With only 1 week remaining in the season, we can confidently say what quarterbacks will be returning in 2026, and what ones will not. I have 6 tiers of teams, each with different scenarios and goals for 2026. I’ll put down who I think the starting week 1 quarterback should be, along with a backup for some teams due to things like injury.
Let’s get into it
Tier 1 - Get Ready to Learn a New Playbook ✌️
In this tier, I have the teams that I think should certainly move on from their current quarterbacks and start a new era in their city. I only have 4 teams in this tier, but you can throw quite a lot of teams in this tier.
Let’s go through the teams
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New York Jets ✈️
2025 Starter - Justin Fields
I love fields, but his time in New York did not turn out well. I still think he can be a good NFL quarterback, but that’s aside from the point. New York needs a new direction, and despite having another year of Fields contractually.
Since the Raiders lost the tank bowl, they’ll end up with Mendoza. This leaves Dante Moore in New York.
2026 Projected Starter - Dante Moore
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Las Vegas Raiders 🏴☠️
2025 Starter - Geno Smith
The Geno Smith experiment did not go well at all. The Seahawks traded him to the Raiders after signing Sam Darnold, meaning that the Raiders finally had some hope. That hope did not last for long. Geno led the league in interceptions, and his age also dosn’t help. Geno might stay around as a mentor, but he won’t be touching the field, even with injury.
Since the Raiders will most likely have a higher pick than the Jets, it makes my prediction really simple.
2026 Projected Starter - Fernando Mendoza
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Arizona Cardinals 🐦🔥
2025 Starter - Kyler Murray
I really don’t know what to say about the Cardinals. Kyler was drafted back in 2018, and he’s done alright. The Cardinals have had some good seasons, but Kyler has been inconsistent and injury prone. After 3 straight horrible seasons, it seems the consensus is that the Cardinals will be moving on from Kyler. Only issue, they don’t really have a clear solution.
With how Brissett played, he deserves at least one more year. If the Cardinals wind up with Sayin, he might become a mentor.
2026 Projected Starter - Jacoby Brissett
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Miami Dolphins 🐬
2025 Starter - Tua Tagovilola
Man this season was just weird for Miami. With how the media talks about them, you’d think that they won 3 games - however they can finish the year just one game below .500. Either way, Tua was not helping Miami this year. He led the lead in interceptions before being benched, and was just downright brutal to watch.
Since benching Tua, the Dolphins have looked way better however, leading to my one year answer at quarterback for the Miami Dolphins in a weak AFC.
2026 Projected Starter - Mac Jones
Tier 2 - It’s Hard to Say it, Time to Say It, Goodbye, Goodbye 😢
In this tier, it’s all the teams that don’t want to move on from their quarterbacks, but unfortunately they will most likely have to. This could be due to injury, free agency, retirement or a trade request. In this tier, I have 7 amount of teams in this tier.
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Pittsburgh Steelers 🥷
2025 Starter - Aaron Rodgers
The Steelers did what was important in the eyes of Mike Tomlin, they won at least 9 games. For Aaron, it seems he won’t return. Even if he does retire, he is still a free agent, so Rodgers could very well head back to Green Bay on a retirement tour.
If Rodgers is to leave however, I think that Pittsburgh will try to take a shot on a guy that has struggled in the past, with maybe that guy developing a rookie like Ty Simpson. This quarterback could become the future however if things click.
2026 Projected Starter - Kyler Murray
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Indianapolis Colts 🐴
2025 Starter - Daniel Jones
What a series of emotions for Colts fans. 7-1, leading the AFC, before Daniel Jones tears his Achilles, Phillip Rivers gets brought in and finally the Colts are eliminated from playoff contention. Since the Colts traded 2 first round picks for Sauce Gardner, they most likely don’t have the assets to get a quarterback via a trade, so they have to find a bridge quarterback in free agency.
Luckily for them, since Daniel Jones is a free agent, it should allow the Colts to retain him for next season, with his free agent value dipping due to the injury. So if it goes wrong, they can hope for Indiana Jones in 2027.
