The quarterback position is often going to determine how good a team can be each year in the NFL. It’s the most essential position, and each team is constantly looking for their next franchise quarterback. I will predict all 32 teams starting quarterback going into the 2021 season, even the obvious ones.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills- Josh Allen
An obvious one to start, as Josh Allen has made huge progressions in his first three years in the league. After coming in second in MVP voting last year, he’s locked in to be the Bills quarterback for years to come.
Miami Dolphins- Tua Tagovailoa
Barring any huge trade for the Dolphins, I expect the second year quarterback to be under center for Miami to start 2021. To say he will be the starting quarterback by the end of 2021 is a different story. Tua struggled badly last year and is going to have to show improvement fast to prove to the Dolphins that he’s the guy.
New York Jets- Deshaun Watson
I’m very torn on the Jets but I think the Texans eventually give in and trade Watson for a boat load of draft picks. If the Texans still have Watson after the NFL draft, then I don’t believe the Jets will be able to trade for him, and then my prediction turns to Zach Wilson of BYU.
New England Patriots- Mac Jones
It’s awesome that the Patriots now have to worry who’s going to be under center for them. After being spoiled with Brady for all those years, they now have to look for their next franchise guy. I think Mac Jones is a perfect fit for Belichick. He’s a smart quarterback with decent athleticism and I think he fits into the culture that is New England.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens- Lamar Jackson
Ravens are set at quarterback, but they’re hoping Lamar can start to be more of a quarterback as opposed to a running back. Lamar is dynamic but his inability to throw the ball this past year was a huge concern. You can’t give up on him yet as he did win the MVP, but the Ravens need to see improvement from him fast.
Cincinnati Bengals- Joe Burrow
I am on the record for saying Joe Burrow is the real deal. I think the Bengals are set at quarterback for years to come and it wouldn’t surprise me if Burrow’s name is in the MVP race sooner rather than later. Hopefully the Bengals can start building a decent team around him so they don’t waste his career away.
Cleveland Browns- Baker Mayfield
The Browns are content but not overly excited with Baker. He’s a good quarterback but is very limited in a lot of skills. He doesn’t have a great arm and he’s not super athletic but he is smart and doesn’t turn the ball over that much. As long as Cleveland continues to have a good running game and O-line, they will be able to win games with Baker.
Pittsburgh Steelers- Ben Roethlisberger
The Steelers are stuck. Ben’s contract is so bad and he continues to say he wants to play next year. It was fairly obvious to see this past season that Ben is done. His arm is shot, he can barely move around, and he doesn’t throw the ball more than five yards down the field. I think Pittsburgh wants to move on but just can’t.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs- Patrick Mahomes
Obviously.
Los Angeles Chargers- Justin Herbert
Another jackpot draftee from the 2020 NFL Draft. Like Joe Burrow, Herbert is the real deal, and will continue to rise the QB rankings for years to come. I believe Herbert is considered a top five quarterback in the league in just a few more seasons.
Denver Broncos- Drew Lock
I believe Denver starts the season with Lock, but doesn’t finish with him. I believe they draft Trey lance, and by mid-season once the Broncos are out of the playoff hunt, they turn to the rookie to see what he can do. I think Lock is a good backup quarterback but I don’t see a future with him as a starting QB.
Las Vegas Raiders- Derek Carr
I don’t know if the Raiders are sold on Carr, but unless they somehow trade for Russell Wilson, he’s the best option they have. He’s a good enough quarterback to get them to the playoffs, but not much further. It won’t be long until Las Vegas is looking for their next guy.
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts- Carson Wentz
The Colts just traded for Wentz, and he will certainly start the year under center for them. Hopefully with Wentz back with Reich, he will be able to have similar success as he did for the Eagles when Reich was the OC. If Wentz continues to struggle like he did last year, it’ll only be a matter of time before the Colts turn to Jacob Eason.
Houston Texans- Sam Darnold
Since I believe that the Texans trade Watson to the Jets, it would only make sense that Darnold is sent back to Houston. Again, this trade is a big if, but I am going to say I think it happens. If it doesn’t happen it’ll be interesting to see if Watson holds out and doesn’t play a single snap with Houston next year.
Tennesse Titans- Ryan Tannehill
The Titans may have the most underrated quarterback in football. Tannehill has been great for the Titans, and thrives even more due to Derrick Henry and their dominant running game. The Titans need a better defense to pair with Henry and that offense, but Tannehill will be the starting quarterback for Tennessee for the next few years.
