Who Still Needs a QB? Describing Each Team's Urgency After 2026 NFL Draft

With the 2026 NFL draft and free agency mostly settled, we have a pretty good idea of how each team's quarterback situation looks.

Some QB situations, of course, look far better than others, and some are only clear in the short term. The draft did provide some potential long-term solutions, though No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza appears to be the only "sure thing."

Based on factors such as player age, past production, contract, injury history, and franchise trajectory, let's break down each team's need level in a single sentence.

In each category, teams are listed from the most desperate for a new quarterback to the least.

Prime Candidates to Pursue a New Franchise QB Next Offseason (if Not Sooner)

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Geno Smith

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have some developmental options in Will Howard and third-round rookie Drew Allar, but their 2026 starter will likely be a 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, if he decides to play—and the Steelers may still be weeks away from getting his decision.

Cleveland Browns

When you have four quarterbacks entering an open competition, you don't have a clear starter, and Deshaun Watson is reportedly emerging as the early offseason front‑runner, which should be a major concern for the Cleveland Browns.

New York Jets

Geno Smith can serve as the placeholder, and fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik may get some run, but the New York Jets have three first-round picks in 2027 and should find their franchise QB there.

Arizona Cardinals

If third-round rookie Carson Beck can't beat out Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew and establish himself as a starter this year, the Arizona Cardinals will be in the 2027 market.

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are about to witness a QB competition between former first-round picks Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr., with the winner having only an outside shot at the long-term gig in Atlanta.

Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings haven't fully turned the page on J.J. McCarthy, but this year's Kyler Murray experiment could have Minnesota going in a different direction sooner rather than later.

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins took a $67.5 million flier on Malik Willis this offseason, but if the relatively inexperienced (six starts) former third-round pick can't stabilize the offense, the Dolphins may roll the dice again in 2027.

Somewhere In Between

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Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young has proven that he can lead a team to the playoffs, but he still needs to make the Carolina Panthers feel good about handing out a lucrative second contract.

Tennessee Titans

Cam Ward didn't play like a franchise QB in 2025, but the Tennessee Titans should get a more accurate read on his future with an improved supporting cast this season.

New York Giants

Jaxson Dart showed glimpses of being a playmaking franchise QB as a rookie, but the Giants still need to see him play more consistently and with a lot more self-preservation.

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts signed Daniel Jones to a two-year, $88 million extension this offseason, but they can get out of the deal in 2027 if he isn't healthy (torn Achilles) and/or doesn't return to his Pro Bowl-caliber, early-2025 form.

Houston Texans

C.J. Stroud should be entrenched after delivering three playoff wins in three seasons, but the Houston Texans may want to see him return to his rookie Pro Bowl form before dishing out a long-term extension.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield is entering a contract year, and while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sound committed to him, they haven't given him another extension yet.

Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts is a three-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl MVP, but according to ESPN's Tim McManus and Jeremy Fowler, he and the Philadelphia Eagles are at a crossroads entering 2026.

Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow is probably a top-five quarterback when healthy, but he's struggled to stay on the field, and there were rumblings this offseason he might want out if the Cincinnati Bengals don't change their fortunes and actually make a significant playoff run.

Probably Not In the QB Market Until 2028 or Later

AP Photo/Abbie Parr

Jared Goff

New Orleans Saints

Tyler Shough played like a franchise quarterback down the stretch last season, and the New Orleans Saints will probably give him at least a couple more seasons to prove it wasn't a fluke.

San Francisco 49ers

Mac Jones' play in 2025 raises the question about whether Brock Purdy is a product of the San Francisco 49ers' system, but Purdy's contract doesn't have a viable out until 2028.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have become one of the NFC's better teams with Jared Goff behind center, though it's fair to wonder if they have reached their offensive ceiling with the 31-year-old.

Denver Broncos

Bo Nix hasn't been perfect in his two seasons, but he's played well enough to make the Denver Broncos legitimate Super Bowl contenders and should play out his rookie contract if his ankle injury doesn't become a persistent problem.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks just won the Super Bowl with Sam Darnold, and they can comfortably let him play out the final two years of his contract before making any big-picture decisions.

Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott has fully established himself as an above-average franchise quarterback, and the Dallas Cowboys are unlikely to seek his replacement until/unless the 32-year-old suffers another significant injury or hits the dreaded cliff.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence finally looked like a top-tier quarterback under Liam Coen in 2025, but the 2021 first overall pick still needs to show that he can play at that level consistently.

Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels took the Washington Commanders to the NFC title game as a rookie, and if he can rebound from last year's injury-plagued season—and stay healthy along the way—he should be an early-extension candidate.

Los Angeles Rams

Even if this ends up being the final season for reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, the Los Angeles Rams should give first-round rookie Ty Simpson at least two years before examining other quarterback options.

No QB Need in Sight

AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

Josh Allen

Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza is the Las Vegas Raiders' future, and they'll give the reigning Heisman winner multiple years with which to prove himself, once he takes the reins from journeyman Kirk Cousins.

Chicago Bears

2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams broke through with new head coach Ben Johnson last season, showing that after years of searching, the Chicago Bears finally have their franchise quarterback.

New England Patriots

Drake Maye was an MVP finalist and took the New England Patriots to the Super Bowl in 2025, which may be enough to earn him an extension as early as next offseason.

Green Bay Packers

Jordan Love hasn't established himself as an elite quarterback yet, but he's delivered three playoff berths in three seasons and should remain the Green Bay Packers' starter for the foreseeable future.

Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert has firmly established himself as a franchise quarterback, and even in an injury-hampered and down 2026 campaign, his gritty on-field performances earned the Los Angeles Chargers' starter MVP consideration.

Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson is a two-time MVP, and while the Baltimore Ravens are moving in a new direction at head coach, they're already eyeing another extension with their star quarterback.

Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes may be 30, coming off a poor campaign, and recovering from a torn ACL, but the Kansas City Chiefs will allow the two-time MVP and three-time champion to play as long as he wants.

Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen will turn 30 later this month and has yet to deliver a Super Bowl appearance, but the Buffalo Bills made it clear that he isn't going anywhere when they gave him a consulting role in this offseason's head coaching search.

*Contract information from Spotrac.