10 NFL Quarterbacks Who Could Lose Their Starting Jobs in 2026

The NFL quarterback landscape can change quickly, and the opening weeks of the 2026 season have already demonstrated how fragile a starting role can be.

Veterans are competing against younger quarterbacks with greater long-term value, while injuries have forced several teams to reconsider their depth charts earlier than expected. The Minnesota Vikings’ decision to trade J.J. McCarthy to the New York Giants after Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending injury is one example of how quickly circumstances can change.

With Week 5 approaching, several starting quarterbacks have more pressure on them than others. Some are struggling statistically, while others face competition because their teams have promising alternatives waiting behind them.

10. Aaron Rodgers – Pittsburgh Steelers

Aaron Rodgers enters the 2026 season as one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the NFL, but his position with the Pittsburgh Steelers comes with significant short-term uncertainty.

The 42-year-old quarterback is playing on a one-year contract. Through four games, Rodgers has completed 88 of 153 passes for 999 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

His 57.5% completion rate, 6.5 yards per attempt and 81.6 passer rating indicate that his efficiency has not been particularly strong.

Another concern is the amount of pressure he has faced in the pocket. Rodgers’ limited mobility means injuries could become an especially important factor in determining how long Pittsburgh remains committed to him.

Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy has continued to back the veteran, but an injury or sustained decline could force Pittsburgh to accelerate its transition toward a younger quarterback.

9. Geno Smith – New York Jets

Geno Smith’s individual numbers have been much better than his team’s record.

Through four games, Smith has completed 85 of 117 passes for 902 yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions. His 72.6% completion rate, 7.7 yards per attempt and 109 passer rating represent an efficient start.

The problem is the New York Jets’ 1-3 record in a competitive AFC East.

If the Jets fail to turn their strong passing efficiency into victories, the organization could eventually look toward younger options. A disappointing season could also encourage New York to invest significant draft capital in a quarterback during the 2027 NFL Draft.

For now, Smith’s statistical performance gives him a stronger argument than several other quarterbacks on this list. The pressure will depend heavily on whether the Jets can start winning.

8. Jacoby Brissett – Arizona Cardinals

Jacoby Brissett has completed 103 of 152 passes for 818 yards and six touchdowns through the first four games of the season.

His completion percentage sits at 67.8%, but his 5.38 yards per attempt is the bigger concern. That figure suggests the Arizona Cardinals have struggled to consistently create explosive passing plays.

Brissett has also thrown four interceptions during the opening stretch of the campaign.

The Cardinals could eventually view him as a short-term solution rather than their long-term answer. Rookie quarterback Carson Beck is another factor that could influence the organization’s thinking.

If Arizona’s offense remains limited and the team begins looking toward the future, the pressure on Brissett could increase rapidly.

7. Malik Willis – Miami Dolphins

Malik Willis entered the season with considerable expectations after signing a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins in March.

Unfortunately for Willis, the Dolphins have opened the season 0-4, and the offense has struggled badly.

Through four games, Willis has completed only 58 of 103 passes for 712 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His passer rating is 73, and he has already been sacked 11 times.

The Week 4 loss to Minnesota was particularly difficult. Willis completed nine of 17 passes for only 85 yards and also lost a fumble during Miami’s 15-10 defeat.

The Dolphins are averaging fewer than 12 points per game, leaving very little margin for error.

If Willis cannot improve the offense quickly, Miami could eventually consider making a change despite the investment it made in him during the offseason.

6. Daniel Jones – Indianapolis Colts

Daniel Jones showed signs of promise in Shane Steichen’s offensive system last season, but his 2026 performances have not reached the same level.

Jones has completed 84 of 132 passes for 754 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions. His 63.6% completion rate is respectable, but his 5.7 yards per attempt and 73.9 passer rating are concerns.

The situation becomes more complicated because of the presence of Anthony Richardson.

Richardson’s athletic ability and rushing threat fit naturally with the style of offense Steichen has preferred. If Jones continues to struggle, pressure could build for the Colts to give Richardson another opportunity.

Jones is also playing under a contract worth $44 million per year, meaning Indianapolis needs significantly better production from its starting quarterback.

5. Jameis Winston – New York Giants

Jameis Winston’s position is particularly vulnerable because of the arrival of J.J. McCarthy.

Winston became New York’s starter after Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury. Through the opening games, Winston has completed 43 of 78 passes for 479 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.

His 6.14 yards per attempt and 70.4 passer rating leave plenty of room for improvement.

More importantly, the Giants traded for McCarthy from Minnesota on September 28.

