AFC quarterbacks for the 2024 NFL season and their backups at a glance

Free agency 2024 has shaken up the squads of the NFL teams. Where is the starter fixed, where are there duels – and where are all hopes pinned on the draft?

Meanwhile, the differences are huge: the cheapest starter costs one million dollars – the most expensive almost 64 times as much. Also if you’re ready to experience the thrill of winning beyond the football field, check out the exciting games available at Slotozen for an unforgettable gaming experience.

BUFFALO BILLS

Starting quarterback: Josh Allen

● With the team since 2018

● Age at the start of the 2024 season: 28

● Cap hit 2024: 30.36 million dollars

● Stats 2023: 17 starts, 4,306 passing yards (29 TD, 18 INT), 524 rushing yards (15 TD, 5 FUM)

Allen has been the undisputed starter in Buffalo for years and is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, even if he is still missing the big playoff success. Mitch Trubisky was signed as the first backup in the offseason (2 years/2.71 million dollars guaranteed).

Backups: Mitch Trubisky, Shane Buechele

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Starting quarterback: Tua Tagovailoa

● With the team since 2020

● Age at the start of the 2024 season: 26

● Cap hit 2024: 23.171 million dollars

● Stats 2023: 17 starts, 4,624 passing yards (29 TD, 14 INT), 74 rushing yards (0 TD, 13 FUM)

After an injury-plagued 2022 season, Tagovailoa was back in full force in 2023 and put up impressive numbers in the explosive Dolphins offence. A few question marks remain, however, as his contract expires in a year: How much will the Dolphins let a contract extension cost?

Backups: Mike White, Skylar Thompson

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Starting quarterback: ???

Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe provided miserable quarterback play for the Pats last season, with the former being shipped to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the offseason. New England holds the third pick in the upcoming draft, where a new quarterback will almost certainly arrive. Jacoby Brissett (1 year/$6.5 million guaranteed) was brought in as a solid backup.

Backups: Jacoby Brissett, Bailey Zappe, Nathan Rourke

NEW YORK JETS

Starting quarterback: Aaron Rodgers

● With the team since 2023

● Age at the start of the 2024 season: 40

● Cap hit 2024: 17.16 million dollars

● Stats 2023: –

Four-time MVP Rodgers was supposed to lead the Jets to the promised land, but tore his Achilles tendon in the season opener. Zach Wilson was overtaxed as a backup, which is why Tyrod Taylor (2 years/8.5 million dollars guaranteed) was signed. However, Rodgers should be fully fit again.

Backups: Tyrod Taylor, Zach Wilson

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Starting quarterback: Lamar Jackson

● With the team since 2018

● Age at the start of the 2024 season: 27

● Cap hit 2024: 32.4 million dollars

● Stats 2023: 16 starts, 3,678 passing yards (24 TD, 7 INT), 821 rushing yards (5 TD, 5 FUM)

2023 Lamar Jackson won his second MVP award. Where before the season people were still wondering about his impending contract extension, he is now undisputed again – the only thing missing is a big throw in the playoffs. Former backup Tyler Huntley became a free agent.

Backups: Josh Johnson, Malik Cunningham

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Starting quarterback: Joe Burrow

● With the team since 2020

● Age at the start of the 2024 season: 27

● Cap hit 2024: 29.71 million dollars

● Stats 2023: 10 starts, 2,309 passing yards (15 TD, 6 INT), 88 rushing yards (0 TD, 0 FUM)

Burrow is one of the elite QBs in the league, at least since his Super Bowl participation in the 2021 season. Last season was overshadowed by injuries and was already over in November. However, backup Jake Browning did well afterwards.

Backup: Jake Browning

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Starting quarterback: Deshaun Watson

● In the team since 2022

● Age at the start of the 2024 season: 28

● Cap hit 2024: 63.98 million dollars

● Stats 2023: 6 starts, 1,115 passing yards (7 TD, 4 INT), 142 rushing yards (1 TD, 2 FUM)

Watson’s previous years in Cleveland did not go as planned. Last year, veteran Joe Flacco had to pull the coals out of the fire, and Jameis Winston (1 year/4 million dollars) is expected to back him up for 2024. However, the Browns are hoping that Watson can finally live up to his fat contract (230 million for five years, fully guaranteed).

