Ranking the NFL's Most 2026 QB-Needy Teams Halfway Through 2025 Season

Eight weeks into the 2025 season, NFL teams have made quarterback changes, and other clubs may be weighing their long-term options.

Daniel Jones will headline a below-average 2026 free-agent quarterback class that includes Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco, two signal-callers who will be 41 or older at the start of next year's campaign. 

In the offseason, QB-needy teams will jockey for position to select one in the draft.

Here's a top-10 ranking of those clubs and why each one could add a young passer in 2026.

10. Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/AJ Mast

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones

The Indianapolis Colts made the quarterback-needy list at No. 10 because Daniel Jones is on a one-year deal. He's playing his best football, but the front office will likely wait until the offseason to decide on his contract.

In 2023, the New York Giants signed the 28-year-old to a multiyear extension following a 9-6-1 campaign that included a playoff run, only to cut him a year later due to his subpar production. With that in mind, the Colts may be wary of a long-term commitment. 

On the other hand, Indianapolis might consider the Vikings' situation after letting Sam Darnold walk in free agency. That experience could motivate the Colts to retain their own veteran.

If Jones' asking price exceeds what the Colts are willing to pay him, this club could eye a quarterback prospect on Day 1 of next year's draft. 

9. Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Ian Walton

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford

The Los Angeles Rams won a Super Bowl with Matthew Stafford and have qualified for the playoffs in three out of four campaigns with him as their primary starter.

However, general manager Les Snead must think about the franchise's quarterback plan after Stafford, who will turn 38 in February. This past offseason, the 17-year veteran needed time to decide his career future. Even if he did it to leverage for a new deal, the Rams can't bank on him being around for the long-term future.

Stetson Bennett IV, a 2023 fourth-rounder, needs more development, and his rookie deal expires after the 2026 term.

Unlike the Indianapolis Colts, the Rams don't have a starting-caliber signal-caller in his prime on the roster. They can roll with Stafford with another year or two, but at his age, his injury risk is a significant concern.

8. Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa

In 2026, the Miami Dolphins may have a new front office and coaching staff. Even if general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel retain their jobs, they should draft a potential replacement for Tua Tagovailoa.

The 27-year-old's well-documented history of concussions could shorten his career. He's only played one full season in six years because of various injuries.

Though Tagovailoa has performed at a solid starter level in recent years, he's also inconsistent and prone to game-changing turnovers. Currently, he and Geno Smith lead the league in interceptions with 10.

According to Spotrac, the Dolphins can trade the 2020 No. 5 overall pick after June 1 and save $43 million in cap space in 2026, but it could be challenging to find a suitor willing to take on a sizeable salary given his injury risk and erratic play in crucial moments. 

Remember, the Dolphins signed Tagovailoa to a four-year, $212.4 million extension in July 2024. The club may not be aggressive in adding talent behind him, but it could consider it based on how the remainder of the season pans out.

7. Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray

Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort didn't give a firm answer when reporters asked about Kyler Murray's job security upon his return from injury.

"I know that's always a hot discussion," Ossenfort said. "We're going to continue to try and get Kyler where he can get back to doing the things he can do on the field. When he's doing that, he'll be out there."

The two-time Pro Bowler has missed two games because of a mid-foot sprain. One can argue backup signal-caller Jacoby Brissett has operated a more efficient aerial attack than Murray. In two starts, the former threw for 599 yards, four touchdowns and an interception, completing 65 percent of his passes.

The Cardinals don't have a quarterback controversy yet, but if Murray continues to turn in mediocre performances, Arizona could hold a top-10 draft pick, which opens the door for a quarterback discussion.

Keep in mind the Cardinals signed the 28-year-old to an extension in 2022 and hired Ossenfort in 2023. Arizona's general manager may not be all-in on the team's current starting signal-caller.

Murray is more dynamic with his legs and boasts a slightly better resume than Tua Tagovailoa, which could draw more trade suitors if the Cardinals want to move on from him.

6. Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young

Next offseason, the Carolina Panthers will either pick up or decline the fifth-year option in Bryce Young's rookie deal, a crucial decision for the team's quarterback situation.

As of right now, the 24-year-old hasn't earned an extra year on his deal. He's completing just 60.5 percent of his passes and averaging an unimpressive 177.5 passing yards per game through 37 outings.

At the least, the Panthers should bring in someone to compete against Young for the starting job, similar to what the Indianapolis Colts did with their offseason battle between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson.

Because of a weak free-agent quarterback class, Carolina could look to next year's draft for a prospect who could push Young for the lead position. 

