2026 QB

[JohnnyCakes]

As you look ahead to 2026 keep in mind the Cards will play a brutal schedule. The NFC West draws the AFC North. I don’t want a first year starter facing that.

I think you mean the AFC West

 

[Denny Green Fan]

I wouldn’t be mad at Mac Jones the way he’s looked this year… Almost a 95 QB rating two to one touchdown to interception ratio has looked good when I’ve watched the Niners. And most of that was with Kittle out Ricky Pearsal out out and Juwan jennings out. 67% completion percentage. You could do worse.

Be fine with him problem is he is under contract next year I think…niners be like “yeah you can have him ….give us nolen

 

[RON_IN_OC]

See what it takes to get Burrow if the Bengals are ready to blow it up, kick the tires on Stroud if we think we can “fix” him. Purdy homecoming? Who’s the next Baker Mayfield? Who’s the next Sam Darnold? Who’s the Carson Palmer of this decade? Not a lot of guys in college I’m in love with, Mendoza looks decent but he’s likely top of the pile and will be drafted high. I do like Pavia but that kinda feels like all of the same issues we had with Kyler.

Bruh, if the Cards couldn't protect Murray, what makes you think Burrow would survive?

 

[PDXChris]

I thought Daniel Jones was a FA?

He'll get franchised if they done extend him, which is just around $40 million. That would put him 17th in QB salary, which is wild.

 

[unseenaz]

I wouldn’t be mad at Mac Jones the way he’s looked this year… Almost a 95 QB rating two to one touchdown to interception ratio has looked good when I’ve watched the Niners. And most of that was with Kittle out Ricky Pearsal out out and Juwan jennings out. 67% completion percentage. You could do worse.

It's the Kyle Shanahan effect.

 

[Chopper0080]

The draft will have some options.

FA will be limited.

The trade market is always changing.

I think the Cardinals would be more inclined to draft a QB than trade for a Mac Jones type guy.

If the Cardinals were serious about the QB position they would trade Kyler, sign a guy like Zack Wilson to a 2 year deal, and then draft a QB in rounds 1 or 2.

Best potential scenario is

Give Jacoby a one year extension.

Sign Zack Wilson/Sam Howell to a 1 or 2 year deal. (probably most difficult part)

Draft LaNorris Sellers in round 1 and sit him for a year or two.

Basically you need to ensure that Sellers only starts as an emergency in year 1. You don't want him being the primary backup unless he actually wins it.

 

[Dback Jon]

Be fine with him problem is he is under contract next year I think…niners be like “yeah you can have him ….give us nolen

Plus, Purdy has shown to be fragile. They want Mac as insurance.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

The draft will have some options.

FA will be limited.

The trade market is always changing.

I think the Cardinals would be more inclined to draft a QB than trade for a Mac Jones type guy.

If the Cardinals were serious about the QB position they would trade Kyler, sign a guy like Zack Wilson to a 2 year deal, and then draft a QB in rounds 1 or 2.

Best potential scenario is

Give Jacoby a one year extension.

Sign Zack Wilson/Sam Howell to a 1 or 2 year deal. (probably most difficult part)

Draft LaNorris Sellers in round 1 and sit him for a year or two.

Basically you need to ensure that Sellers only starts as an emergency in year 1. You don't want him being the primary backup unless he actually wins it.

Why mess with a Wilson or Howell when we have a perfectly cromulent stand in QB in Brissett already?

 

[Vacard]

Pittsburgh has an 87 year old QB, the Browns are awful and the Bengals are a shell of a team.

Double team Garrett, Hendrickson will be gone.

We didnt double parsons for unknown reasons

 

[BritCard]

So if Kyler has played his last game, what’s the strategy for next year? Draft a qb and roll with Brissett as a bridge QB for one more year?

The free agent class is weak. There are no Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones of the world coming available. The only one somewhat intriguing is Mac Jones. If you are really desperate, there’s Trey Lance.

It seems like they will have to draft a qb, and by my estimations there are at least 4 teams who would take a qb if their guy is there before we’re on the clock:

1. Saints
2. Jets
3. Miami?
4. Browns?
5. Raiders?
6. Rams?

Honestly, Cards may be screwed at the position for a couple seasons.

You hope that Jacoby can keep playing like this and role with him while improving the roster elsewhere. If Jacoby can keep playing close to this level and we can add a great RB, a RT and a Guard then you're set up for a young QB.

Then if the FO like someone to develop in the next draft let them sit and learn from JB. If not, role with JB and use whatever you can get for Kyler and our own 1st (plus more) to get the guy you want in 2027 in what looks to be a much better class.

