2026 NFL Free Agency: Prescribing Plan A and B for 9 QB-Needy Teams
📌 Key Takeaways
- **Scarce QB Market:** The 2026 offseason is described as exceptionally weak for teams needing a starting quarterback, with poor options in the draft, free agency, and trades, leaving QB-needy teams in a difficult position.
- **Falcons' Dual Approach:** For the Atlanta Falcons, Plan A is to sign veteran Joe Flacco as a mentor and backup for the recovering Michael Penix Jr., leveraging Flacco's experience with coach Kevin Stefanski. Plan B is pursuing Tua Tagovailoa as a younger reclamation project if confidence in Penix wanes.
- **Strategic Planning Essential:** Teams without a solid quarterback are advised to develop clear plans for this offseason, even if options are limited, as waiting until the 2027 draft may be necessary for long-term solutions.
- **League-Wide QB Hold:** Teams with competent quarterbacks are reluctant to trade them due to the lack of appealing alternatives, exacerbating the challenge for QB-needy teams.
📖 Full Retelling
This is the worst offseason for a team in need of a starting quarterback. The draft is "razor-thin" as one scout told me. And the free-agent and trade markets "suck," the scout said, "unless you’re looking for broken down old guys, or a backup who’s had a couple of good starts." Those are harsh assessments, to be sure, but not atypical of what was heard around the rest of the league at the NFL Scouting Combine. Teams with decent quarterbacks are gripping them tightly because the alternatives are unimpressive. And teams without a decent quarterback … As another scout told me: "They’re pretty screwed." So what are those teams to do, other than wait until the 2027 draft when help could be on the way (maybe)? They better have a plan, even if it’s not a very good one. With free agency starting next week and the draft rapidly approaching, here is a Plan A and a Plan B for what each of those teams should do to address their QB issues this offseason. Atlanta Falcons Plan A: Sign Joe Flacco to back up a healthy Michael Penix Jr.Plan B: Sign Tua Tagovailoa There’s no guarantee Penix (torn ACL) will be ready for the start of the 2026 season, and even if he is, new coach Kevin Stefanski can’t be sure he’s their long-term answer. He needs to take a look at him if he can, though, so they know what they have before the 2027 draft. But they need a veteran backup to both mentor him and to step in, if necessary. Who better than the 41-year-old Flacco, who embraced both those roles multiple times for Stefanski in Cleveland, and who lit it up for six starts in Cincinnati last year? He’ll not only help Penix, but he’s the perfect bridge to 2027, too. Tagovailoa doesn’t really fit that mold, but at 28, he’s an interesting reclamation project if the Falcons are already doubting Penix’s long-term future. His injury history is definitely a concern, but his talent is undeniable. If Stefanski is the quarterback guru the Falcons hope he is, he might be able to fix him. This, of course, is assu
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- No Data Available - BROWSE BY SPORTS & TEAMS PLAYERS SHOWS PERSONALITIES TOPICS Built on National Football League National Football League 2026 NFL Free Agency: Prescribing Plan A and B for 9 QB-Needy Teams Published Mar. 5, 2026 8:00 a.m. ET share facebook x reddit link This is the worst offseason for a team in need of a starting quarterback. The draft is "razor-thin" as one scout told me. And the free-agent and trade markets "suck," the scout said, "unless you’re looking for broken down old guys, or a backup who’s had a couple of good starts." Those are harsh assessments, to be sure, but not atypical of what was heard around the rest of the league at the NFL Scouting Combine. Teams with decent quarterbacks are gripping them tightly because the alternatives are unimpressive. And teams without a decent quarterback … As another scout told me: "They’re pretty screwed." So what are those teams to do, other than wait until the 2027 draft when help could be on the way ? They better have a plan, even if it’s not a very good one. With free agency starting next week and the draft rapidly approaching, here is a Plan A and a Plan B for what each of those teams should do to address their QB issues this offseason. Atlanta Falcons Plan A: Sign Joe Flacco to back up a healthy Michael Penix Jr. Plan B: Sign Tua Tagovailoa There’s no guarantee Penix (torn ACL) will be ready for the start of the 2026 season, and even if he is, new coach Kevin Stefanski can’t be sure he’s their long-term answer. He needs to take a look at him if he can, though, so they know what they have before the 2027 draft. Will the Falcons commit another season to Michael Penix, who's coming off another torn ACL? (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) But they need a veteran backup to both mentor him and to step in, if necessary. Who better than the 41-year-old Flacco, who embraced both those roles multiple times for Stefanski in Cleveland, and who lit it up for six starts in Cincinnati last...
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