QB Shopping Not Easy

With just 32 teams in the NFL, it seems impossible to imagine that the league averaged more than two starting quarterbacks per team this year. As the Vikings could look to shop for a veteran backup to Tarvaris Jackson, it's clear the market won't make it easy -- especially with 50-year-olds like Vinny Testaverde finally off the market.

The controversy surrounding the future of the Vikings quarterback position is one that has caused a lot of discussion among Vikings fans. The thought has been that the team needs to bring in a veteran quarterback to at least serve as a backup. But how easy will that be?

Whether it was just bad luck or coincidence, a record number of quarterbacks (66) started games this season. To look at the list, it really makes you shake your head at times. Don’t believe us? Here’s the list:

Cardinals – Matt Leinart, Kurt Warner

Falcons – Joey Harrington, Chris Redman, Byron Leftwich

Ravens – Steve McNair, Kyle Boller, Troy Smith

Bills – Trent Edwards, J.P. Losman

Panthers – Jake Delhomme, Vinny Testaverde, David Carr, Matt Moore

Bears – Rex Grossman, Brian Griese, Kyle Orton

Bengals – Carson Palmer

Browns – Derek Anderson, Charlie Frye

Cowboys – Tony Romo

Broncos – Jay Cutler

Lions – Jon Kitna

Packers – Brett Favre

Texans – Matt Schaub, Sage Rosenfels

Colts – Peyton Manning

Jaguars – David Garrard, Quinn Gray

Chiefs – Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle

Dolphins – Trent Green, Cleon Lemon, John Beck

Vikings – Tarvaris Jackson, Kelly Holcomb, Brooks Bollinger

Patriots – Tom Brady

Saints – Drew Brees

Giants – Eli Manning

Jets – Chad Pennington, Kellen Clemens

Raiders – Josh McCown, Daunte Culpepper, JaMarcus Russell

Eagles – Donovan McNabb, A.J. Feeley

Steelers – Ben Roethlisberger, Charlie Batch

Rams – Marc Bulger, Gus Frerotte, Brock Berlin

Chargers – Philip Rivers

49ers – Alex Smith, Trent Dilfer, Shaun Hill, Chris Weinke

Seahawks – Matt Hasselbeck, Seneca Wallace

Buccaneers – Jeff Garcia, Luke McCown, Bruce Gradkowski
* Titans – Vince Young, Kerry Collins

Redskins – Jason Campbell, Todd Collins

The math speaks for itself. Of the 32 NFL teams, only 10 had one quarterback start all 16 games, while nine other teams had three or more starters. It should also be noted that six of the nine teams that had one QB start the entire season made the playoffs and four of those teams are the four teams that earned playoff byes. Coincidence? You decide.

It’s great to think the Vikings will get a veteran QB to come in and be the insurance policy the team needs for T-Jack, but with the way quarterbacks went down in 2007, the backup QB is likely going to be in line to make a lot more money in the coming years and getting one won’t be as easy. It’s a seller’s market and with not enough talent to go around, the Vikings might not have as many veteran options at it would appear at first blush.