Gamer Koala

15 NFL Teams That Flew Too Close to the Quarterback Sun

Sometimes, NFL teams are so desperate to find “the guy” under center that they forget to wear sunscreen before launching themselves into the QB stratosphere. Whether it was a one-year wonder, a hyped-up prospect, or a swing that never connected, these teams got burned chasing quarterback glory.

This list is a toast to the teams that dared to believe — and ended up with singed eyebrows. From misguided hope to full-on quarterback delusion, these are 15 NFL franchises that flew a little too close to the quarterback sun.

15. Chicago Bears

Nov 19, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) stretches during pregame warmups before their game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field
Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

They believed Justin Fields was the answer and rearranged everything to make it work. Three seasons later, they were back at the top of the draft with a new guy in tow.

14. San Francisco 49ers

Oct 10, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) warms up with fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium
Chris Coduto-Imagn Images

The Trey Lance experiment was bold, expensive, and short-lived. For a team so good at everything else, they really whiffed hard on that one.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jan 9, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with teammates in the final two minutes against the Washington Football Team in the fourth quarter at FedExField
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

They tried to chase post-Brady magic with Baker Mayfield and a handful of hopes. It hasn’t been a disaster, but you can still smell the smoke from the early misfires.

12. Arizona Cardinals

Nov 24, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) reacts following a third down play against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field.
Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Kyler Murray looked like a franchise savior until the engine sputtered post-extension. Now they’re left wondering if the joystick offense ever really had long-term legs.

11. Cleveland Browns

Oct 27, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) celebrates with wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) and quarterback Jameis Winston (5) and running back D'Onta Foreman (27) after catching a touchdown pass during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field.
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

They went all-in on a controversial, fully guaranteed move that left everyone raising eyebrows. Years later, they still haven’t cashed in on that massive gamble.

10. New York Jets

Aug 12, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) hands off against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

They went from Zach Wilson to Aaron Rodgers in the blink of an eye, hoping for a miracle. Instead, they got one snap and a whole lot of pain. Maybe Justin Fields will fix their problems?

9. Carolina Panthers

Jan 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) reacts with wide receiver David Moore (83) after running for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

They traded the farm for Bryce Young and watched as their offense withered like a sun-dried tomato. It’s way too early to panic — but the scorch marks are showing.

8. Denver Broncos

Oct 1, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field
Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

They thought Russell Wilson would be their final puzzle piece. Instead, he became an expensive meme and another reminder that the post-Manning hangover is still real.

7. Minnesota Vikings

Jan 3, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) reacts during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field
Raj Mehta-Imagn Images

Kirk Cousins wasn’t exactly the sun, but they sure paid like he was. Consistently decent, but never enough to elevate them out of the NFL’s middle tier.

6. Houston Texans

Nov 22, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates with wide receiver Keke Coutee (16) after a touchdown during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium.
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Deshaun Watson once looked like a golden ticket, but off-field issues nuked the entire era. They’re lucky they found C.J. Stroud before the ashes even cooled.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) takes to the field with teammates before an NFL first round playoff football matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Los Angeles Chargers Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Unio / USA TODAY NETWORK

They handed the keys to Blake Bortles and then somehow doubled down. Even Trevor Lawrence’s early magic hasn’t fully healed the sunburn.

4. Miami Dolphins

Nov 1, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) leads his team out to the field before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Hard Rock Stadium.
Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

They passed on multiple top-tier QBs for Tua, who still feels like a “maybe” every time he takes a hit. It’s been a rollercoaster of promise, panic, and prayers.

3. St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams

December 2, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford (8) hands off to running back Daryl Richardson (26) during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. St. Louis defeated San Francisco 16-13 in overtime.
Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Sam Bradford had the tools, the contract, and the hype — just not the durability. Years of QB purgatory followed before they finally broke through with a veteran trade.

Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Opinionated QBs to Ever Play the Game

2. Detroit Lions

Nov 26, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) jogs off the field during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at Ford Field.
Raj Mehta-Imagn Images

They held onto Matthew Stafford like he was the only life raft on the Titanic. He sailed to a Super Bowl elsewhere, while they rebuilt from the scorched ruins.

Read More: 15 Most Boastful NFL Quarterbacks of All Time

1. Indianapolis Colts

Jan 5, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) in the huddle with teammates against the Houston Texans during the AFC Wild Card at NRG Stadium.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

They’ve been on a QB carousel since Andrew Luck stunned the world and peaced out. Each new “fix” burned a little hotter, a little quicker — and none stuck.

Stay in the Game With the Latest Scores, Highlights, and Stories — Follow GamerKoala on MSN.

Scroll to Top