Latest 2026 NFL QB Carousel Predictions After Super Bowl LX

The quarterback carousel is one of the most fascinating offseason developments. Now that the NFL has crowned a new Super Bowl champion, shift your attention to the trade market where multiple Pro Bowl signal-callers could be on the move.

A couple of longtime starters could be rejuvenated in a change of scenery. Both signal-callers are former first-rounders and younger than 30. 

The free-agent quarterback class isn't going to generate much buzz, but one high-upside signal-caller could draw interest from multiple suitors. Also, teams may release veterans after trying to trade them.

Will Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa get fresh starts elsewhere? Does Aaron Rodgers delay retirement for another year? What's next for Malik Willis after his development in Green Bay? 

Here are our latest predictions for the 2026 quarterback carousel.

Arizona Cardinals: J.J. McCarthy/Kirk Cousins

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy

The Arizona Cardinals could turn over their quarterback room under new head coach Mike LaFleur. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the team is "likely" to move on from Kyler Murray before his guaranteed money raises the cost to keep him.

The Cardinals should call the Minnesota Vikings about a signal-caller swap to dump Murray's contract and take on J.J. McCarthy's rookie deal. The third-year quarterback's contract would cost only about $6 million against the cap.

In addition, Arizona can add Kirk Cousins to replace Jacoby Brissett, who may not fit into the new coaching staff's plans. 

Because of the perceived gap between Fernando Mendoza and the other quarterback prospects in the 2026 draft class, the Cardinals are unlikely to add a signal-caller with the No. 3 pick. 

Instead, they can develop McCarthy, who's only 23, and have him battle Cousins for the lead job. If Arizona doesn't think the former is ready to play, the latter can run the offense as the unquestioned starter for at least a year.

In this scenario, LaFleur would have an experienced quarterback under center while working on a high-upside developmental player who showed flashes in the previous season.

Atlanta Falcons: Tua Tagovailoa 

AP Photo/Doug Murray

In an introductory press conference with general manager Ian Cunningham, Atlanta Falcons president of football operations Matt Ryan dodged a question about Michael Penix Jr.'s status as the team's starting quarterback:

"Neither of us are the head coach of the football team, so we can't answer your question on that...I think as we start to get into this process and dive deeper into the roster -- how it currently stands, where it's going in the future -- I think those are conversations that'll be a part of it."

Penix seemed to indirectly respond to Ryan's comments with an Instagram post, as questions swirled about his future in Atlanta.

Entering his third offseason, the 25-year-old is recovering from surgery on a partially torn ACL. Given his extensive history of knee injuries, the Falcons need a viable backup even if they commit to him for the short term.

Like Penix, Tua Tagovailoa is a left-handed quarterback. So, the Falcons' pass-catchers wouldn't have to adjust in a transition between a left-handed starter and a right-handed backup. 

More importantly, Tagovailoa could keep the offense steady if Penix continues to struggle with injuries or take over the unit if the Falcons move on from their 2024 first-rounder.

Tagovailoa helped guide the Dolphins to the playoffs in 2022 and 2023, leading the league in passer rating (105.5) and passing yards (4,624) in those campaigns, respectively. As of today, he's a better quarterback than Penix and would give the Falcons a shot at the postseason in a division that didn't have a team above .500 in 2025.

If Penix isn't the Falcons' Week 1 starter because of his recovery process or a team decision, Tagovailoa could run away with the job in a fresh start. 

Cleveland Browns: Russell Wilson

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson has an expiring contract with the New York Giants, and he told reporters that he's not ready to retire. 

The 37-year-old noted his Week 2 performance against the Dallas Cowboys, in which he threw for 450 yards, three touchdowns and an interception with a torn hamstring, as evidence of his ability to play at a high level. Two weeks later, he lost the starting job to Jaxson Dart.

Entering his 15th year, Wilson is far from the perennial Pro Bowler of his heyday in Seattle, but he can be a viable starter when healthy. In 2024, the savvy veteran signal-caller threw for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions with a 63.7 percent completion rate as the Pittsburgh Steelers' starter through 11 games. The Steelers lost their last five outings that year, but they still made the playoffs.

Wilson may have another solid year left in him with a team that plays in his home state of Ohio.

The Cleveland Browns have youth at quarterback. As rookies, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders started in several games. In Week 11, the latter took over for the former. 

In six starts, Gabriel threw for 937 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions with a 59.5 percent completion rate. Sanders threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 56.6 percent completion rate in seven starts. Neither quarterback made a strong case to be the clear-cut starter in 2026. New Browns head coach Todd Monken declined to name Sanders the starter.

Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson is recovering from his second torn Achilles injury and hasn't played since Week 7 of the 2024 season. 

Wilson can bring experience and stability to the Browns' quarterback situation.

