Sam Darnold lifted the Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl LX on February 9, while several teams suffered quarterback crises earlier in the season. Guaranteed contracts, historic cap hits, and a weak 2026 draft class have trapped franchises in expensive mistakes. Deshaun Watson alone carries an $80.7 million cap hit in 2026. Nine teams face aging veterans, injured starters, and limited options. Each situation requires a unique solution. These quarterback problems are reshaping roster strategy, financial planning, and long-term competitiveness. Here is what each team is going through and what they must each do next.
1 — Cleveland Browns
The Browns carry the league’s harshest quarterback contract. Deshaun Watson’s $80.7 million 2026 cap hit is the largest in NFL history. Cutting him triggers $131 million in dead money. Cleveland drafted Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in 2025, but neither can realistically play while Watson’s deal dominates the cap. The only solution is patience: retain Watson, develop a young quarterback quietly, and wait for cap relief after 2027. This long timeline explains why the Browns’ fans must brace for years of limited success.
2 — Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota allowed Sam Darnold to leave after 2024, only to watch him win Super Bowl LX in Seattle on a 3 year, $100.5 million contract. J.J. McCarthy missed 2024 with a torn meniscus and suffered a high ankle sprain, concussion, and hand fracture in 2025. The team fell from 14-3 to out of the playoffs. Minnesota must trust McCarthy’s health in 2026 or pursue a veteran upgrade. Arizona now faces a similarly expensive crossroads with a starter whose contract limits all flexibility.
3 — Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray is guaranteed $36.8 million for 2026, and on March 16, another $19.5 million becomes guaranteed for 2027. Arizona went 3-14 in 2025, yet his contract limits roster options. Analysts project a trade return no better than a Day 3 pick. The Cardinals must either pay $56 million over 2 seasons or accept major dead cap to start over. Both paths offer limited hope for improvement in 2026. The draft also offers few reliable quarterback options, leaving the team with a difficult decision.
4 — Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick, but the 2026 quarterback class is widely viewed as weak. Fernando Mendoza from Indiana is the only prospect likely to become a starter, yet expectations are modest. Las Vegas must choose between drafting Mendoza, signing an aging veteran, or making a blockbuster trade. Fan expectations demand results immediately, leaving the team with limited safe options. New York faces pressure under similar circumstances, where each choice could determine the success of a championship window.
5 — New York Jets
The Jets rotate quarterbacks while their defense ages. The 2026 draft offers few immediate starters, and free agency lacks proven options. New York cannot risk another developmental year with a roster built to compete now. A decisive move may include a veteran trade or a bold draft selection. Another misstep would waste a championship caliber defense and extend instability. Pittsburgh now faces a choice involving a seasoned quarterback in a high-pressure environment with few reliable alternatives.
6 — Pittsburgh Steelers
With Mike Tomlin gone and Mike McCarthy in charge, Aaron Rodgers at 43 could return for Year 22. Insiders report the odds are increasing that he joins Pittsburgh, where McCarthy coached him to a Super Bowl. Rodgers offers experience, but age and recent struggles raise concerns. Pittsburgh must weigh urgency against risk, balancing short-term championship potential with long-term performance. Miami now faces a different challenge with a starter whose future is uncertain and whose contract limits roster flexibility.
7 — Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa’s late 2025 benching created doubts about Miami’s quarterback plan. The Dolphins invested heavily in offensive talent and paid starter-level salaries, yet inconsistency and injuries persist. Miami must either recommit to Tagovailoa for 2026 or pursue alternatives in a shallow market. Both decisions carry competitive and financial risk. Indianapolis faces a challenge shaped by injury, forcing the team into limited quarterback options for the next season. Fans are left anxious about 2026 performance and roster decisions.
8 — Indianapolis Colts
Daniel Jones tore his right Achilles in December last year, sidelining him for much of 2026. The Colts must choose between drafting from a weak class, signing a short-term veteran, or waiting for Jones’ recovery. None guarantees competitiveness in a tough AFC South. Indianapolis risks another season defined by quarterback uncertainty. Green Bay faces a financial dilemma that tests resource allocation at the position, where even backups carry starter-level costs and decision-making shapes long-term success.
9 — Green Bay Packers
Green Bay’s challenge involves cost and depth. Backup Malik Willis is projected to earn $26 million annually, potentially $71 million over 2 years, in free agency. Paying that to keep him behind Jordan Love strains resources. Losing him removes critical insurance for the starter. The Packers must determine if depth justifies premium spending or if resources are better allocated elsewhere. This decision highlights the league-wide reality that quarterback value, even for backups, now commands unprecedented financial consequences.
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Sources:
Browns reportedly keeping Deshaun Watson and his $80.7 million cap hit on roster for 2026. Yahoo Sports, December 6, 2025
Vikings’ Sam Darnold free agency decision looks costly after Seahawks reach Super Bowl. Sporting News, February 2026
2026 NFL Draft quarterback class strengths and weaknesses. Pro Football Focus, 2025
Dolphins and Cardinals face challenges with Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray trades. ESPN, February 2026
Packers’ Malik Willis gets huge free agent contract projection. Yahoo Sports, February 10, 2026
Aaron Rodgers has spoken with Steelers coach Mike McCarthy about potential return. NFL.com, February 8, 2026
