Projecting every NFL team's starting QB in 2026: Where will Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa and others land?

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All it takes is one quarterback shakeup to impact who wins the Super Bowl.

Will the 2026 NFL quarterback feature one of those moves? Last year, the Seattle Seahawks signed Sam Darnold, and the veteran quarterback made good on that transaction by leading the Seahawks to a 29-13 victory in Super Bowl 60. The risk was worth the reward.

There are a handful of teams with uncertain quarterback situations heading into 2026 that will get this year's wheels turning. Miami and Arizona have new coaches in Jeff Hafley and Mike LaFleur, respectively, which could mean quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray are on the move. Minnesota has a quarterback question with JJ McCarthy. Aaron Rodgers has not announced his intentions for the 2026 season – which directly impacts the Steelers.

The Las Vegas Raiders have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the projected top pick. Of course, the Browns and Jets have QB questions, too. All of those franchises could shake up the quarterback outlook for the 2026 NFL season. Will that impact Super Bowl 61?

Who starts where? Sporting News sizes up the quarterback situation for all 32 teams heading into the new season:

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Arizona Cardinals

Who started last year? Kyler Murray started in five games before suffering a season-ending foot injury. Jacoby Brissett started in the other 11 games and finished 1-10. Murray – the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft – is 38-48-1 as a starter for the Cardinals.

Who starts in 2026? Murray reportedly is not expected to return. Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur replaced Jonathan Gannon as head coach. The Cardinals have the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Tua Tagovailoa – who is expected to move on from Miami – is an option. That could be the fit.

Our pick: Tua Tagovailoa (Confidence level: 3/10)

Atlanta Falcons

Who started last year? Second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. started nine games and finished with 1,982 yards, nine TDs and three interceptions before suffering a torn ACL. Veteran Kirk Cousins, who started the other eight games, is in the third year of a four-year, $90 million contract.

Who starts in 2026? Cousins is expected to be released. General manager Terry Fontenot – who drafted Penix after signing Cousins – was replaced by Ian Cunningham. First-year coach Kevin Stefanski is no stranger to QB drama, but Penix likely will still be the starter in 2026. It would make sense to bring in a value backup like quarterback, and Russell Wilson would be an option.

Our pick: Michael Penix Jr. (5/10)

Baltimore Ravens

Who started this year? Lamar Jackson will be in the fourth third year of a five-year, $260 million contract. Jackson passed for 2,549 yards, 21 TDs and seven interceptions. Tyler Huntley and Cooper Rush each made two starts in Jackson's place. Baltimore missed the AFC playoffs and replaced long-time coach John Harbaugh with Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

Who starts in 2026? NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports the Ravens are working toward a contract extension for Jackson. The two-time NFL MVP is entering his ninth season with the franchise. Huntley is a free agent. Rush has one year left on his contract.

Our pick: Lamar Jackson (9/10)

Buffalo Bills

Who started this year? Josh Allen passed for 3,668 yards, 25 TDs and 10 interceptions for the Bills. Buffalo was knocked out of the AFC playoffs in a 33-30 loss to the Denver Broncos. The Bills replaced coach Sean McDermott with offensive coordinator Joe Brady.

Who starts in 2026? Allen signed a six-year, $330 million extension in 2025 that keeps him in Buffalo through 2030. Allen is 8-7 in the playoffs as a starter. The pressure to reach the Super Bowl is increasing with each season.

Our pick: Josh Allen (10/10)

Carolina Panthers

Who started this year? Bryce Young – the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft – started in 16 games in his third season with the Panthers. Young finished with 3,011 yards, 23 TDs and 11 interceptions with second-year coach Dave Canales. Carolina won the NFC South before losing 34-31 to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card round.

Who starts in 2026? Young is 14-30 as a starter with the Panthers. He is in the fourth year of his rookie contract, and Carolina has a fifth-year option. Backup quarterback Andy Dalton has one year left on his contract and will be in his 16th season. Carolina will not break this up.

Our pick: Bryce Young (9/10)

Chicago Bears

Who started this year? Caleb Williams – the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft – paired well with first-year coach Ben Johnson. Williams finished with 3,942 yards, 27 TDs and seven interceptions, and the Bears reached the NFC divisional playoffs with a thrilling 31-27 victory against rival Green Bay in the NFC Wild Card round.