Indianapolis Colts: Daniel Jones

AP Photo/John Raoux

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones

In 2025, the Indianapolis Colts went 8-5 and were in playoff contention with Daniel Jones under center, but he tore his ACL and the club lost its last seven games.

Though Indianapolis' losing streak started before Jones' injury, the drop-off between him and rookie sixth-rounder Riley Leonard and 44-year-old Philip Rivers factored into the team's late-season collapse.

At the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters that he believes that Jones would like to stay in Indianapolis and the team wants him back.

As a passer, Anthony Richardson, a 2023 first-rounder, has been an injury-prone disappointment, throwing for 2,400 yards, 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions with a 50.6 percent completion rate. Although Jones has also struggled to stay healthy, he's put together a few solid seasons in seven years. 

Unlikely to turn back to Richardson, the Colts will probably look to re-sign Jones, who may not command a $40-plus million contract given the timing of his injury. Look for Indianapolis to retain him with the hope that he can suit up for Week 1 of next season.

Miami Dolphins: Malik Willis

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis

Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan emphasized the priority to "find our guy" at the quarterback position, which signals a move on from Tua Tagovailoa, who's made 76 starts with the club since it drafted him in 2020.

The Dolphins hired head coach Jeff Hafley, who was the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator over the last two seasons. During that time, he had a close-up look at Malik Willis' development.

As a rookie with the Tennessee Titans, Willis made three fill-in starts in eight outings for Ryan Tannehill, but he showed little promise, throwing three interceptions.

In 11 games with the Packers, Willis threw for six touchdowns without an interception. In his first two years, he made more plays with his legs than his arm, but the 2022 third-rounder made strides as a passer in Green Bay.

Willis may not be a long-term starter, but the Dolphins should give him a shot to earn the lead job while in search of their franchise guy. Hafley knows the signal-caller's strengths and, along with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, could help accentuate them. 

Minnesota Vikings: Kyler Murray

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray

ESPN's Kevin Seifert reported that "all bets are off" as it pertains to J.J. McCarthy's future with the Minnesota Vikings.

This would represent the other end of the trade between the Arizona Cardinals and the Vikings. Kyler Murray lands in Minnesota, where he can build a rapport with two-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson. The two could become a high-level tandem that consistently puts up big numbers through the air.

As a two-time Pro Bowler with the production to justify that recognition, Murray may just need a change of scenery to perform optimally again. 

Under head coach Kevin O'Connell, who has called plays for top-nine scoring offenses in two out of four seasons in Minnesota, the 28-year-old signal-caller could reach peak levels of production playing alongside one of the league's top receivers.

An undersized, mobile quarterback, Murray would benefit from playing indoors, as he did in Arizona. Because of his deep-ball accuracy, the dynamic signal-caller can maximize the Vikings' talented pass-catching group, which includes Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson in addition to Jefferson.

The Vikings are $40.2 million over the cap threshold. So they would likely prefer that the Cardinals release Murray. In a trade scenario, Minnesota can restructure deals, including the quarterback's contract, and cut veterans like Javon Hargrave, Ryan Kelly, and Aaron Jones to create space for him.

New York Jets: Jacoby Brissett

AP Photo/Jeff Dean

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn turned over a large portion of his coaching staff after his first season with the team. Among the firings, he jettisoned offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, which led to an extensive interview process that resulted in Frank Reich's hire.

Reich hasn't coached since the Carolina Panthers fired him during the 2023 season. That said, he led four top-nine scoring offenses between 2017 and 2021. 

In 2019, Reich lost Andrew Luck, who retired weeks before the season began, thrusting Jacoby Brissett into the starting role for the Indianapolis Colts. He threw for 2,942 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions with a 60.9 percent completion rate in 15 starts. 

Seven years later, a Reich-Brissett reunion does not inspire much excitement, but it is a high-floor pairing for a Jets squad that needs stability and a pulse on offense.

As the fill-in starter for Kyler Murray this past season, Brissett threw for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 64.9 percent completion rate. He may be available via trade if the Arizona Cardinals' new coaching staff shakes up the roster. Brissett only has one year left on his current deal.  

Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Rodgers

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have hired Mike McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin, who resigned after the 2025 season.

McCarthy worked with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, where they won a Super Bowl together, but the quarterback is contemplating retirement.

However, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Rodgers has spoken with McCarthy and wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, who wants him back, and the "odds are increasing" for his return to Pittsburgh.

As they did last offseason, the Steelers will need to be patient with the 42-year-old's timeline for commitment. Over the previous few years, he's taken his time with career decisions, which is understandable at his age. 

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Rodgers "took pride" in helping Will Howard's transition from college to the pros. Between his familiarity with McCarthy and his fondness for being a mentor, he could run it back in Pittsburgh, and the Steelers would be open to that scenario.

Team salary cap and player contract details are provided by Over the Cap.

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