As the NFL regular season hits the home stretch, the playoff picture is coming into focus - and so is the reality for teams already looking ahead to 2026. For several franchises, the most pressing question isn’t about seeding or wild card tiebreakers. It’s about the quarterback position.
Whether it’s due to injuries, underperformance, or simply a lack of long-term answers under center, these five teams are staring down an offseason where finding a new quarterback has to be priority No. 1.
Arizona Cardinals (3-11): Volume ≠ Value
On paper, Arizona’s passing offense ranks seventh in the league. But don’t be fooled - that’s more about volume than efficiency.
The Cardinals are throwing the ball more than anyone in the league, and the numbers are inflated because of it. When you dig into the actual production, it’s clear this team is still searching for stability at quarterback.
Jacoby Brissett, who took over for Kyler Murray midway through the season, ranks just 20th in expected points added per dropback (-0.03), per NFL Pro data. Murray, meanwhile, is on injured reserve with a foot injury - a move that, according to reports, may have been made with his trade value in mind.
Arizona currently sits at No. 6 in the 2026 NFL Draft order. But with this year’s quarterback class light on can’t-miss prospects, they may need to get aggressive and trade up if they want to land a true franchise signal-caller. After years of uncertainty at the position, the Cardinals can’t afford to miss again.
Cleveland Browns (3-11): Still Spinning the QB Carousel
The Browns have been searching for a long-term answer at quarterback for what feels like decades, and the 2025 season hasn’t brought them any closer.
Rookie Shedeur Sanders has shown flashes, but his overall numbers paint a rough picture. He’s completing just 52.2% of his passes, and his 16.9 QBR ranks dead last among 45 quarterbacks with at least two starts, per Pro Football Reference. Despite ranking seventh in the league in pass attempts, Cleveland is just 30th in total passing yards - a clear sign that volume isn’t translating to production.
With an 18.9% chance to land the No. 1 overall pick, per ESPN, the Browns are in striking distance of a top quarterback prospect. Sanders could still make things interesting with a strong finish, but as things stand, Cleveland looks poised to dip back into the quarterback market once again.
Las Vegas Raiders (2-12): Geno’s Gamble Falls Flat
The Raiders rolled the dice on Geno Smith this offseason, hoping the veteran could stabilize the position. Instead, it’s been a rough ride from the start.
Smith has thrown 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while being sacked a league-high 49 times. His 203.7 passing yards per game are his lowest in any season with at least 10 starts since 2014. Simply put, the production hasn’t matched the expectations.
With a pivotal Week 17 matchup against the equally struggling Giants (2-12), the Raiders could be in pole position for the No. 1 overall pick. If that happens, they’ll have a shot at one of the top quarterback prospects - Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza or Oregon’s Dante Moore - both of whom are gaining traction as potential franchise cornerstones.
Las Vegas has been searching for a long-term answer at quarterback for years. This offseason might finally be the one where they get it right.
Miami Dolphins (6-8): Tua Benched, Future Unclear
Monday’s 28-15 loss to Pittsburgh raised eyebrows, but the bigger shock came midweek when Miami benched Tua Tagovailoa in favor of rookie seventh-rounder Quinn Ewers.
Tagovailoa’s contract complicates things. He’s guaranteed $54 million next season, and releasing him would trigger a jaw-dropping $99.2 million dead cap hit.
That’s not the kind of money you walk away from lightly. But benching him at this stage sends a clear message: the Dolphins are reevaluating their future at quarterback.
With holes elsewhere on the roster and a shallow draft class, Miami may not be in position to spend big draft capital on a quarterback. But that doesn’t mean they’ll stand pat. A low-cost veteran or trade target could be in play as they explore alternatives - because even if Tagovailoa is back in 2026, it’s hard to imagine he’ll be handed the keys without competition.
New York Jets (3-11): Another Year, Another QB Crisis
The Jets’ quarterback carousel keeps spinning, and it’s not getting any prettier.
Rookie Brady Cook is set to make his second start this week against the Saints, but his first two outings were tough to watch. He’s completed just 57.1% of his passes with one touchdown and five interceptions, while taking nine sacks. That’s a brutal stat line, even for a rookie.
Justin Fields, signed to a two-year, $40 million deal this past offseason, hasn’t panned out either. He’s averaging just 139.9 passing yards per game and hasn’t played since mid-November due to a knee injury. Veteran Tyrod Taylor, who stepped in briefly, is also sidelined with a groin issue.
The Jets are limping to the finish line, and honestly, that might be for the best. Losing out could put them in prime position for a top draft pick - and with it, a chance to finally find the quarterback they’ve been chasing for years.
Bottom Line
For these five teams, the quarterback question looms large. Some have young players who could still develop, others are saddled with big contracts and bigger question marks. But one thing is clear: if they want to stop spinning their wheels, they’ll need to make bold moves this offseason - whether it’s through the draft, free agency, or the trade market.
Because in today’s NFL, if you don’t have a quarterback, you don’t have a chance.