Quarterback changes occur every year, with 10 franchises facing a new shot-caller in the 2025-2026 season. However, not everyone will succeed. In this week’s edition of Tyler’s Take, I discuss possible boom or bust teams before week one kicks off.
Miami Dolphins, Boom:
Since hiring Mike McDaniel as head coach on Feb. 6, 2022, the Miami Dolphins have transformed greatly. In the 2022 offseason, the team traded for star wide receiver Tyreek Hill and signed free agent running back Raheem Mostert to a one-year, $3.125 million contract.
With the “offensive guru” calling plays, Hill caught a career-high 119 receptions, totaling 1,710 yards, while Mostert rushed a personal best of 891 yards, in the 2022-2023 stretch. McDaniel’s magic clearly helped the Dolphins, appearing in back-to-back playoffs (2022-2023, 2023-2024), but losing both in the wildcard round.
Year after year, the franchise faces injuries, prohibiting the squad from reaching its full potential. From 2020-2024, the starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, suffered four concussions, sidelining him for 11 games.
The 27-year-old is a focal point teammate in the offense, as he topped the NFL in passing yards in the 2023-2024 run, throwing 4,624 yards throughout all 17 matchups. Without a fully healthy Tagovailoa, the Dolphins struggled, owning a 3-8 regular season and 0-1 postseason record from 2022-2024.
Defensively, problems may arise after not re-signing cornerback Jevon Holland and trading seven-time Pro Bowler Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In return, the franchise reacquired cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick and inked Rasul Douglas, who could fill the gaps.
If the team can stay undamaged in 2025, paving the road to the Super Bowl is possible, as McDaniel enters year four and is sitting on the hot seat.
Seattle Seahawks, Bust:
Over the 2025 break, the Seattle Seahawks explored the market after departing with Geno Smith (quarterback), D.K. Metcalf (wide receiver) and Tyler Lockett (wide receiver). Following a career-high performance with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, recording 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, Sam Darnold signed a three-year, $100.5 million deal, replacing Smith. A few days later, the team landed former NFC-West rival Cooper Kupp, filling the receiver room.
This seems as if the Seahawks won in the offseason, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, as risks come with signing the two stars. In the Vikings’ 2024-2025 season finale, the Detroit Lions’ defense pressured the 28-year-old, forcing a pair of sacks and interceptions.
The former Southern California Trojan faced challenges gaining momentum, completing 18 of 41 attempts, totaling 166 yards and zero touchdowns. A week later, the same story was written, after falling to the Los Angeles Rams, 27-9, in the first round of the NFL playoffs.
For Darnold, needing a strong offensive line is a must, which the 2014 Super Bowl champions lack. In PFF’s 2025 offensive line rankings, the team placed No. 30, allowing the second-highest pressure rating last year (34.5%).
Looking at Kupp, the 32-year-old hasn’t played a full slate since winning the Super Bowl with the Rams in 2021. Throughout the years, the 2017 third-round pick endured recurring ankle sprains, which cost him five matchups in 2024. Additionally, the veteran strained his hamstring, resulting in four missed clashes in 2023. With an 80% chance of reinjuries, keeping Kupp on the field will be tough.
New York Giants, Boom:
Similar to McDaniel, the New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll could get fired, owning an 18-32-1 record since 2022. After being thrown away last year by releasing starting signal-caller Daniel Jones on Nov. 22, the quarterback room needed remodeling.
During the NFL downtime, the franchise signed quarterbacks Russell Wilson (one-year, $21 million), Jameis Winston (two-year, $8 million) and drafted Jaxon Dart in the first round.
With new gunslingers, winning should come easier. With the Steelers, Wilson hurled 2,482 yards, visiting the endzone 16 times within 11 starts. Behind the 36-year-old, Dart showcased a promising future in three preseason games, connecting 32 of 47 passing attempts for 372 yards and three touchdowns.
A problem the team faces is offensive line struggles, placing No. 28 in PFF’s 2025 offensive line rankings. Last year, the Giants experienced just over a 26% pressure rating, allowing 48 sacks.
Las Vegas Raiders, Bust:
They say defense wins championships, but in the grand scheme of things, defense provides offensive opportunities. The Las Vegas Raiders ended the 2024-2025 year ranked No. 15 defensively and No. 27 offensively. With quarterback issues, the team faced challenges moving the chains, scoring six points just 30 times.
Owner Mark Davis fired former head coach Antonio Pierce and hired Pete Carroll on Jan. 24, 2025. To add on, the franchise parted ways with Gardner Minshew II and traded for Geno Smith, inking him for a two-year, $85.5 million contract.
With the Seattle Seahawks in 2024-2025, Smith threw 4,320 yards for 21 endzone appearances and 15 interceptions. The veteran finished No. 21 in quarterback rankings.
Like the Seahawks’ linemen, the franchise placed No. 23 in offensive line standings, allowing a 35.8% pressure rating. If the offensive front continues struggling, the 34-year-old could topple.