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Predicting every NFL team’s starting QB in 2023: Where do Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson land?

Fansided 2/1/2023 Ryan Heckman

The 2023 NFL offseason is going to feature some heavy quarterback movement, but where do the big names land?

For a few years now, it seems we've been stuck in a time loop.

Aaron Rodgers could leave the Green Bay Packers because … fill in the blank. It's the never-ending saga, or is it?

Rodgers, along with several other veteran quarterbacks, could be on the move this offseason. Some teams, obviously, have their franchise quarterback locked down. But, this league could look a whole lot different by the summertime.

So, which quarterbacks sign where? Who gets traded? Who gets drafted to which team? Let's try and figure this all out.

TABLE OF CONTENTS (click to jump to this team)

Predicting the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals in 2023: Kyler Murray

This one is pretty easy, although the bigger question is who the Cardinals will get to coach Kyler Murray. After firing Kliff Kingsbury, the Cardinals now need to tread carefully. Murray is coming off a torn ACL and might not be ready for the start of the 2023 regular season, so the next head coach is going to have his work cut out for him.

Still, Murray signed a freshly-new deal last offseason and isn't going anywhere. He's the Cardinals' franchise quarterback, attitude questions and all. Let's see where this goes.

Predicting the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons in 2023: Ryan Tannehill

The Atlanta Falcons took some steps last season, finishing third in the league in rushing. They held a commitment to the run, regardless of whether or not their quarterback play was up to par. Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder don't appear to be the answer, although drafting Ridder last year was worth a shot. The class simply wasn't good enough to live up to the hype in 2022.

This offseason, the Falcons sign a released Ryan Tannehill, who comes in and reunites with his former offensive coordinator and now Atlanta head coach, Arthur Smith.

Tannehill likely doesn't move the needle much for the Falcons but offers some veteran presence to a team that will punt on 2023 and be in the Caleb Williams sweepstakes for 2024.

Predicting the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023: Lamar Jackson

The tail end of the season did not go ideally for the Baltimore Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson. After failing to come to an agreement on an extension before the 2022 campaign, it was Jackson who bet on himself. And, the season started in excellent fashion for the former MVP. But, after an injury later on in the season, questions started popping up.

Not only that, but a bit of drama surfaced toward the end of the year, and some believe his time in Baltimore is done.

The thing keeping Lamar Jackson in Baltimore, though, is the fact that his longtime head coach has the utmost faith he'll be there. John Harbaugh publicly said there is a "200 percent chance" Jackson is back in Baltimore for 2023, so let's take him at his word. Baltimore and Jackson are a match. They belong together. Harbaugh won't let him leave. This will all get worked out.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills in 2023: Josh Allen

No surprise here, Josh Allen is the Buffalo Bills' starting quarterback for probably the next decade. His development over the past couple of years has been something fun to watch, and it might all be thanks to former offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who is now trying to do the same with Daniel Jones in New York.

Allen took a bit of a step back in 2022, turning the ball over at an alarming rate. But, the Bills have to address the offensive line this offseason. They also have to get Allen another weapon at wide receiver. Stefon Diggs is great, but he's proving to be the only reliable wideout on the roster. Allen needs some more help, and hopefully he gets it this spring.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers in 2023: Sam Darnold

Last season, the quarterback position looked a mess for the Carolina Panthers. But, when Sam Darnold took over for the final six games of the year, things started to come together.

In six games with the Panthers, Darnold threw for 1,143 yards, seven touchdowns and three picks. Those three interceptions came in the final two games, also, so Darnold had a 4-game stretch playing clean football.

He'll be just 26 by the time next season starts, and the Panthers will re-sign him prior to the draft, just as insurance. Unfortunately for Carolina fans, the team will be unable to trade up and land their quarterback target(s).

But, that just means they will be one of a few teams in on the Caleb Williams lottery next year. If Darnold continues to play well, though, this Carolina team might surprise you. The defense is there. The run game is there. The division is up for grabs.

Could Darnold be one of the league's best surprises next season?

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears in 2023: Justin Fields

Don't buy into all of the smoke and rumors. Anyone saying the Chicago Bears are going to trade Justin Fields and draft Bryce Young has no clue what they're talking about. Last season, the Bears punted on 2022 because of the fact they'll have ample cap space and draft capital this year.