Backups: Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Tyler Huntley

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Starting quarterback: Russell Wilson

● In the team since 2024

● Age at the start of the 2024 season: 35

● Cap hit 2024: 1.21 million dollars

● Stats 2023: 15 starts, 3,070 passing yards (26 TD, 8 INT), 341 rushing yards (3 TD, 3 FUM) for the Denver Broncos

The fact that Wilson could be had so cheaply for the Steelers is also down to the Broncos: after his release, they are still paying him a whopping 39 million dollars for the upcoming season. Wilson’s heyday is probably over, but he is still the number one for now. However, Fields (who came from Chicago in a trade) should not be without a chance.

Backup: Justin Fields

HOUSTON TEXANS

Starting quarterback: C.J: Stroud

● With the team since 2023

● Age at start of 2024 season: 22

● Cap hit 2024: 8.24 million dollars

● Stats 2023: 15 starts, 4,108 passing yards (23 TD, 5 INT), 167 rushing yards (3 TD, 2 FUM)

Stroud made a real impact in his rookie season, surprisingly leading the Texans to the playoffs and even a win over the Browns. He is the future in Houston. But backup Davis Mills should be ready – he had to step in six times last season.

Backups: Davis Mills, Case Keenum, Tim Boyle

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Starting quarterback: Anthony Richardson

● With the team since 2023

● Age at the start of the 2024 season: 22

● Cap hit 2024: 7.73 million dollars

● Stats 2023: 4 starts, 577 passing yards (3 TD, INT), 136 rushing yards (4 TD, 2 FUM)

Richardson flashed his skills in his first year in the NFL, but a shoulder injury put him out of action early. He will return to action in 2024, with Joe Flacco (1 year/4.5 million dollars guaranteed) being brought in as an experienced backup.

Backup: Joe Flacco, Sam Ehlinger

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Starting quarterback: Trevor Lawrence

● With the team since 2021

● Age at the start of the 2024 season: 24

● Cap hit 2024: 11.71 million dollars

● Stats 2023: 16 starts, 4,016 passing yards (21 TD, 14 INT), 339 rushing yards (4 TD, 5 FUM)

Lawrence is the undisputed franchise quarterback in Jacksonville, but was unable to make the targeted leap to top quarterback last season. The backups pose no threat to him, not even Mac Jones, who was brought in from New England.

Backups: Mac Jones, C.J. Beathard

TENNESSEE TITANS

Starting quarterback: Will Levis

● With the team since 2023

● Age at the start of the 2024 season: 25

● Cap hit 2024: 2.17 million dollars

● Stats 2023: 9 starts, 1,808 passing yards (8 TD, 4 INT), 57 rushing yards (1 TD, 2 FUM)

Rookie Levis took over last season when starter Ryan Tannehill was injured and subsequently kept the job. He didn’t play outstandingly, but good enough to be the starter going into 2024. Mason Rudolph (1 year/2.7 million dollars guaranteed), who came over from Pittsburgh, should be the number two.

Backups: Mason Rudolph, Malik Willis

DENVER BRONCOS

Starting quarterback: ???

Previous starter Russell Wilson has been released, but is still tearing a big hole in the Broncos’ coffers. Stidham has one year left on his contract ($7 million cap hit) and wouldn’t be much more than a stopgap. More likely is a new QB in the draft, even though the Broncos only have the 12th pick as of now.

Backups: Jarrett Stidham, Ben DiNucci

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Starting quarterback: Patrick Mahomes

● With the team since 2017

● Age at start of 2024 season: 28

● Cap hit 2024: 37.01 million dollars

● Stats 2023: 16 starts, 4,183 passing yards (27 TD, 14 INT), 389 rushing yards (0 TD, 1 FUM)

Mahomes is the best quarterback in the league and is aiming for a historic third consecutive title in 2024. Last season, Blaine Gabbert was the primary backup, and the team could potentially bring in another veteran. But this team stands or falls with Mahomes.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Starting Quarterback: ????

Previous starter Jimmy Garoppolo has been released, but they do still have Aidan O’Connell. Will the Raiders start Aidan or role with a draft pick or their free agent signing Gardner Minshew?

Backups: Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Starting Quarterback: Justin Herbert

● With the team since 2020

● Age at the start of the 2024 season: 26

● Cap hit 2024: 30.36 million dollars

● Stats 2023: 13 starts, 3,134 passing yards (20 TD, 7 INT), 228 rushing yards (3 TD)