Who starts in 2026? Williams saw his sack total drop from 68 in 2024 to 24 in 2025. A second year with Johnson should create even better results, and backup Tyson Bagent has two years left on his contract. Williams has two years and a fifth-year option left on his contract, too. The Bears have stability at QB.

Our pick: Caleb Williams (10/10)

Cincinnati Bengals

Who started this year? Joe Burrow – the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft – suffered a toe injury in Week 1. He started in eight games and finished with 1,809 passing yards, 17 TDs and five interceptions. Joe Flacco and Jake Browning combined for a 1-8 record in the Bengals' other nine games.

Who starts in 2026? Burrow starts the second year of a five-year, $275 million extension that will keep him in Cincinnati through 2029. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins signed lucrative contracts, and Zac Taylor is back. It's a prove-it year for almost everyone knowing Burrow is 19-16 as a starter through a three-year playoff drought. Cincinnati reportedly is interested in re-signing Flacco as a backup option.

Our pick: Joe Burrow (9/10)

Cleveland Browns

Who started this year? The Browns have had 12 different starting QBs the last three seasons. Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders had the most starts with seven in 2025; ahead of Dillion Gabriel with six and Joe Flacco with five. Sanders finished with 1,400 yards, seven TDs and 10 interceptions. Cleveland replaced coach Kevin Stefanski with Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

Who starts in 2026? Sanders made the Pro Bowl. Deshaun Watson still has one year left on a five-year, $230 million contract. He has made 19 starts in four years with the Browns. Dillon Gabriel also is in the mix, and there always is a chance to add a veteran such as Tyler Huntley or Kirk Cousins – who we picked to be the starter at this time last year – into the mix. As if there aren't enough options, SN's latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft has the Browns taking Ty Simpson in the first round.

Our pick: Shedeur Sanders (3/10)

Dallas Cowboys

Who started this year? Dak Prescott started all 17 games for the Cowboys. He finished with 4,552 passing yards, 30 TDs and 10 interceptions. Prescott led the NFL with 404 passing attempts under first-year coach Brian Schottenheimer. Joe Milton III remains the primary backup and is under contract through 2027.

Who starts in 2026? Prescott will be on the second year of a four-year, $240 million extension that has a potential for an opt out in 2028. Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams is back. Dallas has not missed the playoffs in three straight seasons since Prescott took over as the starter. That will be the pressure point in 2026.

Our pick: Dak Prescott (9/10)

Denver Broncos

Who started this year? Second-year quarterback Bo Nix led the Broncos to a 14-3 record in his second season – but he suffered a fractured right ankle in the 33-30 victory against Buffalo in the AFC divisional playoffs.

Who starts in 2026? Sean Payton replaced offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi with Davis Webb this offseason. This will be Nix's third offensive coordinator in three seasons, which is worth monitoring with two years and a fifth-year option on Nix's rookie contract. Jarrett Stidham – who started in the AFC championship game – should finish a two-year contract as a backup.

Our pick: Bo Nix (9/10)

Detroit Lions

Who started this year? Jared Goff passed for 4,564 yards, 34 TDs and eight interceptions. Detroit missed the NFC playoffs with a 9-8 record, but Goff proved that Ben Johnson – who left to be the head coach of the Bears – wasn't the only reason for that high-level success. Goff has enjoyed three straight seasons with 4,000-plus yards and 30-plus TDs.

Who starts in 2026? Goff will be in the third year of a four-year, $212 million contract, and he will be on his third different offensive coordinator in three seasons. Drew Pentzig replaced John Morton heading into 2026. Dan Campbell has no reason to move on from Goff, who has led the Lions to four straight winning seasons.

Our pick: Jared Goff (9/10)

Green Bay Packers

Who started this year? Jordan Love missed two games after suffering a concussion against the Bears in Week 16. He finished with 3,381 yards, 23 TDs and six interceptions. Love has led the Packers to the NFC playoffs each of the last three years, and he is 1-3 as a starter in those games.

Who starts in 2026? Love has two years left on a four-year, $220 million extension that has a huge base salary in 2028. It's a huge year for Love and coach Matt LaFleur, who signed an extension after this season. Malik Willis – who is a free agent – likely will get a chance to start with another franchise. Given Love has missed two starts each of the last two years, don't be surprised if Green Bay lands a proven backup to replace Willis.

