The QB carousel has seemingly slowed to a halt.
There was plenty of quarterback movement around the NFL in 2022, and some trades and signings worked out much better than others. The Broncos secured one of the best grades in trading for Russell Wilson last year, but that … didn't exactly go as planned.
But there's a difference between on-paper analysis and on-field production, and all those moves made some level of sense, while others didn't. That's why they play the games, after all.
This year, there was plenty more QB movement: Derek Carr found his way to Nawlins, while Jimmy Garoppolo took his place in Sin City. The Colts are taking a pretty big gamble on Anthony Richardson, and the Jets hope to cash in on a Super Bowl with the Aaron Rodgers trade.
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That said, some moves are better than others. Here's how they grade out:
NFL quarterback rankings: Grades for every QB change in 2023
49ers: C-
2022 Week 1 starter: Trey Lance
2023 Week 1 starter: Brock Purdy?
The 49ers didn't upgrade the room in an impactful way this offseason, opting to sign Sam Darnold, presumably as the team's QB3. If there's anyone who should know the value of depth at the most important position, though, it's San Francisco.
No one is saying the 49ers should have sprung for a new starter given Brock Purdy's ascent last year, but with their window of contention still open, they should have done more to fill out the room with at least a meaningful veteran backup. Trey Lance is still an unknown two years after he was selected and Darnold is probably on his last legs as an NFL quarterback.
There's also uncertainty as to whether or not Purdy's run to the NFC championship game was legit or smoke and mirrors, and that's a gamble that Kyle Shanahan and Co. are playing this upcoming season. It's a bold strategy, Cotton.
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Buccaneers: C
2022 Week 1 starter: Tom Brady
2023 Week 1 starter: Baker Mayfield
With Tom Brady officially retired (probably), the Buccaneers turned to Baker Mayfield over the draft or their current QB room. Mayfield has had opportunities to prove that whatever happened in Cleveland wasn't indicative of his talent overall, and that he can be a starter again.
He is getting another shot as a veteran stopgap in Tampa Bay, with probably the best and last chance he'll get to prove he can start in the league. It comes with a rookie playcaller in Dave Canales and a head coach in Todd Bowles who traditionally hasn't loved the high-risk, high-reward offense that his mentor Bruce Arians ran.
The Buccaneers are in a very strange place as an organization: They're playing in a division that's getting better around them while still having just enough talent to compete for it. They couldn't make any meaningful additions at QB thanks to their cap issues and Bowles himself is something of an unknown as a coach.
The Mayfield move just kind of screams "complacency," sticking to the status quo, even with 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask on the roster.
Raiders: B-
2022 Week 1 starter: Derek Carr
2023 Week 1 starter: Jimmy Garoppolo
That kid is back on the escalator again.
Josh McDaniels created something of a reputation for himself after alienating and shipping off some pretty good players (Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall) at his last stop with the Broncos. History seemed to repeat itself after an odd breakup with Derek Carr at the tail end of the 2023 season, and replacing Carr with Garoppolo in free agency.
Garoppolo knows McDaniels' offense, which is a plus. But he isn't better than Carr, despite a QB record that says as much. With that said, the Raiders didn't make any meaningful update at the position to compete with the Murderers Row of QBs in the AFC West, instead opting for familiarity over impact.
Saints: B
2022 Week 1 starter: Jameis Winston
2023 Week 1 starter: Derek Carr
Handing the keys to Derek Carr will give a team a level of quarterback play just above "competent," which is what the Saints have been searching for since Drew Brees retired.
That said, Carr feels like he's making something of a lateral move from the 2022 Raiders to the 2023 Saints, though the team upgraded at the position by signing him this offseason. He has a good skill-position cast which includes Chris Olave, Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara, which is about the same as the group that featured Darren Waller, Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs in 2023.
The Saints effectively bought themselves a short window to compete in a subpar division with the Carr move, so it's hard to discredit them here, even with the price tag attached. No one will mistake them for Super Bowl contenders, but the division is very much within reach with Carr.
