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Quarterback carousel, 2022

Nearly half the league may be looking

Another offseason, another slew of quarterback concerns around the league. It seems a little like there are more than ever, not only because of the importance of the position, but because of veterans retiring and/or clear underperformers. Let's take a look.

Up first are the 17 teams (just over half the league) who it's pretty fair to say are set at quarterback. Where there's some uncertainty, comment is added.

DEFINITELY HAVE A QUARTERBACK
TeamQuarterbackComment
ArizonaKyler Murray
BaltimoreLamar Jackson
BuffaloJosh Allen
ChicagoJustin Fields
CincinnatiJoe Burrow
ClevelandBaker MayfieldBrowns committed for one more year
DallasDak Prescott
DetroitJared GoffLions say he's their guy for now
JacksonvilleTrevor Lawrence
Kansas CityPatrick Mahomes
Las VegasDerek Carr
L.A. ChargersJustin Herbert
L.A. RamsMatthew Stafford
New EnglandMac Jones
N.Y. JetsZach Wilson
San FranciscoTrey LanceTeam likely trading/releasing Garoppolo
TennesseeRyan Tannehill

Next are the nine teams who at least might need or want to replace their quarterback. The problem for these two latter groups (including the ones who definitely do not have a quarterback, in the third table) is that the draft doesn't appear to have any sure-thing passers -- a quarterback isn't necessarily going to be selected in the top 5 picks. Potentially the teams at the very top (like the Jaguars) could trade out of that spot with a quarterback-desperate team, but none of the top quarterback prospects (Matt Corral, Kenny Pickett, Sam Howell) clearly merits such a selection.

MAY NOT HAVE A QUARTERBACK
TeamQuarterbackComment
AtlantaMatt RyanContract probably means team stuck with him for one more year
Green BayAaron RodgersEnough smoke to indicate trade or retirement possibilities
HoustonDavis MillsPlayed well, but team could still kick tires on other options
IndianapolisCarson WentzUneven enough season that team might not be sold on him
MiamiTua TagovailoaIs anyone sold on him?
MinnesotaKirk CousinsWhispers that team could look elsewhere
N.Y. GiantsDaniel JonesTeam states commitment; we'll see
PhiladelphiaJalen HurtsMostly strong season, but Eagles have three 1sts and never seem satisfied
SeattleRussell WilsonTeam wants to keep him, he might want out

Last table is teams who definitely need a quarterback. It's actually a relatively short list, but I think a healthy chunk of the teams in the table above are at the very least thinking about other options, or will definitely need another option.

DON'T HAVE A QUARTERBACK
TeamQuarterbackComment
CarolinaSam DarnoldTeam must upgrade, somehow
DenverDrew LockTeddy Bridgewater a free agent. No way the team enters camp without other option(s)
New OrleansTaysom HillJameis Winston a free agent. Hill's biggest fan quit last week.
PittsburghMason RudolphPro: Rudolph has started 10 games. Con: Last 4 includes 2 losses to Cleveland and tie with Detroit.
Tampa BayKyle Trask2nd-rounder wasn't even active for a game last season.
WashingtonTaylor HeinickeCareer as journeyman backup awaits.

Finally, here is the list of veteran quarterbacks -- not counting Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson, mentioned previously -- who either may or will be available to start in 2022, somewhere.

QUARTERBACKS HEADED ELSEWHERE
QuarterbackComment
Deshaun WatsonIf legal situation resolved, he'll be elsewhere.
Marcus MariotaOther than Watson (again, assuming lawsuits taken care of), Mariota might be the top veteran out there
Jameis WinstonSomebody, perhaps New Orleans, will take the plunge.
Jimmy GaroppoloOne of 10 best quarterbacks? No. One of 32 best? Sure.
Gardner MinshewVocal about desire to start, confidence in himself.

Any possible 2022 starters missing from the lists above? (I elected not to mention Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Fitzpatrick, though I guess you never know.) Let me know below.

--Andy Richardson

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