There has been a lot of quarterback movement in recent years, and that is only going to increase if you ask me. Between major QB trades, free agency deals, and rookies in the NFL Draft, the quarterback position usually sees a good bit of turnover each year.
With there not being many true high-end starters in the league, teams are constantly searching for upgrades or even settling with an average passer in certain situations. We're quickly approaching the end of the 2025 NFL Season, so we decided to predict all 32 starting quarterbacks for 2026.
Let's get into it here.
Predicting all 32 starters at quarterback in the 2026 NFL Season
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens - Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens have largely had a season to forget, but he's not going anywhere. At worst, Jackson is a top-3 QB in the league, a two-time MVP, and the best dual-threat quarterback of all-time.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Mac Jones
The Pittsburgh Steelers will probably lose Aaron Rodgers to retirement this coming offseason, but they could swing a modest trade for Mac Jones to man the QB position for 2026. Jones showed some promise filling in for Brock Purdy earlier this year, and there is no indication that the Steelers plan on taking the QB position seriously.
Cleveland Browns - Deshaun Watson
The Cleveland Browns can't yet realistically move on from Deshaun Watson. He is probably back in 2026 and beginning the year as their starter, but Cleveland is likely grabbing a QB at some point in the 2026 NFL Draft. They have two first-round picks and have to come away with someone.
Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow might be disgruntled with the Bengals, but I do not think we're quite there yet in terms of a major trade. I think he's back in 2026.
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence has played quite well over the past three games and will indeed be back as the starter in 2026.
Houston Texans - CJ Stroud
CJ Stroud is heating up for the Houston Texans and has gotten this team back on the map. There is no chance he isn't their starter in 2026.
Indianapolis Colts - Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones probably re-signs on another one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts, as he played well for them before going down with a torn Achilles. I'd find it hard to believe he isn't starting for Indy in 2026.
Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward
Cam Ward has shown some flashes at times. The Tennessee Titans are going to surround him with more talent, and we should see him improve in 2026.
AFC East
Miami Dolphins - Jimmy Garoppolo
The Miami Dolphins are benching Tua Tagovailoa, so there is no chance he is back as the starter in 2026. I could see Miami pursing a one-year bridge QB as they likely enter a rebuilding process at the position. Mike McDaniel and Jimmy Garoppolo did overlap in San Francisco for a few seasons, so he should know the offense quite well. Jimmy G as a one-year stopgap option isn't the worst thing ever.
Buffalo Bills - Josh Allen
The reigning MVP will be starting for the Buffalo Bills for as long as he wants at this rate, and the one thing he and Buffalo have yet to accomplish is win a Super Bowl. Could it be this year?
New York Jets - Kyler Murray
The New York Jets have a ton of NFL Draft capital and could swing a trade for Kyler Murray to be their QB for a few seasons. The QB class appears to be quite deep in 2027, so the Jets might want someone who can at least bring some stability to the position. The Arizona Cardinals seem poised to move on from Murray in some capacity this offseason.
New England Patriots - Drake Maye
The year two breakout from Drake Maye is real. He's back as the Patriots' starter in 2026.
AFC West
Denver Broncos - Bo Nix
Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos are on the cusp of winning the AFC West. Nix is legit, and the Broncos might just be the best team in the league right now.
Los Angeles Chargers - Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert is playing behind a bad offensive line, but the LA Chargers are still 10-4 and in good shape overall. He is not going anywhere.
Kansas City Chiefs - Patrick Mahomes
I might be cheating a bit, as Patrick Mahomes might not be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL Season, but what if he is...?
Las Vegas Raiders - Dante Moore
The Las Vegas Raiders should move on from Geno Smith and Pete Carroll as soon as they can. I can see the front office diving into the 2026 NFL Draft to bring in someone like Dante Moore, who is currently at Oregon. The Raiders have to take the QB position more seriously.
NFC North
Green Bay Packers - Jordan Love
Jordan Love and the Packers took a brutal loss in Week 15, but Love is playing excellent football, and the Packers are going to be in good shape for the next seven year with him as their starting QB.
Chicago Bears - Caleb Williams
The 10-4 Chicago Bears are getting decent QB play from Caleb Williams. You would ideally love to see his completion percentage increase, but he's still only in his second season and in a position to lead his team to a division title.
Minnesota Vikings - JJ McCarthy
I would be shocked if the Minnesota Vikings did not bring in some level of competition for JJ McCarthy this coming offseason. He has shown some nice things these past two weeks, but we are far from an 'official' verdict. Ideally, McCarthy enters the 2026 season as the unquestioned starter for the Vikes.
Detroit Lions - Jared Goff
Jared Goff is a great quarterback. He's not going anywhere. There aren't many passers who can play as efficiently from the pocket as he can.
NFC South
New Orleans Saints - Tyler Shough
Tyler Shough is a second-round rookie who has really played well given the situation, and it's important to note that in many instances, the stats on paper don't always tell the full story. Shough should be back as the Saints' starter in 2026.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield has had a down year, but he's far from the main issue in Tampa Bay. Mayfield is going to be back as their starter in 2026, and I would not be shocked if a new coaching staff was in place.
Atlanta Falcons - Michael Penix Jr
Michael Penix Jr was effectively still a rookie this year, but he's been out with a knee injury. I do believe he'll be back as the starter in 2026, as the Falcons did use a top-10 pick on him, so they should want him to emerge as a franchise quarterback.
Carolina Panthers - Tua Tagovailoa
With the Miami Dolphins benching Tua Tagovailoa, I could see them begging a team to acquire him in a trade. With the Carolina Panthers being in an easy division, having a solid roster with a strong offensive line, and having a high-end offensive mind in Dave Canales, I could see the Panthers making the move. Bryce Young just is not cutting it right now.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys - Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott is probably underrated, and if the Dallas Cowboys can field just an average defense in 2026, they'll be contenders. Prescott is one of the best pocket passers in the league.
Philadelphia Eagles - Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts has limitations as a passer, but he and the Eagles have won a ton of games in recent years. With no apparent upgrade available, Hurts will be back as the Eagles' QB1 in 2026.
Washington Commanders - Jayden Daniels
Jayden Daniels is now shut down for the rest of the season and battled through multiple injuries. He is an undersized, mobile quarterback, and that isn't always a recipe for success in the NFL. However, when on the field, Daniels is great and the one player who can keep this franchise afloat.
New York Giants - Jaxson Dart
Jaxson Dart has to learn how to protect himself better. When he's not taking unnecessary hits, he's making plays down the field or showing off his running ability. Dart could be a truly special quarterback and is going to start for the New York Giants in 2026.
NFC West
Los Angeles Rams - Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford is playing the best football of his life at age 37, and I would see no reason why he retires at the end of 2025. If the LA Rams do win the Super Bowl, I guess I could see it, but Stafford probably has another high-end year or two in him.
Seattle Seahawks - Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold has been very good this year minus a four-interception game against the LA Rams a few weeks ago. Darnold should return as the Seattle Seahawks' starting QB in 2026. There is no reason to not bring him back.
San Francisco 49ers - Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy is a good QB. That's it, but he's a winner and efficient. The 49ers will bring him back as their starter in 2026.
Arizona Cardinals - Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins has played decent football for the Atlanta Falcons this year. I could see a scenario where the Cardinals start fresh at the position, trade Murray, draft a QB, and add someone like Kirk Cousins for a year, as I believe the Falcons will cut him.