Best and Worst NFL Landing Spots for Potential QBs Changing Teams in 2026

The 2025 NFL regular season ended more than two weeks ago, and the 2026 offseason is in full swing. The coaching carousel is spinning rapidly, and the start of free agency is less than two months away.

With 10 teams (so far) making head-coaching changes this offseason, roster moves are still on the back burner a bit. However, you can bet teams are already making plans for the free-agent and trade markets, especially those that need QB help.

There are never enough good starters and backups to go around in the NFL, and the 2026 draft appears unlikely to change much. Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is likely to be the top pick, but with Oregon's Dante Moore returning to school, Mendoza and Alabama's Ty Simpson are the only QBs ranked inside the top 50 prospects by the Bleacher Report Scouting Department.

However, multiple veterans will become free-agent and trade targets this spring and are likely to change teams.

Here, we'll examine the most notable of them and the best and worst landing spots for each, based on factors such as team needs, supporting cast, franchise trajectory, and coaching fit, where applicable.

Kirk Cousins

AP Photo/Mike Stewart

Best Landing Spot: Minnesota Vikings

The Atlanta Falcons appear set to release Kirk Cousins, even though he played relatively well during a four-game winning streak to end the 2025 season. As ESPN's Field Yates reported in early January, the Falcons restructured Cousins' contract, setting up a 2027 guarantee of $67.9 million that will vest on March 13.

Atlanta isn't guaranteeing that money just to bring Cousins back as insurance behind Michael Penix Jr. again—though Penix's torn ACL and the hiring of head coach Kevin Stefanski leave open the possibility of some new compromise.

The Falcons could use an insurance policy, and Stefanski previously coached Cousins with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings, though, would actually provide a better landing spot for Cousins, assuming they don't trust J.J. McCarthy, who struggled through injuries in 2025. Minnesota has an excellent receiving corps, and Cousins had his last Pro Bowl campaign under Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell.

Worst Landing Spot: New York Jets

The New York Jets will probably be in the market for a bridge quarterback this offseason. The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to take Mendoza with the first overall pick, and there doesn't appear to be a QB prospect worth targeting with New York's second overall selection.

The Jets do have Justin Fields under contract for another season, though he was a big disappointment in 2025. New York could save $10 million in cap space by cutting Fields with a post-June 1 designation.

If Cousins is released, and the Jets come calling, he should refuse to answer the phone.

The Jets have a lackluster offensive supporting cast and aren't built to compete in the AFC East in the near future. Cousins, who is a 37-year-old pure pocket passer, should be seeking a strong skill group and a chance to get back to the postseason right away.

Justin Fields

AP Photoo/Ella Hall

Best Landing Spot: Pittsburgh Steelers

Despite being a 26-year-old former first-round pick, Fields is likely running out of chances to be an NFL starter. He never panned out for the Chicago Bears, and he went just 2-7 as New York's starter this past season.

Fields, though, did go 4-2 with the Pittsburgh Steelers two seasons ago, and Pittsburgh was interested in bringing him back last offseason. The Steelers made Fields an offer in free agency, but New York's offer was better, according to Aditi Kinkhabwala of CBS:

The Steelers don't have a long-term answer at quarterback and could use a veteran starter if Aaron Rodgers isn't willing to return. Fields wouldn't be coming back to the exact same situation after Mike Tomlin stepped down as head coach, but he would have some familiarity with the organization and the roster.

And realistically, there might not be another franchise willing to give him a full season to audition as a starter.

Worst Landing Spot: New York Jets

The Jets gave it a shot with Fields, but the experiment failed, along with most of what New York tried to accomplish during Aaron Glenn's first season as head coach. It's hard to see how the Jets can go back to Fields after benching him for journeyman Tyrod Taylor and expressed disappointment in him publicly.

"I don't want to just focus on Justin with this—and I know that's the question asked—but any player that we have high hopes for and the season don't go the way we want to go, we're always disappointed with that," Glenn said, per ESPN's Rich Cimini.

If Fields wants a chance to revitalize his NFL stock, he shouldn't be interested in a second season with the Jets. He proved to be a poor fit for Tanner Engstrand's offense during his first nine starts, and things aren't likely to change unless New York can massively upgrade its roster in the coming months.

Joe Flacco

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Best Landing Spot: Atlanta Falcons

Joe Flacco recently celebrated his 41st birthday, but he showed he can still sling it this past season with the Cincinnati Bengals, and he certainly sounds like someone who wants a job in 2026.

"That's always a priority," Flacco said, per Charlie Goldsmith of the Associated Press. "I'm somebody who wants to play football."

If the Falcons don't retain Cousins as veteran insurance, Flacco would be the perfect alternative. Stefanski and Flacco helped take the Browns to the playoffs in 2023, and the pair could likely get Atlanta off to a hot start if Penix isn't ready to go when the season opens.

The Falcons don't quite have the receiving corps that the Bengals have, but Flacco would probably find success alongside Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts—assuming Pitts is retained in free agency.