Titans: B+
2022 Week 1 starter: Ryan Tannehill
2023 Week 1 starter: Ryan Tannehill?
Throughout the 2023 pre-draft process, the Titans were rumored to be in the quarterback market. Whether that was trading up to No. 2 or 3 to secure one or to grab one with their first-round pick, the team doesn't seem overly happy to keep running it back with Ryan Tannehill.
In all, the Titans and new GM Ran Carthon traded up just eight spots in the second round to draft Will Levis, who some felt was a first-round talent. He will not have the advantage of a fifth-year option on the contract, meaning he'll have to see the field sooner rather than later. He'll likely start the 2023 season behind Tannehill on the depth chart, but don't be surprised if the Titans turn to Levis to spark a pretty blah offense at some point during the season.
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New York Jets: A-
2022 Week 1 starter: Zach Wilson
2023 Week 1 starter: Aaron Rodgers
The Jets said they would upgrade their quarterback room in a "meaningful way" this offseason, and they did it by securing the best passer on the market with Rodgers.
The trade wasn't without its warts: Its unclear as to whether or not Rodgers will play beyond 2023, which will either sweeten or sour the 2024 draft capital that New York gave up to get him. Rodgers is also 39, has dealt with injuries in recent years and is coming off a sub-Rodgers-standard season in 2022.
That said, any time you can snag a mercenary, Hall of Fame-bound quarterback for a few second-rounders (even with a first-round condition) to help chase down a Super Bowl win, that's good business.
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Texans: A
2022 Week 1 starter: Davis Mills
2023 Week 1 starter: C.J. Stroud
Put aside the dumb debates about "value" and future draft picks and all the stuff that get the football nerds mad and tweeting angry things. The Texans upgraded two areas in an exceptionally meaningful way during the 2023 NFL Draft, and that should be applauded, not criticized.
C.J. Stroud was the no-brainer second overall pick, despite all the pre-draft bashing that quarterbacks usually go through. Houston did well to take Stroud, especially with a team that may be a bit better than people may expect in 2023.
While the Texans don't have an exceptionally flashy skill position group, they can lean on Dameon Pierce to run the rock in 2023. That'll be just fine while Stroud figures his way into an NFL passing game.
Panthers: A
2022 Week 1 starter: Baker Mayfield
2023 Week 1 starter: Bryce Young
The Panthers didn't overthink the top spot. Trading up to No. 1 overall gave them options, and they ultimately took the best one after doing their due diligence.
Young as a prospect has (almost) everything you'd want: He's a leader, he can make all the throws, he's a playmaker. Sure, his frame is the biggest knock against him, and it's certainly a concern, but you typically don't find as complete and pro-ready passers as you do Young.
Pairing him with respected offensive mind Frank Reich and a rebuilt (but still not elite) skill-position group means that Young has a pretty good chance to make big noise in 2023.
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Colts: A+
2022 Week 1 starter: Matt Ryan
2023 Week 1 starter: Anthony Richardson?
NFL teams love traits, and Richardson has all the traits to be one of the NFL's best quarterbacks, minimal starting experience be damned.
Hiring Shane Steichen, one of the coaches who oversaw Jalen Hurts' development in Philadelphia, is only going to benefit Richardson.
If they choose to be a little patient, then they have options. The Colts signed Gardner Minshew to fill out the room this offseason, and that was a wise move: Minshew has won games in the NFL but no one will mistake him for being a franchise passer. He can play in a pinch and hold down the fort for Indy, in a year when no one expects much out of them anyway. It's all about Richardson's development.
Richardson will dazzle with his ability to run and to throw the ball over mountains, but his limited college experience means that he may need to adjust to NFL speed and defenses. Whether that's starting him in the immediate or benching him until he grasps all the details of being an NFL QB remains to be seen.
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It'll be interesting to see how the Colts play the QB room entering the 2023 season — especially if owner Jim Irsay has his say on the situation.
Either way, they get major credit for taking Richardson, a potential game-breaking talent. No risk it, no biscuit, and the Colts are going for the whole bakery with the Richardson pick.