I don't see another path. I still don't think Kyler is as over as people think. I think in a poor QB year there is still a path for him to return, or at least stay and compete.

Another option I've mentioned before is Kirk Cousins. I think he gets cut in the offseason, and while he's sucked in Atlanta all his best football is in the scheme we run. And Petzing was his Assistant QB coach for a year.

 

[BritCard]

I thought Daniel Jones was a FA?

He is but he ain't leaving Indi. He's not going to risk it after finally finding a home.

 

[Totally_Red]

Right now it is hard to project the qbs in the draft. Only Mendoza is definitely in the draft. Moore and Simpson may stay in college another year. Same with Sellers.

 

[Proximo]

So if Kyler has played his last game, what’s the strategy for next year? Draft a qb and roll with Brissett as a bridge QB for one more year?

The free agent class is weak. There are no Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones of the world coming available. The only one somewhat intriguing is Mac Jones. If you are really desperate, there’s Trey Lance.

It seems like they will have to draft a qb, and by my estimations there are at least 4 teams who would take a qb if their guy is there before we’re on the clock:

1. Saints
2. Jets
3. Miami?
4. Browns?
5. Raiders?
6. Rams?

Honestly, Cards may be screwed at the position for a couple seasons.

Yes, I think that is the plan - draft someone in the mid first round at QB and hope they turn out as a Bo Nix or Jordan Love. Use Jacoby as the Bridge.

Is that going to work - odds are it won't. But we know Kyler doesn't work at this point, so I am all for rolling the dice.

 

[Chopper0080]

Least likely but optimal scenario is to trade for a vet like Burrow or Stroud. Give up the two/three first rounders for them. Not likely to happen tho. After that, trading up for one of the top three draft guys.

 

[Chopper0080]

Bruh, if the Cards couldn't protect Murray, what makes you think Burrow would survive?

The Cardinals have placed more of a priority on adding OL players even if they have not been good at it. The other part is Burrow is like many pocket QBs, he likes more receiving options vs more protectors. We have seen that with Warner and Palmer. Both preferred to have 5 options with less blockers vs less options and more blockers.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Draft LaNorris Sellers in round 1 and sit him for a year or two.

Where will he be drafted in your opinion?

And why him?

 

[Harry]

Where will he be drafted in your opinion?

And why him?

Right now he’s forth on most projections. I’m thinking late first, early second round. Lots of games to play to be definitive. Big time skills, but undisciplined. Tends to be erratic, but considered a top developmental target because of raw skills.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Least likely but optimal scenario is to trade for a vet like Burrow or Stroud. Give up the two/three first rounders for them. Not likely to happen tho. After that, trading up for one of the top three draft guys.

3 for Burrow? 2 for Stroud? Either way, I'd bite.

 

[GatorAZ]

Right now it is hard to project the qbs in the draft. Only Mendoza is definitely in the draft. Moore and Simpson may stay in college another year. Same with Sellers.

I think the latter three come back. NIL can make them patient.

 

[Totally_Red]

I think the latter three come back. NIL can make them patient.

Sellers definitely should. If Moore or Simpson help their team win the big dance, I could see them declaring

 

[JosiahLee]

Yes, I think that is the plan - draft someone in the mid first round at QB and hope they turn out as a Bo Nix or Jordan Love. Use Jacoby as the Bridge.

Is that going to work - odds are it won't. But we know Kyler doesn't work at this point, so I am all for rolling the dice.

Or Monti gets crazy and moves up in the draft if he's convicted about someone.

 

[JosiahLee]

3 for Burrow? 2 for Stroud? Either way, I'd bite.

I'd run to the table and give them 3 firsts in a heartbeat for Burrow. Can't see why they would give up on him though. I know he hasn't always been available but he's top 5 at the position IMO.

 

[unseenaz]

Sellers was a popular pre-season Heisman pick and has NOT lived up to expectations whatsoever. Odd timing to be high on him.

 

[BurqueCardFan]

I wouldn’t be mad at Mac Jones the way he’s looked this year… Almost a 95 QB rating two to one touchdown to interception ratio has looked good when I’ve watched the Niners. And most of that was with Kittle out Ricky Pearsal out out and Juwan jennings out. 67% completion percentage. You could do worse.

No to Mac Jones. Just like Purdy, Mac Jones only looks good because of Shanahan and the system he runs. Purdy is average at best and Mac Jones is a notch below that.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

The Cardinals have placed more of a priority on adding OL players even if they have not been good at it. The other part is Burrow is like many pocket QBs, he likes more receiving options vs more protectors. We have seen that with Warner and Palmer. Both preferred to have 5 options with less blockers vs less options and more blockers.

Big difference being Burrow has had multiple significant injuries.