Now, after seeing a flash of what Justin Fields can do, the Bears are going to use this offseason to build up the protection in front of him and supply him with additional weapons. After nearly breaking Lamar Jackson's single-season rushing record in just his second year, Fields' potential is clearly untapped. He's going to be a lot of fun to watch for years to come in Chicago.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023: Joe Burrow

Here's another easy one. The Cincinnati Bengals have Joe Cool. Joe Breezy. Joe Shiesty. Joe Burrow is as good as it gets at the quarterback position, except maybe for Patrick Mahomes, but we won't go into that debate here and now.

Burrow gives this Bengals team a chance to win every single year, so long as he's under center, and he believes it. Cincinnati is one of the few teams that might not have to worry about the quarterback position for the next decade. What a lucky bunch.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in 2023: Deshaun Watson

The Browns are such a polarizing team right now, and they have been for the past nine months. The label may not leave Cleveland for a while, too, because of Deshaun Watson. The trade for Watson sent shockwaves throughout the football world, but the contract given to him took the surprise to yet another level.

Regardless of how anybody feels, the truth of the matter is Watson is under contract in Cleveland through 2026 and every cent of his deal is guaranteed. The Browns are going to have to make it work with Watson and without first-round picks for a little while.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023: Dak Prescott

Another team, another easy prediction. Dak Prescott isn't going anywhere, although the Dallas Cowboys are seeing some changes already with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore getting the boot. It was Moore who became the scapegoat after Dallas' embarrassing finish to their playoff game against Philly.

Mike McCarthy sticks around and will take over play-calling. Yikes. Ask any Packers fan, and that might not be the best idea in today's NFL. But, here we are. It'll be Prescott and McCarthy for the 2023 season. Can they finally reach an NFC Championship Game?

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos in 2023: Russell Wilson

There was no bigger disappointment, surprise or embarrassment in all of football last year than what happened with Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos. And, unfortunately, Denver is stuck with Wilson, at least for another year or so. The contract he signed keeps him around most likely through the 2025 season. Then, in 2026, Denver has an out, and could save $27 million by cutting him.

For contrast, if they were to cut him for some reason this offseason, the Broncos take a dead cap hit of $107 million.

Gross.

Wilson is stuck here for a little while, like it or not. So, hopefully the Broncos can "fix him," like general manager George Paton has stated.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Detroit Lions in 2023: Jared Goff

A year ago, most would have guessed the Detroit Lions would be in the market for a quarterback, especially with this year's draft class so rich at the top. Yet, Jared Goff had maybe the best year of his career, all things considered. The Lions nearly made it into the playoffs behind Goff's 4,438 passing yards and 29 touchdowns.

He was, in fact, impressive in 2022. The way he commanded Detroit's offense was something nobody saw coming. He will be the starter again in 2023, and Detroit will re-evaluate next year as the draft class becomes even more interesting with Caleb Williams at the top.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers in 2023: Derek Carr

This is where another gigantic domino falls, and it'll spoil a team later on. But, here's the deal. The Raiders want to move on from Derek Carr. The Packers and Aaron Rodgers could be heading for a divorce.

This only makes sense, right?

Carr and Rodgers get traded for one another, with draft capital and contracts having to be worked out. But, Carr comes to the Packers as a capable starter to replace Rodgers, but likely also signals that Green Bay is focused on the future; a future without Jordan Love.

Love was never the answer, nor will he be. Carr is a stopgap for now, and the Packers will take a look at options next year when they realize they actually have to rebuild.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans in 2023: Bryce Young

Now, we have come to what everyone is waiting for. The 2023 NFL Draft will see the Houston Texans trade up to no. 1 overall with the Chicago Bears and get their quarterback in Alabama's Bryce Young.

Davis Mills, Kyle Allen and Jeff Driskel weren't and aren't enough for the Texans going forward. This is a team that needs a big move. They need a face of their franchise, and they'll move a lot of capital to go up just one spot and get him. But, it'll be worth it. Young is one of the best quarterback prospects in quite some time, and he'll go into a situation where he's immediately the leader of this football team.

Houston is a football team starving for a face and a leader, and they get exactly that with Young.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts in 2023: CJ Stroud

The Colts desperately want to move ahead of Houston to try and get Young, but the Texans' package will just surpass what Indy can offer. As a consolation, Indianapolis moves up to get their second-best option, Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud.

I'll even be so bold as to say that the Colts will be the second team to trade with Chicago, putting the Bears in rare territory. A double-trade-down situation in Chicago would be wild, but the way things are looking, it is definitely possible.

Stroud comes into a great situation where he could have a dominant run game right away, so long as the Colts address their offensive line.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023: Trevor Lawrence

This segment is dedicated to what might be a fun quarterback rivalry for the next several years. Everybody wants to talk about Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow, or Mahomes and Josh Allen, but Trevor Lawrence took a massive step in his second season. What Lawrence was able to do over the second half of the season was nothing short of impressive.

