Ranking All 32 NFL Quarterback Situations From WORST To FIRST For This Upcoming 2026 Season
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
There is nothing more important than the quarterback commanding the offense of any NFL team, as they’re seen as the leader of the franchise.
Some teams have the best quarterback situations heading into the regular season, while other teams don’t know who their clear starting quarterback is.
The regular season is still a long way away, but anything can happen from now until the start of week one in September.
Here at TPS, we’re going to look at the quarterback situation for all 32 teams and rank them from WORST to First for the upcoming season.
Which NFL teams have the best and worst quarterback situations?
32) Cleveland Browns
The Browns’ quarterback situation is very chaotic, as they’re still stuck with Deshaun Watson’s massive contract and have seen his production regress over the years.
Sure, Sheduer Sanders is still on the roster, but he still has a lot of developing to do, and Dillon Gabriel is likely going to be the third stringer heading into the 2026 season.
31) Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are dealing with a contract situation with Jacoby Brissett, who had a good statistical season in 2025 but only won one game.
The Cardinals signed Gardner Minshew and drafted Carson Beck in the third round of the 2026 Draft.
With Brissett’s future in the desert looking bleak, the Red Birds will have to turn to Minshew or Beck, depending on who’ll win the starting job.
30) New York Jets
Geno Smith returns to Gang Green a year after he threw a league-high 17 interceptions with the Raiders, but has proven himself to be a worthy starter, as we saw in Seattle.
The Jets may expect Smith to play as he did with the Seahawks, but if he does, it’ll hurt their chances of potentially drafting quarterback Arch Manning in the 2027 NFL Draft.
29) Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins overhauled their roster from the 2025 season and have signed Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million deal, even though he doesn’t have a large sample size from his tenure with the Packers.
Willis will have no offensive weapons outside of De’Von Achane to work with, and the Dolphins have Quinn Ewers, who’ll likely be Willis’ backup for the upcoming season.
28) Tennessee Titans
Ward had a rough 2025 rookie season, as he had almost no offensive line protection and barely any offensive weapons to work with.
The Titans have brought in Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and signed Wan’Dale Robinson for Ward to work with, and signed veteran backup Mitch Trubisky.
We hope Ward and the Titans find a way to turn things around in 2026.
27) Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons enter the 2026 season with both Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa in the lineup, even though both of these quarterbacks have dealt with injuries throughout their NFL careers so far.
Sure, the Falcons have the roster to compete in the playoffs, but Penix Jr. or Tagovailoa must stay healthy for the 2026 season if they want to have a successful season.
26) Pittsburgh Steelers
After a long offseason, Aaron Rodgers will return to the Steelers and play his final season in the NFL. However, he’ll be 43 by the conclusion of the season.
The Steelers also have Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and recently drafted Drew Allar, who aren’t the best backups to Rodgers, but must step up in 2027 after Rodgers’ career is over.
25) Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings enter the 2026 NFL season with an open quarterback competition between J. J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer, and the newly signed Kyler Murray.
McCarthy struggled in 2025, throwing 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, and Murray joining the fold only puts pressure on McCarthy to fight for the starting job, or lose it to Murray when the season begins.
24) Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders enter the 2026 season with veteran Kirk Cousins, who signed a five-year, $172 million deal with $20 million guaranteed, and drafted Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick of the 2026 Draft. They also have Aidan O’Connell, who’ll likely be the third-string quarterback on the roster.
Although Cousins is projected to be the starter, Mendoza must be ready to start, just in case anything happens to Cousins during the season.
23) New York Giants
The Giants’ quarterback situation is centered around Jaxson Dart, who earned the starting position after he put up a good rookie season in the NFL. Dart completed 216 passes for 2,272 yards and threw 15 touchdowns against five interceptions in 2025.
The Giants still have Jameis Winston on the roster and signed backup Brandon Allen to the roster. The Giants are entering a new era with head coach John Harbaugh at the helm, and Dart must continue to shine under Harbaugh’s leadership for the 2026 season
22) New Orleans Saints
The Saints are fully committed to Tyler Shough after he showed some good promise during the 2025 season.
