As expected, Kyler Murray signed with the Minnesota Vikings shortly after the new league year began, greatly improving what was arguably the worst quarterback room in the NFL in 2025. Even with Murray off the board, there are still several intriguing free agents and trade candidates at the quarterback position waiting to sign. Here’s where they might end up.
Aaron Rodgers
- Prediction: Re-signs with Steelers
It feels like Aaron Rodgers is going to decide between re-signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers or retiring. It makes a lot of sense for Rodgers to hang up the spikes, given he has virtually nothing else to accomplish in his Hall of Fame career and he’s 42 years old, but I think he’s going to re-sign with Pittsburgh for a couple of reasons.
First, this team is good enough to make the playoffs. The Steelers made it there with Rodgers at the helm in 2025, and they’ve improved this offseason. Heck, they finally got a real WR2 in Michael Pittman Jr. Second, Mike McCarthy is now the head coach. Rodgers and McCarthy had a ton of success together in Green Bay, so how fitting would it be to see Rodgers have one last hurrah with the coach he played for the longest?
Kirk Cousins
- Prediction: Signs with Raiders
Barring a massive shocker, the Las Vegas Raiders are going to select Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. As fun a prospect as Mendoza is, whether he’s ready to start Week 1 remains to be seen. That’s where Cousins comes in.
The 37-year-old can start as many games as the Raiders need until Mendoza is ready. If they don’t want him to start at all, he can be a valuable veteran mentor for the rookie gunslinger. There isn’t much Cousins hasn’t experienced in the NFL. He’ll probably prefer to land a guaranteed starting job somewhere, but I’m not sure such an opportunity exists, making Vegas more appealing.
Joe Flacco
- Prediction: Re-signs with Bengals
Joe Flacco hopes to find a starting job, but with teams like the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons and the Vikings (to name a few) having filled their vacancies, it’s hard to envision Flacco being named a surefire starter. With that in mind, a reunion with the Cincinnati Bengals makes a lot of sense.
Veteran QB Joe Flacco, who will be a free agent Monday, wants an opportunity to at least compete for a starting job. But if he’s a backup, sources say, Flacco would strongly consider a return to Cincinnati, where he filled in for Joe Burrow last fall and made his first Pro Bowl. pic.twitter.com/SktpE1Eajl
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2026
It’s been reported that if Flacco has to settle for a backup job, the Bengals would be at the top of his list. Cincinnati hasn’t signed a backup yet, so there’s reason to believe they’re waiting for Flacco, who had some good games for them down the stretch last season. With Joe Burrow’s injury history in mind, signing a veteran like Flacco, who is capable of starting when needed, feels like a must.
Russell Wilson
- Prediction: Signs with Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are in a bit of a weird spot. Obviously, Patrick Mahomes is thei