2026 Projected Starter - Malik Willis
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Kansas City Chiefs 🪽
2025 Starter - Patrick Mahomes
I did not think I would have to talk about the Chiefs getting a new quarterback, but here I am. With both Mahomes and Minshew going down, they also need a bridge quarterback until Mahomes comes back. It’s a weird situation with his injury, with the timeline being anywhere from Week 1 to missing the entire season. I’ll be safe and say that he’ll come back Week 6.
Due to Mahomes possibly coming back quite early, the Chiefs don’t need an incredible quarterback, so a bridge in free agency is yet again the best option.
2026 Projected Starter - Marcus Mariota
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Atlanta Falcons 🐦⬛
2025 Starter - Micheal Penix Jr
This one falls into the same boat as the chiefs. Late season ACL injury leading to an unclear return schedule. Unlike the chiefs however, the Falcons are not in win now mode, and they do have a clear backup quarterback. He’s back baby, Kirko Chains strikes again.
They could always go with another guy in free agency if they really want to, but in no reason should they.
2026 Projected Starter - Kirk Cousins
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Baltimore Ravens 🪶
This one is very hard to predict. In recent weeks, news has come out that Lamar is unhappy in Baltimore. He has reportedly been falling asleep in meetings, and his relationship with head coach John Harbaugh. The Ravens will do anything in their power to keep Lamar, but they will still field offers.
This is my first big trade. I have Lamar Jackson being traded, and John Harbaugh being fired. I think the Ravens do a complete reset, and try and find a quarterback in the draft, who will learn behind someone who I think deserves a second chance. It’s gonna be a long year in Baltimore.
2026 Projected Starter - Tua Tagovilola
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Los Angeles Rams 🐏
This one is gonna hurt for Rams fans. Stafford is the MVP this year, only issue with Stafford is that he is kinda old. He has struggled with back injuries for what feels like 5 years, so he could very well put health first and retire on a high note. This is almost certain if the Rams wind up winning a Super Bowl.
I am predicting that Stafford does decide to retire, but Rams fans don’t worry. This is because I have you pulling off a shocker, trading away 3 firsts (2 from 2026) for a star quarterback - Lamar Jackson
2026 Projected Starter - Lamar Jackson
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Cincinnati Bengals 🐅
The Bengals are in a very similar situation to the Ravens, except a trade seems way more likely. Burrow is upset with the Bengals, and he always seems depressed in is interviews. The team Burrow goes to needs a good O-Line, so that does limit the options for the Bengals.
This will give away where I have Joe Burrow being traded, and I’ll reveal the package once I get to said team. It would also be a shocker, but it does seem more likely than the Lamar trade.
2026 Projected Starter - JJ McCarthy
Tier 3 - It’s Not Impossible 🤔
This tier is for all the teams that very well could enter the new year with a new quarterback, however I don’t think most will happen for at least one more season. In this tier I have 5 teams.
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Minnesota Vikings 👑
2025 Starter - JJ ‘Nine’ McCarthy
Going into the Year, JJ had high expectations. He didn’t live up to them. While the Vikings can still win Nine games, they might not wanna see Nine anymore, especially with Joel Burrow having the connection with Justin Jefferson.
The package I have is JJ McCarthy, 2 firsts, a 3rd, and 2 seventh round picks. The Vikings will go after Jamar Chase when he is a free agent, but in the now it gives the Vikings a genuine shot at the Super Bowl.
2026 Projected Starter - Joe Burrow
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Dallas Cowboys ⭐️
2025 Starter - Dak Prescott
A lot of people are yelling at their phones seeing the Cowboys in the same tier as JJ McCarthy. The reason behind this is simple - Jerry Jones. After that baffling Micah Parsons trade, anything is really possible.
The cowboys will get some good offers from teams in desperate need of a quarterback. In no way should the Cowboys trade him, but you can’t say that any star in Dallas is untouchable.
2026 Projected Starter - Dak Prescott
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Detroit Lions 🦁
2025 Starter - Jared Goff
It was a rough season for the Lions and Jared Goff. After winning 15 games last year, they have a chance to finish below .500 and last in the division. Goff wasn’t completely the problem, but he definitely didn’t help. If the Lions somehow get used to winning, things could change in Detroit.
