Entering the 2026 NFL season, we're looking at one of the best and deepest groups of quarterbacks across all 32 teams that I've ever seen.
Sometimes, making lists like this is pretty easy because the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL are usually easy to identify, and there have been clear tiers of players behind them. But there has been a turning of the tide in recent years.
Young players have broken out at the position. Established stars have fallen off a bit, or have been struggling with injuries. There might legitimately be 25 really good starting quarterbacks in the NFL right now, or close to it, assuming young players keep on a positive trajectory.
Our latest NFL Power Rankings will attempt to do the impossible: Sort the 32 projected starters for this season in an order that is acceptable to everyone. While that will never happen, here's how we rank each starting QB in the NFL heading into this season based on a combination of their body of work as well as their projection and situation for the upcoming season.
NFL Power Rankings: Updated QB rankings as 2026 preseason gets started
32. Shedeur Sanders/Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
At this stage of training camp, it feels like things are trending toward Deshaun Watson winning the Cleveland Browns' quarterback battle over Shedeur Sanders. But is it really in the best interests of the Browns to do that?
New head coach Todd Monken made some great points and shared some great insight about what they are looking for from the position, and the overall operation of the offense running as smoothly as possible -- from the play call to getting everyone lined up -- is as important for overall evaluation as it is for the team to see what they have in someone like Sanders.
Regardless, this is comfortably the worst QB situation in the NFL right now -- short and long-term -- until proven otherwise.
31. Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins
You almost feel bad putting Malik Willis this low on a list, because he's actually played really well when he's been given opportunities. But his opportunities have been so limited, and there is not enough proven talent around him to truly "buy" his situation this season.
The possibility of a breakout year exists, but so does the possibility that we're looking at the next version of the Jets and Justin Fields. Willis has upside, and he can be a dynamic weapon for the Dolphins, but he's got to prove himself in a large sample to rise beyond this point.
30. Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals
At last we heard, Jacoby Brissett didn't know the Arizona Cardinals' new offense under Mike LaFleur and Nathaniel Hackett. It wasn't exactly the most promising revelation. And if he doesn't watch out, Carson Beck is going to come and steal his job.
At this point in his career, Brissett kind of just "is what he is", isn't he? He's more of a high-end QB2 than he is a low-end QB1, but he's capable of putting together stretches of decent play, and he will give you some outbursts of production every now and again.
Perhaps in this new scheme, and with some upgraded talent around him, Brissett's veteran experience can actually help the Cardinals win some games.
29. Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders
Aside from getting into fights with Maxx Crosby at Raiders training camp, things seem to be going okay for Kirk Cousins in his first year with the Atlanta Falcons.
Cousins is a grizzled veteran whose best days are behind him at this point. He played decent late last season for the Atlanta Falcons, and Klint Kubiak's offense is obviously familiar and favorable for someone like Cousins. He should be able to raise the floor of the team if he can limit turnovers, but I'm expecting Cousins to take a lot of sacks with the receiver group in Las Vegas looking a little lackluster before the start of the season.
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