The most important man to an offense is the one under center. Investing in a quarterback is the most important thing an NFL franchise can do to compete for the highest honor — the Super Bowl and the Vince Lombardi trophy. With the clock ticking to the first day of the new season, teams are finding their franchise cornerstone, either through the draft, free agency, trades or development. These are who I predict to start for each NFL franchise in 2024.
Arizona Cardinals – Kyler Murray
Arizona re-upped their faith in their 5’9 franchise quarterback when they decided not to trade him during the 2023 season’s trade deadline. Murray has been Johnathan Gannon’s man since the first-year head coach stepped into the role. Coming off an injury-riddled season, this year should be make or break for Murray for his time in the red and white.
Atlanta Falcons – Kirk Cousins
Throwing $180 million at a 36-year-old quarterback who’s never made it to the Super Bowl was a choice that showed Atlanta’s cards. In a weak NFC South, the team is looking to win now, even if it comes at a $45 million price tag on the quarterback’s 40th birthday. The Falcons are pushing all their chips to the middle of the table with Cousins. Time will tell if it pays off.
Baltimore Ravens – Lamar Jackson
Imagining anyone other than the reigning NFL MVP coming in for the purple and black week one is nothing short of laughable. With the most insane running trio imaginable between Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and Keaton Mitchell, the team will be looking to get over the hump and make an impact in the postseason this year.
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Buffalo Bills – Josh Allen
The gunslinging Allen is the best thing that’s happened to the city of Buffalo since chicken wings. Allen’s impressive arm has led the Bills on multiple postseason runs, but refining his craft is going to be key in leading his team all the way to a Super Bowl.
Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young
The Panthers organization is going to have to swallow the biggest mistake in franchise history for years to come. Young was not the player Carolina thought they were getting when they traded two first-round picks, including this year’s #1 overall pick, to get him. Time will tell if year two settles any better for the short Alabama product, but either way, he’ll be the Panthers’ signal caller.
Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams
The biggest shake-up to this year’s quarterback carousel is one of the highest-touted prospects in draft history. Caleb Williams, signal caller for the USC Trojans, is a lock to go first overall in this year’s draft. Chicago has already made moves to make their new quarterback’s life easier, such as trading away former starting quarterback Justin Fields and trading for wide receiver Keenan Allen. Williams is walking into a situation that could easily make him the best quarterback in Bears history early in his career.
Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow
Joey B has been a dog since he entered the league in 2020. After dealing with a season of injury concerns on and off, it’s time for a fresh start in a new year to show the league what he can do in his fourth season. Burrow’s cast is still a question mark, but the quarterback is sure to produce no matter who he’s around.
Cleveland Browns – DeShaun Watson
My heart’s telling me Jaemis can beat out the $100 million man for the starting gig, but the Browns have shown they stick to their guns in continuing to employ the scandalous Watson. Trading for Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy continues to show how committed the organization is to putting pieces around their franchise guy.
Dallas Cowboys – Dak Prescott
After surprisingly finishing as a top-three quarterback last year, Prescott earned his job in Dallas. Putting a supporting cast around the former Mississippi State signal-caller is going to be tough, but it’s a job fit for Jerry Jones’ crew.
Denver Broncos – Bo Nix
As it stands, Jarrett Stidham is the best quarterback on Denver’s roster. Head coach Sean Payton is not going to let that slide. Drafting a quarterback is a must for Peyton’s Broncos. If his work with future Hall of Famer Drew Brees is any indication, Peyton will likely go for a pocket passer. While at Oregon, Bo Nix lit up the scoreboard consistently. He’s the prototype of a Sean Payton offense, which is exactly why he’ll make a great mid-round pick for the franchise.
Detroit Lions – Jared Goff
Goff led the Lions somewhere they haven’t been this century — the NFC championship game. Performing as one of the better quarterbacks in football next season, it’s easy to see why head coach Dan Campbell would rely on Goff as his signal-caller for continuity’s sake. Without a high draft pick, Goff’s better than other options available.
Green Bay Packers – Jordan Love
Love established himself as the next great Green Bay quarterback this season with an impressive year under center. Love, with a lack of weapons, led his team to a post-season appearance that can be built upon under Matt LeFleur’s system in upcoming years with the right weapons. Sorry NFC North fans, Love is the truth.
Houston Texans – C.J. Stroud
Speaking of the truth, the second coming of Patrick Mahomes calls Houston his home. Stroud has already cemented himself as a top-ten quarterback in the league and has a ceiling unmatched. With the right pieces around him, Stroud will be successful for years to come.
Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Richardson
The fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, there was much hope for Richardson as he displayed his potential at the QB spot for the Colts early last season. However, after suffering an AC Joint sprain, the Colts ultimately decided to end his campaign prematurely in October 2023. Now back at full strength, expect Richardson to pick up where he left off last season, possibly adding more to his game.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence
T-Law is in a make-or-break year in Jacksonville. Head coach Doug Peterson has elevated Lawrence more than Urban Meyer ever could, but Lawrence is still missing that next level that everyone expected him to reach. This year, the Jags have a lot of expectations and question marks in the AFC South and AFC as a whole. Lawrence holds the key to answering many of them.
