Like each year, lo0ks like the upcoming NFL season will bring about drama again. The issue at hand? The QB situation across several teams, threatening to shake up the roster. On one hand, there’s Aaron Rodgers, who is coming off of an unceremonious departure from the New York Jets on the back of a 5-12 season. Then there’s Russell Wilson who, despite pushing his team to a 10-7 season, was clearly out of form and ideas for personal revival. 

On the contrary, Sam Darnold is also a surprising name that keeps popping up in the conversation. Is he leaving the Minnesota Vikings? Well, read on to find out!

But, first, let’s start with…

The Giants’ quarterback search

Unfortunately, John Mara’s QB troubles had started long before they released Daniel Jones. Already reeling with Jones, who’d concluded his six-year tenure with the team with a 24-44-1 record as a starter—the lowest winning rate among QB with at least 50 starts since 2019—it didn’t help when they turned to Tommy DeVito either. In three games, the 26-year-old finished with just 257 passing yards, and zero touchdowns. Safe to say that the Giants are in dire need of a signal caller.

Notably, they have the No. 3 pick, which means picking Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders or Miami’s Cam Ward, is not off the charts, if the Titans or Browns don’t. On the veteran side, there’s Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, and Sam Darnold, too. 

For now, Russell Wilson might make a good fit if the Steelers don’t re-sign him. While his 2,482 passing yards, 16 TDs, and 95.6 passer rating could signal toward a blockbuster in the making, Wilson surely has some work to do. Having said that…

What about ⁠Kirk Cousins’ future?

The Altanta Falcons seem to be in a pickle over Kirk Cousins’ future, after his late-season benching in favor of Michael Penix Jr. Now, coupled with mobility and accuracy issues, will Cousins be playing as a backup for the first time in 11 years? 

Well, the veteran QB is not sure either. “Time will tell. It’s still kind of uncertain. We’ll get to March and know a lot more,” he had said last month. Notably, the 36-year-old had signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the team just last year, and is due for a $10 million signing bonus for the 2026 season. Not just that, if Kirk stays, his cap hit will be $40 million. On the contrary, if Atlanta decides to release him, they’ll still face a $65 million dead cap hit. Well, a pickle indeed.

However, if he is traded after June 1, that would free up $27.5 million in cap space while still triggering the $10 million bonus. But that will also mean that the team will it harder to find a trade partner after free agency and the draft concludes. 

What’s going on in the Darnold-Minnesota saga?

It seems almost unreal to say that despite a career-high 35 touchdowns and 4,319 passing yards, the Minnesota Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell might let his QB Sam Darnold test free agency. Well, at a glance, that sure seems hopeless, but if we pay a bit more attention to Darnold’s form and the unusual situation in the QB room, it can be explained why…

For starters, ever since Sam Darnold replaced JJ McCarthy after the latter tore his meniscus in the 2024 season opener, concerns have cropped up about his poor throws. As per Pro Football Reference, the 27-year-old averaged four poor throws throughout the season. And in his final two games, both of which they lost, that number was a staggering 23, before getting eliminated in a NFC Wild Card Playoffs loss against the Rams (27-9).

Additionally, keeping a QB with a $41 million franchise tag with $60 million in total cap space seems unrealistic, too—especially for a team that is in dire need of defensive linemen, cornerbacks, running backs offensive linemen, and safeties. This does keep only one option open: Free agency.

The Raiders might be interested in him after Matthew Stafford shut his doors, deciding to stay with the Rams. So, Sam’s future is still up in the air.

Will Carson Wentz go to the Browns?

The Browns are most likely done with their quarterback, Deshaun Watson, after the latter failed to play even one full season with the team. Notably, the signal-caller has two years left on his contract with $46 million guaranteed each year. However, with his QB’s Achilles tendon troubles cropping up time and again, the team might make use full use of their number 2 draft pick by aiming to choose Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders.

Coach Kevin Stefanski may also consider signing a veteran quarterback, specifically looking at the Chiefs’ backup quarterback, Carson Wentz.

Interestingly, Kirk Cousins and Daniel Jones are not off the radar, either.

How’s the Steelers’ QB situation unfolding?

Mike Tomlin’s team might want to go with a young QB now. The Steelers have Justin Fields, who could be a starting quarterback in the upcoming season. Russell Wilson‘s one-year deal with the team has concluded, and looking at his performance, they might not want to return with him next season.

Multiple reports say Pittsburgh would most likely go with an Ohio State alum. In that case, they will either keep Russ as the backup or let him go. Tricky times are ahead for the Steelers, who look to improve their 10-7 record. However, if you ask Wilson, he’s more than ready to be back.

“It was tough at the end, obviously. We didn’t get it done, but I’ve got so much more in me, man. I’m excited. My goal is to be with the Pittsburgh Steelers for a long time, hopefully finish my career there, God willing. I’m just trusting God and the process,” the 36-year-old had said in January. So, what’s the final verdict? Keep your eyes on this space to know!

Have the Colts been eyeing a new QB?

The Indianapolis Colts have Anthony Richardson in their corner. Yet, it seems like they’re looking for a veteran QB who could light up their offenses, which the 22-year-old could not. We’re talking completing 50 percent or less of his passes in 11 games this past season, with 1,814 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and a team record of 6-5.

“I don’t know that there’s a quarterback in this league that possesses a mixture of raw talent and risk quite like Richardson, who simply can’t afford another poor season after a disastrous sophomore campaign in ‘24,” Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon wrote. 

And while Daniel Jones and New England Patriots’ quarterback Jacoby Brissett have popped up as options, they are reportedly also eyeing Steelers’ top option, Justin Fields. Now, it will all depend on how they approach free agency.

Having said that, for the Titans, Browns, and Giants, they can go in as many directions as they want with the upper-hand of a top draft pick. For the rest? Well, we might have to wait and see how the story unfolds.