Worst five starting quarterbacks entering the 2026 NFL season

The 2026 NFL season is approaching, and the quarterback position is crucial for all 32 teams. Some franchises face significant challenges in this area. Here are the five teams with the most difficult situations at quarterback:

5. The Atlanta Falcons are currently uncertain about their starting quarterback, with Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. as the main contenders. Both players have struggled with injuries in the past, and neither has shown consistent success. A Super Bowl victory for Atlanta appears unlikely with either option.

4. The Tennessee Titans' second-year quarterback, Cam Ward, tends to be overlooked but has been unspectacular since joining the NFL. Ward's rookie season yielded only 3,169 passing yards and 15 touchdowns, along with seven interceptions. If he fails to make significant progress in his second season, he may face trade talks similar to those experienced by Anthony Richardson Sr. with the Indianapolis Colts.

3. The Las Vegas Raiders will begin the season with Kirk Cousins, but he is not the same player who led the Minnesota Vikings. Cousins suffered a severe Achilles injury that forced him to miss time with the Atlanta Falcons. After the injury, Cousins struggled, and his skills are not up to par with the Raiders' high expectations, particularly considering their acquisition of the number one overall pick in Fernando Mendoza.

2. The Arizona Cardinals need to find a solution for their quarterback position after parting ways with Kyler Murray. Veteran Jacoby Brissett is their current starter, but his abilities are limited by the team's surrounding talent, and the odds of him succeeding are slim. Brissett serves as a temporary bridge to a future quarterback, and he likely won't earn a permanent spot on the Cardinals roster.

1. The Cleveland Browns have no choice but to place Deshaun Watson at the top of this list. Watson's skills have declined since his days with the Houston Texans, particularly following two Achilles injuries. His performance was evident in his team's preseason game, where he was booed by the crowd and displayed unprofessional behavior towards the fans.

As a result, it is highly probable that Watson will relinquish his starting position by the end of the season, potentially as early as Week 3, sparing him from fan backlash during the Browns' home opener.