What Are You Looking For?

It’s the NFL off-season, and between free agency, trades, and the draft, rosters will be experiencing plenty of changes.

Of course, the position that will garner the most attention is the quarterback, and it appears we will see movement across the league as many teams look to improve.

It’s fun for media members and fans to guess where certain quarterbacks might end up and which players teams will target.

As we navigate this, the questions we have for teams in the QB market or players searching for a new home are: What are you looking for, and what do you need?

The answer to those questions can be broken down into multiple categories. First, some players and teams are no longer a good fit together and are looking to move on.

This seems true for Arizona and Kyler Murray, as well as Atlanta and Kirk Cousins. At one point, there was a belief that both quarterbacks could work on those teams, and at times they did, but ultimately they realized they needed to move on.

The second category is for teams or players looking for a fresh start or needing new life breathed into their careers. The Anthony Richardson experiment has failed in Indianapolis so far, and he wants to be traded for a clean slate elsewhere.

The New York Jets once again are looking for a fresh start at the quarterback position, and that means they plan to release Justin Fields, giving him another chance at a fresh start somewhere else.

Meanwhile, a group of teams considering their options could be looking to renew their commitment and bring a QB back. This could be Aaron Rodgers returning to the Steelers, Kirk Cousins to the Vikings, or Tua Tagovailoa remaining in Miami.

In Indianapolis, they have to decide whether or not to commit to Daniel Jones after he tore his Achilles in December, and even if they do, they need to find someone who can be their starter at the beginning of the season while he heals.

Kansas City, of course, has Patrick Mahomes, but who will be the starter until he gets healthy? Both teams are looking for someone to get them through a tough time. 

The last category to consider is teams searching for hope at quarterback after years of disappointment. They need to find someone who can give their fan base hope for the future. The Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns are at the top of that list.

As we follow along this offseason, we’ll see if teams will end up with their best option at quarterback or if they will settle and head into the season with a lackluster outlook at the position.

Which teams will implement a good plan, give up what is necessary to bring in the right guy, and make bold changes that set them up to thrive in 2026 and beyond?

While we ponder the different situations teams find themselves in, we can ask ourselves similar questions regarding our own lives. What am I looking for, and what do I need?

Are we like Arizona and Atlanta, and do we need to move on in some way? What sins, mindsets, or relationships do we need to move on from? We realize they aren’t working and moving on is what’s best. As we follow Jesus, He provides freedom and empowers us to move forward.

For some of us today, we relate to Anthony Richardson and Justin Fields because we are looking for a fresh start or need new life breathed into us. Yes, we may desire that situationally, and a new job or opportunity could help, but we are truly looking for a deep life-change. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV) tells us, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

If we’re honest, how many of us relate to the Steelers as we’re looking for a renewed commitment? We aren’t looking to remain with an aging diva quarterback; rather, we need to stick with Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.

We read in Hebrews 12:2b (AMP), “... [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity]...”

Let’s pray Psalm 51:10 (NIV): “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Maybe today, we’re “injured” like the Chiefs or Colts and need someone to get us through a tough time, and once again, Jesus is who we are looking for. He will strengthen us and guide us.

Or maybe we’ve faced multiple seasons of disappointment like the Browns and Raiders, and we’re looking for hope today. As we trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He is our hope in the present and the future.

Hebrews 10:23 (AMP) encourages, “Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word]...”

Today, like NFL teams, each of us needs something or is looking for something, but let’s remember that our best option is to find our hope, freedom, and a fresh start by following Jesus and remaining with Him. 

As we do, we won’t settle or head into any season with a lackluster outlook; rather, like NFL teams, we’ll implement a good plan, give up what is necessary, and make bold changes that set us up to thrive in 2026 and beyond.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the new life You give me in Christ. Please help me move on from anything that doesn’t align with Your will and find freedom in Christ. Please teach me to be filled with hope as I trust in Jesus and keep my eyes fixed on Him. In His name I pray, Amen.