NFL betting lines: Who will win most important NFL quarterback battles?
From the Steelers to the Seahawks, there are several NFL teams this year that likely will have intense quarterback battles. The beginnings of the competitions start this month when everyone kicks off phase 3 of OTAs.
The non-contact 11-on-11 drills will evolve into minicamp, then training camp. And finally, here comes the start of the NFL season.
Our friends at DraftKings Sportsbook compiled odds for what should be some big, big battles. With six quarterbacks selected in last month’s NFL Draft and with other quarterbacks flipping teams in free agency, it should make for a newsy summer, just the way we like it.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Russell Wilson -700
Justin Fields +450
The Steelers tore down that proverbial quarterback room, then came up with a redesign with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith doing the renovation. Coach Mike Tomlin said Wilson, who the Steelers signed from the Broncos, should get the first crack at quarterback once minicamp starts. But don’t count out Fields. Pittsburgh traded for Fields, a former first-rounder and three-year starter, with the Bears. Now, there’s even talk Fields could return kicks. Kyle Allen and undrafted free agent John Rhys Plumlee likely don’t figure into the starting equation.
Denver Broncos
Bo Nix -300
Jarrett Stidham +350
Zach Wilson +900
And speaking of the Broncos, Denver also needs a new starter. Currently, oddsmakers favor rookie Bo Nix, the 12th pick of last month’s NFL Draft. In pre-scouting reports, analysts likened Nix to Drew Brees, who is on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Coach Sean Payton also coached Brees when both were with the Saints. Meanwhile, Stidham finished 2023 after the Broncos benched Wilson. Stidham could be a placeholder until Nix is ready. Don’t count on Zach Wilson seeing the field as a starter. The Broncos sent a seventh-round for Zach Wilson last month.
Las Vegas Raiders
Gardner Minshew -400
Aidan O’Connell +270
The Raiders really looked at selecting a quarterback in last month’s first round. But when the Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8, it upset all the NFL Draft vibes. So the Raiders will have two options af starting quarterback after waiving Jimmy Garoppolo. Minshew is an NFL journeyman. He helped hold the Colts together in 2023 after Anthony Richardson’s shoulder surgery. Indy, very nearly, made the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Raiders also relied on O’Connell, their fourth-round pick of the 2023 NFL Draft last fall. O’Connell started 10 games.
Minnesota Vikings
Sam Darnold -160
J.J. McCarthy +120
The Vikings are desperate for a starting quarterback after losing Kirk Cousins to Atlanta in free agency. Will it be Darnold? Back in 2018, he was looking to be the guy — with the Jets. That’s back when he was the No. 3 player in the NFL Draft. But since then, he’s played for the Panthers, 49ers and now the Vikings. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan liked Darnold, but he never displaced Brock Purdy. Meanwhile, the Vikings secured McCarthy with the 10th pick of the NFL Draft. He probably needs a bit more seasoning before he’s ready to hit the field as a starter.
New England Patriots
Jacoby Brissett -550
Drake Maye +350
The Patriots also are trying to shake a quarterback funk. Brissett is an NFL vagabond. But he’s made a full football circle. New England drafted him in the third round back in 2016. He played for four other teams before signing with the Patriots this off-season. And he’s started three full seasons, so the Patriots definitely could use him early. But by selecting Maye with the third pick in this year’s NFL Draft, he’s got to be New England’s future.
Seattle Seahawks
Geno Smith -330
Sam Howell +225
Smith is two years removed from winning the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year. And he made his second Pro Bowl last season. But Smith also will turn 34 in early October. The Seahawks have a new coach in Mike Macdonald. Maybe the coach wants to see someone different. The Seattle traded with the Commanders to acquire Howell. Washington let him go and selected Jayden Daniels.
It’s interesting that DraftKings didn’t include other teams with rookie quarterbacks on this list. But we’re guessing it’s pretty clear that Caleb Williams will be starting with Chicago. Same for Daniels in Washington. And nobody believes that Penix will dislodge Cousins in Atlanta by the start of the regular season. Click here to check out the DraftKings odds. And, for more NFL coverage from On3, click it here.