The NFL quarterback carousel figures to have several interesting potential twists this offseason, and it starts at the top with the Chicago Bears and the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Will the Bears keep Justin Fields and spend the pick on another position, or will USC quarterback Caleb Williams be too good to pass up? That decision could set off a chain reaction of quarterback moves.
This isn’t quite 2023 when Aaron Rodgers was traded from Green Bay to the New York Jets. Veteran quarterbacks, such as Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson could be on the move, and there’s a strong rookie class that includes a pair of Heisman Trophy winners in Williams and Jayden Daniels along with Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy.
A total of 66 quarterbacks started an NFL game in 2023, an incredible total that illustrates the importance of having more than one option on the roster.
Who starts where? Sporting News sizes up the quarterback situation for all 32 teams heading into 2024.
MORE NFL OFFSEASON: Top 75 free agents | Mock draft
Projected NFL starting quarterbacks for 2024
Arizona Cardinals
Who started last year? Kyler Murray returned from a torn ACL suffered in Week 14 of the 2022 regular season after Joshua Dobbs and Clayton Tune combined for a 1-8 record. Murray led the Cardinals to a 3-5 record with 1,799 passing yards, 10 TDs, and five interceptions. He also rushed for 244 yards and three TDs.
Who starts in 2024? Murray will start. He signed a five-year, $ 230 contract in 2023, and he fits with first-year coach Jonathan Gannon. Now, the Cardinals need to find a true No. 1 receiver – and that position could be available with the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Hello, Marvin Harrison Jr.
Our pick: Kyler Murray (Confidence level: 10/10)
Atlanta Falcons
Who started last year? The Falcons finished 7-10 for the third straight season, and coach Arthur Smith was fired. Desmond Ridder started 13 games last season, finishing with 2,836 yards, 12 TDs, and 12 interceptions. Ridder, however, was benched on two separate occasions and has not taken hold of the job. Taylor Heinicke also started four games. New coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson have options with the No. 8 pick.
Who starts in 2024? The Falcons have had three starters in the last three seasons in Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariota, and Ridder. With a new coaching staff, the options are either to draft a quarterback – which would likely require trading up – or make a trade for a quarterback. This is where Morris trusts a veteran. The Falcons trade for Kirk Cousins, who could have an impact with the young, supporting cast in Atlanta.
Our pick: Kirk Cousins (4/10)
Baltimore Ravens
Who started this year? Lamar Jackson signed a five-year, $ 260 million contract on May 23, 2023, then won his second NFL MVP Award. Jackson passed for 3,678 yards, 24 TDs, and seven interceptions and added 821 rushing yards and five TDs. The Ravens reached the AFC championship game before losing 17-7 to Kansas City.
Who starts in 2024? Jackson also started in 16 games for the first time since 2018. John Harbaugh is entering his 17th season with the Ravens. The pressure to reach the Super Bowl is going to increase in 2024. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley is an unrestricted free agent.
Our pick: Lamar Jackson (10/10)
Buffalo Bills
Who started this year? Josh Allen passed for 4,306 yards, 29 TDs, and 18 interceptions and led the Bills to the AFC divisional playoffs, where they lost 27-24 to the Kansas City Chiefs. Buffalo is 58-24 over the last five seasons with Allen.
Who starts in 2024? Allen is locked up with a long-term contract in Buffalo that runs through 2028, but the frustrating playoff losses are starting to add up. A full season with offensive coordinator Joe Brady should be beneficial for Allen, who is under contract through 2028.
Our pick: Josh Allen (10/10)
Carolina Panthers
Who started this year? The Panthers took Bryce Young with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He finished with 2,877 yards, 11 TDs, and 10 interceptions in 16 starts. The Panthers fired Frank Reich after 11 games. The Panthers hired offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who will be their fourth head coach in as many seasons.
Who starts in 2024? Young will start, and Canales’ track record is impressive over the past two seasons as Seattle’s quarterbacks coach and Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator. Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield averaged 4,163 yards, 29 TDs, and 11 interceptions the [ast two years under Canales’ tutelage. Look for Young to make a jump in 2024.
Our pick: Bryce Young (10/10)
Chicago Bears
Who started this year? Justin Fields started in 13 games in his third season, missing four games due to a dislocated right thumb. Tyson Bagent made four starts in his place. Fields finished 5-8 as a starter with 2,562 passing yards, 16 TDs, and nine interceptions with 657 rushing yards and four TDs. He missed 13 total games over the past three seasons.