Kansas City Chiefs – Patrick Mahomes
Duh.
Las Vegas Raiders – Gardner Minshew II
The Raiders signed Minshew to be a bridge for whichever quarterback the team takes in this year’s draft. After stints in Jacksonville, Philly, and Indianapolis, the career bridge man brings his talents to a Raiders team that’s still figuring out its identity. Head coach Antonio Pierce will be a big piece in establishing that identity.
Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert
Herbert has been the Chargers’ cornerstone since he was drafted. While his team will look very different next year due to salary cap slashes, the quarterback will still have plenty to work with coming into a new year. Losing your top receivers in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams certainly hurts, but it’s not insurmountable for a player of Herbert’s talent.
Los Angeles Rams – Matthew Stafford
2024 could be Stafford’s swan song. Aaron Donald retired not long ago, leaving the writing on the wall for the older members of the 2021 championship team. Stafford has endured back injuries in the past but came back strong last season. Time will tell whether he continues to build on that success or if he calls it a career.
Miami Dolphins – Tua Tagovailoa
Tua is head coach Josh McDaniel’s guy. Whether or not he can lead the team to postseason success still has yet to be seen, but any quarterback that can lead a team to put up 70 in a regular season game definitely shows flashes of promise for future returns.
Minnesota Vikings – J.J. McCarthy
The Vikings have been linked to the most Kirk Cousins-esque quarterback they could get their hands on in this year’s draft class. McCarthy is coming off a national championship year at Michigan but was largely lifted up by an amazing supporting cast. Completing only 10 passes in a national championship game is definitely an eyebrow-raiser. If the Vikings come full circle with McCarthy, I’d be surprised if it were later than the first round. Unfortunately, the Michigan man has bust written all over him.
New England Patriots – Drake Maye
Speaking of busts, UNC Chapel Hill’s big man on campus is the most likely of this year’s big three to fail. Maye has had an up-and-down college career that hasn’t really culminated in any kind of serious success past the regular season record. Washington trading away Sam Howell, Maye’s college teammate, leads me to believe they’ll go with the LSU standout Daniels, which leaves the Patriots picking last in the top-tier quarterback carousel.
New Orleans Saints – Derek Carr
When Carr was advertised to the city of New Orleans, he was presented as the answer to the win-now mentality. The former Fresno State signal caller has been anything but “as advertised” on the field, however. For $150 million, you can’t get much worse than Derek Carr, not to mention his off-field antics. Between family beefing with fans online and a total disregard for the city of New Orleans, Carr’s time as a Saint can end sooner rather than later — but it’s not done yet (unfortunately).
New York Giants – Daniel Jones
Danny Dimes had one standout season that cost the Giants a whirlwind of poor decisions. From not franchise-tagging running back Saquon Barkley to extending Daniel Jones, an anomaly of a season found us where we are now. Giants fans have to cut their losses, however, and accept that Jones is the franchise’s guy… for now.
New York Jets – Aaron Rodgers
The old man of the league is coming off an Achilles tear that cost him the entirety of his first season in New York. Fans and pundits alike are foaming at the mouth to see what Rodgers can do with this Jets team in 2024.
Philadelphia Eagles – Jalen Hurts
Hurts is Philly’s guy. A run to the Super Bowl just two seasons ago proves that. Nick Siriani has some holes to fill around the team, but quarterback is not one of them. As one of the top five signal callers in the league, Hurts is a staple for the Eagles’ future.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Russell Wilson
Wilson may start week one, but I think the “I can fix him” mentality will wear off eventually. Making the move for Justin Fields told me everything I needed to know about the franchise’s confidence in Wilson as a starter. After his time in Denver, it’s easy to see why.
San Francisco 49ers – Brock Purdy
Purdy led the Niners to an NFC Championship game appearance and a Super Bowl in back-to-back years. If the trend continues for the third-year quarterback, things may turn a corner for a franchise that’s been so close, yet so far for the better part of a decade. I’d be baffled if they went with anyone other than their guy, Purdy.
Seattle Seahawks – Sam Howell
Throwing Sam Howell into the mix makes things interesting in Seattle. After getting traded from the Commanders, Howell will look to make a run for Geno Smith’s job this offseason to get the start for the Seahawks. I’m confident not only that he can, but that he will.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Baker Mayfield
After signing Baker to a three-year, $115 million contract, the Buccs made it clear that they had their short-term plan decided. Baker’s prove-it year as a Buccaneer showed the franchise enough to have him stick around just a little while longer.
Tennessee Titans – Will Levis
Former second-round pick Will Levis’ journey to Tennessee has been an interesting one. After playing front seat, back seat with Ryan Tannehill, Levis finally gets control of the franchise. The team has a lot of holes but is capable of competing for the AFC South just as much as the next team.
Washington Commanders – Jayden Daniels
To me, Daniels is the most exciting quarterback in the 2024 class. The LSU standout created one of the most impressive single seasons in NCAA history under center and will continue to do that in Washington if given the chance. No matter where he goes, Daniels will be a winner in spite of his situation.
