Jets, Raiders, Browns Among Suitors For First-Round QBs
While there’s still five weeks to go in the regular season, a handful of teams are already eyeing the 2026 campaign. These bottom dwellers will have a quarterback atop their list of offseason needs, and these franchises will also be primed to pursue the position via the first round of the draft.
A recent ESPN article took an early look at the 2026 draft and identified three organizations that could turn to first-round quarterbacks: the Jets, Raiders, and Browns.
The Jets are an obvious suitor for a quarterback. However, with the front office now armed with multiple first-round picks in both 2026 and 2027 (thanks to the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades), Rich Cimini says there’s a chance the Jets decide to kick the can down the road a bit. Both coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey will naturally feel some pressure to improve the team’s outlook ASAP, but Cimini notes that they’d only pursue the position if they have “conviction” in a particular player.
The Raiders are another obvious landing spot for a quarterback considering Geno Smith‘s struggles in 2025. Ryan McFadden says that even if Smith is leading the depth chart in 2026, the front office will strongly consider “a succession plan.” Plus, with Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers in place, it’s in the organization’s best interest to add a young signal caller to the mix sooner than later.
The Browns’ situation is a bit more complex. Deshaun Watson will surely be back considering his hefty dead cap hit, and the team is also evaluating rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel as potential options at the position. Daniel Oyefusi notes that the front office may find themselves behind a handful of QB-needy teams in the draft, but with two first-round picks in their possession (and 10 picks overall), the Browns will be well positioned to move up if necessary.
Two other teams were mentioned as suitors for quarterbacks, although reporters weren’t as convinced that those front offices would actually pull the trigger. Sarah Barshop acknowledged that Matthew Stafford‘s retirement is rapidly approaching, and the team will be well positioned to select a QB since they have a pair of first-round selections. Considering the Rams’ contender status, Barshop is ultimately skeptical if the franchise will pursue the position in the first round. Even if they do, the reporter doesn’t believe the hypothetical QB would start as a rookie.
Meanwhile, Field Yates lists the Cardinals as a franchise that could pursue the position, and the reporter points to the fact that the front office could easily get out of the Kyler Murray contract. Yates believes the Cardinals may be a better fit for a veteran signal caller, although the reporter says the front office will at least “do its quarterback homework in the draft.”
A handful of highly touted quarterbacks like Arch Manning, LaNorris Sellers, and Cade Klubnik have slipped a bit in 2025, leading to some question marks atop the positional draft class. ESPN’s Jordan Reid believes there will be three QBs with first-round grades: Oregon’s Dante Moore, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, and Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/3/25
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Bryson Green, RB Jermar Jefferson
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR Will Sheppard
Houston Texans
- Signed: T Jaylon Thomas
Indianapolis Colts
- Released: C Jimmy Morrissey
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: WR Austin Trammell
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: T Matt Waletzko
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Jamin Davis, WR Brenden Rice
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Joaquin Davis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Kana’i Mauga
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: T Logan Brown, RB Myles Gaskin
Jefferson, Sheppard, and Trammell all found themselves signing to the practice squads of the teams that waived them two days ago. Having cleared waivers, the free agents returned to their lockers as members of the taxi squad.
