Predicting 2026 Offseason Trade, Free-Agency, Draft Moves for Every QB-Needy NFL Team

It's only mid-November and it's already become clear that a good chunk of NFL teams have a quarterback problem that will need to be addressed during the 2026 offseason.

Some of these teams will be fortunate to fill the void by selecting a franchise quarterback prospect early in the 2026 NFL draft. It's worth noting only five QBs can be found within the top 50 of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's latest big board, however, and only four of those came off the board in the first round of their latest mock draft.

Free agency may be an appealing option for teams that feel they are a competent veteran passer away from contending. This strategy is working out for the Seattle Seahawks, who have gone 7-3 since signing Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal in March.

Signing a veteran free agent doesn't come without risks. The New York Jets are a testament to the potential downside of such maneuvers, falling to 2-8 after investing $40 million over two years into Justin Fields.

It's especially risky in 2026, with Daniel Jones and Aaron Rodgers (uncertain to even return for an age-42 campaign) being the only quarterbacks found in the top 50 of the B/R Scouting Department's free-agency rankings.

Trades can be an option for squads desperate for a QB, but it's rare for high-end passers to be dealt. Realistically, any team exploring a trade will have to settle for an over-the-hill veteran far closer to the end of their career than the start.

These trades rarely pan out, evidenced by the Las Vegas Raiders' recent attempt to circumvent a rebuild by dealing for a 35-year-old Geno Smith. Given Vegas' abysmal record and offensive performance in 2025, it's safe to say the organization would prefer a do-over on that deal.

With that in mind, read on for predictions on what each of the league's most QB-needy clubs will do to fill the void in 2026.

Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

The Cardinals have an issue at quarterback after Kyler Murray flatlined in 2025. Prior to landing on the IR with a foot injury, the seventh-year starter had overseen one of the league's most tepid offenses and lost three consecutive starts.

Arizona hasn't fared much better in the win column under backup Jacoby Brissett, but the offense has at least showed signs of life with the journeyman at the reins.

Predicted Move: Trade Away Kyler Murray, Keep Jacoby Brissett For 2026

The Cardinals are stuck between a rock and a hard place. With needs across the board but unlikely to fully bottom out and earn a top-five pick—Arizona would select No. 10 overall if the draft were held today—they may have to wait before taking a swing on a franchise quarterback prospect.

While the Cardinals should be able to gain some draft capital by dealing Murray away, they would be hard-pressed to return a pick in range to land someone like Fernando Mendoza or Ty Simpson—the two QBs who came off the board within the first three selections of the B/R Scouting Department's latest mock draft.

It's more likely the team will land a late-Day 1 pick or several Day 2 picks in exchange for the two-time Pro Bowler.

Given its lack of top-five picks, Arizona should instead follow the blueprint laid out by the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks. They built up their roster around Geno Smith before making a run at Sam Darnold in free agency. This is a strategy the Cardinals could also employ by adding pieces around Brissett in 2026.

After the offensive line is solidified and more receiving weapons are secured, the Cardinals could move on from Brissett and either sign or draft their preferred signal-caller in 2027.

Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/David Richard

The Browns turned their quarterbacks room into a sideshow this offseason, drafting two rookies and bringing in a pair of veterans to compete for their starting job.

All four players have underwhelmed, with Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco already exiting via trade and Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders struggling during their limited stints under center.

Don't be surprised if Cleveland opts to reboot the position yet again during the 2026 draft.

Predicted Move: Draft Fernando Mendoza

The Browns can't afford to whiff if they decide to take a crack at a first-round quarterback prospect for the first time since selecting Baker Mayfield at No. 1 overall in 2018.

With Cleveland trending towards becoming the first of many QB-needy squads to go on the clock during the 2026 draft, Fernando Mendoza would be the optimal choice.

Mendoza has helped turn a long-suffering Indiana program into a national powerhouse and could have that same type of transformative effect on the Browns.

After two middling seasons at Cal, Mendoza burst onto the scene in 2025—leading the Hoosiers to 11 wins in his first 11 starts. He's accomplished this while completing an impressive 73 percent of his passes for 2,641 yards and an absurd 30 touchdowns.

As the No. 1 QB and No. 3 overall prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board, there are few flaws in Mendoza's game.

B/R draft scout Dame Parson highlighted a lack of high-end athleticism and raw post-snap manipulation abilities as concerns, but those are largely overshadowed by his immense arm talent, good sense for pressure, toughness, processing abilities and football IQ.

The Browns shouldn't hesitate to take Mendoza as early as No. 1 overall and instantly hand him the keys to their offense. He represents their best chance of becoming a consistent contender for the first time since returning to the league nearly three decades ago.

Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

The Raiders made their intentions to avoid rebuilding crystal clear by trading a third-round pick for a 35-year-old Geno Smith and luring a 73-year-old Pete Carroll back to the sidelines as their head coach.

With those moves failing to pan out, Vegas must embrace the draft to find a franchise signal-caller.

Predicted Move: Draft Dante Moore, Retain Geno Smith as Bridge Quarterback

As bad as the Raiders have been in 2025, they at least have a top pick in the 2026 draft to look forward to. If Dante Moore is still on the board when they are on the clock, they would be foolish to pass him over.

