The NFL quarterback carousel spun at a dizzying rate last week when the new league year began. Trades and free-agent signings set in motion a game of musical chairs that changed chunks of the quarterback landscape.
There were dramatic swings for the fences, like the Steelers signing Russell Wilson AND trading for Justin Fields, or the Falcons luring Kirk Cousins away from the Vikings with a $180 million deal.
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We saw modest moves for potential starters (the Raiders signing Gardner Minshew and the Patriots reuniting with Jacoby Brissett), gambles (the Vikings adding Sam Darnold as a potential Cousins replacement) and depth signings (Joe Flacco to the Colts, Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley to the Browns). The list goes on.
But how many of these quarterback moves will actually make a difference for the teams that made changes?
We’re taking a dive into all of the moves and evaluating whether they look like upgrades, downgrades or somewhere in between at the position.
| Player | Old team | New team |
|---|---|---|
Commanders | Patriots | |
Vikings | Falcons | |
49ers | Vikings | |
Vikings | 49ers | |
Bears | Steelers | |
Browns | Colts | |
Raiders | Rams | |
Commanders | Seahawks | |
Ravens | Browns | |
Patriots | Jaguars | |
Seahawks | Giants | |
Eagles | Commanders | |
Colts | Raiders | |
Steelers | Eagles | |
Bears | Saints | |
Falcons | Cardinals | |
Steelers | Titans | |
Giants | Jets | |
Steelers | Bills | |
Broncos | Steelers | |
Saints | Browns |
Arizona Cardinals trade for Desmond Ridder
Verdict: Upgrade
The Cardinals had only Kyler Murray and second-year pro Clayton Tune, who in seven appearances last season completed 12 of 21 passes for 62 yards and two interceptions and was sacked seven times. Ridder, meanwhile, arrives with experience: 17 career starts, which makes him a more reliable No. 2/insurance policy for Murray, who hasn’t played a full season since 2020. Ridder did have an up-and-down first season as a starter for Atlanta last year, but he’s a decent, young (24) prospect to continue developing behind Murray.
Atlanta Falcons sign Kirk Cousins
Verdict: Upgrade
The Falcons, previously quarterbacked by Ridder, have a hungry roster that features a lot of young, up-and-coming talent with some key veterans sprinkled in. Offensive weapons include tight end Kyle Pitts, running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and newly acquired pass-catcher Darnell Mooney. Cousins, who has posted 4,000-yard seasons seven of the last nine years, will provide valuable leadership while fitting well into the offense, directed by former Rams assistant Zac Robinson. After playing under another former Sean McVay assistant, Kevin O’Connell, in Minnesota the last two seasons, Cousins should have good familiarity. The NFC South is wide open, so the Falcons have a shot at the playoffs with Cousins leading the way.
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Buffalo Bills sign Mitch Trubisky
Verdict: Wash
The Bills brought back a familiar face in Trubisky, who backed up Josh Allen in 2021, and went 2-5 as a starter the past two seasons with the Steelers. He’s a slight upgrade over Kyle Allen in game experience but comparable in execution/accuracy. However, Josh Allen is as durable as they come and Trubisky — like Kyle Allen last season — will probably just be used for garbage-time cameos.
Cleveland Browns sign Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley
Verdict: Upgrades
Between injury and off-field issues, Deshaun Watson hasn’t played a full season since 2020. He missed 11 games last season to shoulder surgery. Flacco helped save the Browns’ season, but now Cleveland brings in Winston, who is younger and also more physically gifted. For good measure, the Browns also signed Huntley, formerly of the Ravens, who brings valuable experience thanks to nine starts and 20 total game appearances during his four-year career. So, if Watson misses time again, the Browns now have a fully stocked quarterback room.
Indianapolis Colts sign Joe Flacco
Verdict: Wash
Minshew stepped in nicely for an injured Anthony Richardson, going 7-6, but left Indianapolis for a chance to start in Las Vegas. Richardson — the fourth pick of last year’s draft — is expected to make a full recovery from shoulder surgery. But Flacco fills a key need. Obviously, the Colts hope they don’t have to turn to him. But if they need to, the 39-year-old showed as a midseason addition to the Browns that he can step in and help a team win games.
