Ranking NFL Qb’s for 2026
The NFL offseason has one tradition that's just as inevitable as training camp overreactions and fantasy football arguments:
Quarterback rankings.
Everyone has one. Everyone thinks everyone else's is terrible. And by the time you get to No. 12, somebody's already in the comments asking how you could possibly have their guy ranked that low.
Good.
That's the point.
Quarterback is the hardest position to rank in sports because we're not just ranking stats. We're ranking talent, leadership, playoff success, consistency, supporting casts, durability, upside, and one simple question:
If the season started tomorrow, who gives you the best chance to win football games?
So before Patriots fans accuse me of not knowing Drake Maye was second in MVP voting, Cowboys fans wonder why Dak isn't higher, and 49ers fans tell me Brock Purdy should be in the top five, let me say this:
I probably don't hate your quarterback.
...Unless he's ranked 32nd.
These aren't fantasy football rankings. They're not career rankings. They're not based solely on last season, either. This is my preseason snapshot of every projected starting quarterback entering the 2026 NFL season, blending what we've already seen with where I believe each player is headed.
Some rankings you'll agree with.
Some you'll absolutely hate.
Either way, let's argue about quarterbacks.
KPage Media NFL Quarterback Rankings 2026 (Part 1)
Quarterbacks No. 21–32: The NFL's Biggest Question Marks
Before we get into this...
Yes, somebody had to be ranked 32nd.
No, that doesn't mean he stinks. (He might)
The difference between the quarterbacks in this tier is a lot smaller than people think. One breakout season could send someone from the bottom third of this list into the top 15. One bad year could have a franchise drafting a quarterback next April.
This is the NFL's "prove it" tier.
You've got veterans trying to squeeze out a few more seasons. Former first-round picks fighting to save their careers. Rookies with enough talent to become stars. And a couple quarterbacks who could make this ranking look ridiculous by Thanksgiving.
Remember, these rankings aren't fantasy football rankings. They're not based only on last season, and they're definitely not career rankings.
They're simple:
If the 2026 season started tomorrow, who would I want leading my football team?
Let's get into it.
32. Jacoby Brissett — Arizona Cardinals
2026 Projection: 3,100 Passing Yards | 18 TD | 12 INT
Poor Jacoby Brissett.
Everywhere he goes, he's introduced as "the bridge quarterback."
It's like the NFL equivalent of being told you're a really nice guy.
Nobody dislikes Brissett.
Coaches love him.
Teammates trust him.
He rarely melts down.
He also rarely takes over football games.
Arizona knows he's not the future.
Brissett probably knows he's not the future.
But until someone else is ready, he'll keep doing what he's always done—keeping the train on the tracks.
Why He's Here: Dependable veteran who won't lose you games, but probably won't win many either.
31. Shedeur Sanders — Cleveland Browns
2026 Projection: 3,300 Passing Yards | 21 TD | 15 INT
Imagine entering the NFL and already being one of the league's most talked-about quarterbacks.
Welcome to life as Shedeur Sanders.
Every completion becomes a headline.
Every interception becomes a television segment.
The pressure isn't going away.
The good news?
Neither is the confidence.
Sanders has always believed he belongs.
Now he gets to prove it against NFL defenses instead of college secondaries.
Why He's Here: Tremendous confidence and upside, but zero NFL résumé. Also, we dislike Watson.
30. Malik Willis — Miami Dolphins
2026 Projection: 3,200 Passing Yards | 21 TD I 14 INT
Malik Willis has spent years being the NFL's favorite "what if?"
What if he gets real coaching?
What if he gets real playing time?
What if it finally clicks?
Well...
We're about to find out.
The athletic ability has never been questioned.
Rocket arm.
Legitimate running threat.
Built like a running back.
The question has always been whether he can consistently play quarterback from the pocket.
Miami is betting that answer is yes.
That being said, Miami probably is taking a Quarterback in the first round next year.
Why He's Here: Elite physical tools finally getting a legitimate opportunity.
29. Geno Smith — New York Jets
2026 Projection: 3,700 Passing Yards | 25 TD I 13 INT
Football is weird.
Geno Smith started his career with the Jets.
Now he's back.
Except this time people actually trust him.
Nobody saw his career revival coming.
Now he's become one of the league's most respected veterans.
He isn't flashy.
He just knows how to play quarterback.
He isn’t what he was in Seattle and the Jets know that. Geno might have finally “wrote back.”
Why He's Here: Proven veteran whose experience keeps him in the starting conversation.
28. Tyler Shough — New Orleans Saints
2026 Projection: 3,500 Passing Yards | 24 TD I 12 INT
Every time Tyler Shough plays QB I think he’s a starting quality talent…
Then something happens.