Worst Landing Spot: Pittsburgh Steelers

If Rodgers doesn't return to Pittsburgh, the Steelers may have an interest in Flacco. The aging signal-caller has plenty of experience within the AFC North, and he could help provide the steady presence that Rodgers did in 2025.

However, Flacco shouldn't be interested in taking the full divisional tour. While it's unclear how Pittsburgh's coaching situation will look, its roster situation leaves plenty to be desired.

The Steelers have struggled to put together a reliable offensive line, and their receiving corps lacks dependable options behind DK Metcalf. Simply put, it could be a very bad situation for Flacco, who is at his best when he can attack deep down the field.

Daniel Jones

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Best Landing Spot: Indianapolis Colts

Daniel Jones had a transcendent season with the Indianapolis Colts before suffering a season-ending Achilles tear. He played like a viable MVP candidate for most of his 13 starts. Of course, it's now fair to wonder what sort of quarterback he can be in 2026.

"I do feel confident that he will make it back," Colts general manager Chris Ballard said, per ESPN's Stephen Holder. "Will he be the version you saw right away? Maybe not, but he's still going to be really good. I think as he goes along and plays, he'll be fine."

A return to Indy would be best for Jones, considering he's already shown that he can operate Shane Steichen's offense at a high level. He knows the system, he knows the personnel, and he's already been embraced by the Colts' fanbase.

Jones is also likely to find more patience in Indianapolis during his recovery than he might from a different franchise. Another team signing the 28-year-old might expect immediate Sam Darnold-like results, and it could take some time for Jones to regain his form and his confidence.

Worst Landing Spot: Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns might be one of those teams that believes it can stabilize its quarterback situation by luring Jones away from Indianapolis. However, Jones should avoid Cleveland at all costs.

The Browns already have one veteran quarterback returning from injury in Deshaun Watson. They also have two second-year quarterbacks in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Any one of them could put pressure on Jones—at least through calls from the crowd—should he struggle while making his way back to 100 percent.

And Jones probably would struggle in Cleveland. The Browns have arguably the worst group of wide receivers in football, and they have numerous questions along the offensive line.

Cleveland's line was a liability this past season, and standout guards Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio are both slated to hit the free-agent market in March.

Kyler Murray

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Best Landing Spot: Los Angeles Rams

The future of the Arizona Cardinals' coaching situation remains unclear. So does the future of quarterback Kyler Murray. The first overall pick in the 2019 draft has never helped Arizona become a contender, and the Cardinals' offense actually operated more efficiently without him this past season.

When Jacoby Brissett took over the offense and flourished, it sure felt like Murray's days with the Cardinals were numbered.

"A separation is imminent," one source told ESPN's Adam Schefter in November.

The Cardinals would undoubtedly prefer to trade the 28-year-old, but finding a trade partner will be difficult. Cutting him with a post-June 1 designation and saving $5.7 million in cap space will also be an option.

If Murray is released, the rival Los Angeles Rams could provide the perfect landing spot for him. He could rebuild his NFL stock under Sean McVay—as Baker Mayfield once did—and L.A. will eventually need an heir to the 37-year-old Matthew Stafford.

Worst Landing Spot: Minnesota Vikings

As previously noted, the Vikings may want to bring in a veteran to push McCarthy or provide insurance at a minimum. Minnesota certainly won't trade for Murray, but would it consider adding him as a bargain-bin free agent? It shouldn't.

And Murray shouldn't want to join the Vikings, even though they have a QB-friendly coach in O'Connell and talented pass-catchers like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

While O'Connell helped rebuild QBs like Darnold and Jones, his system is better suited for a traditional dropback passer, which Murray is not. Despite having a much longer NFL resume, Murray might actually have a difficult time beating out McCarthy for the starting job—especially since the Vikings will go with the guy in whom they're invested if things are close.

And if Murray can't beat out an injury-prone and inconsistent McCarthy, his time as an NFL starter could be over.

Aaron Rodgers

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Best Landing Spot: Minnesota Vikings

Rodgers helped the Steelers reach the playoffs this past season. However, their postseason run ended with a thud, and he hasn't committed to what he'll do in 2026.

Right now, retirement or a return to Pittsburgh appear to be the two likeliest options. As The Athletic's Mike DeFabo recently noted, though, joining Minnesota could also be in the cards.

"O'Connell has a personal relationship with Rodgers that dates about two decades," he wrote. "Last offseason, they had several conversations about a potential marriage and, according to The Athletic's Alec Lewis, several people in the building wanted it to happen."

If O'Connell wants McCarthy to sit and learn in 2026, Minnesota would be an ideal spot for Rodgers. He'd be a terrific fit for the offense, and would have several great receivers at his disposal. He'd also have a shot to push the Vikings back in contention and possible end his career with a playoff win.

Worst Landing Spot: Any Team Other Than Minnesota or Pittsburgh

If Rodgers decides he wants to play in his age-42 season, Pittsburgh and Minnesota should be his only real options.