The Alabama product has yet to show he's a franchise player, which is why the Panthers have a more pressing need at quarterback than the Arizona Cardinals, who have two-time Pro Bowler Kyler Murray.

5. Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/David Becker

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith

This past offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders traded a 2025 third-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for Geno Smith and signed him to a two-year, $75 million extension. 

Smith's reunion with former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is off to a rocky start. Along with Tua Tagovailoa, he leads the league in interceptions (10), and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has simplified the passing offense to a dink-and-dunk attack.

In four out of seven contests this season, Smith threw for 180 or fewer yards. Without a healthy Brock Bowers, he's unable to stretch the field and avoid turnovers, which is concerning for a 13th-year veteran on a new deal.

Smith's connection with Carroll, who was hired as head coach by Las Vegas in January, means he's probably not in imminent danger of losing his job.

However, the Raiders must break the cycle of acquiring short-term QB fixes after Derek Carr's nine-year tenure with the team. The Silver and Black whiffed on JaMarcus Russell 18 years ago; they need to forget that misstep and take another swing to improve their future outlook.

Bryce Young still has time to extend his future with the Carolina Panthers. At 35, Smith is a Band-Aid quarterback attached to a 74-year-old head coach who may not be on the sideline in two years' time.

4. New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough

The Las Vegas Raiders should draft a quarterback even with Geno Smith under contract through 2027. The New Orleans Saints have a clear need at the position with their unproven signal-callers.

In Week 8, the Saints benched Spencer Rattler for rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough, who will start for the remainder of the season.

While it's too early to assess Shough's short- and long-term future, the Saints will likely hold a top-five pick in the draft. They could have a shot at two college quarterbacks generating a ton of buzz: Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and Oregon's Dante Moore. 

Unless Shough looks absolutely impressive while leading the Saints to wins in the second half of the season, the front office should look at the top quarterback prospects in the 2026 class, especially if it holds the No. 1 pick in the draft.

3. New York Jets

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields

In the second half of the season, the New Orleans Saints will evaluate Tyler Shough. The New York Jets have likely seen enough of Justin Fields to know they need to draft a quarterback.

This past offseason, the Jets signed the 26-year-old to a two-year, $40 million contract, and the front office isn't getting much return on that investment.

Similar to his first four years in the league, Fields mostly struggled with accuracy through the first eight games of this season. He led the Jets to a Week 8 victory with arguably his best performance of the campaign, but he hasn't shown any consistency as a passer, which is a big reason why Gang Green are 1-7.

Even if Fields finishes the season on a strong note, he'll enter a contract year in 2026 with a shaky resume for a former first-rounder. Regardless of where the Jets pick in next year's draft, they need a high-upside quarterback on the roster.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Matt Freed

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers

At the top of the quarterback depth chart, the Pittsburgh Steelers have 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers and career backup Mason Rudolph. Rookie sixth-rounder Will Howard is working his way back from a hand injury, but he's a long shot to become the team's starter next year.

While the Steelers would be open to another year with Rodgers, the 21-year veteran could hang up his cleats after the 2025 season. The Steelers need a long-term quarterback plan with their starter nearing retirement.

Pittsburgh is in the thick of a division title race, so general manager Omar Khan will likely need to be aggressive with a trade for a veteran or a higher draft pick to select a top prospect.

Unless the Steelers view Rudolph as a starter, they're most certainly going to sign a quarterback or draft one early in 2026, regardless of Rodgers' career decision. Pittsburgh doesn't have a sure-fire starter or a young passer to develop under contract next season.

1. Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Steven Senne

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel

The Cleveland Browns top the list of quarterback-needy teams. This year, they selected Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the third and fifth rounds, respectively.

In six games, four starts, Gabriel hasn't flashed in any particular way. Even if Sanders sees the field, he probably won't have enough time to sway the Browns away from a quarterback.

Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam conceded the team made a mistake signing Deshaun Watson to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal in 2022:

"We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun. We thought we had the quarterback, we didn't and we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him. So we've got to dig ourselves out of that hole. (It) was an entire organization decision and it ends with Dee and I, so hold us accountable."

Cleveland can find its answer at quarterback in the 2026 draft. 

Because of a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2025 draft, the Browns have two first-round picks. They can bundle those selections to move up with an offer to a team that doesn't need a signal-caller. 

That said, at 2-6, Cleveland could be in a position to draft a top quarterback prospect with its own first-round pick.

The Browns don't have much upside or a short-term placeholder to retain at quarterback. Pittsburgh may be able to convince Aaron Rodgers to stay another year. Haslam seems ready to cut ties with Watson, while Dillon is the lead man for the league's 30th-ranked passing offense.

NFL player contract details are provided by Over the Cap.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.