All articles tagged with #quarterback depth
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is expected to miss four to six weeks with a glute tendon injury, forcing backup Drew Lock to start. While the team initially feared a fracture, medical experts are gathering second opinions to confirm the timeline. The Seahawks are evaluating potential third-quarterback options, including Jake Retzlaff, Josh Johnson, and Jake Browning, to ensure depth while Darnold recovers.
Minnesota Vikings General Manager Nolan Teasley confirmed that quarterback J.J. McCarthy will remain on the active roster for Week 1, despite concerns over a lingering ankle injury. Teasley emphasized that McCarthy’s role is currently focused on development and supporting the team, rather than starting. While the Vikings initially carried four quarterbacks, the release of Max Brosmer to the practice squad and McCarthy’s potential absence due to injury have prompted speculation about adding a new backup, such as Joe Milton III. Teasley stated that the roster is still evolving and that the team is committed to evaluating McCarthy’s progress despite his limited playing time in the NFL.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have retained four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster for the first time since 1999, a move that signals a strategic balance between immediate competitiveness and long-term development. The roster includes veteran Aaron Rodgers, backup Mason Rudolph, and young prospects Will Howard and Drew Allar. This decision reflects head coach Mike McCarthy’s intent to secure a reliable backup while evaluating future franchise options, despite the rarity of such a deep quarterback group in the modern NFL.
Teddy Bridgewater has officially retired from the NFL, posting on Instagram that this time it’s for real as the Lions sign Josh Dobbs to a one-year deal to back up Jared Goff and bolster quarterback depth. Bridgewater, a former Pro Bowler with Minnesota in 2015 who overcame a major knee injury in 2016 and later started 29 games in 2020–21, had a recent return to Detroit before stepping away. The Lions are preparing for their Sept. 13 opener, reconfiguring the QB room with Dobbs and Luke Altmyer in the mix.
The Baltimore Ravens signed undrafted Heisman finalist Diego Pavia to a three-year contract and also agreed to a three-year deal with undrafted QB Joe Fagnano, adding youth to the quarterback room behind Lamar Jackson after Pavia impressed at minicamp.
Kyler Murray remains the presumed Vikings starter, but Carson Wentz’s return creates a crowded depth chart behind him, with J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer in the mix. Minnesota likely won’t carry four QBs on the 53-man roster, so one veteran could be traded or cut, or McCarthy could be pressed into a larger role, leaving the Week 1 lineup still to be determined as the team weighs experience against development.
The Philadelphia Eagles traded a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for veteran quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton won't threaten Jalen Hurts’ job but adds experienced depth and a different perspective to Philly’s QB room, potentially giving the team flexibility on QB2 Tanner McKee. At roughly $4 million for 2026, his contract is more than typical QB3 money, but his long NFL resume could help install a new system and stabilize the depth chart.
Texas quarterback Maalik Murphy has announced his decision to enter the transfer portal, leaving the Longhorns without his services during the College Football Playoff. This move could potentially impact the transfer quarterback market, with teams like Ohio State and USC being potential contenders for Murphy's talents. In the short term, Texas will rely on freshman Arch Manning as the backup to starter Quinn Ewers. However, in the long term, this clears up the quarterback picture if Ewers returns for another season, with Manning as the backup and eventual successor.