Few Top Quarterbacks Available for NFL Teams in 2026

Many NFL teams need good quarterbacks for the 2026 season. The players available in the next draft are not seen as very strong. This could make teams trade for players or look at older players who might not be the best choice.
By Newsroom | NFL, Sports |

The National Football League is grappling with a notably thin market for franchise quarterbacks heading into the 2026 season. A review of team needs and available talent indicates a scarcity of elite options, prompting concerns among league executives and analysts. This situation may force teams to make aggressive moves, including trades and significant draft investments, to secure a capable signal-caller.

The current landscape suggests that approximately 10 teams are actively evaluating their quarterback positions for 2026, with a focus on identifying 12 potential quarterback prospects across both the NFL and upcoming draft classes. However, the depth and overall quality of these prospects appear to be a significant point of concern.

Assessing the 2026 Quarterback Pool

The 2026 NFL quarterback market is characterized by a lackluster draft class and a collection of veterans with uncertain futures. This dual challenge presents a complex scenario for teams aiming to upgrade or solidify their quarterback position.

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  • Draft Class Concerns: Executives have expressed worry regarding the upcoming quarterback draft class. Reports from November 2025 indicate a general lack of enthusiasm, with one executive stating, "I don’t love any of them." This sentiment suggests a shortage of players possessing the high-level traits typically associated with franchise quarterbacks. Specific player evaluations highlight needs for further development in areas like footwork, mechanics, and overall offensive driving. For instance, one prospect, while processing reads at a high rate, requires more on-field reps.

  • Veteran Landscape: The veteran market offers some intriguing, albeit imperfect, options.

  • Aaron Rodgers: His potential for "one more brilliant season" is considered a long shot, with the more likely scenario involving a strong, yet ultimately transitional, performance in 2025 before a contract renegotiation.

  • Matthew Stafford: Similarly, Stafford is expected to perform well in 2025, potentially leading to a contract extension.

  • Russell Wilson: His performance with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025 is seen as a potential narrative shift for his game.

  • Justin Fields: Despite losing his starting job, Fields is expected to attract interest from teams seeking an ultra-athletic QB1/QB2.

  • Jameis Winston: Considered a potential "fill-in" or quality QB1 candidate, Winston is known for a play style that can lead to both highlights and "hiccups."

Team Needs and Potential Scenarios

Several teams are identified as having significant quarterback needs, intensifying the competition for available talent.

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  • Teams with Questions: As of August 2025, predictions suggest that 12 teams will have starter questions entering the 2026 offseason. This broad uncertainty underscores the league-wide demand.

  • Trade Market Activity: The perceived lack of quarterback talent in the draft is expected to increase activity on the trade front. Teams may be compelled to move up in the draft order to secure a preferred prospect, potentially at a higher cost than usual. This could push other quality players further down the draft board.

  • Specific Team Mentions:

  • The Indianapolis Colts' quarterback situation was ranked no higher than 27th on any ballot, indicating a clear need for improvement.

  • The Baltimore Ravens' quarterback room, however, was consistently ranked among the league's best.

  • The Houston Texans saw C.J. Stroud drop in rankings after a "disappointing sophomore year," though he remained in the top 10.

Evaluating Quarterback Performance Metrics

Assessing quarterback performance involves a range of traditional and advanced statistics.

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  • Traditional Stats: Metrics such as Passing Yards, Passing Touchdowns, Interceptions, and Yards per Attempt provide a foundational understanding of a quarterback's output.

  • Advanced Analytics:

  • Expected Points Added (EPA): This measures the impact of a quarterback on scoring opportunities. EPA can be analyzed in total or on a per-dropback basis, with the latter offering a better indication of efficiency.

  • Completion Percentage Over Expected (CPOE): This metric adjusts a quarterback's completion percentage based on the difficulty of his throws.

  • QBR (Total Quarterback Rating): A proprietary ESPN metric that accounts for game situation and play difficulty.

  • Average Depth of Target (aDOT): This indicates how far downfield a quarterback typically throws.

