Entering the 2026 preseason, quarterback depth across the NFL looks better than it has in a long time. The position is crowded with young passers on the rise, veteran names trying to hang on, and a handful of situations that could swing fast in either direction. With that in mind, the task is to sort all 32 projected starters in a way that reflects both what they’ve already shown and what they might become this season.
At the very bottom sits Cleveland’s messy quarterback setup, where the battle between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson appears to be leaning Watson’s way for now. That said, the bigger question in Cleveland is whether that would even be the right call.
New head coach Todd Monken has already pointed to the importance of the entire operation functioning cleanly - from the play call to getting everyone lined up - and that matters as much in evaluation as it does in winning games. For the Browns, this is still the league’s weakest quarterback situation, both now and going forward, until someone proves otherwise.
Just above that, Malik Willis lands at No. 31 in Miami. It’s a tough placement for a quarterback who has looked good in limited chances, but the sample size is still tiny, and the supporting cast doesn’t inspire enough confidence to fully believe in the setup yet.
There’s real breakout potential here, but there’s also a world where this turns into a cautionary tale. Willis brings dynamism and upside, but he needs a bigger body of work before he can move out of this tier.
Jacoby Brissett checks in at No. 30 with Arizona, where the early read on the new offense under Mike LaFleur and Nathaniel Hackett hasn’t exactly been encouraging. He reportedly doesn’t know the system yet, and that opens the door for Carson Beck to make a push for the job.
Brissett is pretty much a known quantity at this point: more high-end QB2 than low-end QB1, capable of solid stretches and the occasional burst of production. In the right scheme, with some help around him, his experience could still be useful for the Cardinals.
Kirk Cousins lands at No. 29 in Las Vegas, and while the veteran has clearly moved past his peak, there are still reasons to think he can steady things. He played well enough late last season for the Atlanta Falcons, and Klint Kubiak’s offense should feel familiar and comfortable for him.
If Cousins protects the ball, he can lift the floor of the team. The concern is that he may take a lot of sacks, especially with a receiver group in Las Vegas that looks underwhelming heading into the season.
In Other News...
Cardinals Camp Just Raised A New Question About This QB Battle
Arizonas final open practice of camp brought a different kind of energy to State Farm Stadium, with thousands of fans turning out for the Red and White scrimmage and getting one more long look at how the roster is shaping up before the evaluation window closes. The day also gave the staff a chance to shuffle things around on the defensive side, with more reps available for players trying to carve out roles as the preseason picture gets clearer.
The quarterback battle, though, remains the main draw, and the latest scrimmage only sharpened the conversation. Love and Robinson put together strong showings, while Beck and Brissett had mixed results, leaving the competition open enough to keep people guessing after camps final public session. There was also an injury scare when Nolen left practice early, and the team did not get him back on the field, adding one more layer of concern to a stretch that already feels like it is tightening around a few key roster decisions. [Read more 🡒]
Mike LaFleurs Cardinals Debut Brought An Unexpected Family Moment
Mike LaFleurs first game in charge of the Cardinals came with the usual debut nerves, the first dress rehearsal of a new era, and a little family history thrown in for good measure. Before Arizona took on the Panthers in the Hall of Fame Game, he got an unexpected call from his brother, Matt LaFleur, the Packers head coach, a reminder that even on a night built around footballs future, the present can still feel pretty personal.
The Cardinals came up just short in a 33-30 loss, but the larger storyline may be waiting a few weeks down the road. The LaFleur brothers are expected to meet again in the final week of the preseason, this time with both wearing headsets on opposite sidelines, turning a family moment into something with a little more competitive edge. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Finally Give Larry Fitzgerald The Honor Fans Wanted
Larry Fitzgerald is finally getting another piece of long-overdue recognition from the franchise that defined his career. The Cardinals announced they will retire his No. 11 jersey on Oct. 25 during a game against the Broncos, a fitting tribute for a player whose 17 seasons in Arizona made him the face of the organization for an era and a standard-bearer off the field as well.
The timing adds another layer to a year already rich with celebration for Fitzgerald, who was recently inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Team owner Michael Bidwill pointed to Fitzgeralds professionalism and his impact on both the organization and the community, and now Cardinals fans will get one more chance to honor a player many felt had already earned this kind of place in team history. [Read more 🡒]