2010 NFL QB Struggles: Nine Teams To Replace their Signal-Caller in 2011

The number of young quarterbacks in the NFL continues to grow at an extremely fast pace, with almost 20 teams starting a different player this coming Sunday than just five years ago.

These players represent a significant culture change in the NFL. It’s now critical that a team respond to their quarterback instantly; if not, a replacement will be signed, traded for, or drafted.

The term “what have you done for me lately” is not just important for the passers, it is also important that coaches, coordinators, and general managers all increase the win column any way they can. At times, the way for a team to change its fortune is simply to change its quarterback.

With such an culture, it is not unusual to see several teams chase their next savior in the NFL Draft. Teams will do anything to secure the selection of the guy that just might turn everything around. Which teams will we see make a run for a pass thrower in the 2011 draft? Here are the suspects:

Jacksonville Jaguars

Current starter: David Garrard

The Jaguars are a team that has been in danger of relocation for several seasons now. They are such a streaky team that manages to just miss the playoffs every year.

Last season, they flirted with the idea of drafting Tim Tebow but ultimately decided not to. If the Jaguars manage to miss the playoffs again, it will undoubtedly be the beginning of the end for current starter David Garrard.

Buffalo Bills

Current starter: Ryan Fitzpatrick

The Bills also flirted with Tebow, and in the end decided to stand pat with “Captain Checkdown” Trent Edwards. Edwards has already been benched just two games into the season. There clearly isn’t any hope for Fitzpatrick or Edwards as the long term starter here, a rookie will be drafted next year to replace them both.

Cincinnati Bengals

Current starter: Carson Palmer

The Bengals are listed here due to the lingering injuries that still seem to affect Carson Palmer. Just a few years ago, Palmer looked like a top-five player at his position. A shell of his former self, he still seems to be recovering from an arm injury he suffered two seasons ago.

If the Bengals go with a rookie, look for them to make the move later in the draft and give Carson another season as the rookie prepares to replace him.

Cleveland Browns

Current starter: Seneca Wallace

Mike Holmgreen is no stranger to All-Pro quarterbacks. With him making all the decisions for the dawg pound, I don’t expect him to differ from the strategy that has made him so successful in this league.

The former is going to evaluate his current rookie, Colt McCoy before deciding if he should draft a higher-rated QB prospect. Expect McCoy to start a few games at the end of the season as an audition. If he fails, you might see the Browns go in a different direction.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Current starter: Charlie Batch

The only reason the Steelers are here is because there has been no definitive end to the Ben Roethlisberger saga as of today. If after Ben’s suspension is over and he is reaffirmed into he lineup, then obviously the Steelers will not need a quarterback.

If for some reason Mike Tomlin decides that he has had enough of Ben, the Steelers could very well trade him this offseason and draft a guy who fits the team’s image. Jake Locker comes to mind here.

Minnesota Vikings

Current starter: Brett Favre

Brett Favre has already told the team that this season will be his last. As the team looks ahead, Tavaris Jackson and Joe Webb will be the only quarterbacks on the roster once Favre is gone.

Both Webb and Jackson are talented runners, but the Vikings may elect to go with a more traditional passer here. If that happens, expect them to retain Webb as a backup and trade or release Jackson.

Arizona Cardinals

Current starter: Derek Anderson

The Cardinals released former tenth-overall selection, Matt Leinart, and gave the keys to journey man Derek Anderson. Anderson has not been hot so far, and that could change.

For now, one has to believe that Kurt Warner’s cellphone has been ringing off the hook these last few weeks. If Anderson continues to struggle, then the Cardinals will likely audition rookie Josh Skelton before making a decision for the future.

Oakland Raiders

Current starter: Bruce Gradkowski

Jason Campbell was supposed to be the end of bad quarterback play in Oakland, but the curse got him too. The Raiders are in “win now baby, win!” mode and Bruce Gradkowski gives them the best chance to do so.

Gradkowski could very well quarterback his way to a long term deal if he leads them to the playoffs. If that happens, then they will probably not draft a quarterback. If not, then the Raiders quarterback carousel will continue.

San Franciso 49ers

Current starter: Alex Smith

Alex Smith is an enigma. Some games he looks like the No. 1 overall selection in 2005, other games he looks like a journey man QB. Only coach Mike Singletary knows if Smith is going to be the guy going into 2011. Smith probably cannot play his way into the starting job next year, unless he somehow makes the Pro Bowl.

The only reason I say this is because Michael Vick will be a free agent next season; the 49ers were reportedly very interested in signing him just a season ago. If Vick is available and Smith continues to play pedestrian, look for them to make the switch. If Vick isn’t available and Smith struggles, then Coach Singletary will have to go find “his guy”.

This is just a preview of a few teams that may make a quarterback switch next season. Keep a close eye on how these starters play the rest of the year. In future articles, I will outline the upcoming rookie class and free agent quarterbacks.