The Athletic Football Show: From the Vikings to the Jets, Assessing the Open QB Situations

Date: February 19, 2026
Hosts: Derek Klassen (guest host), Dan Paizuta (guest)
Episode Focus: In-depth analysis of the NFL’s most intriguing open and unsettled quarterback (QB) situations for the 2026 offseason—from team quality and roster support to realistic veteran and rookie options.

Episode Overview

This episode breaks from the usual obsession with evaluating quarterback talent and instead takes a hard look at the situations quarterbacks may find themselves in. Host Derek Klassen, joined by guest analyst Dan Paizuta, ranks the half-dozen NFL teams with the biggest QB question marks (plus a few maybes), assessing offensive supporting casts, coaching staffs, roster building opportunities, and the likelihood that various teams can offer successful landing spots for QBs—whether through free agency, trade, or the draft.

Main Discussion Segments

I. Approach to Ranking Open QB Situations

[01:01 - 03:49] Derek Klassen & Dan Paizuta

• The episode’s shift is away from simply ranking QB talent in the market.
• The duo weighs teams more holistically: head coach/scheme, receiving weapons, offensive line, future outlook, cap flexibility, and overall improvement potential.
• “Where would you want to go if you’re a quarterback?” is the framing lens.

II. Tier One: The Minnesota Vikings—The Gold Standard

[04:00 - 13:32]

• Both Derek and Dan agree: Minnesota is in a league of its own among open QB situations.
• Key factors:
  • Elite supporting talent (Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson—pending decisions).
  • One of the NFL’s top offensive play-callers, Kevin O’Connell.
  • Pass-blocking offensive line largely intact, though recurring injuries are a risk.
  • Some cap challenges ($40M over), but maneuverability exists via restructures and extra draft picks.
  • O’Connell’s recent success maximizing (or surviving with) various veteran QBs: “Every time Kevin O’Connell has had a veteran, he's gotten the best out of them... All the way down to like the Josh Dobbs and stuff like that...” (Derek, 11:23)
• QB Options:
  • Kyler Murray as the only “true vet” franchise QB possibility.
  • Others—Mac Jones, Malik Willis—represent safer/lottery tickets, respectively.
• Dan is skeptical about a leap from J.J. McCarthy, despite the solid last four games (“That was very fake and very schemed up. But that's also kind of the point of Minnesota...” – Dan, 06:53).

III. Tier Two: Cardinals & Raiders—Growth Potential and Flexibility

A. Arizona Cardinals [14:06 - 23:46]

• Surprising second-tier inclusion given recent performance
• Strong young weapons core: Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson (breakout late 2025), elite tight end Trey McBride.
• New OC Mike LaFleur (Shanahan/McVay tree) could unlock more offensive diversity and is not stuck in a schematic rut.
• Roster has holes, but not as barren as record suggests; $34M in cap space, decent draft ammunition.
• Kyler Murray's Fate:
  • Once an apparent trade-out—now more of an open question: “Are we sure Kyler is getting moved?” (Paizuta, 19:39). Given the coaching change, roster talent, and higher bar to replace, the Cardinals may retain him.
  • Paizuta’s analysis of Kyler: “He had the smallest gap between his worst game and his best game… there was zero range of what he did.” (20:01) Less volatile, but also lacked highs; maturity or system?
• WR usage ideas: “I think that's the path, what you said—to keep Michael Wilson outside, have him be that field-stretching guy...” (24:26, Dan).

B. Las Vegas Raiders [29:28 - 40:50]

• The only team on the list with a clear plan: 2026 rookie #1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza will start.
• Supporting cast: Brock Bowers (tight end, expected centerpiece), intriguing role players like Trey Tucker, but receiving corps and O-line still need reinforcing.
• New OC Clint Kubiak expected to raise the floor by stabilizing the scheme and aiding the O-line, as he did for Seattle in 2025.
• “It’s so much easier to go from atrocious to okay.” (Dan, 34:12).
• Mendoza praised for on-time accuracy; parallels to what worked with Sam Darnold: “His footwork and timing really is pretty sensational... he's just a guy who clearly is a professional.” (Derek, 39:40).
• Realistic target: Passable, growth-centered rookie year, not immediate DVOA leap.

IV. Tier Three: Miami Dolphins—Stars, But Uncertainty

[41:12 - 52:11]

• Alone in their own “shrug” tier: “What are the Dolphins trying to be?” (Dan, 41:45).
• Devastating cap/depth losses and unknowns at quarterback (if/when Tua is moved or replaced).
• Key strengths: Jalen Waddle and Devon Achane (“...that's probably better than what we've, the teams we've already talked about,” Dan, 42:42).
• O-line has upside (Patrick Paul, Austin Jackson, Brewer, 7A), but depth is being decimated by free agent losses; little money to replace.
• Bobby Slowik as new OC is an “unknown”: strong on scripted plays but poor problem solver so far (“My biggest issue...was kind of his lack of problem solving and troubleshooting.” Dan, 46:15).
• Wild card: Could Miami be Malik Willis' best shot as a “curveball” high-variance starter? (“If we're thinking about it this way... the Dolphins are Willis's best chance to do something like that.” – Derek, 50:07). Scheme fit could replicate “Kaepernick Niners” or “Tyrod Bills” for a few chaos years.
• Summary: Not as stable as Tiers 1–2, but instant upside remains if certain dominoes fall.