Who starts in 2024? The Bears have the No. 1 pick — and a decision that could lead to a massive quarterback chain reaction. Chicago could trade the pick and keep Fields, but we think Bears GM Ryan Poles will trade Fields and draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick. Chicago also has the No. 9 pick in the first round.
Our pick: Caleb Williams (7/10)
Cincinnati Bengals
Who started this year? Joe Burrow, the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, started in 10 games before suffering a season-ending wrist injury. He finished with 2,309 yards, 15 TDs, and six interceptions. The Bengals were 5-5 in that stretch. Backup quarterback Jake Browning was 4-3 in Burrow’s place. Burrow is now three years removed from the ACL and MCL injury that cut his rookie year short.
Who starts in 2024? Burrow signed a five-year, $ 275 million extension that will keep him in Cincinnati through 2029. Browning – an exclusive rights free agent – also likely will be brought back on a one-year deal. Quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher was promoted to offensive coordinator with the departure of Brian Callahan to Tennessee.
Our pick: Joe Burrow (10/10)
Cleveland Browns
Who started this year? The Browns had five different starting quarterbacks in 2023. Deshaun Watson started in six games and had 1,115 passing yards, seven TDs, and four interceptions. He suffered two separate shoulder injuries and had season-ending surgery on his right shoulder. Veteran Joe Flacco resurfaced with four wins and five starts and led the Browns to an AFC wild-card appearance, where the Browns lost to Houston 45-14.
Who starts in 2024? Watson still has three years left on a $ 230-million contract, so it does not make financial sense to do anything else. New offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey should help, and this likely means Flacco moves on via free agency. Cleveland, however, could shop Watson and see what happens.
Our pick: Deshaun Watson (5/10)
Dallas Cowboys
Who started this year? Dak Prescott led the NFL in passing attempts (410) and TDs (36). The Cowboys finished 12-5 in the regular season before a shocking 48-32 loss to Green Bay in the NFC wild-card round. Prescott dropped to 2-5 in the postseason as a starter.
Who starts in 2024? Mike McCarthy and Prescott are now 1-3 together in the postseason, but Prescott has a contract that runs through 2026. Backups Cooper Rush and Trey Lance also are under contract for 2024. Barring a bold move by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, this will be the depth chart for at least one more year.
Our pick: Dak Prescott (10/10)
Denver Broncos
Who started this year? The two-year experiment with Russell Wilson failed. Wilson had 3,070 passing yards, 26 TDs, and eight interceptions, but he was benched for the final two games of the regular season. Wilson is expected to be released, and that means Sean Payton’s best remaining option on the roster would be Jarrett Stidham, who has four starts in five NFL seasons.
Who starts in 2024? SN’s latest mock draft has the Broncos taking J.J. McCarthy with the No. 12 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. What about Bo Nix? That is an even better fit for Payton given how efficient Nix was at the college level. Payton could roll with Stidham until Nix is ready, but the Broncos have had seven straight losing seasons. Is a long shot on Kirk Cousins, who’s coming off an Achilles’ injury, worth it? Look for Denver to be in the market for a veteran backup, such as Sam Darnold or Jimmy Garoppolo. This is the most difficult room to figure out, but we will say the combination of Stidham and Nix is the starting point.
Our pick: Bo Nix/Jarrett Stidham (5/10)
Detroit Lions
Who started this year? Jared Goff led the Lions to a 12-5 record and an appearance in the NFC championship game. Goff passed for 4,575 yards, 30 TDs, and 12 interceptions, and Detroit coach Dan Campbell kept offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Goff has averaged 4,086 yards, 23 TDs, and nine interceptions over the past three seasons.
Who starts in 2024? There is no reason to change things. Goff, 29, has one year left on his contract and will be a strong candidate to land an extension to stay in Detroit for the foreseeable future. Teddy Bridgewater retired, which bumps second-year quarterback Hendon Hooker up the depth chart.
Our pick: Jared Goff (10/10)
Green Bay Packers
Who started this year? How do the Packers keep doing it? Jordan Love took the place of Aaron Rodgers, who was traded to the Jets. Love finished 9-8 with 4,159 yards, 32 TDs, and 11 interceptions, and he led the Packers to the NFC divisional playoffs. That was not expected in his first season as a starter.
