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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.
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2. Detroit Lions

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.
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1. Indianapolis Colts

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.
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