4 Quarterback Trades That Would Shock the NFL This Offseason

These are not predictions. 

That said, in an era of unprecedented player movement, the 'untouchable' franchise quarterback is a dying breed. While the following four scenarios are long shots, the underlying math—or mounting pressure—makes them more than just fever dreams.

Wilder things have happened in this league, and the circumstances surrounding the quarterbacks highlighted here could potentially lead to one of those "OMG" NFL offseason developments. 

Trades involving these four signal-callers would surely rock the league, and we can't rule them out entirely.

Baltimore Ravens Trade Lamar Jackson

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Lamar Jackson

Why it's Possible

The Jackson era is now eight years old, and the Ravens appear to be headed in the wrong direction following an 8-9 season. The team has won just three playoff games and has made the AFC Championship just once in his tenure. 

Jackson is one of the most dynamic players in NFL history, but he's missed large chunks of three of the last five seasons due to injuries. It's fair to wonder if he's peaked, and how much longevity there might be there. 

Without even getting creative or persuading a trade partner to take on more of the financial burden than they'd technically be required to, the Ravens would save $17 million against the salary cap by unloading the 29-year-old this offseason, per Spotrac.

Considering that they're starting fresh with a new head coach for the first time in nearly two decades, another major change could make sense if the price is right. 

Why it Remains Unlikely

As we've noted, franchise quarterbacks are still very rarely traded. And while John Harbaugh is gone, general manager Eric DeCosta—who played a major role in drafting Jackson—remains in place. 

DeCosta recently said the team is confident it can iron out an extension with Jackson this offseason in order to avoid a $74.5 million cap hit for 2026, and it should be noted he was involved in the coaching search. 

This would require a major turn of events. 

Potential Jackson Suitors and Packages

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

Aaron Glenn

New York Jets (both of their 2026 first-round picks): They're desperate, they have the talent to support him, they're flush with cap space, and they have extra draft capital this year.

Arizona Cardinals (Kyler Murray, 2026 No. 3 pick, 2026 second-round pick): There's a good chance the Cards move on from Murray. The Ravens could decide to take a shot at Murray reviving his career with lower stakes as a bridge in the worst-case scenario. Jackson would have two tantalizing young weapons in Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride under Mike LaFleur. 

Las Vegas Raiders (2026 No. 1 overall pick and a 2027 first-rounder): The Raiders have the money and go for the surer thing. The Ravens try an immediate reset with presumed top pick Fernando Mendoza. 

Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals or Detroit Lions: In the event of a mind-blowing one-for-one swap involving two of the players in this exercise. 

Houston Texans Trade C.J. Stroud

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

C.J. Stroud

Why it's Possible

Stroud bombed when it mattered most for the otherwise awesome Texans in 2025, and it's fair to wonder if he peaked two years ago as a rookie. It's been quite messy ever since, and the team risks squandering a window with an elite defense if Stroud doesn't get it together soon. 

This could be an opportunity for a reset while Stroud still has some of the value left over from his magical 2023 campaign. 

Why it Remains Unlikely

Stroud is still only 24 years old, so giving up on him right now could be considered moronic. In fact, that's the exact word Texans general manager Nick Caserio used when alluding to a potential Stroud trade. 

He'll cost the team just $11.5 million in 2026, so it might be worth it for this regime to see things through even if it doesn't feel comfortable breaking the bank on a long-term extension just yet. The organization still has control via the fifth-year option in 2027. 

Potential Stroud Suitors and Packages

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Kyler Murray

New York Jets (2026 No. 2 pick and a second-rounder): As noted, they're desperate and loaded with draft and cap capital. They also have two second-round selections. 

Pittsburgh Steelers (first-round picks in 2026 and 2027): If things go sideways with Aaron Rodgers' supposedly likely return, the Steelers could decide to go all-in on one of the game's most intriguing young players. Houston would need to have someone else lined up at quarterback as at least a bridge (Tua Tagovailoa? Malik Willis? Mac Jones?).

Arizona Cardinals (Kyler Murray, 2027 first-round pick): Again, the Texans could decide to take a shot at Murray reviving his career with lower stakes as a bridge in the worst-case scenario. Arizona has the draft capital and the support. 

Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals or Detroit Lions: In the event of a mind-blowing one-for-one swap involving two of the players in this exercise. 

Cincinnati Bengals Trade Joe Burrow

AP Photo/Jeff Dean

Joe Burrow

Why it's Possible

Burrow wasn't shy about his frustration as the Bengals once again fell well short of expectations down the stretch in 2025. He hasn't stated it, but it's possible he wants out. 

Of course, that doesn't mean the Bengals would have to grant him that wish. Still, the team itself could be frustrated with the fact the 29-year-old has missed large portions of two of the last three seasons. And the fact they haven't made the playoffs since 2022 despite oodles of offensive talent. 

And then there's the bottom line. Burrow is expensive with a $55 million average annual salary. The notoriously frugal Bengals could pocket nearly $27 million against the 2026 cap by trading him this offseason. 

Why it Remains Unlikely

When he's healthy, Burrow is a top-five quarterback. He's still arguably early in his prime at 29, and frugality could cause the Bengals to fall into a sunk cost trap. 

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported this month that the team won't entertain trade offers for Burrow, which isn't surprising all things considered. But everybody has a price. 

Potential Burrow Suitors and Packages

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Mike LaFleur

New York Jets (both 2026 first-round picks and a 2027 first-rounder): I still don't know if the Bengals would cave, even if the savings and reset could be a game-changer. They'd need to separately acquire someone like Malik Willis or Mac Jones in hopes that they could explode with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and all of those draft resources. 

Arizona Cardinals (Murray, 2026 No. 3 pick, 2027 first-round pick): This would be the ultimate "screw it" move from Arizona, and it at least takes Burrow out of the conference to an offense with a promising trajectory. 

Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens or Detroit Lions: In the event of a mind-blowing one-for-one swap involving two of the players in this exercise. 

Detroit Lions Trade Jared Goff

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Jared Goff

Why it's Possible

The 31-year-old Goff is statistically elite, but he has a career playoff passer rating of 85.1 and the extremely talented Lions have won just two playoff games the last three years. They also seem to be headed in the wrong direction following a non-playoff 2025 campaign. 

It's possible we've seen the best of Goff, and that he'll never be the guy to take this franchise to the next level. If there's any chance the front office is having that realization, it could be tempted to free up nearly $26 million in cap space while loading up on draft resources via a surprising offseason trade. 

Why it Remains Unlikely

The grass may not be greener on the other side. Nobody is likely to give up a proven winner for Goff, which could leave the Lions in a similar quandary with someone like Jackson, Murray or Tagovailoa. And if they save all that dough and go with an unproven guy, it's a crapshoot. 

The Lions arguably can't afford to dillydally while this window remains at least somewhat open, which is why they're likely to hang onto Goff barring an offer they can't refuse. 

Potential Goff Suitors and Packages

AP Photo/Ian Maule

John Spytek

New York Jets (2026 No. 2 pick and a Day 2 selection): This is a recording.

Pittsburgh Steelers (first- and second-round picks in 2026): There's an echo in here.

Las Vegas Raiders (2026 No. 1 overall pick): The Raiders have the money and go for the surer thing. The Lions try an immediate reset with presumed top pick Fernando Mendoza. 

Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals or Baltimore Ravens: In the event of a mind-blowing one-for-one swap involving two of the players in this exercise.