I’m a big fan of the guy, don’t get me wrong.
He gives me great hope, great concern too.
Talent level is there.
Big arm.
Good athlete.
But what does he do at an above average level?
If he makes it through the season healthy, don’t be surprised to see him move up the rankings.
However, don’t be surprised if he isn’t the answer in New Orleans.
Why He's Here: Plenty of talent. Winning remains the question.
27. Daniel Jones — Indianapolis Colts
2026 Projection: 3,700 Passing Yards | 25 Total TD I 16 INT
Daniel Jones has more second chances than a toxic ex.
Somehow...
Here we are again.
To his credit, Jones has shown flashes throughout his career. Put together a tremdous start to last year’s campaign.
The problem is the flashes have never lasted long enough, and he regresses to less than the mean.
Indianapolis believes there's still something there.
This season probably determines whether they're right.
Why He's Here: Another opportunity to rewrite the narrative.
26. Jaxson Dart — New York Giants
2026 Projection: 3,900 Passing Yards | 26 TD I 15 INT
Here's the first ranking that'll make people mad.
Good.
Jaxson Dart hasn't proven anything in the NFL, other than he’s an entertaining watch.
He also has every physical tool to become New York's quarterback for a long time.
He's confident.
He's aggressive.
Sometimes maybe a little too aggressive.
There are going to be ugly moments. There are going to be beautiful times.
There are also going to be games where Giants fans convince themselves they've found the next Eli Manning. Relax. Maybe?
Why He's Here: One of the league's biggest boom-or-bust young quarterbacks.
25. Kirk Cousins — Las Vegas Raiders
2026 Projection: 4,000 Passing Yards | 15 TD I 9 INT
You already know exactly what Kirk Cousins is. The guy holding the fort until Mendoza takes over.
He's going to throw for a bunch of yards.
He's going to make some really impressive throws.
He's going to have one game where he looks like a top-10 quarterback.
He's going to have another where Twitter spends 48 hours making fun of him.
The Raiders don’t care. Let’s see Mendoza.
Why He's Here: Productive veteran whose best football is likely behind him.
24. Tua Tagovailoa — Atlanta Falcons
2026 Projection: 4,100 Passing Yards | 30 TD I 16 INT
Nobody questions Tua's accuracy.
Seriously.
The football almost always ends up exactly where it's supposed to.
The problem has never been throwing it.
It's staying on the field long enough to throw it 17 weeks in a row.
If he stays healthy, this ranking will probably be too low. Far too low.
That's just a really big "if."
Atlanta has plenty of weapons for him. They could be the surprise team this season if Tua stays on the field and healthy.
Why He's Here: High-end starter when available.
23. Cam Ward — Tennessee Titans
2026 Projection: 4,000 Passing Yards | 30 TD I 13 INT
Cam Ward plays quarterback like someone handed him the controller and turned the difficulty to "chaos."
He'll scramble into trouble... He’ll scramble out of trouble.
Then somehow throw a 35-yard dart across his body.
Sometimes you'll yell, "No!"
Five seconds later you're yelling, "Yes!"
He's going to make mistakes.
He's also going to make plays that only a handful of quarterbacks in football can make.
I'm buying the upside. When it comes to Cam Ward stock I’m fully bought in.
Why He's Here: My favorite breakout candidate outside the top 20.
22. Bryce Young — Carolina Panthers
2026 Projection: 4,100 Passing Yards | 26 TD I 14 INT
Remember when everyone declared Bryce Young a bust after one bad season?
Turns out quarterback is easier when your offensive line blocks people.
Crazy concept.
Young reminded everyone exactly why he went No. 1 overall.
He processes defenses incredibly well.
He's ridiculously accurate.
And he wins with anticipation instead of pure arm strength.
Can he do it two years in a row? If he can, Carolina finally has something to build around.
Why He's Here: Quietly becoming one of the NFL's better young quarterbacks.
21. Aaron Rodgers — Pittsburgh Steelers
2026 Projection: 4,000 Passing Yards | 29 TD I 10 INT
Aaron Rodgers is basically football's version of Tom Cruise.
At some point you're supposed to stop doing this.
Instead...
He just keeps showing up.
The mobility isn't what it used to be.
The arm still is. Kind of.
The football IQ definitely is.
If the Steelers give Rodgers the football with two minutes left, they're going to feel pretty good about their chances.
And honestly...
So would I.
Why He's Here: Still one of the smartest and most dangerous quarterbacks when the game is on the line.
Coming Next:
Part 2 features quarterbacks ranked 20–11, where the arguments really begin. Former No. 1 overall picks, comeback stories, rising stars, and several quarterbacks who believe they should already be in the top 10.