McCarthy entered the NFL with significant expectations. During his 10 starts in 2025, he completed 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

While those numbers were not flawless, McCarthy represents a younger potential long-term option. If Winston struggles with turnovers or fails to stabilize the offense, the Giants could have a strong reason to see what their new quarterback can provide.

4. Kyler Murray – Minnesota Vikings

Kyler Murray’s situation has been complicated by both injury and performance.

Murray won Minnesota’s quarterback competition with J.J. McCarthy and entered the season as the starter. However, he suffered a concussion after playing only 11 snaps in Week 1, forcing Carson Wentz into action.

Murray returned in Week 3 and completed 15 of 29 passes for 168 yards, one touchdown and one interception against Tampa Bay.

His Week 4 performance against Miami produced better passing numbers, with Murray completing 27 of 37 attempts for 247 yards. However, he was sacked four times and failed to lead Minnesota to a touchdown drive during the 15-10 victory.

Across his three appearances, Murray has completed 45 of 71 passes for 433 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He has also been sacked six times and owns a 73.3 passer rating.

If Murray cannot rediscover his best form, Wentz could once again become part of the quarterback conversation in Minnesota.

3. Baker Mayfield – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield’s position is more secure financially than most quarterbacks on this list, but Tampa Bay’s poor start still creates questions.

The Buccaneers are 0-4, while Mayfield has appeared in three games. He has completed 61 of 96 passes for 615 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

The bigger issue may not be Mayfield himself. Tampa Bay’s offensive line has struggled to protect him, and he has been sacked 13 times, including six times against Minnesota in Week 3.

Mayfield’s contract also makes a midseason change difficult. The quarterback signed a three-year, $165 million extension that includes $120 million fully guaranteed.

A reported $129 million dead-cap figure would make benching him extremely expensive. That financial commitment provides Mayfield with considerably more job security than many of the quarterbacks ranked above him.

2. Kirk Cousins – Las Vegas Raiders

Kirk Cousins is actually playing well to begin the season, which makes his inclusion on this list different from most of the other quarterbacks.

Through four games, Cousins has completed 93 of 144 passes for 1,026 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. He is averaging 7.1 yards per attempt and has a 99.5 passer rating.

The Raiders signed Cousins to a short-term deal reportedly worth between $20 million and $25 million, giving the organization flexibility.

The biggest long-term threat to his job is rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Mendoza is viewed as a potential franchise quarterback, meaning the Raiders have a strong incentive to develop him if they believe he can become their long-term answer.

If Cousins continues to perform well and the Raiders remain competitive, there may be no reason to make a change. However, a significant downturn in team performance could open the door for Mendoza.

1. Deshaun Watson – Cleveland Browns

Deshaun Watson occupies the top spot because of the combination of expectations, contract size and competition behind him.

Watson is in the fifth year of his $230 million fully guaranteed contract, which carries an annual value of $46 million.

Through four games, he has completed 80 of 115 passes for 855 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. His 7.4 yards per attempt and 98.4 passer rating are respectable on paper, but Cleveland expects significantly more from a quarterback with such a massive financial commitment.

Watson did produce a strong passing performance during the Week 4 victory over Pittsburgh, throwing for 268 yards and a touchdown. However, he also lost two fumbles and was sacked twice.

The Browns also have rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders waiting behind him. Sanders had a relatively productive rookie season and represents an intriguing alternative if Watson enters a prolonged slump.

Given Watson’s contract, a quarterback change would not be simple from a financial perspective. Nevertheless, continued inconsistency could eventually force Cleveland to consider its options.

Quarterbacks Under the Most Pressure

Why Young Quarterbacks Are Changing the NFL

The pressure on veteran starters reflects a broader change in how NFL teams evaluate the quarterback position.

Rookie contracts provide teams with financial flexibility, while young quarterbacks offer the possibility of building around a player for many seasons. As a result, teams that believe they have a potential franchise quarterback waiting on the bench may be more willing to make an aggressive change.

That does not mean veteran quarterbacks are automatically at risk. Strong performances can protect a starting job, even when a younger player is available.

The biggest determining factor remains winning football.

Conclusion

The 2026 NFL season has already created plenty of uncertainty at the quarterback position. Some veterans are struggling statistically, others are dealing with injuries, and several face talented young quarterbacks waiting for opportunities.

Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Daniel Jones and Malik Willis face particularly interesting situations because their teams have reasons to consider alternative options if results do not improve.

Meanwhile, quarterbacks such as Geno Smith and Kirk Cousins demonstrate that strong individual performances can provide valuable job security even when younger alternatives are available.

With the season still in its early stages, none of these changes are guaranteed. But as Week 5 approaches, every poor performance could increase the pressure on these 10 quarterbacks to prove they deserve to remain their team’s long-term answer.