Who starts in 2024? Love is under contract for a one-year, $ 22.5 million extension, and the expectation for Matt LaFleur and GM Brian Gutekunst should be to sign Love to a long-term deal. The Packers appear set at quarterback for quite a while — again.
Our pick: Jordan Love (10/10)
Houston Texans
Who started this year? Houston selected C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He had a 9-6 record as a starter en route to AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Honors. Stroud finished with 4,108 yards, 23 TDs, and five interceptions and led the Texans to the AFC divisional playoffs. He missed two games because of a concussion, with Case Keenum starting in his place.
Who starts in 2024? With Stroud, the Texans are now the team to beat in the AFC South. Second-year coach DeMeco Ryans can build around the franchise quarterback. Keenum has one year left on his deal and is a suitable backup. Davis Mills also is under contract for one more season. This quarterback room should be the same in 2024.
Our pick: C.J. Stroud (10/10)
Indianapolis Colts
Who started this year? Rookie Anthony Richardson started four games. He suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder, leading to season-ending surgery. Gardner Minshew made 12 starts in Richardson’s place, and the Colts finished just outside the playoffs at 9-8.
Who starts in 2024? Richardson will be in the second year of a four-year contract and is reportedly throwing again. He had 136 rushing yards and four TDs in those four games. Minshew is a free agent who will likely entertain other offers, so look for the Colts to bring in another veteran backup. Is this Andy Dalton’s next play?
Our pick: Anthony Richardson (10/10)
Jacksonville Jaguars
Who started this year? Trevor Lawrence missed the first game of his career with a shoulder injury in 2023. He passed for 4,016 yards, 21 TDs, and 14 interceptions in his third season. The No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft is 20-30 as a starter with 58 TDs and 39 interceptions.
Who starts in 2024? Lawrence has one year left on his rookie contract with a fifth-year option, and he is a bounce-back candidate with Doug Pederson in Jacksonville. Backup C.J. Beathard has one year left on his contract.
Our pick: Trevor Lawrence (10/10)
Kansas City Chiefs
Who started this year? Patrick Mahomes passed for 4,183 yards, 27 TDs, and 14 interceptions for the Chiefs in the regular season, then he led the Chiefs to 25-22 victory in Super Bowl 58. Mahomes is 74-22 as a starter in the regular season with an incredible 15-3 record in the postseason.
Who starts in 2024? Mahomes’ contract runs through 2031, and he’s reached six straight AFC championship games with coach Andy Reid, who will turn 66 this year. Together, they will seek an unprecedented Super Bowl three-peat in 2024.
Our pick: Patrick Mahomes (10/10)
Las Vegas Raiders
Who started this year? Jimmy Garoppolo started six games before being benched in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell, who passed for 2,218 yards, 12 TDs, and seven interceptions. Brian Hoyer also made one start for the Raiders. Las Vegas promoted interim coach Antonio Pierce this offseason.
Who starts in 2024? Garoppolo is suspended for two games to start the 2024 season. O’Connell is more of a solid backup option. Pierce could reset the quarterback position with Russell Wilson, who, at 35, still passed for 3,070 yards, 26 TDs, and eight interceptions in 15 games for Denver. That would be a nice comeback story, and Wilson would fit in a run-oriented offense. Raider Nation, let’s ride.
Our pick: Russell Wilson (5/10)
Los Angeles Chargers
Who started this year? Justin Herbert passed for 3,134 yards, 20 TDs, and seven interceptions. He suffered a broken finger and missed the final four games of the regular season. Easton Stick made four starts in Herbert’s place. The Chargers finished 5-12 and fired Brandon Staley.
Who starts in 2024? Enter Jim Harbaugh, who left Michigan for a return to the NFL. Harbaugh is a huge fan of Herbert, who is 30-32 as a starter. Where that relationship goes will determine whether the Chargers break through in the AFC West. Herbert is under a five-year, $ 262 million contract that will keep him in Los Angeles through 2029.
Our pick: Justin Herbert (10/10)
Los Angeles Rams
Who started this year? Matthew Stafford played in 15 games and finished 9-6 as a starter in his third season with the Rams. He missed nine games the previous season because of a spinal contusion. Stafford passed for 3,965 yards, 24 TDs, and 11 interceptions and led Los Angeles to the NFC wild-card round.
