NFL Starting QB Odds: Where Will Murray & Others Be in 2022?

Even though the current football offseason is still in its infancy, that hasn’t stopped fans from looking ahead to the 2022 NFL season. After all, many sportsbooks have already released markets regarding the upcoming season.

Which NFL Teams Could Change Starting Quarterbacks in 2022?

One of the more intriguing markets out there is on BetMGM and revolves around the starting quarterback situation for the teams below:

• Arizona Cardinals
• New York Giants
• New York Jets
• Denver Broncos
• New Orleans Saints

Each betting option looks at the teams’ starting quarterback from 2021 and whether they’ll take the first snap of the 2022 campaign or if it’ll be another player.

Here’s a look at the starting quarterback odds for each of the above five teams, as well as what the most likely outcome will be for each of them.

Odds are via BetMGM.

2022 NFL Starting Quarterbacks Odds: Who Will Start the Season Opener for These Teams in 2022?

Arizona Cardinals Starting Quarterback Odds for the Opener of the 2022 NFL Regular Season

• Kyler Murray (-600)
• Any Other Quarterback (+375)

Whether it’s through the air or on the ground, Kyler Murray is one of the most exciting quarterbacks to watch. The former 2019 first overall pick seems like a no-brainer to start under center in 2022, however, he’s been involved in some controversy lately.

Earlier this week, Murray’s agent — Erik Burkhardt — released a lengthy statement about how the young signal-caller deserves a contract extension as soon as possible. Burkhardt added that it’s the Arizona Cardinals’ responsibility to get things done, mentioning that “actions speak much louder than words.” This came after Murray erased any mentions of the Cardinals from his social media pages in early February.

Nevertheless, Burkhardt’s statement and Murray’s actions have caused some people to sour on the latter, with sources describing the Cardinals QB as being “spoiled,” “self-centered” and “immature.”

Reports recently came out that the Cardinals view Kyler Murray as “self-centered, immature, and finger pointer.”

So naturally, his agent released an immature statement all about Kyler that points fingers at the Cardinals. That’ll show ‘em. https://t.co/Vepo8nIWJe

— Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) February 28, 2022

Having said that, there’s absolutely no way that Murray isn’t the Cardinals’ starting quarterback in Week 1 of the 2022 season. Yes, he may have attitude issues, but Arizona isn’t going to find anyone who can replace what he does.

Murray started 14 games last season, finishing with a career-high 69.2% completion rating, 3,787 passing yards and 24 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. He also set new personal bests when it came to passing yards per game (270.5) and quarterback rating (100.6)

Not only was Murray effective in the passing game, but he continued to be solid on the ground as well. Even though the Cardinals ran fewer running plays centered around him, he still finished with 423 rushing yards and 5 TDs on 88 carries.

Even though Murray’s attitude problems could cause issues in the distant future, the Cardinals can’t afford to lose him right now. At -600 odds, expect him to be the Week 1 starter.

New York Giants Starting Quarterback Odds

• Daniel Jones (-500)
• Any Other Quarterback (+340)

The New York Giants haven’t been good in a long time. It’s been six years since they last made the playoffs and they haven’t won a postseason game since their Super Bowl XLVI victory.

In recent years, QB Daniel Jones has taken the brunt of criticism. The 24-year-old hasn’t lived up to expectations since the Giants selected him sixth overall in 2019. The lack of success hasn’t all been Jones’ fault thanks to New York building a shoddy team around him, however, he’s left fans wondering if he’s a capable starter.

At -500 odds, BetMGM is favoring Jones to take the Giants’ first snap in 2022. It makes sense for multiple reasons. For starters, he’s under contract until the end of the 2022 NFL season and his dead cap penalty is nearly as much as his cap hit, so it doesn’t make sense to cut him.

There also aren’t that many credible starters in the free-agent pool, so the Giants would likely have to look for his replacement at the 2022 NFL Draft. Even if they select a QB with the fifth or seventh overall pick, there’s no guarantee that the prospect will be NFL-ready. Besides, the Giants likely wouldn’t want to rush a rookie QB into a starting role after they messed up Jones’ development.

