Extensive Realistic/Unrealistic QB Options for 2026

[Vanimal46]

Just wanted to put some thoughts down in regards to our quest to acquire a veteran QB this offseason. We know it's going to happen because heading into 2026 with a QB room similar to JJM - Wentz - UDFA Brosmer is going to get KOC fired. And I assume he wants to keep his job...

Assumptions: They're not gonna go back to the draft to find their guy in 2026. This is how I'd break down any potential acquisition... I'm ignoring every QB early in their rookie contracts because they're not getting traded like Maye, Williams, Daniels, Ward, etc.

Move heaven and earth to acquire: Lamar, Burrow, Mahomes, Allen, Herbert - If any of these guys are ever available, you trade 3+ 1st round picks, players, cut players to make it work cap wise... Anything to acquire them. 

1st round pick and more: Stafford, Mayfield, Dak, Hurts, Lawrence, Stroud

2nd round pick + more?: Mac Jones, Danny Dimes

Mid-round pick at best: Brissett, McKee, Milton, Rattler, Anthony Richardson

Wait until they're cut?: Murray and Tua - With B-Flo back in purple, I can't imagine Tua wants anything to do with that. 

Free Agents?: I personally don't see the fit with Malik Willis who appears to be due for $20-30 million per season on the open market. Marcus Mariota I don't see the fit either - he doesn't push the ball downfield enough. Kenny Pickett and Zach Wilson have never shown any NFL success... Rodgers, Russ Wilson, and Joe Flacco are so old

[Parfigliano]

I would maybe maybe give up the old sock my dog chews on for Anthony Richardson.

I wouldn't want Tua for free.

[Vanimal46]

5 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

I would maybe maybe give up the old sock my dog chews on for Anthony Richardson.

I wouldn't want Tua for free.

Richardson is basically JJM 1 year into the future... Especially if McCarthy is benched for most of this season for a veteran. 

https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/football/versus-finder.cgi?player_id2=RichAn03&player_id1=McCaJJ00&request=1&utm_medium=sr_xsite&utm_id=McCaJJ00&utm_source=pfr&utm_campaign=2023_01_wdgt_player_comparison

If Richardson is worth maybe a 6th round pick at best, then maybe we should consider trading McCarthy now for a day 2 pick and cut our losses... It all depends on the quality of veteran they acquire. 

[TheLeviathan]

I absolutely hate these options.  I just want to roll with McCarthy another year and see what we have.  I would like these three guys as potential backups:

1) Jameis Winston - you wanna play Hail Mary ball KOC?  This is your man.  He's never heard of a handoff.  Or a dumpoff.  YOLO life.

2) Jimmy G (familiarity with system, past success)

3) Andy Dalton (Captain Competency)

 

[Mike Sixel]

Other than Burrow, none of the other guys are all that good. No thanks. 

[Vanimal46]

50 minutes ago, TheLeviathan said:

I absolutely hate these options.  I just want to roll with McCarthy another year and see what we have.  I would like these three guys as potential backups:

1) Jameis Winston - you wanna play Hail Mary ball KOC?  This is your man.  He's never heard of a handoff.  Or a dumpoff.  YOLO life.

2) Jimmy G (familiarity with system, past success)

3) Andy Dalton (Captain Competency)

 

Beyond Winston having a random hot streak, no one is realistically competing against McCarthy for the starting job. My simple assumption this season is they will acquire a veteran via FA or trade. The question is how deep is that fishing line going? Deep enough to catch Burrow or Lamar during their interventions with their current teams?

If Dallas Mavericks GM decided one day to call up the Lakers and offer up Luka Doncic for street clothes Anthony Davis and a 1st, anything is possible! 

[TheLeviathan]

1 hour ago, Vanimal46 said:

Beyond Winston having a random hot streak, no one is realistically competing against McCarthy for the starting job. My simple assumption this season is they will acquire a veteran via FA or trade. The question is how deep is that fishing line going? Deep enough to catch Burrow or Lamar during their interventions with their current teams?

If Dallas Mavericks GM decided one day to call up the Lakers and offer up Luka Doncic for street clothes Anthony Davis and a 1st, anything is possible! 

I'm holding at least the possibility that now that KOC and B-Flo are basically in charge.....there is a distinct possibility of something crazy going down.  We're going to truly find out what KOC thinks of JJ and I'm not convinced that opinion is a positive one.

Hence my thought that there is a possibility of a real competitor.  I just don't want that.

[Original_JB]

Stafford has back problems and is older than Russell; not breaking the bank for a one year fling.

[Danchat]

19 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

Richardson is basically JJM 1 year into the future... Especially if McCarthy is benched for most of this season for a veteran. 

https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/football/versus-finder.cgi?player_id2=RichAn03&player_id1=McCaJJ00&request=1&utm_medium=sr_xsite&utm_id=McCaJJ00&utm_source=pfr&utm_campaign=2023_01_wdgt_player_comparison

If Richardson is worth maybe a 6th round pick at best, then maybe we should consider trading McCarthy now for a day 2 pick and cut our losses... It all depends on the quality of veteran they acquire. 

AR is an extreme version of JJM... amazing arm, incredible athleticism, but can't hit the broad side of a boat and is even less durable. Unlike JJM he wasn't even that good in college.

[nicksaviking]

19 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

Beyond Winston having a random hot streak, no one is realistically competing against McCarthy for the starting job. My simple assumption this season is they will acquire a veteran via FA or trade. The question is how deep is that fishing line going? Deep enough to catch Burrow or Lamar during their interventions with their current teams?

If Dallas Mavericks GM decided one day to call up the Lakers and offer up Luka Doncic for street clothes Anthony Davis and a 1st, anything is possible! 

They absolutely should be throwing a line into those waters. But if they're willing to go nuts, Josh Allen's agent is my first (covert and super secret) call.

[Vanimal46]

10 hours ago, Original_JB said:

Stafford has back problems and is older than Russell; not breaking the bank for a one year fling.

Wouldn’t be smart, but I think the reigning MVP is worth a 1st round pick + more if he was acquired via trade.