Who starts in 2024? Stafford is entering his 16th season, and his four-year, $ 160 million contract runs through 2026. Stafford continues to produce with coach Sean McVay, but it would not hurt the Rams to start preparing for the future. Carson Wentz is a free agent the Rams could bring back as a backup.
Our pick: Matthew Stafford (9/10)
Miami Dolphins
Who started this year? Tua Tagovailoa played in 17 games for the first time in four seasons. The Dolphins finished 11-6, and Tagovailoa led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards. He had 29 TDs and 14 interceptions in his second season with coach Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins flopped in the AFC wild-card round in a 26-7 loss at Kansas City.
Who starts in 2024? Tagovailoa is in the last year of his contract, and the question is whether he will get a lucrative extension with Miami before the season starts. If the Dolphins have any doubts, then this could get interesting. Mike White and Skylar Thompson complete the depth chart. Our guess is Tagovailoa gets that extension.
Our pick: Tua Tagovailoa (10/10)
Minnesota Vikings
Who started this year? Kirk Cousins started eight games and finished with 2,331 yards, 18 TDs, and five interceptions before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Hall started the next nine games for Minnesota, who finished 7-10 in coach Kevin O’Connell’s second season.
Who starts in 2024? Cousins could finish his career with the Vikings, but Minnesota has an opportunity to move on with the No. 11 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. This could be the landing spot for Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who was 27-1 as a starter with the Wolverines the past two years. Minnesota also could invest in a veteran backup, but we’ll say Minnesota goes with a quarterback in the first round. McCarthy will be the Week 1 starter.
Our pick: J.J. McCarthy (5/10)
New England Patriots
Who started this year? Mac Jones continued to struggle in his third season as a starter, finishing with 2,120 passing yards, 10 TDs, and 12 interceptions. Bailey Zappe made six starts and had 1,272 passing yards, six TDs, and nine interceptions. Legendary coach Bill Belichick parted ways with New England, and Jerod Mayo took over as head coach heading into 2024.
Who starts in 2024? Why not start over at quarterback, too? The Patriots have the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye is the right fit. Maye passed for 8,018 yards, 63 TDs, and 16 interceptions with the Tar Heels and could easily turn out to be the best quarterback in this year’s draft. New England needs to be willing to take that chance.
Our pick: Drake Maye (6/10)
New Orleans Saints
Who started this year? The Saints acquired Derek Carr last offseason, and he started all 17 games in 2023. Carr finished with 3,878 passing yards, 25 TDs, and eight interceptions. Backup Jameis Winston also is under contract through 2024.
Who starts in 2024? The Saints hired 49ers passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak as their next offensive coordinator. Carr signed a four-year, $ 150 deal that runs through 2027. That says Carr will be a reliable starting option in 2024.
Our pick: Derek Carr (7/10)
New York Giants
Who started this year? Daniel Jones started in six games before suffering a torn ACL, which cut short the progress made after a breakout 2022 season in which he passed for 3,205 yards, 15 TDs, and five interceptions. Tommy DeVito started in six games and finished 3-3, and Tyrod Taylor made five starts and finished 2-3.
Who starts in 2024? Jones has three years left on a four-year, $ 160 contract, so it’s tough to imagine the Giants doing anything without a suitable trade partner. Brian Daboll is 15-18-1 in two seasons with the Giants, and the best bet is Jones returns. DeVito is under contract for one more year and is a solid backup option.
Our pick: Daniel Jones (10/10)
New York Jets
Who started this year? Aaron Rodgers made one pass attempt before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in 2023. The Jets still finished 7-10 with the combination of Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian, and Tim Boyle under center. New York quarterbacks combined for 3,371 yards, 11 TDs, and 15 interceptions.
Who starts in 2024? Rodgers, 40, will be back under center for the Jets – and New York retained offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Wilson still has one year left on his contract and makes sense as a backup option along with Boyle, who was with Rodgers in Green Bay.
Our pick: Aaron Rodgers (10/10)
Philadelphia Eagles
Who started this year? Jalen Hurts started in all 17 games for the Eagles, who finished 11-6 and reached the NFC wild-card round. Hurts passed for 3,858 yards, 23 TDs, and 15 interceptions and rushed for 605 yards and 15 TDs. The Eagles hired Kellen Moore as their new offensive coordinator for 2024.
