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So far the top three quarterbacks in Sporting News' preseason QB rankings of all 32 NFL starters — Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow — are holding strong with their teams opening the 2026 season a combined 6-0. Behind them, however, thanks to a mix of ineffectiveness or injuries, there have been plenty of early ups and downs.
While some hyped or established QBs have faded, other polarizing passers are impressing through two games to earn more respect for their play Here's breaking down the most notable risers and fallers going into Week 3.
MORE: NFL scouting report on Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss
NFL quarterback stock watch
Rising ▲▲▲▲
Bryce Young, Panthers
Young is one of two quarterbacks with 3 TD passes in each of his first two games, against the Bears and Falcons. He's averaging a robust 8.9 yards per attempt and is sixth with his 113.3 passer rating.
Although Young flashed with similar games in his second season under offensive-minded coach Dave Canales, this is the first he's put together such impressive back-to-back downfield passing performances. Canales had a huge effect in reviving the careers of Geno Smith (Seattle) and Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay).
Maybe Canales needed Young to be a disappointing No. 1 overall pick to rediscover the uncanny ability to play "quarterback whisperer" to veteran QBs in his system.
Young has been boosted by the healthy return of wide receiver Jalen Coker to give second-year star Tetairoa McMillan a worthy No. 2. He's been also effective taking advantage of Chuba Hubbard's backfield receiving skills and a tight end committee that now includes venerable Darren Waller. There's a renewed confidence in Young that's translated to swagger in accurate deep shots.
NFL POWER RANKINGS: Panthers on the rise
Tyler Shough, Saints
Shough has maintained his upward trajectory since taking over as the starter in Kellen Moore's offense in the middle of his rookie season. He leads the NFL with 662 passing yards after leading a rally vs. the Lions and finishing a comeback against the Ravens. With his volume (90 attempts) he has a modest yards per attempt (7.4). The efficiency (95.7) is middle of the pack, but Shough's physical and mental toughness in leading New Orleans has been key, hanging in tough in the pocket despite taking eight sacks.
At 6-5, 219 pounds, Shough could even make better use of rare mobility than he has early in the season. Shough looks increasingly as the long-term delayed successor for Drew Brees The Saints also have help accelerate his development with solid weapons (Chris Olave, Juwan Johnson, Devaughn Vele, Travis Etienne Jr. and Alvin Kamara) with one more (injured rookie first-rounder Jordyn Tyson) still on the way.
Jalen Hurts, Eagles
Hurts' stock was down only based on perception. Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons made the mistake of joining the club of those who still question Hurts' passing ability before Philadelphia played at Tennessee in Week 2. Although Hurts had a tough red zone interception early, he rebounded with a spectacular game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter.
Who needs A.J. Brown? Hurts has been more locked into familiar targets DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert in Sean Mannion's offense and also has made some dazzling throws all over the field to newcomer Dontayvious Wicks and Darius Cooper. Hurts got the job done against the Titans late despite the Eagles losing both tight end Goedert and running back Saquon Barkley to injuries.
And yes, to put something else to bed, Hurts has been especially exceptional throwing to the middle of the field. The Super Bowl 59 MVP is making an early case for his first regular-season MVP.
NFL CONTENDERS, PRETENDERS: Examining the 2-0 and 0-2 teams
Kirk Cousins, Raiders
Credit Klint Kubiak and part-owner Tom Brady for going against the grain and sticking with the plan to sit No. 1 overall draft pick Ferrnando Mendoza and roll with Cousins. Cousins' knowledge in the system has been seen in his brilliant execution, joining Young as the only QBs with three TD passes in each of the first two games.
Cousins also has got it done with star tight end Brock Bowers (knee) not being able to play yet. He's made a mixed bag wide receiver corps of Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, Jailen Nailor and Cody White look good. Kubiak has done well to help Cousins out with getting running back Asthon Jeanty involved in key passing game moments.
At 38, Cousins looks rejuvenated feeding off the youthful energy of a sudden great vibes team. Although he will cool off with competition getting tougher, he is justifying the decision to hold off on ushering in the Mendoza era too soon.
