NFL starting QB jobs: Veterans dominated the biggest 2026 quarterback battles – here’s who beat whom (Image via Pinterest: Kirk Cousins, Deshaun Watson, and Kyler Murray)
The NFL ’s quarterback competition for the 2026 season produced a surprising result: experience won. Their 2026 chapter can change any moment. 1 overall pick, arrived in Minnesota after the Arizona Cardinals released him, while McCarthy remains a developing 2024 first-round pick with several missed games and injuries in the bag. Todd Monken named him starting QB for Game 1. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell. Cousins’ strong offseason and preseason performance earned him the Week 1 start, while Mendoza – the reigning Heisman Trophy winner – remains viewed as the Raiders’ potential quarterback of the future. The seven-time Super Bowl champion reportedly did not want Mendoza starting Week 1. Tua Tagovailoa beat Michael Penix Jr. for the Week 1 starting job. Penix, who started for the Falcons in 2025, is still working his way back from an ACL injury. Veteran Kirk Cousins had to fill in for Penix in 2025. Tagovailoa threw 15 interceptions in 2025. The fifth competition effectively followed the same veteran trend: with Jacoby Brissett’s new Arizona Cardinals contract in place, he won the QB competition over former Kansas City Chiefs QB Gardner Minshew and 2026 rookie Carson Beck before training camp. Aaron Rodgers came to the Steelers for 2026 after a nearly successful 2025 campaign. They won the 2025 AFC North division title. He has the starting job, while Mason Rudolph, 2025 draft pick Will Howard, and 2026 rookie Drew Allar stay on the roster but behind him! Tier 1 – Elite: Patrick Mahomes , Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson sit among the league’s most accomplished and game-changing quarterbacks. Tier 2 – Franchise-carriers: Justin Herbert, Matthew Stafford, Dak Prescott, Joe Burrow, and Drake Maye carry their respective NFL franchises on their broad shoulders. Tier 3 – On the doorstep: Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams, and CJ Stroud could be on the verge of being elite. Tier 4 – Supporting-cast dependent: Quarterbacks such as Jared Goff, Kyler Murray, Sam Darnold, Brock Purdy, Baker Mayfield, Jayden Daniels, Daniel Jones, Jalen Hurts, and Bo Nix probably need others to shine on the gridiron. Tier 5 – Good enough to start: Geno Smith, Tyler Shough, Bryce Young, and Aaron Rodgers are great starters, considering other options on the roster. Tier 6 – Erratic but talented sophomores: Jaxson Dart and Cam Ward were probably great in college but are still trying to hold their standing in the NFL.
Deshaun Watson shockingly won the starting job over Shedeur Sanders, although Watson’s position is described as secure at least initially rather than necessarily representing a long-term commitment. As the season gets underway, every one of the league’s five widely covered and much-anticipated training-camp quarterback battles ended with the veteran claiming the starting job over the younger challenger. That means some of the league’s most promising young quarterbacks will begin the season watching from the sideline – at least for now. What if the veterans get injured and need a young boost? Anyhow, the veteran-supporting decisions also create a gripping seven-tier picture of NFL quarterbacks, ranging from proven elite stars to players whose clutch on the starting job remains uncertain. The first crucial decision came in Minnesota, where Kyler Murray defeated J.J. McCarthy for the Vikings’ starting role. Murray, the former No. Cleveland made another veteran-over-youth decision. We all know how injury-prone Watson is. Also, he hasn’t played most of the games in the past two seasons. But the Browns look bloated with confidence. Even Browns legend Hanford Dixon expressed concerns: “There’s no question he [Deshaun Watson]’s a little frazzled. I mean, you’re talking about a guy that… he really hasn’t played good football since we brought him over to the Cleveland Browns. You’re talking about a guy that’s torn two Achilles. I think he’s going to have a little bit of a long leash. I think he’s got probably two games for him to make a good showing. In Las Vegas, Kirk Cousins defeated No. It looks like someone in the front office and coaching staff heard NFL legend and Raiders minority owner Tom Brady. Brady probably wanted him to take the Eli Manning path, where Mendoza sits through some games and gains experience playing behind Cousins. Another significant decision came in Atlanta. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines But Atlanta gave up on Cousins and went for Miami Dolphins interception-prone QB Tua Tagovailoa. But still, the Falcons’ flame of faith in him tops everything. Even their chosen QB, Michael Penix Jr. Last but not least, the Pittsburgh Steelers. But that’s not enough for Rodgers. He wants the Super Bowl. Now he has his Super Bowl-winning coach Mike McCarthy with him! Rather than treating every starter equally, the current quarterback landscape can be viewed in seven broad tiers based on proven production, consistency, upside, and certainty. FOX Sports NFL writer Steven Ruiz created it. Or could a new contract change their situation?
Tier 7 – Backups on any other team: Quarterbacks such as Kirk Cousins, Malik Willis, Jacoby Brissett, Michael Penix Jr., and Deshaun Watson could probably play a QB2 role better than QB1. Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley has emphasized that McCarthy remains part of the team’s plans despite currently sitting behind Carson Wentz as QB3. Or they have been QB2 for a long time, so they could take up that role on any other team. Just not their current franchise? Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.