Time to Pull the Starting QB? Here Are the Pros and Cons of Making the Move for 5 Teams

Okay, football fans, let’s talk about something that’s always a hot topic: the quarterback situation. When things are going south, the first question everyone asks is, "Should we bench the starter?" It’s a tough call, and it’s a question that’s been floating around several NFL teams lately.

You know it’s getting real when coaches are being directly asked if they’re sticking with their guy. Some, like the New Orleans Saints’ offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, are quick to shut it down, saying their starter is safe. This came after Spencer Rattler’s rough outing against the Chicago Bears, where he threw three picks and fumbled. Ouch. The Saints are now 1-6, and Moore is saying it’s a "week-to-week thing." Translation: the seat is getting warm.

Then you’ve got guys like the New York Jets’ head coach Aaron Glenn, who are playing it a little more coy. The Jets are in a full-blown crisis at 0-7, and Justin Fields hasn’t been able to get anything going, averaging less than 4 yards per pass attempt in the last two games. That’s… not good. Glenn needs to make a decision.

But here’s the thing: pulling a quarterback isn’t always the answer. We’ve seen plenty of guys get benched, only to bounce back with another team and kill it. Daniel Jones with the Indianapolis Colts is a perfect example. And look at Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay and Sam Darnold in Seattle – they’re proving that a change of scenery can do wonders. So, teams need to be careful about pulling the plug too soon.

Plus, let’s not forget about the draft. Teams with high picks need to figure out what they have in their current young quarterbacks before using valuable draft capital on a replacement. It’s a delicate balancing act.

So, let’s dive into five teams that are facing this exact dilemma, with insights from our NFL Nation reporters: Rich Cimini (Jets), Ryan McFadden (Raiders), Kevin Seifert (Vikings), Katherine Terrell (Saints), and Josh Weinfuss (Cardinals).

On the Fence: The Maybe Pile

New York Jets (0-7)

• Current Starter: Justin Fields

• Brutal Stat: A career-low 32.1 Total QBR, ranking 31st out of 33 qualified passers. Seriously, that’s rough.

• Possible Savior: Tyrod Taylor

• Why a Change Could Happen: Let’s be honest, the Jets offense is a disaster. Two straight games without a touchdown? Only seven touchdowns in the last six games, most of them in garbage time? The Jets are desperate for a win, and first-year coach Aaron Glenn is feeling the pressure. Taylor, with decent protection, can be a functional pocket passer, which might be a better fit for the offensive scheme. Sure, Taylor can be turnover-prone, but at least he’s willing to take some shots downfield.

• Why They Might Stick With Fields: The Jets guaranteed him $30 million on a two-year deal. That’s a lot of money to throw away after just six games. Despite his struggles, Fields still has more potential than Taylor. With the playoffs looking like a distant dream, Glenn might give Fields one more chance to prove himself. If they bench him now, there’s no going back. Plus, Fields’ mobility can help a bit with the terrible pass protection (31 sacks allowed, most in the NFL), even if he holds onto the ball too long.

• Coach Speak: "There’s blame to go around… We have to figure out how to put [Fields] in the best position to be successful. He has to execute." Classic coach-speak.

• The Big Picture: The Jets are projected to have the No. 1 pick in the draft and could easily take a quarterback. So, this Fields-Taylor thing might not matter much in the long run. They can cut Fields after the season, but they’d be stuck with a $22 million dead cap hit. Plus, they’re still paying Aaron Rodgers $35 million in 2025, meaning they’d be paying $57 million for quarterbacks who aren’t even on the team. Ouch.