Ranking the 10 worst QB situations in the NFL

The NFL is amid an interesting period for quarterbacks, with fewer stars at the position than ever and many teams facing complex situations at the game's most important position. Here are the 10 worst quarterback situations in the NFL in inverse order.

10. New York Jets

The Jets planned to start four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, but GM Joe Douglas must be regretting his decision not to bring in another veteran passer during the offseason. Just like last season, the Jets have a playoff-caliber roster that is being wasted by Zach Wilson's terrible quarterbacking. The former No. 2 overall pick ranks 31st in QBR (32.3) and has twice as many turnovers (10) as touchdown passes (five). 

Through eight games, the Jets have amassed the fewest yards in the NFL (2,183) and only eight touchdowns. At 4-4, New York isn't doomed yet. If Rodgers can miraculously recover from his Achilles injury, which he hinted Monday would take "a few weeks" to heal, the QB situation would improve drastically, even if he isn't fully healthy.

9. Green Bay Packers 

Despite Jordan Love's early success, it doesn't appear the Packers were fortunate enough to land another Hall of Fame quarterback. Love was solid to start 2023 after sitting behind Aaron Rodgers for his first three seasons, leading Green Bay to a 2-1 record and throwing for seven touchdowns and only one interception.

During a four-game skid, however, Love completed 60.9% of his passes for 837 yards and threw for four touchdowns and seven interceptions. GM Brian Gutekunst told reporters Green Bay needs more time to evaluate the 2020 first-rounder. Love has time to prove he's a franchise quarterback, as he is under contract through the 2024 season, but with his questionable accuracy and lackluster receiving corps, he doesn't have much room for error. 

8. Denver Broncos

To his credit, Russell Wilson has made strides in HC Sean Payton's offense and already has thrown as many touchdown passes this season as he did in 2022 (16).With the Broncos seemingly headed toward a rebuild, however, it feels inevitable the partnership won't work. Wilson's $245 million contract will make it difficult to cut ties because another team likely won't trade for him despite his turnaround, and Denver's best option appears to be to designate him as a post-June 1 cut.

According to Pro Football Focus' Brad Spielberger, such a move would be pricey but cost effective in the long run. The Broncos would be responsible for $39 million of Wilson's salary for 2024 and roughly an $85 million dead cap hit over the next two seasons. Assuming Denver drafts a quarterback, those expenses would at least be easier to manage as the franchise tries to find its new identity.  

7. New England Patriots

The  2-7 Patriots are five games under .500 for the first time since HC Bill Belichick's first season in 2000, and it doesn't seem things will change anytime soon. There's plenty of blame to go around for the franchise's state of dysfunction, though it's hard not to lay the bulk of it on the Mac Jones-led offense.

Jones has taken another step back in his development under OC Bill O'Brien, averaging career-worst marks in completion rate (64.8%) and passing yards per game (206.8) and committing 11 turnovers, the second most in the NFL. As a result, the offense is the second-worst unit in the league on a points-per-game basis (15). Considering New England unsuccessfully tried to move on from Jones last offseason, it wouldn't be surprising if the franchise goes in a different direction at quarterback in 2024. 

6. Arizona Cardinals 

The 1-8 Cardinals would rank higher on this list if starter Kyler Murray weren't expected to return from last season's torn ACL as early as this week. After eight games of rolling out Josh Dobbs, the Cardinals cashed in on the journeyman's serviceable play by trading him to Minnesota. But instead of activating Murray from the PUP list, the team trotted out fifth-round rookie Clayton Tune against the Cleveland Browns in Week 9, probably in an attempt to maximize its draft position.

Tune was historically unproductive, completing 55% of his passes for 58 yards and two interceptions, as the Cardinals racked up just 58 yards on offense. Although Arizona should improve once Murray returns, the situation would be difficult for any QB to succeed in. He also must play well enough to justify his $230.5 million contract. 

5. Chicago Bears

Tyson Bagent's story and impressive first NFL start will be remembered for years, but the Bears should be grateful Justin Fields is close to returning from his thumb injury. Over his past two games, Bagent — the former Division II star — has thrown for 452 yards and two touchdowns and turned the ball over six times.

While Fields played some of the finest football of his career before getting injured, he's 6-25 as a starter, and a general manager who didn't draft him will decide whether he's Chicago's long-term answer at quarterback. With the Bears holding two top-three draft picks through nine weeks and offering little support for a young quarterback outside of WR D.J. Moore, Fields faces an uphill battle to keep his job for next season. 

4. Minnesota Vikings 

Just as the Vikings were beginning to see their season turn around, they were dealt another devastating blow in Week 8 when impending free-agent QB Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. To stay afloat, Minnesota traded for Arizona's Josh Dobbs, a move that paid dividends as rookie Jaren Hall — the starter in Week 9 — exited early with a concussion.

In a thrilling 31-28 come-from-behind victory against Atlanta, Dobbs threw for 158 yards and two touchdowns, including the decisive score. Dobbs (1,727 yards and 10 touchdowns this season) has shown flashes of being an effective game manager, and with the most talented supporting cast of his career, he may be able to keep Minnesota in the playoff hunt. Still, it's not an ideal situation for the Vikings, and it doesn't change the fact that a franchise-altering decision at quarterback awaits this offseason. 

3. Los Angeles Rams

Even with one of the league's top receiving tandems (Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua), the Rams have a below-average offense, and without QB Matthew Stafford, the unit has a case for being one of the worst in the NFL. Stafford, who has thrown for eight touchdowns and seven interceptions this season, missed Sunday's matchup with Green Bay due to a thumb injury. In Stafford's absence, Brett Rypien got the starting nod and was abysmal (13-of-28 for 130 yards with two turnovers).

The Rams — who have added Carson Wentz to the QB room — are on a bye this week, giving Stafford an extended break to recover before their next game. Even so, Stafford's return will merely elevate the offense to competent. He's essentially serving as a placeholder for what may be a bleak future at the position. Given the promising outlook for San Francisco and Seattle, along with the 35-year-old Stafford's age and injury concerns, it could be a long next few seasons in Los Angeles.

2. Las Vegas Raiders 

Jimmy Garoppolo's time as Las Vegas' starting quarterback lasted six games into his three-year, $67 million deal. For their money, the Raiders got seven touchdown passes and nine interceptions. Las Vegas recently cleaned house, firing HC Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler, and promoted rookie Aidan O'Connell to starting QB. While O'Connell was efficient in Sunday's 30-6 win over the Giants, throwing for 209 yards, the Raiders aren't building their future around a fourth-rounder with 77 pass attempts.

Getting O'Connell valuable reps for a future backup position and drafting a new quarterback seems like the most logical outcome for the Raiders. Las Vegas probably won't win many more games as it has the third-most difficult remaining schedule based on opponents' records. Las Vegas must figure how to handle Garoppolo's $28.3 million dead cap hit for 2024, though it's a necessary price for ending the failed experiment. 

1. New York Giants 

The Giants were already the worst offense in the NFL when they had Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor, who at least had previous NFL experience. Now, with Jones (knee) out for the season and Taylor (ribs) sidelined indefinitely, the team averaging the fewest points (11.2) and second-fewest passing yards per game (184.7) turns to either Tommy DeVito or Matt Barkley at QB.

An undrafted free agent and New Jersey native, DeVito has thrown for 174 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions across two appearances. Recent signing Barkley's last NFL pass attempt came in 2020. Neither option is set up to thrive playing behind an offensive line that has surrendered the most sacks in the league (49). Assuming the Giants continue to struggle, Jones' injury history and uncertain ceiling could force the front office to draft his successor.