Assessing Each Team’s Starting Quarterback Situation Heading into the 2023 NFL Offseason
By Hunter Haas
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers
Week 18 Starter: Brock Purdy
The Niners lost both starting quarterbacks to injury in 2022. Jimmy Garoppolo is set to hit free agency at season’s end, but given Brock Purdy’s solid play at quarterback, San Fran is still in a great spot. Trey Lance and Brock Purdy can battle it out for the starting gig in 2023. Imagine typing out that sentence last summer.
Seattle Seahawks
Starter: Geno Smith
Geno Smith’s 2022 season has been a tale of two halves. The way he opened the campaign made Seahawks fans wonder if he could be the answer. Smith’s play has declined in the second half but is still serviceable enough to justify another year as the starter. The caveat here is that Seattle owns the Broncos’ first-round selection in 2023, which currently sits at No. 3 overall. The front office is never expecting to pick that high again in the draft, so perhaps they make the most of it by addressing quarterback.
Arizona Cardinals
Week 18 Starter: David Blough
Kyler Murray was lost for the season after a gut-wrenching non-contact knee injury in mid-December. The loss of the star quarterback sent the Cardinals into a tailspin to end the year, resulting in a likely top-five selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. The timing of the injury could force Murray out of action to open next season, but his status as the long-term starter is not in question after signing a monster deal last offseason.
Los Angeles Rams
Week 18 Starter: Baker Mayfield
Matthew Stafford and the Rams mirrored each other in 2022, as both saw a fall from grace after spectacular showings the year prior. Stafford reassured the Rams he would return as the starter in 2023, but do not rule out Mayfield sticking around as well.
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Starter: Tom Brady
The chatter around Tom Brady leaving the Buccaneers this offseason has been heating up throughout the year. The plan for Brady to un-retire and join the Dolphins with Sean Payton was foiled, but the willingness to leave has surely stuck with the Tampa Bay fandom ever since. At 46 years old, few know what is next for Brady, but it is beginning to look like it won’t be in Tampa either way.
Carolina Panthers
Week 18 Starter: Sam Darnold
Interim head coach Steve Wilks has the Panthers playing inspired football down the stretch. After cycling through Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Phillip Walker in 2022, the franchise MUST add a more steady presence at quarterback. The roster is showing that the talent is there; they just need the right man guiding the ship.
Atlanta Falcons
Starter: Desmond Ridder
Desmond Ridder took over for Marcus Mariota as the team’s starter in week 15. His first start featured many rookie mistakes, but Ridder completed 69.5% of his passes the next two games, providing optimism for his potential as a starter. Atlanta made a run at Deshaun Watson last offseason, so a similar effort for Lamar Jackson cannot be ruled out. However, it looks like Ridder will get a full offseason of development and retain the starting gig in 2023.
New Orleans Saints
Starter: Andy Dalton
The Saints have talent scattered across the roster but have failed to find a proper Drew Brees replacement since the legendary quarterback retired. Andy Dalton is not the answer, nor is Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill. The issue is, New Orleans owes a first-rounder to Philadelphia in 2023 and is in the negative with salary cap space. It will be hard to provide the roster with a legit upgrade this offseason.