V. Tier Four: Browns & Jets—Bleak, Organizationally Unstable

[52:52 - 67:39]

• Grouped at the bottom by both hosts:
  • “Organizationally, I just don't trust them for different reasons.” (Derek, 53:09)

A. New York Jets

• Roster has some talent (Garrett Wilson, Mason Taylor, O-line is “pretty damn good”), but coaching is a mess:
  • Frank Reich as OC: “Feels like it’s five years too late... everyone feels pre-fired.” (Dan, 54:18)
  • Wilson’s grim stat: Led team in receiving despite no yards after Week 6. “He did not put up a receiving yard after week six and led the team with 395 receiving yards.” (Dan, 55:49)
• Volume of cap space & picks probably helps next year, not in 2026.

B. Cleveland Browns

• Roster shambles: Five starting O-linemen, key backups, plus star TE David Njoku all up for free agency, $20M+ over the cap.
• Monitoring “Davis Mills Plan”—can Shedeur Sanders be their placeholder? Skepticism abounds: “If anything... if there's any reason to play out the string a little bit with Shedeur Sanders, it's that you believe that he can be just like the Davis Mills. It'll be fine for another year. I think even that a little bit I struggle with...” (Derek, 64:00)
• Only realistic outcome: Bottom-barrel free agent like Tyler Huntley (Monken connection), or hope for surprise rookie development.

VI. Teams in the Maybe/Complicated Bucket

[69:40 - 89:16]

– Pittsburgh Steelers

• QB future depends on Aaron Rodgers decisions (possible retirement) and Mike McCarthy’s suitability for a new era: “Everyone feels pre-fired.”
• “Reuniting McCarthy and Rodgers doesn't make me excited.” – Dan, 72:16
• Could be a good “Kirk Cousins keep-the-ship-steady” job, but not a spot you'd want as a young rookie unless desperate.

– Indianapolis Colts

• Daniel Jones’ injury timeline and Anthony Richardson (possible trade block) make week one plans murky.
• Riley Leonard as “budget Daniel Jones” could open 2026; Shane Steichen’s proven coaching ability provides a soft landing and continued consistency if offensive pieces remain (keep Alec Pierce over Pittman to preserve size/flavor, 81:53 discussion).

– Atlanta Falcons

• Steady skill talent (Bijan Robinson, Drake London, possible Kyle Pitts), good O-line, but Michael Penix is TBD and the new regime is untethered.
• If Penix isn’t the future, could be a surprise “Malik Willis” destination.
• Both Atlanta & Indy (if you’re a “win-now vet” like Kirk Cousins or Malik Willis): “I kind of think I'd rather be the quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons.” (Derek, 87:50)

Notable Quotes

• On Kevin O’Connell and maximizing offensive talent:

  “Every time Kevin O’Connell has had a veteran, he's gotten the best out of them... all the way down to like the Josh Dobbs and stuff like that…”
  — Derek Klassen [11:23]

• On Kyler Murray’s strange 2025:

  “He had the smallest gap between his worst game and his best game… there was zero range of what he did.”
  — Dan Paizuta [20:01]

• Miami’s Wild-Card Offensive Identity:

  “What are the Dolphins trying to be?”
  — Dan Paizuta [41:45]

• Jets’ futility stat:

  “He did not put up a receiving yard after week six and led the team with 395 receiving yards.”
  — Dan Paizuta [55:49]

• On the Browns’ cap situation:

  “That is a tough spot to be in when you're going to be potentially a fresh quarterback in this league... all five of the starters, their deals are up.”
  — Derek Klassen [59:39]

Key Timestamps

• 02:59 – Approach to ranking team situations (coach, scheme, talent, OL, future)
• 04:00 – List of 6 must-replace-QB teams detailed
• 10:00 – Deep dive on the possible veteran market for Vikings
• 13:32 – Stafford analogy—value for quarterbacks who “make you right when you’re wrong”
• 16:24 – Mike LaFleur’s schematic influences for the Cardinals
• 20:01 – Kyler Murray’s 2025 volatility stats and what it means
• 24:26 – Arizona WR plan, Michael Wilson in/outside
• 34:12 – Raiders: “It’s so much easier to go from atrocious to okay.”
• 39:40 – Praise and breakdown of rookie Fernando Mendoza
• 41:45 – “What are the Dolphins trying to be?” — starting Tier Three
• 46:15 – Bobby Slowik’s strengths/weaknesses as new Dolphins OC
• 52:11 – Miami’s offensive identity and ceiling with a new/chaotic QB
• 54:18 – Jets coaching staff: “Everyone feels pre-fired.”
• 55:49 – Garrett Wilson’s fluke "most yards, no yards after week 6" season stat
• 64:00 – Browns = pre-Stroud Texans, and Shedeur Sanders doesn’t fit the “Davis Mills Plan”
• 72:23 – “Reuniting McCarthy and Rodgers doesn’t make me excited.”
• 81:53 – Colts: Alec Pierce over Michael Pittman, why the choice matters
• 87:50 – “I kind of think I'd rather be the quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons.”

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

• Minnesota stands in a class of its own; whoever gets that job instantly lands in the NFL’s best QB “reclamation” environment.
• The Cardinals and Raiders offer growth, schematic flexibility, and a relatively high floor for new or developing quarterbacks.
• Miami is a weird mix of stars and unknowns—too many holes to feel safe, but enough upside to intrigue an adventurous QB/front office.
• The Browns and Jets, for now, are dead ends for QBs—hamstrung by bad cap, leadership, and situation.
• A batch of “maybes” (Steelers, Colts, Falcons) could quickly become the next hot QB landing spot based on future moves.

For anyone interested in NFL roster building and the true art of “quarterback development,” this episode is rich in context, skepticism, and practical takeaways—ideal for both football nerds and casual fans wanting a sense of the NFL’s shifting landscape.