Some NFL teams seem permanently stuck in quarterback limbo. They build solid rosters, stack talent on defense, maybe even land a few dynamic skill players—then totally whiff under center.
Whether it’s bad draft luck, free agent flops, or just sheer indecision, these teams live in a constant state of “if we just had the right guy.” Here are 10 NFL teams that are always “a quarterback away,” year after year, era after era.
10. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have been trying to reset since the Matt Ryan era ended. They’ve built a sneaky fun roster but there’s still question marks about whether Michael Penix Jr will be the guy or not.
9. New England Patriots
The Patriots haven’t found a real replacement for Tom Brady, even though Drake Maye has potential. The defense usually shows up, but the offense has been stuck in neutral since 2020.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Outside of the Tom Brady miracle run, quarterbacking in Tampa has been one long experiment. They’ve had rosters ready to win, but QB roulette keeps holding them back. Baker has been solid, but he’s not the future.
7. New Orleans Saints
The Saints thought they could ride out the post-Drew Brees era without much of a drop-off. Turns out, that drop-off was a cliff, and they haven’t recovered. Derek Carr is a decent QB, but his injuries haven’t helped the franchise.
6. New York Jets
The Jets draft quarterbacks like clockwork, but none of them stick. They always seem to be one piece away, and that piece is always under center.
5. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers cycled through quarterbacks like a turnstile after Cam Newton. The roster has had flashes, but no one to take command of the offense.
4. Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck retired early, and the Colts have been in quarterback limbo ever since. Every offseason feels like another roll of the dice at the most important position.
3. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have shuffled through quarterbacks for years, never quite committing to a true long-term solution. Every season starts with promise and ends with QB questions.
Read More: 10 NFL Franchises That Have Never Figured It Out
2. Tennessee Titans
The Titans keep leaning on the run game and trying to get by with just enough at quarterback. But without someone to elevate the offense, the ceiling stays low.
Read More: 10 NFL Teams That Have Been Stuck in Mediocrity for Way Too Long
1. Cleveland Browns
The Browns have been “a quarterback away” since before most fans were born. They finally have talent across the board, but stability at QB still feels like a fantasy.
Read More: 10 Free Agents Who Totally Revitalized Their NFL Team
