Eight NFL Teams Will Have a New Quarterbacks This Season

Quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons runs drills during OTA offseason workouts at the Atlanta Falcons training facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia on May 14, 2024. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The 2024 NFL season is quickly approaching, and depth charts are starting to get set before training camps begin. A number of teams around the league have made significant changes at their post important position: quarterback.

The 2024 NFL Draft was historic for quarterbacks. Six of the first 12 overall selections were quarterbacks, the fastest we’ve seen that many come off the board in the history of the league. And, when a quarterback is selected that early in the draft, there are expectations that accompany the new address and jersey.

Here are the NFL teams that will embark on their 2024 seasons with someone new under center, including a couple cities where we might be headed for a controversy at the position.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons hit the free agent market after they were disappointed in the play of Desmond Ridder. They struck quickly, signing veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal in which $100 million is guaranteed.

Mr. Cousins, who will turn 36 on Aug. 19, is coming off a season in which he tore his Achilles’ tendon in Minnesota, so there was an inherent risk in the massive contract. During his six seasons with the Vikings, Mr. Cousins led the team to a 50-37-1 record and appeared in three Pro Bowls.

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on behind quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during OTA offseason workouts at the Atlanta Falcons training facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., on May 14, 2024. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

However, the irony of the situation in Atlanta is that Mr. Cousins left Minnesota because they intended on drafting a quarterback. So, it was a shock to him—and many others—when the Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington with the eighth overall selection in the draft.

Teams usually don’t draft a player that high to sit him for very long. And Mr. Penix is already 24 years old; he suffered a series of significant injuries while playing at Indiana. So, how this quarterback situation plays itself out could be one if the big stories in the entire NFL this coming season.

Chicago Bears

The Bears held the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by virtue of a trade with Carolina. They opted to move on from Justin Fields and turn the controls over to Caleb Williams.

Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears looks on during Chicago Bears Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Illinois on May 10, 2024. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The phenom out of USC will join an overhauled offense in Chicago that includes returning leading receiver DJ Moore, two new receivers (veteran Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze), a new running back (D’Andre Swift), and two solid tight ends (Cole Kmet and free agent addition Gerald Everett).

If Mr. Williams lives up to the hype, which will include the Bears being featured in this year’s edition of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” series, this could be an entertaining season in Chicago.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are one of two teams that drafted a quarterback early who might not get the starting job right away this season, but should get a chance at some point. Denver selected Oregon’s Bo Nix at No. 12 overall. It was clear he was a target for head coach Sean Payton.

Quarterback Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos throws during Denver Broncos Rookie Minicamp at Centura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado on May 11, 2024. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Like Mr. Penix, Mr. Nix is an older rookie (24) who spent time at Auburn before transferring across the country to find success with the Ducks.

He’ll have to take the job away from veteran Jarrett Stidham, who appeared in three games for the Broncos last year. Denver also traded for Zach Wilson, whose time with the Jets came to an end quickly.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders might opt to stay with Aidan O’Connell under center, but they added Gardner Minshew in free agency. This isn’t the sexiest tandem in the league, but whomever they have throwing the ball will still have expectations as the quarterback of the Raiders.

Quarterback Gardner Minshew #15 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs through a drill during an OTA offseason workout at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center in Henderson, Nevada on May 29, 2024. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Mr. Minshew threw for over 3,300 yards and 15 touchdowns in Indianapolis last season. Mr. O’Connell was a fourth-round pick by the Raiders last year and threw for over 2,200 yards and 12 touchdowns in 11 appearances for Vegas as a rookie.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings maneuvered the draft seemingly perfectly, benefitting from the Falcons surprisingly taking Mr. Penix as early as they did. Minnesota was a place many felt was the ideal landing spot for Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, and he was their pick at No. 10 on the board.

J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines looks on in the first half against the Washington Huskies during the 2024 CFP National Championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on January 08, 2024. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Mr. McCarthy has a pro-ready game and played in a pro system under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, but he won’t have to step in immediately if he isn’t ready. The Vikings also signed veteran Sam Darnold as a free agent to provide depth.

New England Patriots

The Patriots sat third in the 2024 NFL Draft and were still searching for an answer to replace Tom Brady. It was a foregone conclusion that they would take a quarterback, but the question was which player would be available. New England selected Drake Maye out of North Carolina.

Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots throws the ball during the New England Patriots OTA Offseason Workout in Foxborough, Massachusetts on May 29, 2024. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

He will get some time to develop with veteran Jacoby Brissett coming into the fold to help teach Mr. Maye and keep the Patriots competitive. Mr. Brissett played a similar role with Sam Howell in Washington previously and started his career with the Patriots, so this marriage might be one that works.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are the other team that might have a dilemma on their hands. After veteran Russell Wilson was bought out by the Denver Broncos to start the offseason, Pittsburgh quickly signed him to a very team-friendly deal (one year, $1.21 million). Mr. Wilson is coming off a couple disappointing seasons in Denver; this is viewed as a rebound opportunity for the player and an upgrade for the organization.

When Chicago decided to move on from Mr. Fields, the Steelers were one of the teams he preferred as a trade destination. At the cost of only a conditional sixth-round pick in 2025, the Steelers added the athletic quarterback who ran for more than 1,100 yards during the 2022 season.

Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears looks on prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 07, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The tandem is getting along better than the situation in Atlanta. Mr.Wilson posted videos welcoming Mr. Fields to Pittsburgh on his social media accounts when the trade was announced. When the season starts, however, one of the two will be the starter and the other will want that job.

Washington Commanders

The Commanders owned the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and selected reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels out of LSU. Mr. Daniels is a dual-threat quarterback who will work with a new offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury.

Jayden Daniels #5 and Sam Hartman #11 of the Washington Commanders look to pass during Washington Commanders Rookie Minicamp at OrthoVirginia Training Center on May 10, 2024 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)