Yahoo Sports identifies ten NFL franchises facing quarterback instability ahead of 2026 campaign
A recent report by Yahoo Sports highlights significant uncertainty at the quarterback position for ten National Football League teams, citing concerns over age, injury history and past performance for key players including Deshaun Watson, Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott.
Yahoo Sports has published an analysis ranking ten NFL franchises that face uncertainty at the quarterback position as training camp approaches for the 2026 season. The report highlights teams such as the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, and Las Vegas Raiders. It questions the viability of current or incoming starters including Deshaun Watson, Aaron Rodgers, Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, J.J. McCarthy, Tua Tagovailoa, Dak Prescott, Malik Willis, Cam Ward, and Kirk Cousins, citing concerns over age, injury history, past performance, and team strategy.
The Cleveland Browns are viewed as risking poor quarterback play with Deshaun Watson, who has played only 19 games since 2020 due to suspension and injury. The report describes the idea of the Browns banking on Watson as ridiculous, noting he will be 31 this season. Additionally, Geno Smith has moved from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Cleveland Browns, with the article suggesting Smith’s previous tenure in Las Vegas resulted in the team securing the first pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
In Green Bay, the article questions whether Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers can recreate their previous success, noting that Rodgers has claimed this will be his last year in the NFL. The analysis suggests this is not a smart plan for 2026. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals are expected to be led by either Jacoby Brissett or Gardner Minshew, with the report describing them as perfect as backups but not as primary starters.
The Minnesota Vikings are facing scrutiny after letting Sam Darnold walk to the Seattle Seahawks. The report states Kyler Murray has moved to the Minnesota Vikings, but questions whether he will be solid or if this will result in another last-place finish. The Vikings are also described as having made a bad decision by not banking on J.J. McCarthy, who is referred to as a bust in the analysis.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will be 33 this season, and the team has recorded a 10-16-1 record in his last two seasons as a starter. The report indicates Prescott is looking at this as a last chance to get the Cowboys into the playoffs. The Miami Dolphins have moved on from Tua Tagovailoa, but the article questions if Malik Willis is the long-term answer for coach Jeff Hafley.
The Tennessee Titans are questioned regarding their ability to help Cam Ward in his second year, with the report noting that coaches Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll do not inspire confidence for a robust offense. Finally, the Las Vegas Raiders have Kirk Cousins listed as the No. 1 quarterback on their depth chart, with the analysis suggesting he could face similar struggles to those experienced by Geno Smith in Las Vegas.
