The 2026 QB market is filled with obvious suitors — but these five wild-cards could flip the entire offseason on its head via free agency or the NFL Draft
It’s the ones you least expect that you need to worry about the most.
The 2026 NFL offseason is going to be centered around the same position it usually is — the quarterbacks. This year’s draft cycle may not be loaded with top-tier eligible talent at the position, but the list of teams with a need at quarterback is going seemingly longer by the week. Your usual suspects litter the top of the draft order, with teams like the New York Jets, the Cleveland Browns, and the New Orleans Saints all parked in the top-5 of the current order and no obvious long-term answer.
But what about the rest of the group? Who are the quarterback-need wild cards who could turn this offseason in its head next spring? There’s a number of veteran quarterbacks who could be on the move and open up spots that, as of recent years, have been spoken for.
Five wild card teams who should be in the quarterback market this offseason
The Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals’ current situation with Kyler Murray appears to be teetering on untenable. Murray’s contract commitments have entered into the “rolling guarantees” window, which means every offseason, future commitments are locked in. Given Murray’s tenure, the lack of growth away from Kliff Kingsbury and the current coaching staff’s need to be more stable offensively to improve their own job outlook, Murray should be moved to an interested buy at the start of the league year in March.
Where does that leave the Cardinals? If it were me, I’d ensure Jacoby Brissett is back to set a certain floor for the position. He’s gotten more out of the same supporting cast as Murray. And then I’d be looking to find the right draft target in April, as early as Round 1.
The Los Angeles Rams
The team with one of the current leaders in the MVP race? In the quarterback market? Uh, yeah. You guys remember that whole “Matt Stafford in a bacta tank with an ailing back” thing, right? He’ll be 38 years old in February. And while Sean McVay can tell us he likes Jimmy G until he’s blue in the face, I’ll believe him as a preferred starter when I see it.
That said, the pathways for a sensible investment are pretty slim, minus one mighty convenient development — the Falcons stink. And the Rams, bless their hearts, own that first round pick. So if the Falcons flop their way into the top-five overall of the 2026 NFL Draft order and the Rams come on the clock with a quarterback they love at the top of the board still available, they should take him.
The Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins’ situation with Tua Tagovailoa doesn’t offer a lot of flexibility in 2026. He’s owed north of $50 million in compensation fully guaranteed. Miami could, in theory, pay it and ask Tagovailoa to go away, cutting him and taking the cash & cap medicine. But that pathway likely requires team owner Stephen Ross to embrace his inner Aerys Targaryen and “burn them all”, bringing sweeping changes at head coach, too. We’re not there, at least not yet.
But Miami’s offense feels fairly capped with Tagovailoa passing the football and if Mike McDaniel is going to save his job *long-term*, their process of finding a different skill set that can effectively implement McDaniel’s vision will need to start. Is that a splash in the draft? Is that a Day 2 swing on a quarterback with tools? Is that another free agent a la Zach Wilson this year?
It’s hard to say. But expect them to be looking.
The Minnesota Vikings
I’m not saying the Vikings need to draft another quarterback early or sign a massive free agent contract at the position to relegate JJ McCarthy to the bench. But the rest of this roster is too good to be fully mired in the growing pains of McCarthy with no insurance.
Minnesota had their hands on two of the league’s hottest reclamations in Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold last season. Both are thriving elsewhere. Who can Kevin O’Connell touch next and bring to life as an NFL quarterback? I’d be looking for another reclamation option to bring to Minnesota this offseason. You know, just in case.
The Carolina Panthers
It’s hard to imagine Carolina, who is firmly in the thick of the NFC South divisional race, being in a position to draft an upgrade over Bryce Young amid this year’s quarterback class. But it should probably linger in the back of their minds that Young’s fifth-year option decision is due this offseason, which would pay him north of $26M in fully guaranteed salary for 2027. It’s time to start having *that* conversation about Young, who is coming off of a career game. They have Andy Dalton under contract for next season, too — he’ll be 39 years old next October.
I’m not saying the Panthers will make a move this offseason. But they should be uniquely attentive to any opportunities that fall into their lap because of the looming economic decision surrounding Young after the season. You don’t want to wait until that contract matures and puts you into a difficult place you may not want to be. So keep your eyes peeled, Carolina.
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