How QB-needy NFL teams can approach the bad offseason market

"The 2026 NFL draft class isn't particularly strong overall, and it is extremely thin at quarterback. After presumed first selection Fernando Mendoza (Heisman winner, national champion at Indiana and Raiders QB in a little under three months), the best options are Alabama's Ty Simpson and ... probably LSU's Garrett Nussmeier? This class might play out like 2022, when only one quarterback went in Round 1 ( Kenny Pickett, No. 20) and only four went in the first two days."

"There are some names available in the veteran quarterback market, but those names aren't very exciting. While last offseason included free agent quarterbacks such as (Super Bowl champion) Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones and Aaron Rodgers, this offseason's pool includes ... well, Daniel Jones (off an Achilles injury) and Aaron Rodgers (one year older). Because Jones and Rodgers are both strongly suspected to stay with their current teams, the biggest contract might fall to Packers backup and quality spot starter Malik Willis."

"If the draft and the free agent market are thin, what is a quarterback-needy team to do? Win in the margins. While this isn't the offseason for stacking quarterbacks on a big board or pick-your-poison free agent targets, the smart teams with financial flexibility will still have the ability to attack the veteran quarterback trade market. And two names stand out above all the rest there: Arizona's Kyler Murray and Miami's Tua Tagovailoa. (San Francisco backup Mac Jones reportedly will not be traded this offseason.)"

The 2026 NFL offseason presents a weak quarterback market. The 2026 draft class lacks depth at quarterback beyond presumed top pick Fernando Mendoza, with Alabama’s Ty Simpson and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier as the next notable prospects; the class could mirror 2022 when few quarterbacks were selected early. Veteran free-agent options are thin, with limited high-end availability and uncertainty around Daniel Jones and an older Aaron Rodgers. Teams with cap flexibility will pursue veteran trades rather than relying on the draft or free agency. Arizona’s Kyler Murray and Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa emerge as the most attractive trade targets.

Read at ESPN.com