Quarterback play nonetheless drives all the pieces within the NFL, however not all QB rooms are constructed the identical. Some franchises enter 2026 with MVP-caliber stars and confirmed depth behind them. Others are clinging to shaky veterans, unproven rookies or outright uncertainty on the recreation’s most necessary place.
Utilizing a scale of 1 (fabulous) to five (horrible), Yardbarker NFL writers broke down each QB scenario — weighing star energy, long-term outlook, sturdiness, upside and backup depth.
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS | RATING: 2 | Starter: Dak Prescott | Backups: Joe Milton III, Sam Howell | Prescott is adequate to earn MVP votes however hasn’t been adequate to make it to an NFC Championship Sport. Prescott is 2-5 within the playoffs, with seven interceptions and 14 TD passes. Until he proves he can play his best in the toughest situations, it’s hard to consider the QB room as anything more than very good.
NEW YORK GIANTS | RATING: 3 | Starter: Jaxson Dart | Backups: Jameis Winston, Brandon Allen | With second-year participant Dart, the QB room has its most potential since prime Eli Manning. After all, the key phrase is potential. Dart flashed expertise in his rookie 12 months, displaying an elite imaginative and prescient and arm, however was unable to maintain success. Behind Dart is the charismatic Winston, whose gunslinger strategy is nice for the spotlight reel however not for the workforce.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | RATING: 1.5 | Starter: Jalen Hurts | Backups: Tanner McKee, Andy Dalton, Cole Payton | In 2024, Hurts had a 68.7% completion percentage. In 2025, it was 64.8%. Not good. Nonetheless, Hurts is a former Tremendous Bowl MVP who delivered elite performances in two championship appearances. Count on enchancment beneath new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | RATING: 3 | Starter: Jayden Daniels | Backups: Marcus Mariota, Athan Kaliakmanis, Sam Hartman | In 2025, Daniels regressed due to accidents after a spectacular Rookie of the Yr season. Mariota performed admirably in his absence, throwing for 1,695 yards in 11 video games (eight begins), nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to construct on Washington’s run to the NFC Championship Sport in 2024. — Conor Killmurray
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS | RATING: 5 | Starter: Not decided | Choices: Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew II | Backups: Carson Beck, Kedon Slovis |
Brissett enters the ultimate 12 months of a two-year deal however is absent from voluntary actions as he seems to be for a increase. Minshew signed a one-year deal within the offseason and has 47 begins, however he is a backup, not a starter. Depth is not good behind them.
LOS ANGELES RAMS | RATING: 2 | Starter: Matthew Stafford | Backups: Ty Simpson, Stetson Bennett IV, Matthew Caldwell | When wholesome, Stafford is without doubt one of the NFL’s greatest QBs, and he lately signed a one-year extension after successful league MVP. The Rams drafted Simpson within the first spherical, a transfer that might pay dividends. However the Rams will not play him a lot this season —- particularly if Stafford stays on the high of his recreation.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | RATING: 1 | Starter: Brock Purdy | Backups: Mac Jones, Kurtis Rourke, Adrian Martinez | Purdy solely appeared in 9 video games final season due to a lingering turf toe damage. In stepped Jones, who accomplished a career-high 69.6% of his passes for two,151 yards and 13 TDs. The 49ers are one of many few groups that may flip to their backup QB with confidence.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | RATING: 2 | Starter: Sam Darnold | Backups: Drew Lock, Jalen Milroe | Statistically, 2025 might not have been the perfect of Darnold’s profession, however he made quite a lot of strides in a Tremendous Bowl-winning marketing campaign. He accomplished a career-high 67.7% of his passes and didn’t throw an interception through the postseason run, a serious enchancment for a QB with a historical past of turnovers. Lock has 28 profession begins and is an skilled backup, making this one of many extra full QB rooms. — Colby Colwell
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS | RATING: 1 | Starter: Caleb Williams | Backups: Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum, Miller Moss | The Bears needs to be thrilled about their scenario after Williams threw for 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns and practically led his workforce to the NFC title in 2025. Williams is trending towards turning into a top-five QB. Bagent is a reliable backup, and Keenum began in an NFC title recreation. This is without doubt one of the greatest QB rooms.
DETROIT LIONS | RATING: 3 | Starter: Jared Goff | Backups: Teddy Bridgewater, Luke Altmeyer | Goff is a wonderfully advantageous starter with tons of expertise, however he doesn’t have an enormous upside due to an absence of athleticism and points taking part in via strain. Behind Goff, Bridgewater has thrown solely 15 passes within the NFL since 2022, and Altmeyer is an untested rookie. Detroit may not be capable of attain its full potential with Goff, and the depth behind him is shaky at greatest.
