There will be plenty of QB competition when camp finally comes around, so which passers will be under center to start for their squads to start the season?
By Matthew Serocki | June 19, 2026
Despite the NFL having 32, approximately half can claim to be happy with their current quarterbacks. Those that made the playoffs are obviously in the best shape, as are teams with top 10 signal-callers who have traditionally made the postseason or put up gaudy statistics.
Teams like the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals are set under center.
More teams fall into the same category, but every year, a handful of squads find themselves looking for the next person to lead their offense. Some, like the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns, have been so inept that they’ve had to reset the deck numerous times over the last 20 years.
The Jets signed Geno Smith to lead the offense this year, while the Browns again find themselves with a quarterback controversy. While Aaron Rodgers is back for another season in Pittsburgh, the Steelers could be looking for his replacement next season if Drew Allard doesn’t inspire confidence with his progress.
Several teams have quarterback competitions during training camp. The Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, and Minnesota Vikings all have a quarterback situation worth monitoring in the next six weeks. Here are predictions for who wins the competition for each team.
THE ARIZONA CARDINALS: Jacoby Brissett vs. Gardner Minshew
Jacoby Brissett is the epitome of a safe, journeyman quarterback. He makes minimal mistakes but also minimal big plays. He had his best season under center for the Cardinals in 2025, tossing 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 94.1 quarterback rating in 14 games.
With tight end Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison to throw to, Brissett managed 3,366 yards passing and a 64.9 completion percentage. With Jonathan Gannon’s firing, Mike LaFleur took over. The team signed Gardner Minshew and drafted Carson Beck.
Minshew isn’t as accurate as Brissett, but he takes more chances. That leads to bigger plays and big mistakes. These are the top three quarterbacks on the roster, unless Arizona selects Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby in next month’s Supplemental Draft. Brissett is currently unhappy with his contract, but feels like the stopgap until he falters or Beck is ready.
Prediction: Brissett starts but doesn’t finish the year as the starter.
THE ATLANTA FALCONS: Tua Tagovailoa vs. Michael Penix Jr.
Tua Tagovailoa signed a one-year deal with Atlanta after his release from the Miami Dolphins. Tua has shown flashes of greatness, leading a top-ranked offense in 2022 and 2023. His strength has always been his accuracy, but his weakness has been staying healthy. Throwing to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle helped, but the wheels fell off last year.
Penix Jr. also had health issues, but has shown flashes of what made him a first-round pick in 2024. He had his way with New England’s defense in 2025, making Drake London seem like a top-two receiver. If both stars are healthy, new head coach Kevin Stefanski will probably go with the guy who’s had more sustained success.
Prediction: Tagovailoa wins the starting job.
THE CLEVELAND BROWNS: Shedeur Sanders vs. Deshaun Watson
The Deshaun Watson trade will go down as one of the worst trades in NFL history. Not only did owner Jimmy Haslam overpay, but he also ignored red flags around many off-field accusations simply to secure a dynamic playmaker.
Watson has done anything but look like the guy worth what he was paid, putting the Browns in the familiar spot of looking for the next guy under center. Sanders came with a lot of hype, mainly because of his last name, and no shortage of confidence.
He didn’t start the season, but finished it as Cleveland’s quarterback. He had some success, but didn’t cement his spot as the unquestioned starter heading into 2026. If money weren’t a factor, then the Browns should go with Sanders. The team is on another head coach, however, so it may not matter who’s under center in 2026.
Prediction: Sanders gets another chance to prove he’s as good as he thinks he is.
THE LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: Kirk Cousins vs. Fernando Mendoza
Cousins is perhaps the savviest contract negotiator in NFL history. He was a pioneer in getting maximum guaranteed money in his deals, and up until last year, he proved to be worth the contracts. His steep fall-off in 2025 didn’t hurt him too much as he inked a deal with the Raiders ahead of the Draft.
In the draft, Las Vegas picked Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall. He led the Hoosiers to the National Championship and brings a unique sense of optimism to a team desperately in need of it.
Both stars will have to rely on running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers because the Raiders’ receiver room is severely lacking in new head coach Klint Kubiak’s system. Since Las Vegas used a top pick on Mendoza, Cousins will likely collect a paycheck on the bench.
Prediction: Mendoza starts from Day 1.
THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Kyler Murray vs. JJ McCarthy
This should be the easiest decision in the room. McCarthy has had every chance to succeed, but has proven to be the product of a great collegiate team.
He’s had a few good games here and there, but dealt with health issues like many of the other stars in this piece. He couldn’t make Justin Jefferson a top receiver in 2025, something that everyone before him was able to do. That says a lot.
Kyler Murray signed a one-year deal with Minnesota after departing from Arizona. Murray had some health issues as well, but playing in the NFC West would make it hard for most quarterbacks to prosper.
The former Oklahoma player had a few productive years, but instability from the top down stunted any consistent success. Past production should make this an easy decision for head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Prediction: Kyler Murray gets the Sam Darnold treatment in Minnesota.
Matt Serocki is a freelance journalist based outside of Boston, Massachusetts. He’s been an avid NFL and MLB fan for over 35 years, and his favorite teams are the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and Washington Commanders. Matt also writes about professional wrestling for Sportskeeda.