Minnesota would clearly provide him with a good situation. Pittsburgh would at least provide him with some familiarity. Other franchises might offer Rodgers a starting opportunity in 2026, like the Browns, Jets, Cardinals, and Miami Dolphins. However, none of them would be likely to provide a chance to end a successful final season with a playoff run.

For Rodgers, it should be Pittsburgh, Minnesota or retirement in 2026.

Tua Tagovailoa

AP Photo/Justin Berl

Best Landing Spot: Los Angeles Rams

The Dolphins may or may not be headed for a split with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Mike McDaniel benched him late in the season for rookie Quinn Ewers. Of course, McDaniel was fired after the season.

Miami has a new front office in GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley. They'll have to decide whether to try to salvage Tagovailoa's career or make a clean break in 2026.

The Dolphins aren't likely to find a trade partner for Tagovailoa at his current price point, and cutting him will cost $99.2 million in dead money. Of course, the 27-year-old might make some financial concessions to make his way to a new team.

If Miami does opt to send Tagovailoa to free agency, L.A. would be a dream landing spot. As would be the case for Murray, Tagovailoa would have the chance to rebuild his reputation under the guidance of McVay and with arguably the most complete offense in the NFL.

Worst Landing Spot: New York Jets

Tagovailoa should avoid jumping right into another starting job unless it's clearly a better situation than the one he had in Miami this past season. The Jets and Browns would both qualify as downgrades, for reasons we've already mentioned, and New York would be particularly problematic for Tagovailoa.

Joining a former division rival would be difficult enough because fans won't be quick to embrace a player they used to jeer. Tagovailoa would also face the challenge of ending the Jets' ongoing parade of quarterback futility—while simultaneously trying to reinvigorate his own NFL stock.

Doing all of that under the microscope of Jets fans and the New York media would likely end in disaster for Tagovailoa.

Malik Willis

AP Photo/Mike Roemer

Best Landing Spot: Miami Dolphins

Malik Willis may be one of the more interesting free agents to follow this offseason. The 2022 third-round pick out of Liberty struggled in his two seasons with the Tennessee Titans but has shown a lot of promise, in limited action, over the past two seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

In 11 appearances and three starts with Green Bay, Willis has thrown six touchdowns with no picks and a 134.6 quarterback rating. More than a few teams should be interested in taking an experimental flier on the 26-year-old.

Assuming the Dolphins are done with Tagovailoa as a starter, Miami would be a logical landing spot for Willis. Sullivan and Hafley were both hired away from the Packers' organization and have some familiarity with Willis.

Miami also has the foundation of a dynamic rushing attack in place, and Willis could complement it as a dual-threat.

Worst Landing Spot: Cleveland Browns

As previously noted, Cleveland doesn't have a reliable starter in a QB room comprised of Watson, Gabriel, and Sanders. With no quarterbacks worthy of them taking in the first round, the Browns may look to find a new long-term answer at quarterback in free agency.

Willis, meanwhile, will probably look to parlay his success in Green Bay into a full-time starting opportunity. However, he should look to do it in a city that isn't Cleveland.

The Browns lack dependable receivers, and they have one of the worst offensive-line situations in the league heading into the offseason. Simply put, Cleveland doesn't have the pieces in place needed for Willis to build off of what he accomplished with the Packers.

Joining the Browns would likely cause Willis' NFL stock to regress to where it was when the Titans traded him for a future seventh-round draft pick.

Russell Wilson

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Best Landing Spot: Kansas City Chiefs

After falling short of a playoff berth with the Steelers in 2024 and falling flat with the New York Giants this past season, Russell Wilson should probably consider moving on to his post-playing career. The 37-year-old had a borderline Hall of Fame career with the Seattle Seahawks but has actually hurt his case in the year since.

However, Wilson made it clear that he intends to play in 2026 when he changed agents in early January.

"Yeah, I'm not blinking," Wilson said, per ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "I know what I'm capable of."

Wilson is unlikely to find a true starting opportunity this offseason, but he could make sense as a bridge option for the Kansas City Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes is recovering from a torn ACL, and neither Gardner Minshew nor Chris Oladokun is under contract for 2026.

Joining Kansas City might allow Wilson to start a few more games, perhaps be part of a Chiefs resurgence, and calmly shift into the backup phase of his career.

Worst Landing Spot: Cleveland Browns

Of course, Wilson will avoid a team like Kansas City if he still believes he can win a starting job. While the Browns may have another open competition this offseason, though, Wilson should stay far away from it.

Wilson visited Cleveland last offseason before agreeing to join the Giants. However, that was before the Browns drafted both Gabriel and Sanders in the 2025 draft. Wilson would have little to gain by joining a QB competition that involves those two and Watson.

Cleveland may give Watson one last chance to show that he can still play—or at least use him, since he's getting paid either way. Otherwise, they'll probably want to give one of their young QBs another look in a different system. And if the Browns do bring in another veteran, they'll probably target a potential long-term starter like Jones or Willis.

At best, Wilson would be a short-term starter on a bad team in Cleveland, which certainly wouldn't help his end-of-career resume. At worst, he'd be a camp arm who fails to make one of the worst offensive rosters in the NFL.