This summer, several NFL teams are once again on the hunt for veteran quarterbacks. Where could players like Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, Joe Flacco, or Daniel Jones end up?

The NFL is a quarterback league, and in a highly competitive and sometimes overheated market, teams are constantly looking for the perfect solution at the playmaker position.

While some teams hope to find their new franchise quarterback in the NFL draft, others are looking for a veteran. To bridge the gap during a rebuild, to mentor a young colleague, or simply to add the missing piece to an otherwise ambitious team.

This offseason, there are some exciting names on the market or could still come onto the market. Where could experienced quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, Tua Tagovailoa, or Jimmy Garoppolo end up?

Aaron Rodgers

“A-Rod” has been making headlines in the offseason for years, and this year he is once again one of the hottest names around. The big question is whether the 42-year-old will continue or hang up his boots and ride off into the sunset after a long career.

If Rodgers decides against retiring from football, the Pittsburgh Steelers would be the first port of call for continued employment. The franchise would like to go into a second season with Rodgers, and the quarterback could once again work with head coach Mike McCarthy, under whom he played successfully for many years with the Green Bay Packers.

However, Rodgers has often surprised people with his decisions in recent years. That’s why a move to the Minnesota Vikings doesn’t seem completely out of the question. The Vikings are apparently no longer fully convinced by their 2024 top pick J.J. McCarthy and are therefore looking for a new QB solution.

In Minneapolis, Rodgers could play alongside stars such as receiver Justin Jefferson, and with “A-Rod” in top form, the Vikings might even be Super Bowl contenders. And as we know, Brett Favre, a legendary Packers QB, has already made the move to their northern rivals.

No less spectacular would be Rodgers signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, which has already been speculated about. The franchise from the gambling metropolis and the eccentric superstar QB – at first glance, that would be a match made in heaven.

However, it is very likely that the Raiders will bring Fernando Mendoza to the desert city and entrust him with the future in Las Vegas. A backup role is unlikely to be an option for Rodgers.

Tua Tagovailoa

After a difficult 2025 season that included numerous interceptions and a demotion to the bench, Tua Tagovailoa probably has no future with the Miami Dolphins. General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan recently did not rule out a trade. The player himself has also expressed openness to a fresh start elsewhere. Whether the Dolphins will find a trade partner is another question, however, as Tua has a very lucrative contract. Since releasing him before June 1 would cost the Dolphins a “dead cap” investment of around $99 million, they are likely to be willing to do quite a lot for a trade and could possibly continue to pay part of the quarterback’s salary. This, in turn, could make Tagovailoa very interesting for some teams that are looking for a QB. With the Minnesota Vikings, for example, Tua could compete directly with McCarthy and benefit from the outstanding offensive targets Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. As with the Vikings, the QB situation with the Atlanta Falcons is also uncertain, as Michael Penix Jr. is still recovering from the effects of a cruciate ligament rupture. Head coach Kevin Stefanski is considered a specialist in tailoring his playing system to different quarterbacks. Perhaps Stefanski could also help Tua finally reach his full potential. The Arizona Cardinals could also be interested if the franchise presses the reset button and parts ways with Kyler Murray. There has even been speculation about a direct swap between Tagovailoa and Murray.

Kirk Cousins

The Atlanta Falcons are also looking for a QB because they will release Kirk Cousins on March 11, the first day of the new NFL year. But there should also be a market for “Captain Kirk” this summer. The 37-year-old played there from 2018 to 2023, knows the franchise and the team inside out, and could help immediately if McCarthy is not to continue. However, if the Vikings continue to plan with McCarthy, he could help the young QB find his feet in Minneapolis. Cousins is also being touted by the New York Jets to compete with Justin Fields. Or with the Miami Dolphins, should Tua Tagovailoa actually be traded or cut.

Daniel Jones

Jones was already considered a failure with the New York Giants. Last season, he played brilliantly for the Indianapolis Colts until he tore his Achilles tendon – and is suddenly considered one of the hottest names in the NFL this summer.

The Colts are desperate to keep Jones, and promising negotiations are already underway. But if anything goes wrong and “Danny Dimes” does end up on the market, he is likely to be of interest to almost all teams looking for a quarterback, from the Steelers to the Vikings to the Jets.

Jimmy Garoppolo

Garoppolo was once considered a great talent and potential successor to Tom Brady in New England – later starting in the Super Bowl with San Francisco. “Jimmy G” never made his big breakthrough, but Garoppolo has built a solid NFL career as a journeyman and backup.

On March 11, the 34-year-old will become a free agent after his contract with the Los Angeles Rams expires. And wherever a reliable number two is needed, Garoppolo is a candidate. In fact, his future could lie with the Arizona Cardinals, as head coach Mike LaFleur has already worked with the quarterback at the Rams and is considered a big fan. If Kyler Murray’s time in Arizona comes to an end, the Cardinals could draft a young signal caller and pair him with Garoppolo. But a new contract with the Rams also seems possible. If Stafford continues, head coach Sean McVay could stick with the tried-and-tested combination. Or will the circle close and “Jimmy G” return to the New England Patriots once again as Drake Maye’s backup? These rumors are also circulating.

Joe Flacco

Flacco turned 41 in January, but he is not thinking about ending his career yet. Flacco remains highly sought after as a bridge QB or mentor this offseason. Among other teams, he is being linked with the Atlanta Falcons, where Michael Penix Jr. is still injured and could benefit from Flacco’s experience as he continues his career. There is also speculation about a return of the 2012 Super Bowl champion to the New York Jets. The Jets desperately need stability at the most important position, and Flacco still enjoys a good reputation in the Big Apple after his stint there six years ago. He could quickly settle back in and bring some calm to New York.

Russell Wilson

Things haven’t really gone well for Wilson anywhere since he left Seattle. Nevertheless, the 37-year-old could continue his NFL career. There are rumors that the Kansas City Chiefs could sign Wilson if star QB Patrick Mahomes is not fully fit by the start of the season after tearing his cruciate ligament. One factor in his favor is that Wilson has earned more than $300 million in his career. So he could sign with the Chiefs for relatively little money and take on an exciting sporting challenge. After all, he could probably play a few games and then line up as backup behind one of the strongest quarterbacks in the NFL – which would certainly be no disgrace.