The Oregon product rates as the second-best passer and No. 11 overall prospect on the B/R Scouting Department's big board. Although he's only been the Ducks' full-time starter for less than a season, he displayed enough talent to warrant the immense hype surrounding him.

In 10 games this year, the sophomore signal-caller has racked up 2,190 yards and 21 touchdowns on a 72.8 percent completion rate.

B/R scout Dame Parson highlighted Moore's poise in the pocket, accuracy, mechanics and football IQ as traits that make him an elite prospect.

Although Parson noted Moore lacks top-end arm strength and doesn't have much tape for teams to study yet, he still represents an immense upgrade under center for the Raiders.

Even if Vegas manages to acquire Moore, it can still keep Smith around as a bridge quarterback. The Raiders are already on the hook for $18.5 million of the $26.5 million the veteran is owed for 2026, which makes retaining him a touch more palatable.

Although Smith has struggled as the QB1 in Sin City, he can still keep the seat warm until Moore is ready to take the reins and would be one of the league's better backups.

Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Stacy Bengs

The Vikings were one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 season, winning 14 games with Sam Darnold as their starter. They haven't been able to remain nearly as competitive with J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz under center this year and are trending towards missing the playoffs.

These quarterback woes could lead the club to make a drastic move during the upcoming offseason.

Predicted Move: Trade for Kirk Cousins, Relegate J.J. McCarthy to Backup Duties

Reuniting with Kirk Cousins would open the door for Minnesota to immediately contend again. The team has a proven history of success with the veteran, going 13-4 with him as recently as 2022.

The 37-year-old was playing some of his best football under Kevin O'Connell, being named to his fourth career Pro Bowl during the head coach's first season. He was well on his way to earning another nod before an Achilles tear ended his 2023 campaign after eight starts.

Given O'Connell's 17-8 record with Cousins (he's just 2-3 with McCarthy), it could be highly beneficial to make a deal that brings the 14-year veteran back into the fold after two seasons away.

While Cousins is under contract with the Falcons through the 2027 season, he's been languishing on the bench and should be available for the right mix of draft compensation and cap relief.

He won't be the long-term solution to Minnesota's quarterback troubles, but he could crack open a Super Bowl window for the club while McCarthy spends another season developing and preparing to take back over in 2027.

New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Brian Westerholt

The Saints were blindsided by the sudden retirement of Derek Carr this offseason. That decision left head coach Kellen Moore with Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough as the top choices to run his system, but both players have disappointed in 2025.

While Shough could still develop into a serviceable starter, his inability to beat out Rattler in training camp and poor showing when he finally took over the starting job weren't promising.

If Moore wants to find success in the Big Easy, he's going to need to find a way to get far more out of his second-round rookie

Predicted Move: Keep Tyler Shough, Bring in Joe Flacco as Backup

New Orleans may still be in the running for a Day 1 quarterback, but it's worth remembering the team invested the No. 40 overall pick in Shough and shouldn't give up on him quite yet.

The Louisville product was projected to spend time learning behind Carr and could benefit from having a full offseason to prepare as the Saints' QB1.

Instead of outright replacing him after a less than a full season of evaluation, New Orleans can instead dip into the 2026 free-agent market to find a player to push Shough.

The cash-strapped club will want to avoid splurging on any high-profile veterans like Daniel Jones and should instead opt for Joe Flacco, a cost-effective but competent backup who could both mentor Shough and light a fire under him.

Saving money and capital to put towards Shough's supporting cast is a far better path forward than going all-in with an early first-round QB prospect. Even a blue-chipper would face long odds of success due to the inadequacies of New Orleans' current roster.

Upgrades in the offensive trenches, backfield and receiving corps would not only give Shough a better chance to evolve into a good NFL starter, but they would also position the Saints for more immediate success should they elect to go a different direction at the QB position in 2027.

New York Jets

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

The Jets have long struggled to find a franchise quarterback, but you can't knock their efforts to acquire one.

In the past half-decade alone, New York traded for a Hall of Famer (Aaron Rodgers), utilized a No. 2 overall pick (Zach Wilson) and spent big free-agent bucks (Justin Fields) to try to address this glaring problem.

After striking out with Fields, expect Gang Green to look to the draft for answers. The new regime helmed by head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey will want to handpick a prospect who just might help snap the league's longest active playoff drought.

Predicted Move: Draft Ty Simpson, Retain Justin Fields as Backup

The 2026 draft class may not have a generational superstar worth tanking for, but Ty Simpson could at least be the stabilizing presence New York desperately needs under center.

After arriving in Tuscaloosa in 2022, Simpson patiently awaited his opportunity and finally emerged as Alabama's starter in 2025. It was worth the long wait, as Simpson is shining as the Crimson Tide's QB1 and elevated himself into a potential top-five pick in the process.

The junior passer has completed 226-of-338 throws while racking up 2,787 yards and 22 touchdowns against a mere two interceptions in 10 starts.

Although he's not a dual-threat QB, Simpson has enough athleticism to extend plays and deftly avoid the rush. He's poised in the pocket and is always looking to pick out the open man, traits that the Jets sorely need from a signal-caller right now.

Simpson would be a heavy favorite to emerge as the Week 1 starter if the Jets take him early in the draft. That would spell an unsurprising end to Fields' tenure as the QB1 in the Big Apple, but since the Jets already owe half of his $20 million salary for 2026, they could do far worse than keeping him around as backup.