Lawrence was the best prospect since Andrew Luck for a reason, and he proved it last year. All he needed was to get out of the shadow of Urban Meyer. Who knew?

Now, the sky is the limit for those golden locks.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023: Patrick Mahomes

If there was an easier prediction in all of sports for 2023, I don't know what that would be. Of course, Mahomes is the starter in Kansas City. Chiefs fans might have laughed the other day when it was made known that the Bears told Mahomes they were going to draft him, but didn't.

Kansas City is not only laughing but breathing a slight sigh of relief, as this was almost a situation of "what could have been." Instead, Mahomes came to Kansas City and the rest is history; as in, history in the making. Mahomes has been downright historically-good since turning pro.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023: Aaron Rodgers

Here's the other half of the trade. Aaron Rodgers comes to Las Vegas, a city made perfectly for such a character. Rodgers also reunites with his favorite target for many years in Green Bay, wide receiver Davante Adams.

With Las Vegas moving on from Carr, there's no doubt they'll be upsetting Adams, who is great friends with Carr and his former college teammate. To make him happy, they'll bring back a familiar face. With Rodgers in Vegas, this team immediately becomes a threat, just as long as they can pair some other pieces on defense with Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023: Justin Herbert

Again, this is an easy one. Justin Herbert should be in Los Angeles for a very long time, but the questions now build around the offense and coaching staff as a whole. Brandon Staley is under fire for some of his decision-making and Joe Lombardi's offensive scheme. Can Kellen Moore do what Lombardi couldn't?

Herbert is quite the talent, and the Chargers have weapons on offense with Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Not to mention, Gerald Everett really come on last year. It's now on Herbert and Moore to right the ship.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams in 2023: Matthew Stafford

At one point, there was a bit of doubt surrounding whether or not Matthew Stafford could, or would, come back for the 2023 season. Some thought he would retire due to injuries and his body not holding up as it once did.

But, Stafford has put those rumors to rest and intends to come back for another season. If he and Cooper Kupp are healthy, then this Rams team still has as good a shot as anyone to compete. But, Stafford has to be completely healthy. If he's not 100 percent (and he wasn't to start last year) then his inadequacies will hurt this team.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins in 2023: Tua Tagovailoa

Call this more of a faith-filled prediction than anything else. The concussions have been scary for Tua Tagovailoa, but he has a whole lot of time to recover and rest this offseason. Heck, he doesn't even have to take part in the majority of offseason work. So long as the Dolphins have Mike McDaniel and those top two wideouts in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, this offense will fit like a glove when Tua is back.

The most important thing, right now, is his health. Some think he should hang it up, or sit out a year, but as of right now, let's say he's able to get all of the necessary rest and recovery he needs. Just in case, the Dolphins should definitely bring back Teddy Bridgewater.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in 2023: Kirk Cousins

For Vikings fans who are tired of Kirk Cousins, I have two things to say.

First of all, you're stuck with him for 2023. His cap number is over $36 million and, if he was cut, he'd hold a dead cap number of over $48 million. So there you have it. Cousins is a Viking until further notice.

Secondly, Cousins is not a bad quarterback. He gets a lot of unwarranted hate for some select, isolated plays. But, overall, Cousins is a very good quarterback. If the Vikings had any semblance of a defense, Cousins wouldn't have nearly the amount of criticism coming his way.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the in 2023: New England Patriots: Mac Jones

The New England Patriots have two viable options at quarterback in Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, but due to the ego of Bill Belichick, there's no way he's ready to admit that Jones isn't the answer. He'll give Jones one more season, and then after 2023, they'll see where the team is headed and what Jones' development looks like.

Zappe came in and performed well in limited time last year, but it appears Belichick used that more as a scare tactic for Jones than anything else, handing the job right back to the Alabama product. Let's see what this offense can do under someone not named Matt Patricia, going forward.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints in 2023: Jameis Winston

The New Orleans Saints' quarterback situation is a mess and full of question marks. Sure, they could choose to cut James Winston and save just about $4 million. But, if they were smart, they'd keep him around one more year at his $15 million price tag and give him a shot to start. Andy Dalton wasn't the answer last year, and hopefully, Dennis Allen looks back and realizes it.

