NFL Faces Thin QB Market Ahead of 2026 Offseason

Ten NFL teams head into the 2026 offseason searching for quarterbacks, but free agency offers little help and the draft provides just one sure top pick. This leaves clubs with the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, and others weighing trades, retreads, and roster gambles as free agency opens in March and the draft arrives in April.

Background

The quarterback position drives NFL success, but the 2026 market stands out for its lack of standouts. Free agency lacks big names, with players like Malik Willis topping a short list of unsigned starters. The draft class thins out after Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman winner who led his team to a perfect 16-0 season and national title with 41 passing touchdowns. Other college stars like Oregon's Dante Moore returned to school, leaving few ready pros. Teams that missed in past offseasons now scramble again after uneven 2025 results.

Las Vegas bottomed out last year despite hiring Pete Carroll as coach and trading for Geno Smith. They hold the No. 1 pick, setting up a clean start. The Jets rotated through Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook without settling on a starter. Arizona dealt with Kyler Murray's benching after injury and a coaching change. Cleveland boasts Deshaun Watson and rookie Shedeur Sanders, son of Deion Sanders, who earned a Pro Bowl nod. Indianapolis saw Daniel Jones shine before an Achilles tear. Minnesota let Sam Darnold leave and watched him thrive elsewhere. Pittsburgh eyes a post-Mike Tomlin era with Mike McCarthy hired as coach.

This setup forces general managers to get creative. Cap spaces vary widely, from the Raiders' $66 million surplus to cap-strapped teams like the Vikings at minus $54 million. Trades loom large because straight free agent signings rarely fix a position long-term.

Key Details

Raiders Target Mendoza

Las Vegas owns the first pick and plans to draft Fernando Mendoza. The Indiana quarterback set records, including multiple games with 90% completion rates and four-plus touchdowns against top teams. Geno Smith stays as a backup after the trade from Seattle. A new coach like Klint Kubiak could pair the rookie with the veteran for balance.

Jets Weigh Murray Trade

New York sits at No. 2 overall and No. 16 via trade. Without a strong free agent class, they eye Kyler Murray from Arizona. The two-time Pro Bowler has three years left on his $230 million deal, but a down 2025 with injury and benching lowers his trade price. Justin Fields returns as a bridge option.

Cardinals Stick with Brissett

Arizona holds the third pick in a one-QB draft. They plan to re-sign Jacoby Brissett for stability while eyeing a deeper 2027 class. Trading Murray clears space, and a low-cost deal for Anthony Richardson adds upside.

Other Moves in Play

Cleveland keeps Watson and Sanders competing. The Colts push to extend Daniel Jones, who played like a top-10 quarterback before injury and could return by Week 1. Minnesota considers bringing back Kirk Cousins amid cap woes. Pittsburgh talks pair Aaron Rodgers with McCarthy, who coached him to a Super Bowl before. Free agents like Willis draw interest as stopgaps.

"The quarterback market this year looks ugly—thin free agency, weak draft, expensive trades," said an NFL executive tracking the moves. "Teams might start Week 1 with guys they never planned on."

Draft projections show Ty Simpson as the next possible first-rounder at No. 16, with teams like the Jets potentially grabbing him plus Will Levis in a trade. Cap hits and picks shape every deal.

What This Means

Teams without quarterbacks face tough choices that could define seasons. The Raiders gain an edge with Mendoza at No. 1, positioning them for quick turnaround. Jets and Cardinals risk another year of rotation without bold trades like Murray or Brissett extensions. Cleveland's duo of Watson and Sanders offers rare depth, while Indianapolis banks on Jones' recovery.

Trades reshape rosters fast. Murray to New York or Rodgers to Pittsburgh pair stars with fresh systems. Minnesota and others over negative cap space must cut elsewhere or restructure deals. Free agency fillers like Brissett or Willis buy time but rarely last.

Success hinges on matches. Mendoza thrives under good coaching in Vegas. Jones returns to a familiar spot in Indy. Sanders builds on his rookie Pro Bowl in Cleveland. Weaker options lead to more rotations, like the Jets' 2025 mess with three starters.

Draft limits force creativity. Only Mendoza locks first-round status; others like Simpson go mid-round. Teams wait for 2027's stronger class, using vets now. Cap-rich clubs like Pittsburgh and Raiders act first, while strapped ones lag.

Rookies face pressure. Mendoza steps into a high-spotlight role. Sanders competes with Watson. Any trade acquisition like Murray carries baggage from recent struggles.

Offseason starts soon. Free agency hits March, draft in April. Moves cascade— one trade shifts picks and caps across the league. Ten teams need help, but few perfect fits exist. General managers pick amid uncertainty, knowing one right call changes everything.