The quarterback carousel could be spinning for a while this NFL offseason.
When it comes to the 2026 free agent class, Malik Willis and Aaron Rodgers are expected to be the top options at quarterback. Most people believe the Miami Dolphins will make a play for Willis since he's got a connection with head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Rodgers, on the other hand, is expected to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As for the NFL Draft, the only quarterback who is expected to be a Day 1 starter is Indiana's Fernando Mendoza.
Luckily for NFL teams, there are a few starters who'll be available via trade this March.
Kyler Murray gets a second chance in the NFC North.
It sounds like the Arizona Cardinals are ready to move on from the Kyler Murray era. Although he has racked up 20,460 passing yards, 3,193 rushing yards and 153 total touchdowns in his NFL career, the reality is he hasn't taken the franchise to new heights.
So where will Murray end up? According to SKOR North's Phil Mackey, the former No. 1 pick "would be interested" in playing for the Minnesota Vikings next season. On paper, he'd give them a huge upgrade over J.J. McCarthy.
Cardinals replace Kyler with Tua Tagovailoa.
This might not seem like an upgrade, but Tua Tagovailoa's skillset fits better in Mike LaFleur's offensive scheme. He should be able to get the ball out quick to Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson.
Trading Tagovailoa won't be easy since he's got a $56 million cap hit for the 2026 season, but the Dolphins could pay a portion of his contract to make a deal happen.
Return of the Mac (Jones).
Mac Jones reminded everyone this season that he's still capable of being an NFL starter. The former first-round pick filled in admirably for Brock Purdy, completing 69.6% of his passes for 2,151 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. The San Francisco 49ers ultimately went 5-3 with him as their starter.
Although the 49ers have said they're not trading Jones this offseason, it just takes one really sweet offer for them to change their plans.
While an argument can be made that Jones would be better served staying in the Bay Area, the New York Jets are in desperate need of a quarterback. They can offer him the Week 1 job, a true No. 1 wideout in Garrett Wilson, and potential-packed offensive tackle duo in Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou.
Don't forget about Derek Carr.
It was reported by NFL Network that Derek Carr could come out of retirement this NFL offseason. He then confirmed that a return to the gridiron is possible, but only if a playoff contender comes knocking on his door.
"Would I do it? Yes. Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not," Carr said. "Would I do it. Absolutely, I would. I told you two things: I have to be healthy, and I'd want a chance to win a Super Bowl. And obviously, that's a tough thing to find. That's hard to do. That's not easy."
If the Indianapolis Colts aren't convinced Daniel Jones will be healthy for the 2026 season, trading a Day 3 pick to the New Orleans Saints for Carr makes sense.
The Colts can surround Carr with a Pro Bowl running back in Jonathan Taylor, an emerging star at tight end in Tyler Warren, and production wide receivers in Josh Downs, Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce. That's not bad if you ask us.
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