There are a ton of teams across the NFL that have a solidified quarterback in place for the 2026 season, and there isn't any doubt. Passers like Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and many others are atop the league at what they do and appear to be right in the middle of their prime.
However, there are some teams that are simply struggling to find a solution, and that might be putting it lightly. Without a high-end quarterback in this league, no team is going to sustain any sort of success. It's a tough position to find, as competent quarterback play around the league seems to be in high demand.
We talk about the best quarterbacks in the NFL quite a bit, but let's flip this and talk about quarterbacks most likely to get benched in 2026, ranking them from least to most likely.
Power-ranking the most likely QBs to get benched during 2026
6. Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins
Malik Willis signed a multi-year deal with the Miami Dolphins in free agency this offseason after a very successful stint as the backup with the Green Bay Packers. Willis, though, has extremely limited experience - only 155 career passing attempts and six career touchdown passes. Some quarterbacks get that kind of production in 3-5 games, to be honest.
Willis could very well be a hit for the Dolphins, but with a young passer in Quinn Ewers lurking, the leash for Willis might not be that long. Sure, he got guaranteed money on that deal, but when has that recently stopped teams from making a change?
Miami does project to be among the worst teams in the NFL this year as they embark on a much-needed rebuild, and that's when teams are most aggressive in trying ti improve their rosters.
5. Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals
Jacoby Brissett is suddenly sharing a quarterback room with Carson Beck, a rookie draft pick. Brissett is who he is at this point - he's been a reliable backup for many years and for numerous teams. He can start in a pinch and win a few games, but Brissett starting a sizeable part of the season should really only be the case if a team loses their starter.
Brissett did start 12 games for the Arizona Cardinals in 2025, going 1-11 in those starts. The Cardinals find themselves in the best division in the NFL, and, for now, at least, the only way this team could get out of the mud is if Beck ends up being the long-term answer.
The Cardinals could end up with a top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, which could lead to a future franchise passer, but I am just not sure what Brissett all year does for this team.
4. Geno Smith, New York Jets
Geno Smith is now on his third team in as many seasons, as Seattle and Las Vegas both replaced Smith the past two seasons. Now with the New York Jets, the team that drafted him, Smith was clearly brought in to try and provide some sort of stability for the franchise. The only problem, though, is that Smith hasn't been a functional quarterback for multiple seasons now.
Smith has thrown 40 touchdowns against 32 interceptions the past two seasons, compiling a record of 12-20 during that stretch. Sure, Smith can probably get that passer rating somewhere in the mid-80s, which would not be the worst thing ever, but he's a year older, and the Jets do have Cade Klubnik in the room as well.
Like the Brissett situation in Arizona, the Jets clearly know that Smith isn't their long-term starter, and with 32 interceptions the last two seasons, Smith could 'turnover' his way into a spot on the bench.
3. Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders
Speaking of the Raiders, they not only drafted Fernando Mendoza this offseason, but also signed Kirk Cousins in free agency. Cousins is going to begin the year as the starter, but fans may soon be clamoring for Mendoza. Cousins is a fine backup at this point, but his prime days are way behind him.
I would also guess that Cousins knows what will inevitably happen, so a benching might not be the most surprising thing here. The veteran quarterback likely saw that his options to at least start a handful of games this year were dwindling, but Vegas can clearly give him that small guarantee for part of the 2026 season.
2. Tua Tagovailoa, Atlanta Falcons
I would be shocked if Tua Tagovailoa did not win the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback job, but if he plays like he did in 2025 for the Dolphins, he isn't going to last long. Conversely, if Tagovailoa can somehow find a way to play how he did in 2022-2024, he'll be the starter all year. Honestly, with this team, it's simple.
1. Whoever starts for the Cleveland Browns
Yeah - whether it's Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders, whoever starts for the Cleveland Browns this year is not going to have a long leash. Watson hasn't been good for about five years now, and Sanders was an abomination as a rookie. It would actually shock me if both players did not get multiple starts this year.