With the 2026 QB market short on supply versus demand, three teams could reshape the offseason by trading their backup quarterbacks
We’re short on 2026 QB reclamations — but three teams should take advantage and shop their backups.
The NFL’s veteran quarterback pipeline appears to be in need of some new life. Last year saw notable names like Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and Aaron Rodgers on the move and assume new starting roles. We also saw Mac Jones relocate to San Francisco, Zach Wilson land in South Florida, and Jacoby Brissett move west to Arizona to serve in backup roles.
The 2026 free agent pipeline is looking a little bit more modest — especially once the Indianapolis Colts secure Daniel Jones on that contract extension he’s now destined for after a hot start in 2025. Rodgers is scheduled to be back in the pipeline and he’ll be joined by Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and others. Perhaps the most intriguing names for 2026 free agency are the ones that haven’t been starters as of late (or at all): names like Malik Willis, Trey Lance, and Zach Wilson come to mind.
But the lack of free agent targets could be a useful tool for several teams across the league. Several NFL franchises should consider shopping their backup quarterbacks this upcoming offseason to try to cash out and take advantage of the scarcity of veteran options and a questionable pool of rookies in 2026.
Three teams who should be aggressively shopping their backup quarterbacks during the 2026 offseason
The San Francisco 49ers – Mac Jones
If someone is confident that they can sustain the growth Mac Jones has shown as the latest enrollee to the ‘Kyle Shanahan School of Quarterbacking’, I can foresee the bidding here entering into top-100 pick territory to secure a deal. Jones’ prior stops in New England and Jacksonville at the end of the Doug Pederson era give him a proper alibi for bad play in contrast to his performance this year in nine appearances thus far for the 49ers.
San Francisco wisely inked Jones to a two-year contract valued at $8.4 million in total value this past spring, meaning a new team would acquire Jones for the 2026 season and owe him just north of $4.2 million in total compensation. Good play and low cash flow are a good combination for teams trying to navigate an ill-advised quarterback contract or a team simply looking to skip the line of teams needing a quarterback without too much blow-back if things go sideways.
Top scheduled quarterbacks to hit NFL free agency in 2026
- Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts*
- Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers*
- Russell Wilson, New York Giants
- Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders
- Kenny Pickett, Las Vegas Raiders
- Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals
* Denotes current preferred starter
The Houston Texans – Davis Mills
If the Houston Texans make the postseason, Mills is going to have a major supporting role in the final credits. He’s gone 3-0 as the starter while CJ Stroud has been sidelined by a concussion. He helped lead a miraculous fourth-quarter comeback against the Jaguars and made the few big plays needed to ice wins against the Titans and the Bills. Mills hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2022 — and Houston is a very different beast now than they were then.
The Texans have been proactively tacking on an extra year to Mills’ contract each year since the third season of his rookie contract and he’s under contract to play in 2026 for $6.3 million. Now may be the time to cash out, as Houston is on the cusp of extending Stroud off his rookie contract, a deal that will likely cost a pretty penny. The economics of paying both Stroud and a veteran backup may not add up for Houston. Could they leverage him, as a 27-year-0ld backup owed more than $6 million in 2026, for a mid-round pick? If there’s someone willing to offer that price, the Texans should consider.
The Baltimore Ravens – Cooper Rush
Congratulations, Baltimore. You bought a lemon. Rush lost the team’s backup quarterback position to Tyler “Snoop” Huntley after throwing four interceptions in two starts (both losses). He’s the cheapest (and oldest) veteran quarterback on this list, as he’s owed just over $2 million in cash for 2026 on the second-year of the two-year contract the Ravens inked him to this offseason.
Rush isn’t likely to be targeted as a bridge starter or a “get out of jail free” long-term roll of the dice. But he can be a replacement for someone else’s backup as the quarterback carousel turns. The right team, perhaps with some familiarity to Rush from his past, could potentially nibble for a late-round pick.
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