Top 10 Most QB-Needy Franchises

 What teams will be looking for a quarterback come NFL Draft time? 

The answer to this question dictates a lot about the draft, and already much has changed as the season is now underway. The Las Vegas Raiders are still the most quarterback needy team, but the Carolina Panthers have emerged right there as well. In the meantime, the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks—teams that may have been perceived as needing a signal caller before the season started—are likely to continue riding with what they have.

So, here’s a very early look at teams likely to find their new franchise quarterback in next year’s draft:

1.     Las Vegas Raiders – Gardner Minshew was benched during a rout against the Denver Broncos last week, and sophomore pro Aidan O’Connell is now competing with him for the starting job. Let’s be clear, though, the Raiders are punting on 2024. They didn’t invest in a quarterback in last year’s draft and are now on the precipice of trading superstar wide receiver Davante Adams. Just five games into the 2024 season, the Silver & Black are poised to tank the campaign and position themselves best to grab a quarterback in next year’s class. 

2.    Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young was a bad pick. Draft Nation knew it then, and, so far, his NFL career has played out that way. The 2023 #1 overall pick was recently benched in favor of veteran Andy Dalton, and, when given mop up duty on Sunday, Coach Dave Canales declared Young was put in the game so as not to risk injury to the aging starter. That statement screams that the franchise has already given up on the former Alabama signal caller.

3.    Los Angeles Rams – The LA Rams are 1-4, and starter Matt Stafford is not exactly playing lights out. The 36-year-old is also struggling with back soreness, which is not a good long-term sign. Whether he retires or not, the Rams need a new direction, and a new quarterback is a must.

4.    New York Jets – Many pundits were not sure this marriage was ever going to work, but the New York Jets are still in love with Aaron Rodgers—enough to fire Coach Robert Saleh to make him happy. The 40-year-old is having a middling, at best, type season, though, and it’s hard to see the 2-3 Jets thinking it’s a good idea to bank on him as their future should the season continue on this trajectory. 

5.    Miami Dolphins – Coach Mike McDaniel built the Miami Dolphins to be a premier passing offense in the league, but, without the oft-injured Tua Tagovailoa, it has sputtered. The team lacks quality backups, and faces some real decisions up ahead. Can they rely on Tua as a full-time starter should he decide to continue playing football? If so, how much do they need to go ahead and commit to a top-notch backup to avoid this situation happening again?

6.    Pittsburgh Steelers – Justin Fields hasn’t been elite as the Steelers’ QB, but he has the team 3-2 while still showing signs of being a starter-worthy talent. He presents one of the more difficult evaluations in this conversation.

7.     New Orleans Saints – Some things don’t change. Derek Carr remains good enough to be a starter in the NFL but not good enough to elevate a team to contention. One of the more frustrating players in recent memory, the 33-year-old has led the team to 3 straight losses while posting middling performances. He’s hoping the franchise will reunite him with Davante Adams, but it’s hard to see him lasting much longer for the Saints.

8.    Cleveland Browns – At this point, the beleaguered Deshaun Watson is just not a good football player. He has yet to eclipse the 200-yard mark through five games, and the Browns are 1-4. One of the worst trades and worst contracts ever conceived, it is time for the Browns to work to move on… quickly.

9.    New York Giants – Don’t look now, but Daniel Jones is now 11th in passing yards, and the Giants have won 2 of their last 3 games. Suddenly, the Giants may be in a position to not do something rash after a massive Jones contract extension. Finding a steal in rookie wide receiver sensation Malik Nabers certainly helps but look for the team to consider riding this out—at least until Jones reminds them that… well… he’s still Daniel Jones.

10. Arizona Cardinals – Kyler Murray is still one of the more dynamic players in the league, but this seems like a scenario where a “mutual parting of the ways” could benefit all involved. The Cardinals are going nowhere, and Murray can’t be having fun playing his prime years there. He remains a trade candidate that could be a valuable commodity in what appears to be a lackluster quarterback draft class in 2025.