Examining players through these varied lenses is crucial for a holistic evaluation, moving beyond single statistics to paint a more complete picture of their capabilities. For example, one player's PFF passing grade was second-best in the NFL over his past two healthy seasons, but his grade ranked second-worst from Week 6 onwards in another period, highlighting inconsistent performance.

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Player Performance Anomalies

Specific player data reveals notable trends and potential inconsistencies that influence their market value.

  • Player A: Across his past two fully healthy seasons, his 90.9 PFF passing grade ranks second-best in the NFL. His 88.4 PFF overall grade over the last three seasons places him 12th among NFL quarterbacks. However, from Week 6 through the end of the most recent season, his 57.1 PFF passing grade was second-worst among quarterbacks.

  • Player B: Over the last two seasons, this player's 83.8 PFF passing grade ranks seventh in the NFL. He has also thrown the second-most "big-time throws" in that span. Despite this, he has only 445 dropbacks in his first two seasons, a sample size considered not meaningful by some evaluators.

These divergent data points suggest a need for careful consideration of player trajectories and underlying performance indicators.

Draft Prospect Development Needs

Evaluating collegiate prospects involves identifying strengths and areas requiring significant improvement before entering the professional ranks.

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  • Prospect C: Needs "a lot more reps." His scrambling during his time at Cal was a necessity to drive the offense. While his film is considered a strength, he "doesn’t wow teams with his traits." Evaluators note a need to "tighten up his footwork and mechanics."

  • Prospect D (Cam Ward): An NFL insider rated him as the No. 7 quarterback in the previous year's class. His draft projection shows a wide range, from pick No. 12 to No. 150. His perceived potential as a No. 1 overall pick in 2025 contrasts with the seventh quarterback in that class being selected in the fifth round.

The variability in evaluations and projected draft positions for prospects like Ward underscores the speculative nature of quarterback evaluation in the draft.

Expert Analysis on the Quarterback Market

Industry professionals observe a market driven by necessity and a potential overvaluation of available talent.

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"The seventh quarterback of the class wasn't drafted until the fifth round when the New Orleans Saints selected Spencer Rattler with the No. 150 pick." (Source: Touchdown Wire, Apr 22, 2025)

This statistic from the previous year's draft highlights a historical trend of diminishing returns as the draft progresses for the quarterback position, which could exacerbate the urgency for teams in 2026.

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"If teams are looking for a veteran to add to the roster, some intriguing options on the market could serve as short-term solutions." (Source: FOX Sports, Nov 1, 2024)

This perspective indicates a strategic division between teams seeking long-term solutions versus those opting for stopgap veteran players to address immediate needs.

Conclusion and Implications

The 2026 NFL quarterback market presents a challenging environment characterized by a shortage of undeniably elite talent. The upcoming draft class is perceived as weak, forcing teams to look towards a mixed bag of veteran options and potentially overpaying for developmental prospects.

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  • Increased Trade Activity: The scarcity of top-tier quarterbacks is expected to drive significant trade-up activity during the draft, potentially inflating the cost of acquiring desired players.

  • Veteran Gamble: Teams may be forced to make calculated risks on veterans, some of whom have shown inconsistent performance or are nearing the end of their careers.

  • Strategic Importance: The pressure to secure a franchise quarterback will likely lead to bold strategic decisions, including significant contract negotiations and draft capital allocation.

The coming months will be critical as teams assess their current rosters and project their needs against the backdrop of a subpar quarterback landscape.

Sources:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are there few good quarterbacks for NFL teams in 2026?
The players expected to be available in the next draft are not seen as very strong. Also, many older players might be leaving the game soon.
Q: What will teams do to get a quarterback?
Teams might try to trade for a player they want. They might also have to spend more money or draft picks than usual.
Q: Are there any good veteran quarterbacks available?
Some veteran players are available, but they might be older or have played inconsistently. Teams might use them for a short time.
Q: How many teams need a quarterback?
About 10 to 12 teams are looking for a starting quarterback for the 2026 season.