Who starts in 2024? Hurts signed a five-year, $ 255 million extension that will keep him with the Eagles through the 2028 season. Marcus Mariota is a free agent, so expect Philadelphia to address its backup situation in the offseason. Cooper Rush – who was with Moore in Dallas – could be an interesting fit.
Our pick: Jalen Hurts (10/10)
Pittsburgh Steelers
Who started this year? The combination of Kenny Pickett (7-5), Mitchell Trubisky (0-2), and Mason Rudolph (3-0) was good enough for a 10-7 record and a playoff berth, but those Steelers quarterbacks combined for 3,421 passing yards, 13 TDs, and nine interceptions. Pittsburgh hired Arthur Smith as its new offensive coordinator.
Who starts in 2024? Pickett has two years left on his contract, Trubisky has been released, and Rudolph is a free agent (at least for now). Pittsburgh is in the mix for an upgrade, whether it’s Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, or Kirk Cousins. Ryan Tannehill also is an option given his ties to Smith, but this is the time for Mike Tomlin and the organization to be bold. Nothing would be bolder than trading for Fields, who has the potential to thrive with more talent around him.
Our pick: Justin Fields (3/10)
San Francisco 49ers
Who started this year? Brock Purdy recovered from a UCL tear. He started in 16 games as the full-time starter for the 49ers. Purdy was 12-4 with 4,280 yards, 30 TDs and 11 interceptions. Sam Darnold made one start in Week 18. Purdy – who was Mr. Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL Draft – proved coach Kyle Shanahan right by leading the 49ers to an appearance in Super Bowl 58.
Who starts in 2024? There will be more than enough rumor-mill speculation that the 49ers need an upgrade, but we just can’t see them moving on from a quarterback who was that close to winning the Super Bowl. Purdy has two years remaining on a four-year, $ 3.7 million contract. Darnold is a free agent, but Brandon Allen could slide into that backup role.
Our pick: Brock Purdy (10/10)
Seattle Seahawks
Who started this year? Geno Smith passed for 3,629 yards, 20 TDs, and nine interceptions in his second season with Seattle. The Seahawks are 17-15 the past two seasons with Smith at quarterback. Seattle replaced long-time coach Pete Carroll with Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald as head coach.
Who starts in 2024? Seattle ensured that Smith will collect his $ 12.7 million salary for 2024, but they could shop around. For now, Smith is the best option for next season for a team that should compete for a playoff spot given the talent on the roster. Smith averaged 3,953 yards with 25 TDs and 10 interceptions over the past two seasons. Can they do better than that on the free-agent market?
Our pick: Geno Smith (8/10)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Who started this year? Baker Mayfield enjoyed a revival in Tampa Bay. He led the Buccaneers to a 9-8 record with 4,044 yards, 28 TDs, and 10 interceptions. Tampa Bay reached the NFC divisional playoffs, but offensive coordinator Dave Canales left to become the head coach with the Carolina Panthers. Todd Bowles hired Liam Coen as the replacement.
Who starts in 2024? Mayfield did all that on a prove-it year, and now Tampa Bay has to figure out the right way to bring him back. Otherwise, Mayfield becomes a domino that could set off more moves. Kyle Trask remains the Buccaneers’ backup quarterback for 2024 for now.
Our pick: Baker Mayfield (8/10)
Tennessee Titans
Who started this year? Ryan Tannehill started eight games and had a 3-5 record as a starter. Rookie Will Levis struggled after a brilliant four-TD debut and finished 3-6 as a starter. Tennessee hired Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as its next head coach.
Who starts in 2024? The Titans will likely move on from Tannehill this offseason, and that means Levis – a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft – will be the new starter. Malik Willis likely will be the backup, but the Titans are in the market to bring in a veteran option, too.
Our pick: Will Levis (10/10)
Washington Commanders
Who started this year? Second-year quarterback Sam Howell started 17 games for the Commanders. He finished with 3,946 passing yards, 21 TDs, and 21 interceptions, but he took 65 sacks. Washington fired coach Ron Rivera and hired Dan Quinn. The Commanders also added Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator.
Who starts in 2024? The Commanders have the No. 2 pick, and that lines up with Jayden Daniels, even if there are a few potential audibles. Can they trade up to No. 1 and get Caleb Williams, a hometown hero from his days at Gonzaga College High School? Or do they reunite Russell Wilson with Quinn and try to build the roster from there? Those scenarios could unfold, but the best bet is the Commanders end up with Daniels.
Our pick: Jayden Daniels (6/10)
