NFL QB Tiers: Ranking Each Team's Current Starter By Trade Value

How would each team respond if approached about trading its starting QB? Here's our value chart sorting out all 32.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

The article examines the trade value of each NFL team's starting quarterback, ranking them into different tiers based on factors like talent, contract, age, accomplishments, and playing style. It explores hypothetical trade scenarios and discusses which QBs would be available for different compensation packages.

Why it matters

The article provides insight into the current quarterback landscape in the NFL, highlighting the shifting dynamics around quarterback trades and the true value of each team's signal-caller. It offers a unique perspective on how organizations might approach potential QB trades and the factors they would consider.

The details

The article breaks down the NFL's starting quarterbacks into different tiers based on their perceived trade value. The lowest tier includes QBs like Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Fields, who have little to no trade value. The next tier includes players who might fetch a mid-first-round pick, such as Tyler Shough and Bryce Young. The "blockbuster" tier includes QBs like C.J. Stroud and Jaxson Dart, who would require at least two first-round picks and change to acquire. The top tiers feature established stars like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow, who are essentially untouchable barring a trade demand.

  • The article was published on March 5, 2026.

The players

Matthew Stafford

A veteran quarterback who was traded from the Detroit Lions to the Los Angeles Rams in a high-profile deal.

Deshaun Watson

A quarterback who was traded to a new team in recent years.

Aaron Rodgers

A veteran quarterback who was traded to a new team in recent years.

Russell Wilson

A veteran quarterback who was traded to a new team in recent years.

Geno Smith

A quarterback who was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders last year, which was considered a surprise move.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the current quarterback landscape in the NFL, highlighting the shifting dynamics around quarterback trades and the true value of each team's signal-caller. It offers a unique perspective on how organizations might approach potential QB trades and the factors they would consider.