Our pick: Jordan Love (10/10)

Houston Texans

Who started this year? C.J. Stroud – the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft – led Houston to the AFC divisional playoffs for the third straight season. Stroud missed three games. He finished with 3,041 yards, 19 TDs and eight interceptions in the regular season.

Who starts in 2026? Stroud took just 23 sacks, which was down from an average of 45 the previous two seasons. Davis Mills – who was 3-0 in Stroud's place – remains a high-end backup option. Nick Caley returns at offensive coordinator. It's a good setup for Stroud, who will look to take that next step in the postseason.

Our pick: C.J. Stroud (10/10)

Indianapolis Colts

Who started this year? The Colts were 8-4 before Daniel Jones suffered a ruptured Achilles' tendon in Week 14. Jones had 3,101 passing yards, 19 TDs and eight interceptions to that point. Philip Rivers came out of retirement and made three starts. Riley Leonard also made a start.

Who starts in 2026? We'll know if the Colts let Jones become a free agent. The smart play is to bring him back assuming health is not an issue. Anthony Richardson – who was the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft – is an ideal trade candidate at that point. If not Jones, then perhaps Kirk Cousins will be a temporary answer at quarterback. The Colts have had seven different leading passers in seven seasons since Andrew Luck retired, so it's by no means settled.

Our pick: Daniel Jones (7/10)

Jacksonville Jaguars

Who started this year? The Jaguars went from 4-13 to 13-4 under first-year coach Liam Coen. Trevor Lawrence finished with 4,007 passing yards, a career-high 29 TDs and 12 interceptions. The Jaguars lost to Buffalo 27-24 in the AFC Wild Card round.

Who starts in 2026? Offensive coordinator Grant Udinski is back. Lawrence begins a five-year, $230 million extension in 2026, and Coen appears to have brought a sense of stability to Jacksonville. Lawrence is 1-2 in the playoffs as a starter.

Our pick: Trevor Lawrence (10/10)

Kansas City Chiefs

Who started this year? Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and LCL in a Week 14 loss to the Chargers on Dec. 14, 2025, and the Chiefs missed the playoffs. Mahomes finished with 3,587 passing yards, 22 TDs and 11 interceptions. Gardner Minshew and Chris Oladokun were 0-3 in Mahomes' place.

Who starts in 2026? Mahomes expects to be ready for Week 1, and Eric Bieniemy is back as the offensive coordinator under Andy Reid. Minshew is a free agent, so Kansas City is in the market for a backup quarterback. If Mahomes isn't ready for Week 1, that will become more of a priority.

Our pick: Patrick Mahomes (10/10)

Las Vegas Raiders

Who started this year? The Raiders finished 3-14. Geno Smith made 15 starts and finished with 3,025 passing yards, 19 TDs and a league-high 17 interceptions. Aidan O'Connell and Kenny Pickett were the backups in a disastrous season with Pete Carroll. Las Vegas hired Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as its next head coach.

Who starts in 2026? Las Vegas is the favorite to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Raiders had the No. 1 pick in the 1962 AFL Draft and 2007 NFL Draft – and they used those picks on Roman Gabriel and JaMarcus Russell. Smith still has two years left on his contract .Will he stay on for one more year to help make the transition to Mendoza?

Our pick: Fernando Mendoza (8/10)

Los Angeles Chargers

Who started this year? Justin Herbert passed for 3,727 yards, 26 TDs, and 13 interceptions. The Chargers finished 11-6 for the second straight season under Jim Harbaugh before a 16-3 loss to New England in the AFC Wild Card round.

Who starts in 2026? The Chargers were riddled with injuries – especially on the offensive line – and that had an impact on Herbert. He has taken 95 sacks the last two seasons. Herbert also should benefit from new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Backup quarterback Trey Lance is a free agent. Will the Chargers bring him back?

Our pick: Justin Herbert (10/10)

Los Angeles Rams

Who started this year? Matthew Stafford won the NFL MVP award after passing for 4,707 yards with 46 TDs and eight interceptions in 2025. Stafford led the Rams a 12-5 record and an appearance in the NFC championship game.

Who starts in 2026? Stafford, 38, is entering his 18th season and has one year left on his contract. He confirmed he's returning this season, and one more run with McVay makes sense. Stafford played in 17 games for the first time since 2021 this season. Backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is a free agent.