Jacksonville Jaguars- Trevor Lawrence
Arguably the most hyped draft prospect ever, Lawrence is going to have to live up to the hype immediately. I believe Lawrence will have a hall of fame career, and I think Jacksonville will be good in a only a few short years.
NFC East
New York Giants- Daniel Jones
Unfortunately for Giants fans, I believe they stick with Daniel Jones for another year. I think it’s obvious that Jones isn’t the guy for the Giants. The Giants are a team that is a quarterback away from being a serious contender, but Jones is not that guy. He continues to turn the ball over way too much, and doesn’t have the smarts to be a franchise QB.
Washington Football Team- Marcus Mariota
I believe that Washington pulls off a trade to get Mariota from the Raiders. I believe he’s a decent bridge quarterback, but if I were them, I would still draft a quarterback. With the defense they have and the division they are in, there is no reason they can’t make the playoffs again in 2021.
Dallas Cowboys- Dak Prescott
The Cowboys and Dak will end up coming to an agreement on a deal that will make Dak one of the highest paid QBs ever. He is a very talented QB, but it seems like Dallas keeps putting the same team on the field and hoping for different results. I think the Cowboys need a complete overhaul to their roster.
Philadelphia Eagles- Jalen Hurts
I believe the Eagles will bring in another QB to compete with Hurts, but the starting job is his to lose. He played decently at the end of last year, and he should only be more confident heading into next season.
NFC North
Green Bay Packers- Aaron Rodgers
Another obvious one.
Chicago Bears- Nick Foles
This may be the most difficult QB situation out there. Part of me wants to think it’ll be a veteran like Fitzpatrick, Ryan or Bridgewater, but I am going to go with a QB who’s on the roster currently. I think they give Foles another shot. I expect them also to draft a QB, but with picking at 20 I’m not sure they get an immediate starter in the NFL.
Minnesota Vikings-Kirk Cousins
Another team that is just kind of stuck with the QB that they have. I don’t think the Vikings love Cousins, but he’s good enough to win some games so I believe he is the QB for 2021. They may look into drafting a quarterback or signing a veteran to compete with Cousins.
Detroit Lions- Jared Goff
Lions just traded away Stafford and got Goff in return. He’s their best option right now but I expect them to go after a QB in the draft to be their quarterback of the future. Goff is already on the decline and doesn’t have many good years left in him.
NFC West
Los Angeles Rams- Matthew Stafford
The Rams took a big risk at the beginning of the offseason, trading away future picks for Stafford to try to win now. They have an aging roster and only have a couple more years to contend for a Super Bowl. I think Stafford definitely makes them a contender this year.
Seattle Seahawks- Russell Wilson
The Seahawks would be stupid to trade Wilson. Out of the four teams that Wilson wants to go to (Bears, Raiders, Saints, Cowboys) the only deal I would accept if I were the Seahawks is Dak, and 3 first round picks for Wilson. Other than that, I’m not even considering a trade. Maybe before thinking about getting rid of your franchise guy, you think about protecting him.
Arizona Cardinals- Kyler Murray
Cardinals like what they have in Murray. He’s an athletic, electric, superstar QB in the making. Another year in the league will help him tremendously. I think Arizona is a dark horse team to make the playoffs.
San Francisco 49ers- Jimmy Garoppolo
There has been rumors about the 49ers wanting to move on from Jimmy G. I think Matt Ryan is a legitimate option and part of me thinks he will be under center for the 49ers next year. I am going to stick with Jimmy G for right now, but I don’t know how invested the 49ers are in him.
NFC South
New Orleans Saints- Jameis Winston
Another interesting situation. The Saints don’t want to start Winston, but they might be forced too. I do think they will try and trade for a QB, but if that doesn’t happen they will have to go with Winston. I also believe they draft Kyle Trask, and let him sit. If Winston struggles, Trask could be their starting QB sometime in 2021.
Atlanta Falcons- Zach Wilson
The Falcons have been reported to be very high on the BYU QB. I think the Matt Ryan era is done in Atlanta and I think they move on and draft Wilson at number four overall. What the Falcons do with Ryan if this happens will be interesting to see.
Carolina Panthers- Justin Fields
Teddy Bridgewater may get traded or may become a backup once again. I think the Panthers draft Fields, and let him take over the reigns on day one. I believe if you draft a QB that high (8th overall) you have to start him. I like Fields and think he can have a good NFL career, and I think you saw the best out of Bridgwater last year.
Tampa Bay Bucs- Tom Brady
I can’t believe Brady is still in the league and playing at a high level. I feel like I can write this article in 20 years and I’ll still be putting Brady. The GOAT can do whatever he wants.
Cam's Corner 