A bunch of teams will enter the 2020 NFL season with a new starting quarterback. The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to draft Joe Burrow and move on from Andy Dalton. The Chicago Bears traded for Nick Foles, who might beat out Mitchell Trubisky in the preseason. There is even some uncertainty with the Washington Redskins, who selected Dwayne Haskins in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Five NFL teams have officially moved on from last year’s starter by either spending big money in free agency or letting their long-time starter walk.

New England Patriots

Tom Brady won’t enter the season as New England’s starting quarterback for the first time in 19 years. Jarrett Stidham is favored to win the job a year after the Patriots drafted him in the fourth round. Brian Hoyer could potentially win the starting gig, though he’ll likely be New England’s backup. The Patriots could still pursue available quarterbacks like Dalton, Cam Newton or Jameis Winston.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay was able to lure Brady away from New England with a two-year contract that will pay him at least $50 million. Brady replaces Winston, who led the NFL with 5,109 passing yards last season and ranked second with 33 touchdowns. Winston threw a league-high 30 interceptions and seven pick-sixes. Brady has averaged eight interceptions a season over the last decade.

Indianapolis Colts

Philip Rivers signed a one-year, $25 million contract with the Colts, replacing Jacoby Brissett as the team’s starter. Brissett was moved to the top of the depth chart in August after Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement. The quarterback went 7-8 as Indianapolis’ starter with 2,942 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. Rivers threw for 23 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions in 2019, just a year removed from being a fringe MVP candidate.

Los Angeles Chargers

Rivers has started every game for the Chargers in each of the last 14 seasons. Instead of signing a new starter in free agency, Los Angeles appears ready to move forward with last year’s backup. Tyrod Taylor, who joined L.A. in 2019, is reportedly set to take over as the team’s starter in 2020. He has an 89.8 passer rating and a career 1.5% interception rate with 46 starts. It’s possible that the Chargers could either sign a veteran or draft a quarterback with the No.6 overall pick.

Carolina Panthers

Newton’s tenure with the Panthers is done after nine years, following Tuesday’s news that the former No.1 overall pick has been released. Carolina replaced him with Teddy Bridgewater, giving the 27-year-old a three-year, $66 million contract. Bridgewater went 5-0 with the New Orleans Saints in 2019. He last started more than five games in the 2015 season. Newton’s 2019 campaign ended in Week 2 because of a foot injury. Kyle Allen, who has since been traded to the Redskins, led the Panthers with 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 12 starts.

Tom Brady Philip Rivers
Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots hugs Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers after the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Elsa/Getty Images
RELATED STORIES
National Football League