Our pick: Matthew Stafford (10/10)

Miami Dolphins

Who started this year? Tua Tagovailoa had 2,660 passing yards, 20 TDs and 15 interceptions in 14 starts. Rookie Quinn Ewers also made three starts. The Mike McDaniel era is over, however, and Jeff Hafley is the new coach for the Dolphins. Tagovailoa is in the second year of a four-year, $212.4 million extension that keeps him in Miami through 2028.

Who starts in 2026? The Dolphins are still expected to move on from Tagovailoa, and it feels like the right time. Who is the answer? Malik Willis – a free agent – thrived in a backup role the last two seasons in Green Bay with Matt LaFleur. Arizona also could get in the mix for Willis, so that will be one of the more-intriguing free-agent moves.

Our pick: Malik Willis (4/10)

Minnesota Vikings

Who started this year? Second-year quarterback JJ McCarthy battled injuries again. He played in 10 games and finished 6-4 as a starter with 1,631 passing yards, 11 TDs and 12 interceptions. The Vikings watched Sam Darnold win Super Bowl 60 with the Seahawks, however, and Minnesota fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Jan. 30. The pressure to compete in the NFC North is at a tipping point for coach Kevin O'Connell.

Who starts in 2026? That makes Minnesota a true wild card at quarterback. McCarthy could get one more run – but there will at minimum be competition from a quarterback through either a trade – maybe Justin Fields or Anthony Richardson – or free agency. A blockbuster trade rumor for Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow has been squashed, but that's the kind of move that could shake up the entire quarterback carousel. McCarthy has to prove he's the starter – and that could unfold before the regular-season starts.

Our pick: J.J. McCarthy (5/10)

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New England Patriots

Who started this year? The Patriots flipped their record from 4-13 in 2024 to 14-3 under first-year coach Mike Vrabel in 2025. New England made an appearance in Super Bowl 60, and second-year quarterback Drake Maye was the runner up in the NFL MVP voting. Maye led the NFL with a 72% completion percentage. He finished with 4,398 passing yards, 31 TDs and eight interceptions.

Who starts in 2026? Maye struggled in the 29-13 loss to Seattle in Super Bowl 60, but the Patriots are ahead of schedule. Josh McDaniels is back at offensive coordinator, and Maye should learn from the experience against a tougher schedule in 2026.

Our pick: Drake Maye (10/10)

New Orleans Saints

Who started this year? Derek Carr retired on May 10, 2025. First-year coach Kellen Moore rolled with Spencer Rattler, who made eight starts, before turning that over to rookie Tyler Shough, who finished 5-4 as a starter as a rookie and played well enough to earn a shot at the starting job this season.

Who starts in 2026? Is Shough the long-term answer? He had 2,384 yards, 10 TDs and six interceptions, but he also took 31 sacks in 11 games. This will be a huge year for the second-round pick. New Orleans has failed to make the playoffs in each of the last five seasons since Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees retired.

Our pick: Tyler Shough (8/10)

New York Giants

Who started this year? Jaxson Dart made 12 starts as a rookie for the Giants. He had 2,272 passing yards, 15 TDs and five interceptions. Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston combined for five starts for New York, which fired Brian Daboll during the season and hired John Harbaugh for 2026.

Who starts in 2026? Dart showed flashes of franchise quarterback potential, and he added 487 rushing yards and nine TDs. Dart will work with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. Winston has another year on his contract and projects to be the backup QB for the Giants.

Our pick: Jaxson Dart (9/10)

New York Jets

Who started this year? The Jets finished 3-14 and have the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the pick might be better with Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. New York still needs to upgrade the QB position. Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook took turns as the starter for first-year coach Aaron Glenn, and those QBs combined for 140.3 passing yards per game.

Who starts in 2026? The Jets could stick with Fields, but Kyler Murray could be an interesting prove-it option in New York. Murray is 38-48-1 as a starter and has 121 TDs and 60 interceptions. He could be a stop-gap for 2026 – where the NFL Draft QB class has more depth. It's not the most-exciting plan – but Murray could make it work for at least one year.

Our pick: Kyler Murray (4/10)

Philadelphia Eagles

Who started this year? Jalen Hurts started in 16 games for the Eagles and finished with 3,224 passing yards, 25 TDs and six interceptions. He added 421 rushing yards and eight TDs. The Eagles lost 19-13 to San Francisco in the NFC Wild Card round. Backup Tanner McKee made one start for Philadelphia.