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Falling ▼▼▼▼
Justin Herbert, Chargers
Herbert doesn't really have a nickname beyond shortening his last name by three letters, but let's suggest "Fauxhomes" as he continues to be the ersatz version of Patrick Mahomes in the AFC West. He's been awful in two opening home games vs. teams not expected to be playoff contenders.
Herbert has taken six sacks, is completing only 59.3 percent of his pass attempts, has thrown three interceptions and leads all QBs with three fumbles. He is No. 30 in the NFL with his 71.6 passer rating. With his immense physical talent and big arm, this shouldn't happen in Year 7 given how much he was hyped to have a huge season in the Mike McDaniel offense.
McDaniel's concepts haven't meshed at all well with Herbert and the team as a whole has been lost and turnover-plagued, shocking to see under Jim Harbaugh. It's to the point Herbert's leadership has questioned, an additional bad look to match his utter lack of playoff success. The Chargers are also 0-2 ahead of playing the Bills, Seahawks, Broncos, Chiefs, Rams and Texans over the next 6 games. Herbert will need to raise his play despite the upcoming increased difficulty.
Drake Maye, Patriots
Maye is one of the QBs with a lower passer rating than Herbert (63.1). He's only ahead of Cooper Rush, Jameis Winston and Jack Strand. Although he's not too far off his league-leading completion percentage from last season (down to 67.4 from 72.0), the concern is tied to a much lower yards per attempt (down to 7.0 from a league-best 8.9). He also has thrown a league-high four interceptions, half of his 17-game total in 2025.
The numbers and the eye test show Maye is a bit Super Bowl hungover. As a whole in the playoffs, he had a YPA of 6.9. threw six INTs, completed only 58.3 of his passes and rated only 82.2. Maye dominated through a favorable schedule in the previous regular season, so drawing the pass rush of the Seahawks and Steelers back-to-back is rough. The Jaguars on the road are no easy spot in Week 3 and the Patriots stay on the road for Allen's Bills in Week 4.
After those games, there's a '25-like stretch of exploitable defenses until the Week 11 bye. Maye will get on track once he gets out of the early gauntlet, but his matchup-based regression is natural after such a spike in his breakout second season.
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers
Mayfield signed a 3-year, $155 million extension, averaging $55 million per season with $120 million guaranteed, before the season. Unfortunately, he's not lived up to that raise in Tampa Bay in the team's 0-2 start.
It's good that Mayfield is completing 71.0 percent of his pass attempts, but then you see his YPA is a bad 6.4 and he's rating only 86.6. When using ESPN's QBR metric, he's down at 27th, 45.4. Adjusting again to a new offensive coordinator, Mayfield has a TD and INT to show for two games. Mayfield is also on pace to be sacked 60 times. He's tied with Herbert in fumbling three times.
The play has been sloppy, maybe missing the comfort of having Mike Evans. The fact Mayfield is on his fourth coordinator in four seasons — Zac Robinson follows Josh Grizzard, Liam Coen and Canales — doesn't help. Now Grizzard (Hurts), Coen (Trevor Lawrence) and Canales (Young) are all elsewhere working with better-performing quarterbacks.
Mayfield is trying to do too much with his gunslinging and improvisation to make up for so many issues with the Bucs' transitional defense. The running game so far has been the more reliable aspect of the offense. Mayfield must cut down on forcing the action to elevate efficiency and going to his downfield passing. The blitzing Vikings at home in Week 3 isn't exactly the most welcome cure.
Malik Willis, Dolphins
Willis signed a 3-year, $67.5 million contract to leave Green Bay for Miami. After his super-sub turn in Matt LaFleur's Packers' offense last season, former Packers defensive coordinator turned Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley signed off on Willis being the bridge starter. Willis was smart to take the money and No. 1 job, but with the league's worst wide receiver corps and not much support in the offense beyond running back De'Von Achane, Willis was bound to struggle.
It's weird that Willis has a high YPA (8.3) but a shaky passer rating (83.5). But his completion percentage is a sub-par 58 and he matches Mayfield with a TD and INT after an 0-2 start. Miami also has scored only 13 points in each game in giving up a combined 62 to the Raiders and 49ers. This isn't too surprising, but Willis isn't inspiring for the team to go anywhere but QB early int the 2027 draft vs. a luxury wide receiver pick in Jeremiah Smith.
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