2026 NFL QB Rankings: Projecting How All 32 Starters Will Fare This Season

I can’t believe how many great starting quarterbacks there are in 2026. But what’s really unbelievable? Well, actually they are bad the starting quarterback has.

There are about five where I really wonder: Is this the best a team can do?

The short answer: no. The bottom five teams on this list aren’t trying to play the best quarterback. They are not necessarily trying to win. Because next year, we’ll see roughly five new names on this list — all coming through the highly touted 2027 draft class. And that class seems to be affecting the NFL already, with the haves and have-nots sitting far, far apart. On purpose. So let’s get into the rankings.

Here’s how I predict each starter will fare in 2026.

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This should go down as one of the most painful seasons for a Cleveland QB, not just because Watson will be bad. Browns fans are trained sommeliers for bad QB play. No, it will be because the Browns might have been able to be competitive had they not re-committed to Watson.

The Falcons were the last team to announce their QB1. What they didn’t seem to know was that it didn’t matter. All four are bad.

Brissett is a true warrior for the offenses that have been handed to him in his career. But it’s a strange place he’s grown up in: the QB who helps teams struggle — sometimes inadvertently.

He “won”. He is the “QB1” for the Raiders. QB1*? Either way, it doesn’t matter if Fernando Mendoza never got a fair shake in the quarterback race.

Quietly, the Jets have made moves to back Smith to enjoy a surprising season. And if it was any team other than the Jets, I’d be fine with that.

In 2026, no quarterback will have a worse backup case than Willis. None. I actually like Willis. I am deeply disappointed that he chose Miami in free agency.

It is the crucial year for Young to mature. Otherwise the Panthers will be starting a fresh new QB.

Time is a flat circle. So is the development of CJ Stroud.

This sprinkler dealer must be praying that his players – and his Achilles – last into 2026.

This sprinkler dealer should also beg his players – and his Achilles – to stick around in 2026.

His preseason performance was bad enough to make you wonder if it’s over for him. Do you know how bad you have to be in the preseason to do that?

I see shades of Kellen Moore’s past quarterbacks (Dak Prescott, Jalen Hurts) in his latest film. This is a real testament to Shough. But also for Moore, who seems to be quietly gaining a reputation as a QB whisperer.

In Year 2, Dart could rise in many (but perhaps not all) of the same ways Drake Maye did last year. But most of all, Dart just needs to watch his noggin.

Kevin O’Connell must be relieved not to have JJ McCarthy at center. But that doesn’t mean Murray will be the easiest talent KOC has ever landed.

He’s a tough pocket passer who thinks he can take on the world—but, in reality, he can’t. So he will need Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan to get healthy and/or stay healthy.

He might have the most underrated bodies in the NFL, starting with Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle. They tear – and in completely different and complementary ways. Big year coming up for Nix.

Seahawks OC Brian Fleury will replace Klint Kubiak, who was Darnold’s buzzer-beater and stylist in 2025. Could Fleury be the stabilizing force Darnold seems to need?

I think Sean Mannion is ready to bring back the 2024 version of Jalen Hurts. Maybe, we’ll even see the 2022 version of Hurts.

Daniels had arguably the best rookie QB season (postseason included) ever. People forget it. Honestly, I basically forgot about it. Can the Commanders revive their young star?

One of the most underrated and overlooked QB talents of his generation, Goff… it just has to win a Super Bowl. That’s it. No big deal. good luck.

If his offensive weapons ever get healthy — including the coach — Purdy could be in for a career year. But electrical substation also looks to be on pace for a career year, too.

I think he has come in as an elite QB. For good. Like, there’s no way I’m going to regret this. Seriously. I promise. Yes, yes, yes.

The expectations are absurdly high for a QB who was, at times, shaky in 2025. But it’s hard to bet against Williams’ talent when he’s under Ben Johnson.

Caleb Williams for MVP, Bears & Chargers advance, Bills vs Seahawks in Super Bowl LXI? | FTF

Justin Herbert and Mike McDaniel will definitely be fun. But McDaniel, extremely bad in the playoffs, doesn’t really solve Herbert, extremely bad in the playoffs. Ignore that, though. Let’s enjoy the fun of the regular season while it lasts.

He’s still really, really, really good. But his supporting cast can still be really, really, really not good.

He seems like an obvious candidate for regression, except the Patriots brought in AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs — and they all immediately looked great together in training camp.

I’m totally ready for Prescott to have another MVP-caliber season – and maybe earn it.

He is the quarterback efficiency GAWD. He is the quarterback’s quarterback – the fool’s quarterback. He is the most underrated QB in the NFL.

The reigning MVP has reached the point where everything seems easy. He’s in Tom Brady mode – Stafford has all the answers for the test.

I refuse to believe Jackson won’t be back to his normal self in 2026. I refuse to believe his 2025 season was anything but a fluke. And the Ravens, who have largely kept the same offensive personnel, seem to believe the same.

Unlike Stafford, Allen makes everything look difficult, but that’s because the Bills have made things extremely difficult for their QB. Here’s hoping Joe Brady and DJ Moore can finally take some of the weight off of him.

Don’t get me started on what he’s been up to lately. In 2024, he threw 43 touchdowns. Burrow will be fine. Honestly, with a light schedule, it will be sensational.