They shouldn’t though, Goff has been the most successful quarterback in the playoffs so far, they just need to make some tweaks to get back there.
2026 Projected Starter - Jared Goff
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers 🗡️
2025 Starter - Baker Mayfield
If this was 3 weeks into the season, the idea that Baker would even have a chance to be replaced is laughable. And now, the Bucs can miss the playoffs in the weakest division in the NFL. Bakers play dropped off as well, leaving to a difficult decision in Tampa - but not really.
Baker should stay as the starter, and the Bucs will most likely just run a short rebuild to try and rule the south again, with the Falcons, Panthers and especially Saints head on their heals.
2026 Projected Starter - Baker Mayfield
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Cleavland Browns 🐶
2025 Starter - Shedeur Sanders
Before you start, yes I know that Sheduer started off as the QB3. However, he was the most prolific quarterback on that roster and seemed the longer term if he could outplay Dillon Gabriel. I know a lot of people that think they should move on from Sanders, but with some of the games he played, he looked like a really good quarterback.
Giving that his ego has calmed down aswell, I’ll say that he is the starter in Cleavland, but I do expect them to bring in another guy just in case he sucks.
2026 Projected Starter - Sheduer Sanders
Tier 4 - You Proved Me Wrong 😁
This tier is reserved for all the quarterbacks who I thought should get replaced, but they were able to change my mind. I have 3 teams in this tier.
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Jacksonville Jaguars 💂♀️
2025 Starter - Trevor Lawrence
This one seemed consensus before the season. The Jags weren’t projected to be good despite building around the former number 1 pick for 4 seasons. This year however, he completely flipped the script. Jacksonville leads the division going into the final week, and TLaw has been playing like an MVP lately.
He could very well turn back into the Trevor we know, but for now Jacksonville has their guy.
2026 Projected Starter - Trevor Lawrence
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Carolina Panthers 🐆
2025 Starter - Bryce Young
Another former number 1 overall pick that disappointed for a while, Bryce turned it around in Year 3 to lead the panthers to a possible division title, and a playoff birth. The Panthers have done a really good job building around Bryce, and it’s lead to him finally flourishing.
With the South looking wide open again next year, it dosn’t make any sense to get rid of him.
2026 Projected Starter - Bryce Young
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New Orleans Saints ✝️
2025 Starter - Tyler Shough
Another one that technically didn’t start 2025 as the starter, but for the sake of the article I’ll put Shough down as the starter. Shough has randomly brought life back to this Saints team, throwing for more than 2,000 yards and possibly winning Rookie of the Year.
On a side note, Shough shows us that older quarterbacks can very well become stars in this league. Don’t count out the unc’s.
2026 Projected Starter - Tyler Shough
Tier 6 - If We Get a Good Enough Offer 🤷♂️
In this tier, I have the quarterbacks who aren’t entirely safe, but it would be a real shock if they are on a new team in 2026. In this tier I have 3 teams in this category.
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Denver Broncos 🎠
2025 Starter - Bo Nix
Nix in his 2 years in Denver has led the Broncos to 2 straight playoff appearances, with a AFC West division win this year. You would think that the Broncos wouldn’t even think about moving on from Nix, but I’m not counting it out. Nix to put it lihjtky threw a crap ton of interceptions, and that could be something to look into.
Obviously it would be kinda stupid to trade him, but when players like Lamar and Burrow are available in a wide open AFC, it’s not impossible.
2026 Projected Starter - Bo Nix
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Green Bay Packers 🧀
2025 Starter - Jordan Love
The Packers ended up with the 7 seed this year, and while they still made the playoffs, fans were hoping for more after trading for Micah Parsons. The Packers don’t own thier first round pick, so it dosn’t make any sense to tank. The thing that I’m thinking would be taking advantage of teams needing a quarterback, then resigning Malik Willis to be the starter.
As you’ve already seen though, I have Malik Willis signing with the Colts. This means that the Packers are retaining Jordan Love, but I do see them getting a high level backup.
