Which NFL teams are most likely to change QBs in 2021?
After two decades of rock-solid stability at quarterback, the New England Patriots are seeing how the other half lives.The Patriots enter 2021 with just one QB (24-year-old Jarrett Stidham) under contract, as Cam Newton is hitting free agency and likely won't return. So, New England will have to find its next signal-caller via the NFL Draft, free agency or trade -- and it will have plenty of competition.With free agency less than two months away, here's a list of teams that could change quarterbacks in 2021 and compete with the Patriots for the NFL's most coveted resource. They're ranked from least likely to make a move to "there's no way Trevor Lawrence isn't starting for Jacksonville in Week 1."
QBs under contract in 2021: Gardner Minshew, Jake Luton
The Jaguars technically are the most likely team to start a new QB in 2021, but we all know who it is. Trevor Lawrence will be running the show in Jacksonville thanks to the team's impressive late-season tanking efforts.
QBs under contract in 2021: Jared Goff, John Wolford, Bryce Perkins
How much more patience will Sean McVay and the Rams have with Goff? Even if they don't outright trade their QB in 2021, we could see the Rams bringing in a proven veteran to put a little heat on their supposed franchise quarterback.
QBs under contract in 2021: Matt Ryan, Kurt Benkert
Matt Ryan currently takes up 23 percent of the Falcons' salary cap and turns 36 in May. Atlanta's best path to future cap flexibility is trading its franchise quarterback, eating the dead money and targeting a QB with the No. 4 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. New general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith have talked like Ryan isn't going anywhere, but it's still a situation worth monitoring.
QBs under contract in 2021: Garrett Gilbert, Cooper Rush, Ben DiNucci
It's only a matter of time before Jerry Jones acquiesces and gives Dak Prescott a new long-term contract. But the spotlight will be on the Cowboys for as long as Prescott goes unsigned. He's by far the best QB on the free-agent market, and there are plenty of teams with deep pockets that wouldn't mind some drama in Dallas.
QBs under contract in 2021: Tua Tagovailoa, Reid Sinnett
The Dolphins just took a QB with the fifth overall pick last year. They're all set, right? Not quite. Miami reportedly is a serious contender to trade for Deshaun Watson, who would be a significant upgrade over Tua Tagovailoa. The fact that the Dolphins are in the mix here suggests Tagovailoa may not be the long-term answer at the position.
QBs under contract in 2021: Teddy Bridgewater, Will Grier, Philip Walker
The Panthers have Bridgewater under contract through 2022. They also have the No. 8 pick in an NFL Draft loaded with quarterbacks. Considering he went 4-11 as Carolina's starter last season, the Panthers may take a long look at Justin Fields, Zach Wilson or Trey Lance on draft day.
QBs under contract in 2021: Matthew Stafford, Chase Daniel, David Blough
New Lions general manager Brad Holmes plans to evaluate the entire roster. Translation: Stafford certainly could be traded this offseason. Detroit could go QB-hunting in the NFL Draft or sign a free agent on the cheap if it wants to go full rebuild under Dan Campbell.
QBs under contract in 2021: Jeff Driskel, Drew Lock, Brett Rypien
This situation would be pretty cut-and-dry if Lock played like a franchise quarterback, but the 24-year-old has yet to put it all together. John Elway knows you need an elite signal-caller to do anything in this league, so expect the Broncos to at least entertain alternatives to Lock.
QBs under contract in 2021: Jimmy Garoppolo, Josh Johnson
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has a decision to make. Is Garoppolo his ride-or-die QB, or does Shanahan see better options on the open market than a 29-year-old with an injury history? The latest reports suggest if the 49ers find that better option, they'll take it, in which case the Jimmy G trade market could get interesting.
QBs under contract in 2021: Carson Wentz, Jalen Hurts
New head coach Nick Sirianni inherits a mess in Philly, where Wentz and Hurts both feel entitled to the starting job. Will Sirianni try to reinvigorate the franchise QB or hand the reins to the young kid ... or will general manager Howie Roseman make Sirianni's decision for him by shipping Wentz out of town?
QBs under contract in 2021: Deshaun Watson, Josh McCown
Unless you've been living under a rock, you know Watson wants out in Houston. Will Nick Caserio and Jack Easterby honor his wishes? The Texans could get a massive haul of first-round draft picks for Watson, but losing a young, generational talent at the most important position in football would sting.
QBs under contract in 2021: Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins (reported)
Will Ben Roethlisberger join his fellow 2004 Draft classmate Philip Rivers and call it quits? The Steelers' reported signing of Dwayne Haskins on Thursday suggests they're planning for that possibility.
QBs under contract in 2021: Alex Smith
Smith is an awesome comeback story, but if Washington is serious about getting back to the postseason in 2021, he's not their man. Expect WFT to be in on potential trade targets like Garoppolo and Stafford.
QBs under contract in 2021: Sam Darnold, James Morgan, Mike White
New head coach Robert Saleh can pump Darnold's tires all he wants, but if the Jets have a chance to trade for Deshaun Watson, they're taking it. Zach Wilson and Justin Fields also are on the table with the No. 2 pick in the draft. If Darnold is New York's QB in 2021, it's an upset.
QBs under contract in 2021: Jarrett Stidham
Cam Newton: Good guy, strong leader ... not a particularly good quarterback at this stage of his career. The Patriots will be in the market for an upgrade at QB and likely will scour the NFL Draft, free agent and trade markets to find their man. If Bill Belichick doesn't like what he sees, maybe he re-signs Newton, but that seems like a long shot.
Curran: Make no mistake, there aren't any solutions in Pats' QB room
QBs under contract in 2021: Nick Foles
Mitchell Trubisky is hitting free agency after four underwhelming seasons in Chicago, and Foles isn't the long-term answer here. The Bears could target a QB like Mac Jones with the 20th pick or try to pry Carson Wentz from the Eagles via trade, but the 2021 outlook doesn't look promising.
QBs under contract in 2021: Drew Brees, Taysom Hill, Trevor Siemian
Brees had a wistful look in his eye after the Saints' Divisional Round loss, which may well have been his last NFL game. New Orleans could re-sign Jameis Winston and platoon him with Hill, but they may poke around the free-agent and trade markets a bit.
QBs under contract in 2021: Jacob Eason
Fare thee well, Philip Rivers. With ample cap space and a playoff-caliber roster, expect the Colts to aggressively pursue a big-name quarterback this offseason. That likely means Jacoby Brissett is fair game in free agency should a team like the Patriots have interest.