GREEN BAY PACKERS | RATING: 2 | Starter: Jordan Love | Backups: Tyrod Taylor, Kyle McCord, Kyron Drones |
Love, who has thrown for 80 touchdowns and simply 28 interceptions since turning into starter in 2023, is without doubt one of the greatest so long as he can keep wholesome. Accidents have been a problem for Love, although, which is why it was necessary the Packers added Taylor after Malik Willis signed with the Dolphins in free company.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS | RATING: 4 | Starter: Kyler Murray | Backups: J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer | Murray is an improve over what the Vikings trotted out at QB final season, however his inconsistency has all the time held him again. This QB room has an odd dynamic now that McCarthy, the tenth total choose in 2024, is the backup heading into the offseason. Minnesota needs to present him one other likelihood, however that’s extra difficult with Murray on the town. — Jack Dougherty
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS | RATING: 5 | Starter: Not decided | Choices: Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa | Backups: Trevor Siemian, Jack Strand | In 2024, the Falcons chosen Penix Jr. No. 8 total, however he’ll enter the summer season in a battle with fellow lefty Tagovailoa after struggling a season-ending knee damage in Week 11 final season. Tagovailoa was a shell of himself in 2025, throwing a career-high 15 interceptions for the Dolphins. The workforce launched him. Many groups prioritize QBs with mobility; it’s alarming the Falcons have two statues of their QB room.
CAROLINA PANTHERS | RATING: 3.5 | Starter: Bryce Younger | Backups: Kenny Pickett, Will Grier, Haynes King |
Younger and the Panthers stumbled into an NFC South title final season. Younger didn’t again down in a hard-fought 34-31 wild-card house loss to the Los Angeles Rams, however he was hardly distinctive, ending 21-of-40 for 264 yards passing, two complete touchdowns and an interception. The 2023 No. 1 total choose has had some promising moments over his first three seasons, however not sufficient to persuade Carolina to present him a profitable second contract.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | RATING: 3 | Starter: Tyler Shough | Backups: Spencer Rattler, Zach Wilson |
We’ll get a extra correct gauge of Shough this season after New Orleans invested in enhancing his supporting forged. He handed the attention check in 9 2026 begins, finishing 67.6 % of his passes for two,384 yards (7.3 yards per try), 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He rushed for 186 yards and three touchdowns. However one first rate second-half stretch isn’t sufficient to anoint Shough a franchise savior.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | RATING: 2.5 | Starter: Baker Mayfield | Backups: Jake Browning, Connor Bazelak, Jalon Daniels | An MVP contender via the primary quarter of 2025, Mayfield had his 2025 season sidetracked by accidents. He’s getting into the ultimate 12 months of a three-year, $100M extension. Even when Tampa works out one other deal to maintain the 2017 No. 1 total choose with the franchise past 2026, he should show he’s wholesome sufficient to guide the Bucs again to the highest of the division. —
Eric Smithling
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS | RATING: 1 | Starter: Josh Allen | Backups: Kyle Allen, Shane Buechele | Allen, the 2024 NFL MVP, has missed solely 4 of 152 video games (common season plus playoffs). So his backups can relax and calm down. Allen accomplished 69.3% of his passes final season for 3,668 yards. The workforce has dependable however not thrilling depth.
MIAMI DOLPHINS | RATING: 4 | Starter: Malik Willis | Backups: Quinn Ewers, Cam Miller, Mark Gronowski | The Dolphins have an unproven QB room with an absence of expertise. After releasing Tua Tagovailoa, the workforce turns to free-agent addition Willis, a former Packer. Willis performed properly in Inexperienced Bay, nevertheless it’s uncommon for a backup to change into the man for an additional workforce. He has simply developmental QBs behind him.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | RATING: 2 | Starter: Drake Maye | Backups: Tommy DeVito, Behren Morton | Starter Maye was among the many high QBs within the NFL in 2025 (31 TD passes, eight interceptions). There’s not a lot behind him, so if Maye misses time, the Patriots are in hassle. Business star Tommy DeVito is aware of the system however is just not a high-tier backup.
NEW YORK JETS | RATING: 5 | Starter: Geno Smith | Backups: Brady Cook dinner, Cade Klubnik, Bailey Zappe | Smith returns to New York, the place he flopped with the Jets from 2013-2016, because the bridge QB after a down 12 months with Las Vegas. At 36, he provides restricted upside and declining mobility. His backup choices are fourth-round developmental choose Cade Klubnik, inconsistent UDFA Cook dinner and Zappe. Yikes. — Colton Edwards
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS | RATING: 3 | Starter: Bo Nix | Backups: Jarrett Stidham, Sam Ehlinger |
Like fellow 2024 draftees Williams and Maye, Nix is a budding star after tying for third within the NFL in regular-season wins (24) and rating seventh in TD passes (54) over the previous two seasons (through StatMuse). He’d higher keep wholesome after struggling a fractured proper ankle in a 33-30 AFC divisional-round win over the Payments final season or Denver is doomed. Stidham has a 1-3 document as starter; Ehlinger is 0-3.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | RATING: 2 | Starter: Patrick Mahomes | Backups: Justin Fields, Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun | The Chiefs missed the playoffs for the primary time since 2014 final season, however three-time Tremendous Bowl champion Mahomes stays a future Corridor of Famer. Signs are pointing toward Mahomes being prepared for Week 1 after struggling an ACL tear in his left knee in December 2025, but when he isn’t able to go, Fields may very well be serviceable. The QB — who has 52 TD passes and 32 interceptions in 5 seasons — doesn’t battle with turnovers and is a succesful runner (2,892 profession dashing yards).