Backing up Shough are Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson, as Rattler is likely going to be the QB2 due to knowing head coach Kellen Moore’s system already, while Wilson works to earn a backup spot or get traded before or during the 2026 season.
21) Carolina Panthers
After a career-best season for Young, where he threw for 3,011 yards and 23 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, the Panthers are expecting Young to take another step forward during the 2026 season.
The Panthers traded Andy Dalton to the Eagles and signed Kenny Pickett, who’ll likely be Young’s backup, while Will Grier and Haynes King will compete for the third and fourth string jobs heading into the 2026 season.
20) Houston Texans
C. J. Stroud enters year four of the NFL, even though he struggled in the 2025-26 playoffs, throwing two touchdowns against five interceptions, thus making the 2026 season a make-or-break year for him.
The Texans have revamped the offensive line and traded for David Montgomery, hoping it’ll help Stroud bounce back so they can potentially sign him to a long-term deal if everything goes according to plan.
Davis Mills remains the primary backup quarterback, who is entering the final year of his NFL contract and knows the offense very well. He’ll be ready for action in case anything happens to Stroud in the upcoming season.
19) Indianapolis Colts
After signing a two-year, $88 million extension, Jones is expected to be the Colts’ starter for his stellar performance in the 2025 season, even though he suffered an Achilles injury during the season.
Jones should be ready for week one, but backup Riley Leonard will be ready in case Jones isn’t 100 percent. Anthony Richardson Sr., on the other hand, requested a trade but returned to offseason workouts and is on the final year of his deal, making him a free agent in 2027.
18) Washington Commanders
Even though Daniels had a rough sophomore season in the league due to injuries, he is still the team’s franchise quarterback for the 2026 season.
Daniels has added lean muscle to his body to withstand hits for the upcoming season, as he looks to rebound in 2026.
Marcus Mariota re-signed with the team on a one-year, $8 million deal and continues to be a mentor for Daniels heading into the new season.
17) Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have a very good quarterback situation heading into the 2026 NFL season, with Joe Burrow expecting to be healthy for the season, and veteran backup Joe Flacco back in the lineup in case anything happens.
Burrow has expressed confidence in the Bengals’ additions for the 2026 season, making for some excitement if he stays healthy.
16) Denver Broncos
Nix led the Broncos to their first playoff win against the Bills since their Super Bowl 50 run, but suffered an ankle injury during the game.
Nix should be healthy for the 2026 season with an upgraded receiving corps, as the Broncos traded for Jaylen Waddle. If Nix isn’t ready to start by week one, backup Jarrett Stidham should fill in nicely for the team.
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mayfield enters the 2026 season looking to help the team return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2024 season, but he’ll be on the final year of his three-year, $100 million extension, making 2026 a major make-or-break year for him.
Mayfield must rebound after seeing a slight decline in his production during the 2025 season, and must adjust to his fourth straight offensive coordinator, Zac Robinson’s schemes for the new season.
14) Jacksonville Jaguars
Lawrence had a very nice 2025 season under head coach Liam Coen, as he led the team to their first divisional win since the 2022 season, recovered from an AC Joint shoulder surgery, and was an MVP Finalist.
Lawrence enters the 2026 season fully healthy and ready to potentially lead the Jaugars to back-to-back division championships. However, it won’t be easy, as the team wasn’t able to find a suitable replacement for Travis Etienne Jr., who signed with the Saints. We’ll see what Lawrence will accomplish in 2026.
13) Dallas Cowboys
Prescott is the focal point for the Cowboys’ offense, as he looks to try to lead the team to a good 2026 season and play a second straight healthy season in all 17 games.
The well-known quarterback still has a talented supporting cast around him, consisting of CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Javonte Williams, and Prescott is expected to be a 2026 NFL MVP candidate for the upcoming season.
The Cowboys also have Joe Milton as a backup and signed Sam Howell to further solidify the position in case anything happens to Prescott during the 2026 season.
12) Green Bay Packers
Love has solidified his role as the Packers’ starting quarterback for week one, but he will not have Malik Willis backing him up, as he signed a three-year, $67.5 million deal with the Miami Dolphins. Instead, Tyrod Taylor will back Love up, and he’s proven to be an incredible backup throughout his career. Love and Taylor should work well together during the 2026 season.
11) Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams displayed excellent poise at the position during his breakout 2025 season under head coach Ben Johnson’s offensive schemes, leading the Bears to an impressive playoff win against the Packers in the Wildcard Round.
Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent provides veteran leadership for the team in case anything happens to Williams during the regular season. However, Williams is likely going to continue stepping up for the Bears and lead them to another impressive season.
10) San Francisco 49ers
Purdy and the 49ers should have a much healthier 2026 season and have a revamped supporting cast around him, with Mike Evans to throw to, which should help the team return to the playoffs.
Mac Jones flourished as Purdy’s backup in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s system, going 5-3 as a starter and throwing 13 touchdowns against five interceptions. He should be ready to go, just in case anything happens to Purdy.
9) Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert had a good 2025 season statistically, but had almost no offensive line protection. That should change in the 2026 season with an upgraded offensive line and the addition of Mike McDaniel as the team’s offensive coordinator.
The famed quarterback should develop very nicely under McDaniel’s schemes and improve upon his 2025 season in the 2026 NFL season.
8) Philadelphia Eagles
Hurts is entering a make-or-break season with the Eagles after dealing with some regression during the 2025 season and some friction with the offensive scheme that year.
Hurts should improve under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, as he should be revamped for the 2026 season.
7) Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes is recovering from an injured ACL, and he shouldn’t be rushed back onto the field immediately. However, when Mahomes returns, he should be ready to conquer when he’s fully healthy.
The Chiefs traded for Justin Fields to back Mahomes up in the upcoming 2026 season and should adjust to Andy Reid’s system for the upcoming season in case Mahomes isn’t ready to start in week one.
6) Seattle Seahawks
After an immaculate season leading the Seahawks to winning Super Bowl LX, Sam Darnold is ready to lead the Seahawks to victory for the upcoming 2026 season.
Early projections have Darnold potentially throwing for over 4,000 yards, as he and the Seahawks look to focus more on the passing attack, while Zach Charbonnet recovers from the ACL injury he sustained in the playoffs.
Drew Lock will be back as Darnold’s backup and provide veteran leadership to this NFL team’s quarterback room.
5) Detroit Lions
Despite missing the playoffs in the 2025 season, Goff remains the main anchor for the Lions’ offense heading into the 2026 season.
Goff will work with new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, who should further see Goff step up, along with some new offensive weapons to work with, like Tyler Conklin and Isiah Pacheco.
Teddy Bridgewater re-signed with the Lions to provide the team with a veteran backup in case Goff sustains any injuries during the 2026 season.
4) Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson is returning from an injury-riddled 2025 season and should excel under new head coach Jesse Minter and new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, who’ll provide Jackson with a revamped offensive scheme for the upcoming 2026 season.
Tyler Huntley will return as Jackson’s main backup, while also signing Skylar Thompson and undrafted free agents Diego Pavia and Joe Fagnano for the upcoming season.
Jackson and the Ravens will face a tough schedule heading into the 2026 season, but Jackson should be ready to roll and dominate the competition.
3) New England Patriots
Even though Maye struggled in Super Bowl LX, he should rebound from that performance during the 2026 regular season with a revamped cast of offensive weapons to work with, like Romeo Doubs, Julian Hill, and Reggie Gilliam in the fold.
Maye is playing on the third year of his rookie contract and will be due for an extension in the 2027 offseason. On top of that, Maye has positioned himself as an elite young quarterback in the NFL, and he should continue to impress the Patriots’ faithful for the upcoming 2026 season.
2) Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen enters the 2026 season with a new coaching regime led by Joe Brady and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr., and is looking to get the Bills back to first place in the AFC East.
Allen should easily adjust to Brady’s new schemes and clean up his deep ball in the 2026 season, while Kyle Allen and Shane Buechele should be ready in case anything happens to Allen during the season.
1) Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford and the Rams are in win-now mode, with the defending MVP locked in on a one-year, $55 million contract extension for the 2026 season.
Stafford is surrounded by explosive weapons like Davante Adams and Puka Nacua to throw passes to, making the team ready to make a serious Super Bowl run.
The team also drafted Ty Simpson, which shocked many, as a potential successor to Stafford when he retires.
