the form of Tim Boyle and Brandon Allen, but they recently lost Levis to a season-ending shoulder injury.

Winston could be a helpful mentor to Ward while giving the Titans a high-end backup option. His arm talent would fit with Brian Callahan's pass-heavy offense.

Top Potential Suitors: Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans

*Contract information via Spotrac.