NFL QB Carousel 2023
NEW STARTER FOR 2023
NEW YORK JETS
BEST FIT- DEREK CARR
2022 was supposed to be a good year for the New York Jets & a breakout for second year QB Zach Wilson. The BYU standout displayed flashes in his rookie year but failed to deliver a productive 2022 campaign, thus inserting the Jets once again into the QB discussion. The Jets are a team with a lot of young talent and need a veteran leader at the helm to lead them to a rebound year and Derek Carr might be the answer. The Raiders QB will likely be traded this offseason after an interesting season with second time HC Josh McDaniels and a change of scenery could likely do Carr some good for his career. Pair him up with some good playmakers like WR Garrett Wilson and RB Breece Hall and Carr might return to prominence like we saw in years past.
OTHER OPTIONS- JIMMY GAROPPOLO, MIKE WHITE
HOUSTON TEXANS
BEST FIT- BRYCE YOUNG
The Houston Texans were the talk of the NFL community when they miraculously won their last game of the season, subsequently leading them to lose the #1 overall pick to the Chicago Bears. Regardless of where the Texans landed in the draft everyone knows that they will be targeting a QB. Houston is one of the younger teams in the league and in search of their next HC. There is no better selling point for the Texans right now than the potential of landing Alabama standout and Heisman Trophy winner, Bryce Young. Some may argue that Young’s size could hold him back due to the physical nature of the game but none will disagree that he has the accuracy, poise and makeup of a potential franchise QB. If GM Nick Caserio and their future HC can add some pieces to the offense and give Young a stable offense, the Texans could be a fun team to watch in 2023 led by the rookie signal caller.
OTHER OPTIONS- CJ STROUD, WILL LEVIS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
BEST FIT- CJ STROUD
Like the Texans above, the Indianapolis Colts are in a similar situation with their search ongoing for their next HC as well as QB. GM Chris Ballard has gone the veteran route for the position the last three seasons and while it yield some ok results, the consensus is that the team will likely go the rookie route this time. If they are not able to secure the top pick in a trade for Bryce Young, the next best option could be Ohio State’s CJ Stroud. Will Levis from Kentucky could jump Stroud come draft night, but for now I’m going to give to Stroud for his accuracy and success during his time in the Big Ten. The Colts are a team in flux and need help in important positions, but securing a QB like Stroud for the future could go a long way.
OTHER OPTIONS- BRYCE YOUNG, WILL LEVIS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
BEST FIT- TOM BRADY
Las Vegas is moving on from the face of their franchise, Derek Carr. The veteran QB has been the leader of the team in the locker room and a consistent QB just on the verge of being one of the league’s best. However after an up and down season under HC Josh McDaniels, Carr said his goodbyes to Raider Nation and will hopefully find a new team soon. With McDaniels at the helm and the team loaded with big contracts, there is no one bigger to fill this spot than Tom Brady. The multi-time champion is coming off a down season in Tampa Bay and if the future Hall of Famer decides to play another season, Las Vegas makes too much sense. Not only would he be reunited with his former coach but he would be paired up with one of the league’s best playmakers, WR Davante Adams, and a team ready to rebound.
OTHER OPTIONS- JIMMY GAROPPOLO, AARON RODGERS, CJ STROUD
CAROLINA PANTHERS
BEST FIT- WILL LEVIS
The Panthers found their next HC in Frank Reich which will be the best building block forwards reshaping the team’s offense. The biggest question Carolina must decide is what to do at QB. After trading away former #1 overall pick Baker Mayfield the team was left with options like Sam Darnold and PJ Walker who will certainly not fill the spot long term. That said I don’t think they will look for a veteran and instead lean on Reich and his staff to find their QB of the future in the draft. Kentucky’s Will Levis would be a great fit for Reich not only because of his athleticism and arm potential but landing in Carolina would allow him to sit behind a veteran and learn the playbook. If Levis somehow makes to the Panthers at #9 overall, Levis would be an ideal solution.
OTHER OPTIONS- CJ STROUD, ANTHONY RICHARDSON
WAIT & SEE
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
The Buccaneers future could come down to the decision of Tom Brady and whether or not the team will be in playoff mode or rebuild mode. The veteran has not made an official decision on hid future but when he does it will surely create a domino effect for other QB needy team including the Jets & Raiders. The Buccaneers are truly a wait and see team for QB.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
The 2023 offseason will once again include the trade speculation of former MVP Aaron Rodgers. The Packers QB is rumored to be garnering trade interest this offseason and with former 1st round pick Jordan Love waiting for his turn to start, Green Bay may have a QB conundrum on their hands. While this could all be speculation and Rodgers could return for another season, Green Bay will be a team to watch this offseason and the QB may look different in a few months.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Coming into the season one of the teams who had their QB of the future in place was Baltimore with Lamar Jackson. The uber athletic play caller has been a stalwart for the Ravens since he’s taken over the QB room and hasn’t looked back including a MVP under his belt. But over the last few weeks there is a growing sense that Jackson could be the conversation of a potential trade. Like Rodgers this could merely be all talk and Jackson could get the tagged this offseason, but until that occurs, the Ravens have some work to do at QB whether its retain the face of their franchise or move on.
WILD CARDS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS & TENNESSEE TITANS
These three teams are in a spot where it is hard to guess what their QB rooms will look like in 2023. Of the three teams listed, the Titans have the best shot of having their starter on their roster with Ryan Tannehill but that doesn’t mean they don’t look to upgrade for next season. Much like the list they are on in this article, these teams are wildcards.