Who starts in 2026? Hurts is in the third year of a five-year, $255 million extension that will keep him with the Eagles through the 2028 season. Hurts also will be on his fifth offensive coordinator with the Eagles after Sean Mannion replaced Kevin Patullo, and it is a telling year for coach Nick Sirianni as a result.

Our pick: Jalen Hurts (10/10)

Pittsburgh Steelers

Who started this year? Aaron Rodgers had a successful season with the Steelers. He was 10-6 as a starter and that included 3,322 passing yards, 24 TDs and seven interceptions. Pittsburgh won the AFC North but lost 30-6 to Houston in the AFC Wild Card round. Mike Tomlin parted ways with the Steelers after 19 seasons as head coach, but Rodgers has not announced his plans for the 2026 season yet.

Who starts in 2026? The Steelers hired Mike McCarthy, who was Rodgers' coach in Green Bay from 2006-18. McCarthy and Rodgers led the Packers to a victory in Super Bowl 45. Will Rodgers give it another year with McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio? We think so – and SN's latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft has Pittsburgh taking Washington receiver Denzel Boston. Backup Mason Rudolph has one year left on his contract, too. If Rodgers retires? It would be another free-agency scramble for Pittsburgh.

Our pick: Aaron Rodgers (5/10)

San Francisco 49ers

Who started this year? Brock Purdy suffered a toe injury and missed eight games this season. He finished 7-2 as a starter with 2,167 yards, 20 TDs and 10 interceptions. Mac Jones was impressive in his place. Jones had 2,151 yards, 13 TDs and six interceptions. Coach Kyle Shanahan and offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak are back.

Who starts in 2026? Purdy signed a five-year, $265 million extension that keeps him in San Francisco through 2030. Jones has a year left on his contract. Would San Francisco be willing to trade Jones to a quarterback-needy team?

Our pick: Brock Purdy (9/10)

Seattle Seahawks

Who started this year? Sam Darnold proved the Seahawks right. He passed for 4,048 yards with 25 TDs and 14 interceptions and established a strong connection with NFL Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Seahawks finished 14-3 and won Super Bowl 60 under second-year coach Mike Macdonald.

Who starts in 2026? Moving on from Geno Smith paid off for Seattle general manager John Schneider. Darnold has two years left on his contract, and backup quarterback Drew Lock is back for 2026. The Seahawks will have a new offensive coordinator after Klint Kubiak left to be the head coach for the Raiders.

Our pick: Sam Darnold (10/10)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Who started this year? Baker Mayfield made all 17 starts for the third straight season in Tampa Bay. He finished with 3,693 passing yards, 26 TDs and 11 interceptions. The Buccaneers finished 8-9 and just missed the NFC playoffs. Zac Robinson replaces Josh Grizzard at offensive coordinator in 2026.

Who starts in 2026? That means Mayfield will have his fourth different offensive coordinator in four seasons in Tampa Bay and ninth different coordinator in nine seasons in the NFL. Mayfield, 30, has one year left on his contract with Tampa Bay. An extension in the offseason is the strongest option for the Buccaneers.

Our pick: Baker Mayfield (8/10)

Tennessee Titans

Who started this year? Cam Ward – the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft – had 3,169 passing yards, 15 TDs and seven interceptions in his first season as a starter. Ward took a league-high 55 sacks. The Titans fired coach Brian Callahan, but Ward stuck it out as a rookie.

Who starts in 2026? Tennessee hired Robert Saleh as head coach and former Giants coach Brian Daboll is the new offensive coordinator. Ward should improve in the second year of his rookie contract. Brandon Allen is a free agent, but backup Will Levis is still under contract for one more season.

Our pick: Cam Ward (10/10)

Washington Commanders

Who started this year? Jayden Daniels – the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 – dealt with injuries in his second season. Daniels made seven starts and had 1,262 passing yards with eight TDs and three interceptions. Marcus Mariota made eight starts, and Josh Johnson made one start. The Commanders finished 5-12 one year after making the NFC championship game.

Who starts in 2026? Daniels is the franchise quarterback with coach Dan Quinn. The Commanders have moved on from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Daniels will work with David Blough, who was promoted from his position as assistant quarterbacks coach. Mariota is a free agent.

Our pick: Jayden Daniels (9/10)

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