Head coach Brian Daboll has made it clear that he not only believes in Jones but that he’s going to make sure the offense caters to his strengths. Considering what Daboll did with Josh Allen as the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator, there’s a chance that Jones could become the quarterback that New York needs this season.

New York Jets Starting Quarterback Odds

• Zach Wilson (-1400)
• Any Other Quarterback (+700)

It’s been quite some time since the New York Jets had a legitimate starting-caliber QB that they could rely on. That’s why they used the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft to select Zach Wilson as their signal-caller going forward.

Although Wilson had a great collegiate career with the BYU Cougars, his talents didn’t immediately translate to NFL success. He went 3-10 in 13 starts with he Jets last season, completing 55.6% of passing attempts for 2,334 yards and just nine TDs to 11 INTs.

Yes, Wilson’s rookie season was underwhelming, but that isn’t entirely his fault. Like Jones and the Giants, the Jets didn’t exactly build a great team around their quarterback. Wilson was sacked 44 times as a rookie, leading the league with 370 yards lost due to sacks.

Taking all of that into account, there’s a reason Wilson is the heavy -1400 favorite to start for the Jets again next year. They didn’t just use a second overall pick on him to move him to the sidelines. Barring an injury from now until September, Wilson will be under center for the Jets come Week 1.

Denver Broncos Starting Quarterback Odds

• Any Other Quarterback (-550)
• Teddy Bridgewater (+350)

After Drew Lock couldn’t get it done in previous seasons, the Denver Broncos acquired Teddy Bridgewater from the Jets last April to create some competition at the QB position.

Unfortunately, Lock and Bridgewater didn’t yield the results that Denver wanted. The duo went a combined 7-10, resulting in the Broncos missing the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.

Now, Bridgewater is a free agent this offseason and even though Lock is still under contract, the Broncos need someone better to be their starting quarterback. While Bridgewater is a decent stop-gap, it’s tough seeing Denver keeping him around when management wants to win immediately.

The Broncos have been linked to a potential trade revolving around Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. These rumors go back to the 2021 NFL Draft, so there’s likely some credibility. Landing Rodgers would be a massive upgrade over Lock and Bridgewater, vaulting Denver to the same level as other Super Bowl contenders.

On the other hand, it may cost too much to pull off that trade, leaving the Broncos looking at the NFL Draft for their answer. Denver owns the ninth overall pick and could use it on a young signal-caller, such as Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett or Ole Miss’ Matt Corral.

Regardless, the Broncos have plenty of options regarding who’ll start under center in Week 1. While the answer is still unknown, it likely will be anyone but Bridgewater (or Lock).

New Orleans Saints Starting Quarterback Odds

• Any Other Quarterback (-500)
• Jameis Winston (+340)

The New Orleans Saints kept Jameis Winston around last season to be Drew Brees’ successor. The veteran QB started the year off hot, going 5-2 in five starts, completing 95-of-161 passing attempts for 1,170 yards and 14 TDs to just three INTs.

Unfortunately, Winston’s 2021 campaign came to a screeching halt when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 8. While he’s expected to make a full recovery, he’s now a free agent, leaving his future with the Saints up in the air.

At -500 odds, BetMGM is expecting anyone else to start for the Saints in Week 1. While that’s possible, there’s actually a good chance that Winston could be back.

On one hand, the quarterback free-agent market is relatively weak this year, with Winston being one of the top available names. New Orleans also holds the 18th overall pick this year, but there may not be an NFL-ready QB once they’re on the clock.

The Saints do have Taysom Hill, Ian Book and Blake Bortles under contract. Unfortunately, Hill is more suited for a gadget role and Book is still developing, while Bortles hasn’t started an NFL game in four years.

If the Saints are serious about being competitive in 2022, Winston is their best shot at success. After all, already knows the playbook, his teammates and the organization as a whole.

At the end of the day, this is one of the times when taking the underdog option could pay off.