The focus of many in the Vikings fanbase has already turned towards which quarterback the Vikings coulddraft after the team stumbled to an 0-3 start.
The 2024 draft class is widely considered one of the most stacked QB classes in recent memory. With no less than four or five QBs speculated to go in the top 10, there will be plenty of teams looking to snag their quarterback of the future.
Every QB-needy team would love to get USC’s Caleb Williams, who right now appears to be the consensus No. 1 overall pick. That means the the lands the No. 1 overall pick will be salivating if they need a quarterback or willing to take a king’s ransom to trade the pick to a team thirsty for a franchise quarterback.
So, which teams could be looking for new QB next season? We compiled a list and broke it down from surefire bets, 50-50 teams and the outliers.
Surefire in the market for a QB
Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
The Cardinals’ offseason moves made it abundantly clear what their plans were for this season. Trading their 2023 third overall pick for Houston’s 2024 first-round pick, cutting DeAndre Hopkins and releasing projected starting QB Colt McCoy days before the season were clear signals Arizona was sprinting for the number one overall pick. The Cardinals will attempt to move off Kyler Murray and his massive contract and rebuild around whichever QB they take in the draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
Moving on from the GOAT was always going to be a turning point for the Bucs. Without a top pick in the 2023 draft, Tampa took a one-year flier on journeyman Baker Mayfield. In a weak NFC South they may back themselves into enough wins where they’ll be out of reach of one of the top QBs.
Minnesota Vikings (0-3)
When the Vikings front office passed on handing out another extension to Kirk Cousins this offseason, it signaled the end of his time in Minnesota was nearing. Now, after an 0-3 start, the calls are out for the Vikings to punt on the season and trade Cousins. The schedule only gets tougher over the next four weeks with Kansas City and San Francisco coming to town. With a plethora of offensive talent already on the roster and a QB-friendly head coach, the Vikings are one of the best possible landing spots for an elite 2024 rookie QB.
Chicago Bears (0-3)
Justin Fields has not taken the step the Bears were hoping for this season. The Bears QB has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns, looked lost in the offense and has made critical comments of the coaching staff and we’re only three weeks into the season. Chicago is leaning more and more towards resetting at QB as the weeks roll on.
Atlanta Falcons (2-1)
Atlanta passed on the Derek Carr sweepstakes last summer to bet on Desmond Ridder. Through three weeks Ridder has been one of the worst starting QBs in the league. Ridder’s 40.9 passing grade is only above rookie Bryce Young. Atlanta has too talented of a roster to continue to fail with Ridder. Outside of the Vikings offense, the Falcons may be the best set up for a young QB to step in and have immediate success.
Teams possibly in the market for a QB
Tennessee Titans (1-2)
Tennessee halted Will Levis’ slide down the draft by selecting him in the second round in April. A second-round selection doesn’t necessarily lock the Titans into Levis, especially after he struggled in preseason.
Los Angeles Rams (1-2)
Matthew Stafford still has three years left on his deal but with a first-round pick for the first time in seven years the Rams could be eyeing a young QB to pair with one of the most QB friendly head coaches in the league in Sean McVay. The more losses L.A. piles up the more likely they are to climb into the Surefire category.
Washington Commanders (2-1)
The Commanders’ bet on Sam Howell has so far worked, despite a Week 3 stinker against Buffalo. But how truly invested is the new ownership group in a fifth-round pick?
Denver Broncos (0-3)
Denver may be one of the worst teams in the NFL after getting run over by the Dolphins for 70 points. Russell Wilson has had a bit of a bounce back season, 10th in PFF passing grade through three weeks, but he’s nothing like the Russ the NFL was accustomed to seeing in Seattle. How much longer does Sean Payton want to hitch his wagon to Wilson? It will be tough to move the former Super Bowl champion with his five-year extension kicking in next year.
Detroit Lions (2-1)
Jared Goff only has one more year on his contract. Will they take a swing at a QB in the middle or late first round?
New England Patriots (1-2)
This team needs a lot of work on offense. The question Belichick and company have to answer is if they need a new quarterback or do they need better pieces to compliment Mac Jones.
Outliers to be in the market for a QB
Seattle Seahawks (2-1)
Yes, they gave Geno Smith a hefty deal this offseason but it was only a three-year deal.
New York Giants (1-2)
The Giants dished out a monster deal to Daniel Jones after two good games against the porous 2022 Vikings defense. Through three weeks, Jones has not proven to be worth that, having tossed just two touchdowns and four interceptions. In a difficult division the Giants could back themselves into a top-10 pick and call it on Jones with offensive-minded head coach Brian Dabol wanting his own guy.
Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)
Jimmy Garoppolo signed a three-year, $72 million deal with the Raiders in the offseason. Already off to a bad start and in one of the toughest divisions in football possible the Raiders take a QB high in the draft and use the remaining two years of Jimmy G’s contract as a bridge to give the young QB time to develop.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)
The Steelers are notoriously patient and unlikely to move on from 2021 first-round pick Kenny Pickett after just two years. But Pickett’s 51.7 passing grade is fourth worst in the league through three weeks. It would take a really bad season for Pittsburgh to make such a hasty move, which is why they’re in the outlier category.
San Francisco 49ers (3-0)
Look, as long as Brock Purdy is the starter there will always be questions around that position in San Francisco. Purdy does enough to not screw it up. Kyle Shanahan is considered the best playcaller in the NFL. The 49ers won’t have a top pick but if they can make a trade up, or one of the many talented QBs drops, they could be an absolutely ideal landing spot for a young prospect.
New Orleans Saints (2-1)
Derek Carr chose New Orleans in the offseason after being cut by the Raiders. Carr is just starting a four-year deal but at 32 and already injured, the Saints could see their chance to get a guy to take over after Carr is done in New Orleans.
Teams that don’t need a QB
- New York Jets: Aaron Rodgers says he wants to keep playing.
- Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson is their guy.
- Cleveland Browns: They paid DeShaun Watson how much money?!
- Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow isn’t going anywhere.
- Indianapolis Colts: That wagon is hitched to Anthony Richardson.
- Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud is going to be their guy for a long time.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence is their man.
- Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes. Duh.
- Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert…
- Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Hurts…
- Dallas Cowboys: Maybe it’s possible they move on from Dak Prescott?
- Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love for the next decade, right?
- Carolina Panthers: That wagon is hitched to Bryce Young.
- Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa…
- Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen…