Jacksonville Jaguars trade for Mac Jones
Verdict: Wash
As backup to Trevor Lawrence, Jones is fine. The 2021 15th pick — who struggled with accuracy on the Patriots — proved he’s far better suited for this role than as a starter. Jones may have competition for that No. 2 job, however, as C.J. Beathard returns for his fourth season with the team.
Las Vegas Raiders sign Gardner Minshew
Verdict: Upgrade
Minshew helped keep the Colts in the mix in the AFC South last season before they narrowly missed the playoffs. Now, he goes to Las Vegas, where he will compete with Aidan O’Connell, who as a rookie out of Purdue in 2023 replaced Jimmy Garoppolo and went 5-5 with 12 touchdown passes and seven interceptions while completing 62.1 percent of his passes. Minshew, who went 7-6 with 15 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a completion percentage of 66.2, certainly has proved he can start in this league. The Raiders like O’Connell but this should be a close competition. At the very least, Minshew offers improved depth.
L.A. Rams sign Jimmy Garoppolo
Verdict: Upgrade
Garoppolo will miss two games for violating the league’s policy for performance-enhancing substances. But once back in the mix, he gives Matthew Stafford and the Rams a reliable backup with extensive knowledge of the system and starting experience. That’s something L.A. lacked last season while rolling the dice with Brett Rypien and rookie Stetson Bennett before the late-season addition of Carson Wentz.
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Minnesota Vikings sign Sam Darnold
Verdict: Downgrade
They tried in vain to re-sign Cousins. Now, the Vikings go from one of the most consistent quarterbacks to one of the most turnover-prone. Team officials are hoping that a season under the tutelage of Kyle Shanahan as San Francisco’s backup helps Darnold finally live up to his potential as the third pick of the 2018 draft (Jets). But it’s a gamble. Darnold appeared in 10 games last season, making one start (a loss) and has yet to show he has learned how to do a better job of protecting the ball than he did in New York and Carolina during the first five seasons of his career. In those 49ers cameos, Darnold had an interception and three fumbles, adding to his career totals of 56 interceptions and 38 fumbles in 66 games. It’s possible, however, that Darnold could serve either as a temporary bridge quarterback or insurance policy. The Vikings have the 11th and 23rd picks of the first round, plus seven other selections, and could move up to draft a quarterback.
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New England Patriots sign Jacoby Brissett
Verdict: Upgrade
After ending the futile Mac Jones era, the Patriots brought back a familiar face in Brissett, their third-round pick out of N.C. State in 2016. Brissett has shown he can serve as a reliable starter, filling in for Deshaun Watson in Cleveland in 2022. In his return to New England, he should be a consistent field general and dependable bridge quarterback for as long as it takes for whichever quarterback the Patriots draft third overall to develop. Or, Brissett gives New England flexibility if decision-makers opt to deal that No. 3 pick for more selections that could help better fortify a talent-depleted roster.
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New Orleans Saints sign Nathan Peterman
Verdict: Downgrade
Peterman will battle for the No. 2 spot behind Derek Carr. That spot on the depth chart opened following Winston’s departure for Cleveland. There’s quite a drop-off here. Winston is a nine-year vet who has passed for 22,104 yards, 141 touchdowns and 99 interceptions. Peterman, meanwhile, has been in the league for six seasons. He has thrown four touchdown passes and 13 interceptions in 15 appearances (five starts), with a 1-4 record as a starter. A number of people around the league scratched their heads over this signing, but Peterman is a low-cost addition.
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New York Giants sign Drew Lock
Verdict: Upgrade
After a career reset in Seattle, Lock showed promise while filling in for an injured Geno Smith last season. Daniel Jones, who is coming back from a season-ending ACL tear, seemingly is in his last days as Giants starter. After an encouraging 2022 campaign, the turnover woes and lack of effectiveness that have plagued him for much of his career resurfaced, stoking frustrations within the organization. Lock has a chance to capitalize and offer the Giants a fresh start at the position.
New York Jets sign Tyrod Taylor
Verdict: Upgrade
Most veterans and some rookies would be an upgrade over Zach Wilson. But Taylor is actually above average, and if not for durability issues, he could start somewhere in the league. He’s a 13-year veteran with a 28-28-1 record and 65 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. If Aaron Rodgers is delayed in his comeback from Achilles surgery, or if the future Hall of Famer gets hurt again at any point, Taylor will help keep the Jets competitive.
