The 2026 NFL season is set, at least for now, at the game’s most important position. Across the league, 32 teams have their starting quarterbacks in place, though that picture could shift quickly once injuries, benchings and the usual chaos start piling up.
That kind of turnover is nothing new. In 2025, 63 signal-callers started a game across the regular season and playoffs, a reminder of just how unstable the position can be when performance dips or bodies break down.
In the AFC East, the Bills are again riding with 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen, while the Patriots are turning to ’25 MVP runner-up Drake Maye. The Jets are bringing Geno Smith back to the team that drafted him, and the Dolphins will start Malik Willis, who signed a three-year, $67.5 million contract this offseason.
The AFC North keeps its veteran-heavy feel. Joe Burrow is back for the Bengals, Lamar Jackson returns for the Ravens and Aaron Rodgers is set to lead the Steelers. In Cleveland, Deshaun Watson was named the Browns’ starter by coach Todd Monken to open the 2026 season, a decision that won’t sit well with Browns fans.
The AFC South is simply running it back. The four quarterbacks who opened 2025 for the division are back in the same spots for ’26, including Cam Ward, now entering his second season with the Titans, and Daniel Jones, who returns to the Colts after an Achilles tendon tear cut short what had been a breakout first season in Indianapolis.
Out west, the Broncos and Chargers are set with Bo Nix and Justin Herbert, but the other two situations are still unresolved. Patrick Mahomes is rehabbing from a torn ACL and, though he is on track in recovery, the Chiefs have not said whether he’ll be ready for Week 1. The Raiders have also yet to choose between Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza.
The NFC East features a mix of established names and new pieces. Jayden Daniels is back to lead the Commanders after missing most of the ’25 campaign with various injuries. Dak Prescott, Jaxson Dart and Jalen Hurts round out the division’s starters.
The NFC North now includes three former No. 1 picks under center after the Vikings named Kyler Murray their starter this summer. He joins Caleb Williams with the Bears and Jared Goff with the Lions. Jordan Love, a former first-round pick, is back for his fourth season as the Packers’ franchise quarterback.
In the NFC South, Bryce Young is still leading the Panthers, Tyler Shough is the Saints’ choice and Baker Mayfield remains the Buccaneers’ starter. The Falcons, though, have not yet decided between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr.
The NFC West may have the most star power of any division. It includes reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford and reigning Super Bowl champion Sam Darnold. Brock Purdy is back for the 49ers, and Jacoby Brissett will start for the Cardinals after signing a new deal with the club earlier this summer.
In Other News...
Falcons Quarterback Questions Just Pulled Them Into A Trade Rumor
Anthony Richardsons spot in Indianapolis has been a summer-long conversation, and it matters far beyond the Colts building. The quarterback, drafted fourth overall in 2023, has had an uneven preseason while the team keeps evaluating him ahead of final roster cuts, which has only kept the attention on his future. He also asked for a trade earlier this offseason, though nothing materialized, and Colts officials have said they prefer to keep three quarterbacks.
Shane Steichen is giving Richardson one more chance to make his case, announcing that he will start the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions. For teams watching the quarterback market, including Atlanta, that kind of setup is exactly what can keep a rumor alive even when a deal never comes close to happening. The Colts still have decisions to make, and Richardsons next performance only adds another layer to a situation that already feels unsettled. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Pass Rush Suddenly Has An Unexpected Player To Watch
Keshawn Banks has spent August doing exactly what an undrafted rookie needs to do: make the coaches notice. The 2023 free agent has turned in a strong preseason for Atlanta, and Pro Football Focus has graded him as the teams top pass rusher so far, a notable development for a defense trying to sort through injuries and suspensions along the front.
Banks has shown up around the quarterback with multiple hits and hurries, and that kind of activity can matter when roster spots and rotational roles are still up for grabs. With the Falcons looking for any edge they can find in a depleted pass-rush group, his play has made him a name worth tracking as the season approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Michael Penix Jr. Just Raised The Heat In Falcons QB Battle
Michael Penix Jr. took another meaningful step in his comeback Wednesday, getting cleared for full contact and joining 11-on-11 work for the first time since his ACL injury. The Falcons had to like what they saw in the session, too, with Penix completing several passes and connecting with Drake London on a fourth-down throw that stood out in a practice that mattered more than most.
The bigger takeaway was how often Penix worked with the first team, a sign the battle around Atlantas quarterback room is beginning to tilt in his direction. Tua Tagovailoa was on the field in the same session, but he struggled while Penix handled more of the premium reps, adding a layer of pressure to a situation the Falcons will keep watching closely as camp moves on. [Read more 🡒]