Off-season developments in the NFL are always full of surprises, and this year has been no exception, particularly when it comes to quarterbacks. Teams across the league are making bold moves with high-risk, high-reward signings, and the landscape for QB1s is more uncertain than ever. Let’s dive into the key quarterback shifts that are shaping the future of the NFL and what it could mean for fantasy football players this season.
For starters, the Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets invested heavily in two talented but still-unproven 27-year-old QBs Sam Darnold and Justin Fields. Both have shown flashes of brilliance during their brief careers but have joined teams where they could struggle to put up solid numbers due to the cast – or lack thereof – that surrounds them.
Darnold figures to struggle for two reasons: an unstable offensive line and a lack of proven targets to throw to, and Fields faces the same prospects – a mediocre offensive line, inconsistent running game (hello Breece Hall), and a lack of legitimate playmakers to hook up with.
Then, there’s the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Presently, they don’t have a QB1, having moved on from both Fields and, apparently, Russell Wilson. But hey, they just acquired stud WR D.J. Metcalf from Seattle to go with George Pickens. The problem is that they may have no one to get them the ball. Who knows – maybe they draft Shedeur Sanders and someone else from the bargain bin? Would that even work?
In Indianapolis, the Colts have the enigmatic Anthony Richardson and, now, Daniel Jones, who proved one thing as a New York Giant: that he is consistently inconsistent. To say the least, they are not – at least on paper – one of the more solid QB tandems in the league.
Additionally, at the same time fans of the Minnesota Vikings also must be feeling a bit nervous. Having moved on from the slow-processing Darnold, they have now handed the keys to their offense to second-year QB J.J. McCarthy, who showed early promise before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the 2024 preseason.
The burning question is, who are the Vikings going to get for a backup? Hopefully someone with experience, a legit pro that can mentor McCarthy and step in to lead the offense when he struggles or suffers (perish the thought) another injury.
Also, several other teams have question marks at the QB1 position. Can Michael Penix Jr. build on the promise he showed at the end of the 2024 season in Atlanta?
Likewise, is Bo Nix the real deal in Denver? He had a fabulous rookie campaign, but as is the case for all rookies, is a prime candidate to suffer a sophomore slump now that everyone in the league has video on him. He is another that would benefit from a better offensive line.
Additionally, add the San Francisco 49ers to the mix (it is far from certain that they will re-sign their starter, Brock Purdy) and you have strange but interesting times across the league for quarterbacks.
All that comes without speculating on where Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers are going to end up.
Right now, the happiest team in the league in need of a proven signal caller – the Las Vegas Raiders – might also be the happiest team in the league after acquiring the steady, experienced Geno Smith from Seattle.
It should be fascinating to see how the perennial QB1 quest pans out.
As the NFL off-season continues to unfold, it's clear that quarterback situations are in flux, which will undoubtedly have a major impact on fantasy football rankings. With several teams still in search of their franchise signal caller, there's no shortage of uncertainty surrounding key players. For fantasy managers, staying on top of these developments and adjusting your strategy accordingly will be crucial as we approach the start of the season.
