With how polarizing the position is, quarterbacks across the NFL are constantly at the center of a ton of debates. That isn't going to change for the 2026 season, either, but one thing that could change at the position is which players we're talking about the most.
Typically, we really only talk about quarterbacks when they play amazing or play poorly. That is kind of how it works for most other positions on the field, but the debates get way more spirited at this position. With the regular season just weeks away now, let's continue diving into this position.
Our latest NFL predictions piece takes a look at two quarterbacks primed to breakout and three primed to regress this year.
Predicting QBs primed to breakout and regress in the 2026 NFL Season
Breakout: Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Some may argue that Caleb Williams already broke out this past season with the Chicago Bears, but those same people may also argue that Williams is definitely someone who has 'more' in his game that Ben Johnson can help shine through in 2026.
It's clear that Williams has a knack for the late-game heroics, but he did seem to get a bit erratic with his accuracy at times, and a natural progression now that he's in year two of Johnson's offense could realistically set the stage for an even stronger season. Williams' efficiency ticked up across the board last year, but the completion percentage fell below 60 percent, and both Williams and Johnson surely recognize there is more to work on.
Breakout: Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Bo Nix had to deal with 43 drops last year, the second-most in the NFL, according to Pro Football Reference. He also lost his starting running back after Week 10, so the run game took a nosedive. With Sean Payton also sometimes not being the most efficient play-caller (specifically with substitutions and an overall lack of up-tempo), the Broncos offense just did not hit their ceiling in 2025.
However, for 2026, not only is there a brand-new weapon for Nix in Jaylen Waddle, but Davis Webb is now getting a shot to call the plays. It's a more stable offensive infrastructure for Nix, who did take strides in late-game situations last year and helped the Broncos win 14 games and the AFC West title, but the passing production definitely suffered a bit thanks to the countless drops, and the lack of a consistent run game after Week 10 added another obstacle that Nix had to overcome.
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