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | RATING: 4 | Starter: Kirk Cousins | Backups: Fernando Mendoza, Aidan O’Connell, Jacob Clark |
4-time Professional Bowler Cousins — who posted a subpar 47.6 QBR in 10 video games for the Falcons final season — is previous his prime, however 2026 No. 1 total choose Mendoza provides hope for Raiders followers. He led the Indiana Hoosiers to their first nationwide title final season and received the Heisman after throwing 41 TD passes. Vegas rookie HC Klint Kubiak stated, “[Mendoza has] not disappointed” in OTAs.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | RATING: 3 | Starter: Justin Herbert | Backups: Trey Lance, DJ Uiagalelei | Herbert — 0-3 within the playoffs — should ship in huge video games however is clearly a franchise QB after throwing the fourth-most TD passes (163) in franchise historical past in his first six seasons. Maybe he’ll “own the position” beneath new OC Mike McDaniel. Lance, a former 49ers/Cowboys flop, stays an unreliable backup after posting a awful 20 QBR in 4 video games final season. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS | RATING: 1 | Starter: Lamar Jackson | Backups: Tyler Huntley, Joe Fagnano, Diego Pavia |
When Jackson is on his recreation and at his greatest, he’s the perfect game-changing participant within the NFL. He can beat you together with his arm, legs and might rating from in all places on the sector. Huntley is a strong backup who can provide the Ravens strong play in a number of video games.
CINCINNATI BENGALS | RATING: 1 | Starter: Joe Burrow | Backups: Joe Flacco, Josh Johnson, Sean Clifford | When it comes to pure passing potential, Burrow may be the NFL’s greatest. The one catch is he should keep wholesome; he began solely eight video games in 2025. The excellent news: Flacco, 41, is without doubt one of the NFL’s oldest gamers, however he can win with a gifted receiving corps like Cincinnati’s.
CLEVELAND BROWNS | RATING: 5 | Starter: Deshaun Watson | Backups: Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, Taylen Inexperienced |
This can be a nightmare. Watson has the worst contract in soccer, has performed simply 19 video games over the previous three seasons and is coming off two Achilles accidents. Sanders and Gabriel are late-round initiatives with restricted upside. The QB of the longer term is just not on this roster.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS | RATING: 4 | Starter: Aaron Rodgers | Backups: Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, Drew Allar | The excellent news is that they know they are often aggressive with Rodgers. The dangerous information is that they know the ceiling is identical one they’ve had for the previous decade: make the playoffs and lose within the first spherical. New HC Mike McCarthy’s potential to develop Allar, one in every of their three third-round picks, may dictate how properly his Steelers tenure goes. — Adam Gretz
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS | RATING: 2.5 | Starter: C.J. Stroud | Backups: Davis Mills, Graham Mertz | Stroud has did not stay as much as the expectations he set for himself after he was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Yr in 2023; he had 5 interceptions final season within the playoffs. Nonetheless, Stroud has one of many NFL’s greatest broad receivers in Nico Collins and performed at a Professional Bowl degree through the latter half of the 2025 common season. Mills has 29 begins and is without doubt one of the NFL’s higher backups.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | RATING: 3 | Starter: Daniel Jones | Backups: Anthony Richardson Sr., Riley Leonard, Seth Henigan | Had Jones not suffered a torn Achilles in Week 14 final season, confidence within the QB scenario can be rather a lot increased. Jones, who is anticipated to be absolutely cleared for the beginning of the 2026 season, was having fun with a profession revival in his first 12 months with Indianapolis earlier than his damage. He posted a formidable 100.2 passing score in 13 video games and accounted for twenty-four complete touchdowns in comparison with simply eight interceptions. The Colts try to commerce 2023 first-rounder Richardson. Good luck with that.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | RATING: 2 | Starter: Trevor Lawrence | Backups: Nick Mullens, Carter Bradley, Joey Aguilar |
Lawrence performed like an MVP candidate over the latter half of the 2025 season and flirts with elite standing. The 2021 No. 1 total choose threw only one interception over the ultimate six video games of the season, a wonderful signal. Mullens is a serviceable backup.
TENNESSEE TITANS | RATING: 2.5 | Starter: Cam Ward | Backups: Mitchell Trubisky, Will Levis, Hendon Hooker | Ward has a lot to show in his second season after the additions of veteran WR Wan’Dale Robinson and rookie first-round wideout Carnell Tate. Each ought to help the previous Miami star’s growth. Ward additionally has a inventive new offensive coordinator in Brian Daboll. Backup QBs Mitchell Trubisky and Will Levis failed as starters. — Steve DelVecchio