2026 Projected Starter - Jordan Love
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Philadelphia Eagles 🦅
2025 Starter - Jalen Hurts
It Hurts to watch this Eagles offence (Great pun, I know) and something needs to change in Philly if they wanna win more Super Bowls. The fix is quite obvious however, and it’s firing Kevin Patullo. Hurts isn’t completely safe however, as he did have quite a few horrible games.
A new play caller should bring Hurts back to being Hurts, but maybe that play caller is on another team.
2026 Projected Starter - Jalen Hurts
Tier 7 - Not Going Anywhere 👎
The final tier is pretty self explanatory. This tier is for the teams that won’t let any teams even say the name of their sweet baby boy. I have 10 teams in this tier.
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Tennessee Titans ⚔️
2025 Starter - Cam Ward
Man I love being a Titans fan. Ward lived up to the expectations under that O-Line made of savoys, and he turned some of our receivers into stars, with Ayomanor, Helm, Dike, Pollard and Chig looking like crucial pieces of this team for years to come.
Sure he’s not perfect, he does complicate throws at least 6 times a drive, but it’s what makes him so good. TITAN UP!
2026 Projected Starter - Cam Ward
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New York Giants 🏈
2025 Starter - Jaxson Dart
Yes Russell Wilson was the Starter, but who cares. Dart had some controversy about where he was picked, and he shut up all the haters. Despite the Giants winning just 3 games, and Dart having some concussion issues, Dart still looked amazing in New York.
Let’s just hope the CTE dosn’t catch up to him.
2026 Projected Starter - Jaxson Dart
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New England Patriots 🇺🇸
2025 Starter - Drake Maye
This was unexpected, Drake Maye ending up as the consensus runner up to Matthew Stafford in the MVP race. Maye looked like a veteran, and will likely rule the AFC just like Brady did just 7 years ago.
I can’t believe we let this happen again.
2026 Projected Starter - Drake Maye
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Buffalo Bills 💸
2025 Starter - Josh Allen
This one is pretty self explanatory. Josh Allen is like that, not much else to say about him. Wasn’t an MVP front runner, but was still amazing.
I will say this, this is the last chance for Buffalo to win a Super Bowl. If not, we might need to have some conversations.
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Houston Texans 🍖
2025 Starter - CJ Stroud
After a slow start, CJ’s Texans got back on track. CJ turned back into Rookie CJ, and the Texans look poised to control the AFC South for years to come.
Let’s just hope he doesn’t do that again - Titans fan.
2026 Projected Starter - CJ Stroud
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Los Angeles Charges ⚡️
2025 Starter - Justin Herbert
I may be biased saying this since Herbert was my starting quarterback in Fantasy, but Herbert was amazing. He also had a O-Line made out of savoys, and lead the Chargers to a wild card spot.
We will see if If Man will stay true this playoffs.
2026 Projected Starter - Justin Herbert
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Washington Commanders 🪖
2025 Starter - Jayden Daniels
Some people might not agree with me on this, but Daniels is still the franchise quarterback in Washington. The FedEx Field Turf finally caught up, and he struggled with injury.
He’ll be fully recovered by Week 1, and I expect a MVP level season.
2026 Projected Starter - Jayden Daniels
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Chicago Bears 🐻
2025 Starter - Caleb Williams
Maybe it was because of Ben Johnson, but this Bears team shocked everyone. They won the NFC North, the most competitive division, and could get the 2 seed.
Chicago’s QB’s are so bleak that Caleb already might be the Bears GOAT.
2026 Projected Starter - Caleb Williams
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Seattle Seahawks🐦
2025 Starter - Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold being a franchise QB is something that 2023 me would not of believed. He could have gotten carried by JSN and the defence, but he was still amazing.
That Darnold contract is looking really good going into the playoffs.
2026 Projected Starter - Sam Darnold
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San Francisco 49ers ⛏️
2025 Starter - Brock Purdy
Our final quarterback, we have Mr Relevant. The fact that the 49ers rebounded from a disappointing year to one of the Super Bowl favourites is amazing, especially with the amount of injuries.
Maybe Purdy can lead them to the promised land, and finish the job.
2026 Projected Starter - Brock Purdy
Thoughts? 20,000 Characters btw