Philadelphia Eagles trade for Kenny Pickett
Verdict: Wash
Frustrated by the Steelers’ decision to sign Russell Wilson and give him the first crack at the starting job, Pickett requested a trade and wound up in Philadelphia, where he’ll back up Jalen Hurts. Pickett is younger than Marcus Mariota (last year’s Eagles backup), but he’s not as experienced, and his lack of consistency and effectiveness (he failed to throw a touchdown pass in seven of his 12 games last season) factored in the Steelers’ decision to pursue Wilson. Sitting and learning could help Pickett’s development, but it’s hard to view him as an upgrade at QB2 even though Mariota’s days as an impact starter seemingly have ended. The one area this move does help Philadelphia is financially. Mariota earned $5 million last season. Pickett has a base salary of $985,000, which gives the Eagles more money to spend elsewhere.
Pittsburgh Steelers sign Russell Wilson, trade for Justin Fields
Verdict: Upgrades
Rival talent evaluators say we shouldn’t let the two tumultuous Denver seasons fool us. Wilson can still play, they believe, stressing that he just needs the right system, and proper support to help regain his effectiveness. Wilson should get that in Pittsburgh, where Mike Tomlin prefers his offensive coordinators establish a strong rushing attack to ensure balance while also receiving a strong backing from a disruptive defense. These are key ingredients that positioned Wilson for years of success in Seattle. It’ll be interesting to see how Arthur Smith blends what he likes to do as a play-caller with the elements Wilson does best. But Wilson should be an upgrade over Pickett.
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And then there’s Fields. While Wilson, who signed a one-year deal, could solve the Steelers’ immediate issues at quarterback, Fields could represent a long-term upgrade. Fields struggled in his three seasons with the Bears, but he also wasn’t developed properly, and he played behind a weak line. Landing in Pittsburgh is a win-win situation. He’ll have the opportunity to reset, sit back and learn from Wilson and refine his fundamentals, field vision, understanding of NFL coverages and decision-making. If Fields can grow in those areas, he could wind up finally blossoming into one of the best players from the 2021 draft class.
San Francisco 49ers sign Josh Dobbs
Verdict: Upgrade
Brock Purdy is the unquestioned starter, but the 49ers know all too well how important it is to have quality depth at quarterback. Dobbs is exceptionally bright and has played in a variety of systems during his travels, which include stints with eight teams (starting games for Tennessee, Arizona and Minnesota in the last two seasons). He also has good versatility as a dual-threat quarterback, and could help keep things afloat if Purdy were to miss time.
Seattle Seahawks trade for Sam Howell
Verdict: Upgrade
Seattle had an opening after losing Lock to free agency. Enter Howell, Washington’s 2022 fifth-round pick. Howell had an up-and-down first season as a starter in Washington last year, but he has good upside — numerous talent evaluators believe more upside than Lock. He will benefit from the opportunity to learn behind Geno Smith and play in a system in which he’s better supported by a quality offensive line and running game. Howell also potentially gives Seattle its quarterback of the future.
Tennessee Titans sign Mason Rudolph
Verdict: Upgrade
Tennessee opted against re-signing Ryan Tannehill, whose days as a consistently effective starter seemingly are over. The Titans will instead roll with 2023 second-round pick Will Levis. Rudolph has six seasons of experience, with an 8-4 record as a starter, including 3-0 last season. The slowly developing Malik Willis (2022 third-round pick) is also on the roster.
Washington Commanders sign Marcus Mariota
Verdict: Downgrade
Washington is expected to draft a quarterback second overall. If the Commanders plan to use Mariota — who seemingly has lost his effectiveness as a starter — as the place-holder until their rookie is game-ready, they had better hope they’re not in for a lengthy development process. If Mariota is used merely as a veteran mentor for the prized young quarterback, then he should be fine. His experiences as the second pick of the 2015 draft and understanding of how to use his mobility to complement his passing skills could come in handy.
(Top photos of Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins: Loren Elliott, Gregory Shamus and Adam Bettcher / Getty Images)