NFL Teams Looking For a Change at QB in 2018
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERs
The San Francisco 49ers bright in Kyle Shanahan to revamp their offense yet does not have his future QB on the roster. Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley are not solutions to their QB concerns and while rookie CJ Beathard has had a decent training camp, he is not their solution to the QB spot either. Whether it is through the draft or signing a top QB like Kirk Cousins, let is almost a guarantee San Francisco will be looking for a new QB come 2018.
CHANCES OF A NEW QB: 100%
NEW YORK JETS
It’s no secret that the New York Jets have struggled to find their QB and this year is no different, but the small difference between the Jets and the 49ers in this scenario is the Jet’s mystery QB, Christian Hackenberg. Once touted as a future All-Pro QB, Hackenberg has seem to fallen out of favor and many view him as a failed experiment even though he hasn’t seen consistent playing time. This year, the Jets hope to finally unlock Hackenberg’s potential and if they can, their need for a QB goes out the door. While the chances of Hackenberg turning into a franchise QB are very slim, the possibility is there and that is all the Jets can hope for this season. If the Hackenberg era fails in 2017, looks for the Jets to find their guy in the 2018 draft.
CHANCES OF A NEW QB: 99.9%
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
When the Jaguars drafted Blake Bortles #3 overall back in 2014, they thought he could their franchise QB to lead them to the playoffs At one point, Bortles did have a good season leading many to believe he was the answer to the Jaguars QB woes but over the last year, Bortles has lost that hype. From 2015 to 2016 Bortles went from 35 TDs and 18 INTs to 23 TDs and 16 INTs with a Total QBR under 50. So far in season, Bortles has continued to miss throws and it seems like the Jaguars have lost faith in their young QB. Can Bortles make improvements and turn around the negative perceptions? Yes. But the chances of this happening are beginning to dwindle for the week and if his 2017 season is similar to last year, Jacksonville may be looking for the franchise QB elsewhere.
CHANCES OF A NEW QB: 85%
BUFFALO BILLS
Let me start off by saying I’m a Tyrod Taylor fan. Arguments can be made about Taylor’s ceiling and whether or not he is an elite QB but as of right now it seems like Buffalo is leaning on moving forward with another QB. Buffalo drafted Nathan Peterman and there were some rumors that they liked him as a potential starting QB but either way Buffalo may look towards the draft once again to find their franchise signal caller. With the recent stockpiling of draft picks, it would not be shocking to see them offer a package deal including Taylor and multiple draft picks in order to get into the top of the draft to snag a QB.
CHANCES OF A NEW QB: 70%
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Three months ago, Cleveland would have been the #1 team on this list but they might have something in rookie QB DeShone Kizer. The Notre Dame prospect has flashed his arm strength and pocket awareness through his first two preseason games and if this translates into the regular season, Cleveland may finally be able to end their QB search. The reason why Cleveland is on the list though is because it depends on the development of Kizer and whether or not they view him as their long term solution. If he struggles early and the Browns finish yet again in the top 5 they will have to choose to either draft a QB or pass on one in favor of Kizer. This will be a continual storyline to watch throughout the season.
CHANCES OF A NEW QB: 50%
DENVER BRONCOS
Like Cleveland, Denver is in a situation where they have a QB competition that is yielding neutral results and it’s apparent that second year QB Paxton Lynch is not progressing that they had hoped. The Broncos are going into the this season with Trevor Siemian as their starting QB and if he or Lynch fail to put together a productive season with the Broncos, John Elway may be forced to go after a veteran QB who can help their team get back to the playoffs. Either way, Denver is in an interesting predicament with their QBs and only time will tell if Siemian or Lynch can develop into a quality starting QB.
CHANCES OF A NEW QB: 50%
Other Teams to Watch
Washington Redskins
Arizona Cardinals
New Orleans Saints