Predicting NFL QB moves this offseason

The NFL offseason is almost here, which means it will soon be time for teams to assess the 2025 season as they prepare for free agency.

One of the biggest priorities for teams is nailing the quarterback position, and some teams will have the pressure of doing so this winter and spring.

Here are some predictions for QB-needy teams.

Steelers: Aaron Rodgers returns for another season

As they did with the head coach, the Steelers will go with the safe option at QB as well.

While he wasn’t prime Rodgers by any means, he still had some strong moments for Pittsburgh in 2025 at the age of 42.

He threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions, leading the Steelers to their first division title since 2020.

Speaking of the Steelers' head coach, Rodgers has familiarity with the newly hired Mike McCarthy from their time together in Green Bay.

With not many options available for Pittsburgh, they may choose to run it back with Rodgers.

Colts: Daniel Jones gets another shot (once fully healthy)

Before going down with a season-ending injury, Daniel Jones was putting together quite the season for the Indianapolis Colts.

He totaled 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions and had the Colts at an 8-2 record before a losing streak leading into his injury.

Even with the injury concerns lingering into 2026, Jones has done enough to earn another shot with the Colts when he’s ready to come back.

Jones shouldn’t demand as much as previously thought on a free agent contract, and the Colts don’t have enough belief in Anthony Richardson, meaning Jones returning to Indianapolis makes too much sense.

Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa reclaims the starting job

The Dolphins made their bed with Tua, and now they have to sleep in it. Tagovailoa, despite 20 touchdowns, had a rough season with 15 interceptions thrown, resulting in a benching for rookie Quinn Ewers toward the end of the season.

With Ewers not showing much and Tagovailoa’s massive contract still on the books, the Dolphins will likely be forced to turn back to Tua because of their lack of financial flexibility.

On the bright side, Tua still has some nice games now and then. He threw for 205 yards and four touchdowns in Miami’s 34-10 blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons on October 26.

Let’s see how well Tua meshes with new head coach Jeff Hafley.

Jets: Acquire Kyler Murray is acquired from the Cardinals

Murray appeared in just six games for Arizona in 2025 before going down with an injury. Even once he could come back, the team chose to stick with backup Jacoby Brissett instead.

The lack of trust the Cardinals had in Murray made it clear that his time in Arizona would be coming to an end.

With no trustworthy QB option in the draft besides Fernando Mendoza, pivoting to a trade for Kyler Murray could make perfect sense for the New York Jets.

Many people in the Jets building, specifically head coach Aaron Glenn, know that their jobs will be on the line in 2026. A trade for Murray, who is one of the better QBs in football when fully healthy, is a possibility.

Vikings: Kirk Cousins returns to Minnesota via trade

The Minnesota situation is interesting. Last offseason, the Vikings made the decision to move on from breakout star Sam Darnold, who’s now in the Super Bowl with Seattle, in favor of rookie J.J. McCarthy.

However, McCarthy severely underperformed, throwing for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on the year.

Despite missing some time, McCarthy did very little to prove he can be trusted as Minnesota’s guy going forward. A solution could be bringing back a former franchise face, Kirk Cousins.

Cousins spent six seasons with Minnesota, taking the Vikings to the playoffs twice and winning the division once. The Falcons quarterback also has plenty of familiarity with head coach Kevin O’Connell.

With Michael Penix Jr. not being a certainty to return from injury at the start of 2026 for Atlanta, the Falcons may want to hold on to Kirk Cousins, but is certainly a player worth trading for if you’re Minnesota.

There’s also the possibility that Atlanta could release Cousins, which would make this scenario even easier.

I also considered Aaron Rodgers for the Vikings before ultimately predicting him to land back in Pittsburgh.

Cardinals: They sign Malik Willis in free agency

Earlier in the article, I predicted that Arizona would trade Kyler Murray to the New York Jets. If they decide to move on, they’ll need a new quarterback, and I think it will be Malik Willis.

The former third-round pick had limited opportunities in Green Bay as the backup to Jordan Love, but showed some promise when he got on the field. However, with Willis entering free agency, the Packers are prepared to let him walk.

In four appearances, two of which were starts, he posted 422 yards and three passing touchdowns.

While it’s unclear how much Willis would demand in free agency, he could be a solid fit for the Cardinals, a team with few expectations that could allow him to continue to grow as a quarterback.

Going back to the Jets prediction, there aren’t many QBs in this draft worth taking a chance on besides Fernando Mendoza, which may lead Arizona to dip into the free agent market for their next guy.

Adam Pietrzak is a fifth-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email app5940@psu.edu