With a weapon like Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara still in that backfield, the Saints need someone who is able to get the ball downfield, and that's Winston. The bigger question is whether or not Michael Thomas will be back, or if the Saints can find another weapon to pair with Olave.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the New York Giants in 2023: Daniel Jones

The New York Giants surpassed all expectations this year under first-year head coach Brian Daboll. What he was able to do with Daniel Jones and that offense was a phenomenal show of coaching. Jones went from turnover-prone and potentially not the answer, to a guy who limited turnovers and played smart football.

Jones' dual-threat skill set is something that continually goes overlooked, too, and if the Giants can hold onto he and Saquon Barkley, they'll have an opportunity to be much better in 2023. The question mark comes in Jones' weaponry. The wide receiver room is a disaster. Can they find some consistency there?

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the New York Jets in 2023: Jimmy Garoppolo

Here we go with another change-up. New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh knows Jimmy Garoppolo well from their time together in San Francisco, and it only makes sense for the Jets to go pay the veteran quarterback.

Last year's debacle with Zach Wilson is in the rearview, although he's still on the roster, for now. Mike White could serve as an excellent backup, as he's become a guy this team loves and trusts. Garoppolo, though, brings the veteran presence and cool, calm, mannerisms that could take this offense to the next level.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023: Jalen Hurts

We might be looking at this year's MVP right here. Super Bowl-bound Jalen Hurts has gone from a guy some questioned was even ready to be a pro, to now being one of the best quarterbacks in the game. The Eagles offense was a blast this year because of him. Ignore any of the criticism that says Philly could be just as good with Gardner Minshew. That's blasphemy.

Hurts is the real deal, and Howie Roseman should be crowned for the job he did surrounded his young quarterback with talent this past year.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023: Kenny Pickett

There will be no change in Pittsburgh, as they have their first-round quarterback from a year ago in Kenny Pickett. Now, it's all about adding protection up front and figuring out the run game. Is Najee Harris a legitimate NFL running back? Is it just the offensive line that's holding the offense back?

Pickett has weapons in Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth. Hopefully, he takes a second-year leap and gives hope to the Steelers that he was indeed worthy of that first-round billing a year ago.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers in 2023: Trey Lance

This is a situation that will be in constant question for a few months, as the San Francisco 49ers wait and see with two of their quarterbacks. Trey Lance is currently coming back from a season-ending ankle injury, while Brock Purdy just suffered a UCL injury in the NFC Championship Game.

If Lance's recovery goes well and according to plan, he could be back for the start of the regular season. But, will the 49ers have any healthy quarterbacks for their offseason programs? That's the main question, right now. This could be a highly-unusual offseason for a team that's coming off a season falling just short of a Super Bowl.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks in 2023: Geno Smith

After the tail end of the season, it was pretty apparent that the Seattle Seahawks want to keep Geno Smith around. Head coach Pete Carroll loves him some Geno Smith, so it's tough to see Seattle allowing the veteran to leave.

This was supposed to be a year where the Seahawks finished with ample, high draft capital so that they could get a franchise quarterback. Instead, quarterback is no longer a question. Who would have thought?

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023: Baker Mayfield

Here's another interesting one. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are strapped for cash. Brady is leaving, more than likely. At this point, all of their other options have dried up. They are left with Baker Mayfield as their best option, other than finding someone in the draft, which they might still do.

Mayfield showed some things after getting signed to the Rams' roster last year and filling in with short notice. He's still young, and if he can take advantage of the weapons he'd have in Tampa Bay, then his career could be anything but over.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Tennessee Titans in 2023: Will Levis

With the Titans cutting Ryan Tannehill, the question then becomes, do they really believe Malik Willis is the right guy for their future? As likable as Willis is, the answer is a clear-cut, 'no.'

The Titans will trade up in the draft to earn the rights to draft Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, bringing in a new era in Tennessee. Currently sitting at no. 11 in the first round, Tennessee might have to move up as high as no. 2 overall if any of the rumors and smoke continue picking up.

At the very least, the Titans will have to jump into the top five picks in order to secure Levis, and that's exactly what they'll do.

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Predicting the starting quarterback for the Washington Commanders in 2023: Carson Wentz and Anthony Richardson

The interesting part about Washington's offseason comes when looking at Carson Wentz's contract. The Commanders could cut him without any dead money, which could end up being the route they go. However, allowing him to stay just one more year as a bridge quarterback might be the best option.

Washington owns the no. 16 pick in this year's draft, which is right around where they could find Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson. Getting a dual-threat quarterback with a two-headed monster in the backfield like Antonio Gibson and Brian Robinson could completely change the offense for the better.

Washington has a ton of speed with Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, not to mention Curtis Samuel. The threat of Richardson developing into an exciting, running quarterback might be what this offense is looking for.

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