The number of starting QBs has been at record levels the past two seasons. That's causing team across the league to sign and trade for more QBs each offseason.
Before the teams dip into a strong 2024 QB draft class, an incredible 22 veteran quarterbacks have changed teams in March.
From tracking all the moves, that means a lot of QB rooms have changed across the league. While you can track those updated depth charts here, here's rating all the moves that have happened so far:
MORE NFL FREE AGENCY:
Most overpaid | Best bargains | Team grades | Winners & losers
Ranking, grading QB moves in 2024 NFL free agency
A is for "Acing It"
1. Steelers sign Russell Wilson
They are paying $1.2 million for a likely future Hall-of-Famer to see what he has left. Either way, he upgrades their offense with his arm and athleticism. He might be close to done approaching 36, but Steelers weren't done rebooting at the most improtant position.
2. Steelers trade for Justin Fields
With Wilson being their only QB for a while after moving on from all three of last season's starters, there was a thought that the Steelers would draft a developmental option late. In a way, they did, using late pick next year on taking a shot on Fields ahead of him turning just 26 next year. Pittsburgh landing Wilson and Fields for next to nothing is a major coup for GM Omar Khan.
3. Falcons sign Kirk Cousins
While Wilson and Fields do carry some combined uncertainty, should Cousins return healthy from his torn Achilles, there's no doubt he can return to be an elite passer in another Rams-like offensive system. The Falcons just happened to spend a lot more than the Steelers, but they also got a massive upgrade.
NFL DRAFT: Top 125 big board
B is for "Backup" or "Bridge"
4. Browns sign Tyler Huntley
Cleveland started a ridicilous amount of backups when Deshaun Watson was hurt last season. It did get a little paranoid by signing two backup QBs (see below), but Huntley, Lamar Jackson's former top understudy, is a nice intradivision get to support the unreliable Watson.
5. Colts sign Joe Flacco
Flacco must have regained his love for the passing game with his supersub comeback effort for the Browns. The Colts were also smart to add the former Raven and Brown behind Anthony Richardson after he transitioned well to his backup career.
6. Raiders sign Gardner Minshew
The Colts had to start Minshew with Richardson getting hurt early, and he used that to his advantage to land in a good spot. For now, he's the starter in Vegas' new offense under Luke Getsy. He might end up backing up another dynamic, athletic first-round pick, though.
7. Rams sign Jimmy Garoppolo
There's a real correlation to the Kyle Shanhan-Sean McVay systems (see the best seasons of Cousins). When the Raiders let Jimmy G go, it was a no-brainer for the Rams to grab him to upgrade behind Matthew Stafford.
8. Vikings sign Sam Darnold
Darnold was with Shanahan for one season, in essence replacing Garoppolo. Now, he has sudden value as a bridge or backup in a McVay-like system, boosted by having former Jets buddy Josh McCown as his QB coach.
9. 49ers sign Josh Dobbs
It didn't take a rocket scientist to know Brock Purdy needed a new veteran beind him with Darnold gone. Dobbs gives Shanahan a good short-term fill-in for his system.
10. Bills sign Mitchell Trubisky
Trubisky stunk as the Bears first-round starter. He was not very good, either, as the Steelers' second-stringer. His only good role has been behind Josh Allen, and he's back where he belongs.
11. Patriots sign Jacoby Brissett
Brissett returns to his original NFL team after bouncing around as a reliable, system-malleable backup. He will help with the transition away from Mac Jones to the No. 3 overall pick. He would be an especially great mentor for Jayden Daniels.
12. Jets sign Tyrod Taylor
Brissett is either the young version of Taylor or Taylor is the older version of Brissett. He can deliver and pick up any system quickly as McCown and Ryan Fitzpatrick once did. The Jetsdidn't want another backup mess behind Aaron Rodgers
13. Jaguars trade for Mac Jones
Remember when there was debate about whether Jones should have been the next QB taken after Trevor Lawrence in the 2021 NFL Draft? Jacksonville recognized Jones has the makeup to revive his career as a backup.
14. Cardinals trade for Desmond Ridder
Rondale Moore wasn't in their plans, so why not got an athletic passer to install as the better-styled backup for Kyler Murray over Clayton Tune?
15. Commanders sign Marcus Mariota
Mariota has also handled his disappointment over losing his starting status well, remaking himself as a willing, good-guy backup. Whether it's Drake Maye or someone else, a high first-round rookie will appreciate his presence.
NFL POWER RANKINGS: Falcons, Steelers rise; Cowboys drop
C is for "Confusing"
16. Browns sign Jameis Winston
Wintson wasn't in the Saints plans behind Derek Carr in Klint Kubiak's offense. The Browns got him before Huntley just in case. Now, it seems superfluous.
17. Eagles trade for Kenny Pickett
Pickett is trying his hand in the NFL on the other side of the Keystone State. He is an OK developmental backup for Jalen Hurts, but it seemed like they already had that in Tanner McKee.
18. Titans sign Mason Rudolph
Rudolph flashed for the Steelers in relation to their other QBs playing poorly. They could have done a little bit better for a new Will Levis mentor.
19. Bears sign Brett Rypien
They already still have Secret Bagent Man behind Caleb Williams, but hey, it's a No. 3.
D is for "Doesn't Inspire"
20. Saints sign Nathan Peterman
The Bears replaced Peterman with Rypien. Related, Peterman will be in the NFL for an eternity.
21. Giants sign Drew Lock
This deal says, "We kind of believe in Daniel Jones because we are paying him, but we also kind of don't because we're thinking about drafting another QB. So, let's do something random in between, finding a guy who isn't the most reliable backup or someone to really push Jones."
22. Seahawks trade for Sam Howell
Again: "We kind of believe in Geno Smith because we are paying him. We kind of don't because we're thinking about drafting one. So, let's do something random in between, finding a guy who isn't the most reliable backup or someone to really push Smith. Except, this time, let's give up real draft capital for him!"