Indianapolis cut Morrissey today in order to make room for kicker Blake Grupe, whom they signed yesterday. Grupe should be in line to take over kicking duties following the waiving of Michael Badgley yesterday, while Spencer Shrader remains on injured reserve.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/3/25
Here are today’s midweek minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Designated for return from IR: DL L.J. Collier
- Signed from practice squad: TE Pharaoh Brown
Atlanta Falcons
- Reverted to season-ending IR: LB Malik Verdon
Cincinnati Bengals
- Designated for return from IR: LB Shaka Heyward
Green Bay Packers
- Signed off Giants’ practice squad: DT Jordon Riley
Houston Texans
- Signed from practice squad: DE Solomon Byrd
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed from practice squad: DE Matt Dickerson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed from practice squad: T Esa Pole
Los Angeles Chargers
- Designated for return from IR: RB Hassan Haskins
Minnesota Vikings
- Designated for return from IR: RB Ty Chandler
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: WR Dante Pettis, G William Sherman
New York Jets
- Designated for return from IR: LB Cam Jones
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Designated for return from IR: CB Donte Kent
Collier signed with Arizona after injuries and a failure to live up to his first-round draft stock led to his departure from Seattle. He earned a starting role with his new team, but after his first game for the Cardinals, he was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a bicep injury. He worked his way back to health and started 15 of 17 game appearances last year, but his struggles on the line led to a team reunion with Calais Campbell and the drafting of Walter Nolen in the first round. Collier was working as a depth piece before getting placed on IR back in September, and if he can get back to the active roster, he’ll add to the line’s depth, once again.
As a rookie, Verdon was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list to start the season. The undrafted linebacker had been designated to return from the reserve/NFI list, but now that his 21-day practice window has come and gone without an activation, he moves to IR.
Pharaoh in Arizona, Dickerson in Duval, and Pettis in New Orleans all had used up their three standard gameday practice squad elevations. If their respective teams wanted to see them play in any more games this season, a move to the 53-man roster was necessary.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/2/25
Twenty-one different teams made practice squad transactions on Tuesday. Here are the latest updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: RB Montrell Johnson, RB Sincere McCormick
- Signed: LB Eku Leota
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB William Kwenkeu, RB Jonathan Ward
- Placed on practice squad IR: LB Chandler Martin
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DE Andre Jones
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: CB Jalen Kimber
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DT Simeon Barrow, G Jack Conley, RB Ahmani Marshall, LB Mark Robinson
- Placed on practice squad IR: DE Julian Okwara
- Released: LB Eugene Asante
Denver Broncos
- Released: WR Kyrese Rowan
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Shemar Bartholomew
- Released: CB Tyron Herring, WR Michael Woods
Houston Texans
- Signed: OLB Xavier Thomas
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: K Greg Joseph
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: C Josh Kaltenberger, OT Foster Sarell
- Released: WR Luke Grimm, OT David Sharpe
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: OL Wyatt Bowles
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OL Kion Smith
- Released: OL Braeden Daniels
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: QB Desmond Ridder
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: CB Beanie Bishop
- Released: RB Ian Wheeler
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Samuel Womack
- Released: WR Brandon Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: DB Parry Nickerson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DB Daequan Hardy
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OLB Ja’Markis Weston
- Released: C Doug Kramer, WR Brenden Rice
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: RB Owen Wright
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Kristian Wilkerson
Washington Commanders
- Signed: WR Robbie Chosen
- Released: LS Zach Triner
With J.J. McCarthy close to a return from his concussion, the Vikings parted ways with Ridder. He was signed last week after McCarthy entered concussion protocol, but was not elevated to back up Max Brosmer in Week 13. That responsibility instead went to John Wolford, who remains in Minnesota.
Bishop was released by the Steelers at the beginning of November. After appearing all 17 games last year with a 50% snap share, he did not make the 53-man roster this season and remained on the practice squad. He will now join the Saints in the hopes of making his 2025 debut in New Orleans.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/2/25
Several NFL teams made minor roster on Tuesday as they prepare for crucial Week 14 games with major playoff implications. Here are the latest updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed off Vikings’ practice squad: RB Corey Kiner
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: CB Kalen King
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DT Sam Kamara
- Placed on IR: DT Maliek Collins (story)
Detroit Lions
- Placed on IR: CB Terrion Arnold (story)
Houston Texans
- Signed from practice squad: CB Ameer Speed
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived: LB Jamin Davis
- Signed from practice squad: CB Greedy Vance
New York Giants
- Waived: OLB Tomon Fox
New York Jets
- Waived (with injury settlement): DE Byron Cowart
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: RB Myles Gaskin
Cardinals Unsure Of QB Kyler Murray’s Return Timeline
4:43pm: Gannon said this afternoon (via team reporter Darren Urban) Murray will not practice this week. Evaluation in this case will continue with Murray’s status still unclear.
