I can’t believe how many great starting quarterbacks there are in 2026. But what’s really unbelievable? Well, that’s actually how many bad starting quarterbacks there are.
There are roughly five where I genuinely wonder: Is this the best a team can do?
The short answer: no. The bottom five teams on this list are not trying to play the best quarterback. They’re not necessarily even trying to win. Because next year, we’ll see roughly five fresh names on this list — all coming in through the highly touted 2027 draft class. And that class seems to be already influencing the NFL, with the "haves" and "have-nots" sitting far, far apart. On purpose. So let’s get into the rankings.
Here’s how I project each starter to fare in 2026.
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This should go down as one of the more agonizing seasons for a Cleveland QB, not just because Watson will be bad. Browns fans are trained sommeliers of bad QB play. No, it’ll be because the Browns might’ve been able to be competitive if they hadn’t committed to Watson again.
The Falcons were the last team to announce their QB1. What they didn’t seem to know was that it doesn't matter. All four of them are bad.
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Tua Tagovailoa beat out Michael Penix Jr. for the Falcons' starting job to open the season. Don't be surprised if Atlanta has a different QB1 to begin 2027. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Brissett is a real warrior for operating the offenses that he’s been handed in his career. But it’s a weird niche he’s grown into: the QB who helps teams tank — sometimes unintentionally.
He "won." He’s "QB1" for the Raiders. QB1*? Either way, it doesn't really count if Fernando Mendoza never got a fair shake in the quarterback competition.
Quietly, the Jets have made moves to support Smith to enjoy a surprising season. And if it were any team other than the Jets, I’d feel good about it.
In 2026, no quarterback will have a worse supporting case than Willis. Not one. I actually like Willis. I’m just deeply disappointed he picked Miami in free agency.
It’s the deciding year for Young to mature. Or else the Panthers will start a new young QB.
Time is a flat circle. So is CJ Stroud’s development.
This dink-and-dunk merchant needs to pray his playmakers — and his Achilles — hold up in 2026.
This dink-and-dunk merchant also must pray his playmakers — and his Achilles — hold up in 2026.
His preseason performance was so bad that it made you wonder if it’s over for him. Do you know how bad you have to be in preseason to do that?
I see shades of Kellen Moore’s past quarterbacks (Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts) in his latest one. That’s a real testament to Shough. But also to Moore, who seems to be quietly earning a reputation as a QB whisperer.
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After a promising finish to his rookie year, is Tyler Shough primed to take a leap in 2026? (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
In Year 2, Dart could elevate in many (but probably not all) of the same ways that Drake Maye did last year. But above all, Dart just needs to take care of his noggin.
Kevin O’Connell has to be relieved he doesn't have J.J. McCarthy under center. But that doesn’t mean Murray will be the easiest talent KOC has ever corralled.
He’s a feisty pocket passer who thinks he can take on the world — but, in reality, cannot. So he’s going to need Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan to get healthy and/or stay healthy.
He might have the most underrated receiving corps in the NFL, beginning with Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle. Those dudes rip — and in totally different and complementary ways. Big year coming for Nix.
Seahawks OC Brian Fleury will replace Klint Kubiak, who was a sensational playcaller and designer for Darnold in 2025. Can Fleury be the stabilizing force that Darnold has seemed to need?
I think Sean Mannion is about to bring back the 2024 version of Jalen Hurts. Maybe, we’ll even see the 2022 version of Hurts.
Daniels had arguably the best QB rookie season (including the postseason) ever. People forget that. Honestly, I’ve basically forgotten that. Can the Commanders reinvigorate their young star?
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One of the least respected and most neglected QB talents of his generation, Goff … just needs to win a Super Bowl. That’s it. No big deal. Good luck.
If his offensive weapons ever get healthy — head coach included — Purdy could be due for a career year. But the electric substation also seems to be on pace for a career year, too.
I think he has arrived as an elite QB. For good. Like, there’s no way I’ll come to regret this. Seriously. I promise. Yup, yup, yup.
Expectations are absurdly high for a QB who was, at times, shaky in 2025. But it’s hard to bet against Williams’ talent when he's under the guidance of Ben Johnson.
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Justin Herbert and Mike McDaniel are going to be undeniably fun. But McDaniel, notoriously bad in the playoffs, doesn’t really solve Herbert, notoriously bad in the playoffs. Ignore that, though. Let’s just enjoy the regular-season fun while it lasts.
He’s still really, really, really good. But his supporting cast might still be really, really, really not good.
He seems like such an obvious candidate for regression, except that the Patriots brought in A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs — and they all looked immediately excellent together in training camp.
I’m fully ready for Prescott to have another MVP-calber season — and perhaps win it.
He is the quarterback efficiency GAWD. He is the quarterback’s quarterback — the nerd’s quarterback. He is the most underrated QB in the NFL.
The reigning MVP has hit the point where everything looks easy. He’s in Tom Brady mode — Stafford has all the answers to the test.
I refuse to believe that Jackson won’t return to his normal self in 2026. I refuse to believe his 2025 season was anything other than a fluke. And the Ravens, who have kept largely the same offensive player personnel, seem to believe the same thing.
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The Ravens had a losing record in games Lamar Jackson started for the first time in his career last season. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Unlike Stafford, Allen makes everything look difficult, but that’s because the Bills have made things inordinately difficult for their QB. Here’s hoping Joe Brady and D.J. Moore can finally take some of the weight off him.
Don’t come at me with the what-has-he-done-lately takes. In 2024, he threw for 43 touchdowns. Burrow is gonna be fine. Honestly, with an easy schedule, he’s gonna be sensational.
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