It may still be extremely early in the 2026 NFL season, but the winds of change are blowing as the month of September comes to a close.
Specifically, the winds of change are significantly reshuffling the quarterback pecking order in both the AFC and NFC already this season. We've got a number of quarterbacks already dealing with injuries, some showing signs of regression, and some showing signs of breaking out.
On Thursday Night Football between the Packers and Falcons, we got a two-fer. It was the 2026 debut of Michael Penix Jr. for the Atlanta Falcons, and it was also one of the worst performances we've seen from Jordan Love in the last handful of years.
Our latest NFL QB Power Rankings will take a look at the NFC quarterback landscape heading into Week 3, with Jordan Love's stock absolutely plummeting.
NFL QB Power Rankings: Jordan Love falling fast as Week 3 continues
16. Jameis Winston, Giants
The New York Giants are in a state of absolute devastation entering Week 3. Starting quarterback Jaxson Dart is out for the season with a knee injury.
Dart was the reason for optimism with this team. They looked great in Week 1 against the Cowboys, and the whole NFL world was excited to see how Dart would respond on a big stage against the Los Angeles Rams. And then he was gone on the first drive of the game.
Now, the Giants are turning to Jameis Winston for the remainder of the season. He got himself a 2-year deal worth $13 million just before the start of the season, so he's going to have to prove the Giants right for giving him that new deal.
15. Kyler Murray, Vikings
After Carson Wentz kept the ship afloat for the majority of the first two weeks of the season, it now appears that Kyler Murray is ready to resume his role at the helm of the Minnesota Vikings.
Murray suffered a concussion in the first week of the season, and wasn't exactly lighting it up at the time of the injury. He had 18 yards and an interception. By contrast, Wentz came in and helped the offense to an incredibly impressive comeback win against Green Bay before winning a defensive battle against Chicago in the rain.
Murray is going to need that defense to continue to be lights out as he tries to build some chemistry with Justin Jefferson and the rest of his weapons.
14. Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals
Although he opened some eyes and impressed in the first week of the season, Jacoby Brissett and the Arizona Cardinals came crashing back to earth in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks.
That Mike Macdonald defense is not for the faint of heart.
It's not going to get much better for Brissett and the Cardinals who face the 49ers -- on the road -- in Week 3. What we've seen from Brissett over the last year is exactly what he is: A high-end backup/low-end QB1 who has his role as a placeholder.
The question right now is whether or not things will get rough enough this season for the Cardinals to throw Carson Beck out there.
13. Michael Penix Jr., Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have found themselves at the bottom of most of our NFL Power Rankings so far this season, whether we're talking about QB rankings, NFC team rankings, or the full 32-team rankings.
Michael Penix Jr. was a breath of fresh air on Thursday night against the Packers.
And that's not to say he was out there just slinging the rock, but when you put a competent quarterback at the helm of an offense that has Bijan Robinson, good things can happen.
Cooper Rush and Jack Strand proved to be the opposite of competent. And Penix's performance in his season debut, on the road, was encouraging.
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