9:54am: Kyler Murray appeared to be nearing a return to full health following a foot injury when it became clear he would not resume starting quarterback duties upon being medically cleared. Shortly thereafter, the Cardinals moved him to injured reserve. 
That decision ensured an absence of at least four weeks. As early as Wednesday, though, Murray could return to practice. Head coach Jonathan Gannon was asked by ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss if the team plans on opening Murray’s practice window this week, but he replied, “I’m not sure.”
Since Gannon revealed Murray would not immediately reprise his starting role upon being cleared, speculation has understandably increased about a parting of ways taking place this coming offseason. Murray is already owed $36.8MM in guaranteed salary for 2026, so a trade or release would have major cap implications. The former No. 1 pick’s base salary ($19.5MM) is set to vest in March, so a decision will need to be made by that point.
A recent report indicated the Cardinals could elect to retain the current regime featuring Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort and in doing so allow for a reset under center. Gannon and Ossenfort were both hired in 2023, well after Murray had been drafted. Year 3 of the Ossenfort-Gannon tandem has not gone to plan, and Arizona sits at 3-9 on the year. That leaves the Cardinals as one of the teams already eliminated from playoff contention and a potential candidate to select a passer during the opening round of April’s draft.
Murray’s entire seven-year career has taken place in Arizona, but a change in organizational direction could leave him on the move relatively soon. The 28-year-old would be an interesting target for other teams seeking at least a short-term move at the position, but of course his market value will be heavily influenced by his health. Receiving clearance for the end of the campaign would be a welcomed development for all involved.
The coming days will thus be important with respect to Murray’s status over the closing weeks of the season. A return to full health – even without any accompanying playing time – would add an interesting layer to Arizona’s final games of 2025. Whether or not the team plans to open Murray’s practice window in the near future will be worth monitoring.
Updated 2026 NFL Draft Order
Week 12 saw the Giants become the first team in the NFL to be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Based on Sunday’s results, another two teams from each conference saw their postseason chances officially come to an end.
The Titans, Saints, Raiders and Cardinals have now been eliminated as well. Attention in the case of those teams will increasingly turn toward the offseason. For some, questions about changes at the quarterback spot will be ongoing through the spring. Free agency is not expected to include many notable options, so the draft will be sought out in several instances as a means of finding a 2026 starter.
Of course, the incoming class of passers has largely underwhelmed this season. That has led to uncertainty regarding the ceiling for many of the top prospects at the quarterback position. Nevertheless, supply often outweighs demand at the top of the Day 1 order in the NFL draft. How things shake out over the closing weeks of the season will be key in determining which QB-needy teams find themselves in the best position to select a new QB1.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order is determined by the inverted 2025 standings plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. Playoff squads are slotted by their postseason outcome and the reverse order of their regular season record.
Here is an early look at the first-round order:
- Tennessee Titans (1-11)
- New York Giants (2-11)
- New Orleans Saints (2-10)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
- Cleveland Browns (3-9)
- Washington Commanders (3-9)
- New York Jets (3-9)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
- Minnesota Vikings (4-8)
- Miami Dolphins (5-7)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6)
- Carolina Panthers (7-6)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)
- Detroit Lions (7-5)
- Houston Texans (7-5)
- Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
- Buffalo Bills (8-4)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
- New York Jets (via Colts)
- San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
- Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)
- Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
- Seattle Seahawks (9-3)
- Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
- Denver Broncos (10-2)
- Chicago Bears (9-3)
- New England Patriots (11-2)
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/1/25
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: RB Jermar Jefferson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed from practice squad: CB Jalen Davis
- Placed on IR: LB Brian Asamoah
Detroit Lions
- Claimed off waivers (from Dolphins): TE Hayden Rucci
- Designated for return from IR: TE Shane Zylstra
- Placed on reserve/retired list: C Frank Ragnow
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: WR Will Sheppard
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: WR Austin Trammell
New England Patriots
- Elevated: OL Brenden Jaimes, DT Jeremiah Pharms
New York Giants
- Signed from practice squad: LB Tomon Fox
- Elevated: LB Swayze Bozeman, WR Dalen Cambre
The Lions continue to work through their tight end depth with Sam LaPorta done for the season. The team’s first move today was claiming Hayden Rucci, who was waived by the Dolphins on Saturday. A former UDFA out of Wisconsin, Rucci spent much of the 2024 and 2025 campaigns in Miami. He got into four games with the organization this season, with the majority of his snaps coming on special teams.
The Lions also welcomed Shane Zylstra back to practice today. The tight end has been out since Week 2, when he suffered an ankle injury while blocking on a punt return. The veteran has gotten into 31 games with the Lions since the 2021 season, hauling in 15 catches for 116 yards and four touchdowns.
Otherwise, the Lions placed center Frank Ragnow back on the reserve/retired list after the veteran failed his physical.
Cardinals Place Will Hernandez On IR, Activate Hayden Conner
The Cardinals made a pair of changes to their offensive line on Saturday, per Darren Urban of the team’s website. Right guard Will Hernandez is headed to IR with hip and knee injuries. Rookie O-lineman Hayden Conner is coming off IR to take Hernandez’s roster spot.
Hernandez was a durable starter for the Giants and Cardinals from 2018-23. The former second-round pick missed just seven regular-season games out of a possible 99 during that six-year span.
Hernandez’s career was thrown off course when he tore his ACL in October 2024, limiting him to five contests. Shortly after receiving medical clearance, Hernandez re-upped with Arizona on a one-year contract in August. He played in seven games this season before going on IR.
Hernandez won’t be eligible for activation until Week 17. With the Cardinals sitting at 3-8 and all but guaranteed to miss the playoffs, it’s possible he won’t return in 2025. Regardless, the Cardinals will have to decide whether to re-sign Hernandez in the offseason. For now, Isaiah Adams is likely to take over again as the Cardinals’ starting right guard. The 2024 third-rounder started five games earlier this season when Hernandez was working back from last year’s knee injury.
The Cardinals spent a sixth-rounder in last spring’s draft on Conner, who is finally in position to debut after suffering a knee injury in the preseason. Conner started in 43 of 51 games with the Longhorns.
In other moves on Saturday, Arizona elevated two practice squad players – tight end Pharaoh Brown and linebacker Channing Tindall – for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers. It’s the third standard gameday elevation of the year for Brown. That’s the limit, which means the Cardinals will have to sign Brown to their active roster if they want to use him again.
Cardinals Release Xavier Thomas; Baron Browning To Return In Week 13
The Cardinals will have outside linebackers Baron Browning and BJ Ojulari on the field together for the first time this season in Week 13.
Browning is returning from a two-game absence due to a concussion, while Ojulari missed Arizona’s first nine games as he recovered from last year’s knee injury. With both players back in the fold, the Cardinals waived 2024 fifth-rounder Xavier Thomas, per team reporter Darren Urban.
Despite playing 54% of the team’s defensive snaps in his nine appearances, Browning has just 26 tackles, two sacks, and three tackles for loss on the season. However, he has been credited with 22 pressures and a 12.5% pass rush win rate, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), which both rank third among the Cardinals’ pass rushers. Based on those numbers, he is due for some better production for the rest of the season.
Thomas only appeared in four games this season with 15 snaps on defense and 42 on special teams. As a rookie, Thomas played 208 snaps with 2.5 sacks and two tackles for loss, but the addition of Josh Sweat this offseason and the return of Ojulari in Week 11 pushed him out of the rotation. Thomas will hit waivers and leave a dead cap hit of $93k in 2025 and $186k in 2026.