EAGAN, Minn. — Last season, the quarterback position faced increased scrutiny and pressure across the NFL, enduring even more challenges than usual.
Event Context
With all 32 teams embarking on their fresh starts, several organizations are experiencing varying levels of excitement and scrutiny regarding the key quarterback position. Here’s a closer look at areas where there’s a genuine competition for the starting role or uncertainty about the upcoming season’s opener.
The long-term prospects appear brightest for the Las Vegas Raiders, who selected Heisman Trophy and national champion Fernando Mendoza with the top pick in the draft. Under the guidance of new head coach Klint Kubiak, the Raiders also added veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to help support the young talent.
Cousins currently leads the depth chart as training camp begins and is the frontrunner to direct the Las Vegas offense in the season opener. If he takes the field, it would break a streak of six consecutive quarterbacks who were drafted first overall starting their first game. This streak includes notable names such as Cam Ward, Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Trevor Lawrence, Joe Burrow, and Kyler Murray. The last quarterback to not start in his first game as the top overall pick was Baker Mayfield in 2018 with the Cleveland Browns.
Player Focus
The most recent addition to the draft narrative is Shedeur Sanders, who was chosen by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 draft, following their selection of Dillon Gabriel in the third round. Sanders is now in a competitive battle for the starting quarterback position alongside Deshaun Watson, a former star whose recent injuries and off-field issues have allowed him to participate in only 19 games over the past five years. Watson last took the field on October 20, 2024, before suffering an Achilles tendon rupture and subsequent reinjury that sidelined him through 2025. Rookie head coach Todd Monken initially aimed to finalize a starting quarterback by the start of training camp, but the competition is expected to extend for a few more weeks.
The Atlanta Falcons found themselves in a tricky quarterback situation this offseason, releasing Kirk Cousins to create salary cap flexibility after two disappointing seasons. They subsequently signed Tua Tagovailoa, who became available after Miami released him, incurring a record $99 million in dead money against their cap. Cousins’ position became more complicated when the Falcons drafted Michael Penix eighth overall in 2024, a situation that became increasingly challenging when Penix suffered an ACL tear in his left knee last season.
Following the departure of Kyler Murray, the Arizona Cardinals faced uncertainty in their quarterback lineup. However, they resolved this by securing veteran Jacoby Brissett with a new contract, officially placing him at the top of the depth chart as of Sunday. Behind him are journeyman Gardner Minshew and third-round draft pick Carson Beck, both ready to step in if significant injuries or turnovers force new head coach Mike LaFleur to reconsider the game plan.
Brissett, now in his 11th NFL season, started 12 games last year after Murray’s injury, achieving a career-high of 3,366 passing yards, though the team ended the season with a 3-14 record. After moving through five teams in five seasons, this is Brissett’s first year of stability, having previously spent four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, where he served as the starter in 2017 and 2019. Minshew, on his sixth team in eight years, was the main starter for the Colts in 2023 after stepping in for then-rookie Anthony Richardson.
Team Analysis
Injuries to key players like Daniel Jones, Patrick Mahomes, and Bo Nix disrupted their teams significantly. Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels, and Lamar Jackson also struggled to maintain their health. Meanwhile, players once considered franchise cornerstones, such as J.J. McCarthy, Kyler Murray, Michael Penix Jr., and Tua Tagovailoa, have found themselves in uncertain positions.
Training camps offer a clean slate. Jones, Mahomes, and Nix are back to full participation, bringing stability to the huddles in Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Denver respectively. Meanwhile, Cincinnati, Washington, and Baltimore are pleased to re-engage with Burrow, Daniels, and Jackson. Both Murray and Tagovailoa have sought rejuvenation by relocating to new environments.
Since being reestablished in 1999, the Cleveland Browns have qualified for the playoffs just three times, managing only one postseason victory. This lack of success is often linked to a revolving door at quarterback, with a staggering 42 different starters in the first 27 years.
At the last minicamp, Penix had not yet been approved for full-team activities, positioning Tagovailoa as the leading candidate for the starting job, although new head coach Kevin Stefanski has labeled the competition as open.
McCarthy faced challenges with consistency and injuries during his rookie season with the Vikings, prompting the team to explore other options this year, ultimately finding a willing Murray for the veteran minimum salary.
Despite this, the Vikings remain committed to McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft, and they plan to have him split reps with the first-team offense at the outset of training camp. If Murray can stay healthy after his foot sprain last season and a recovery period from knee surgery, he stands as the frontrunner.
The Dolphins have invested $45 million guaranteed in Malik Willis, indicating that they expect more than just shared playing time. The new management team from Green Bay, including general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley, has developed a strong interest in Willis, who served as a backup in Green Bay for two seasons.
Match Outlook
Willis has played only three games in the past three years, along with three additional appearances as a rookie with Tennessee in 2022, indicating he remains largely untested. Meanwhile, Quinn Ewers stepped in for a struggling Tagovailoa and started three games towards the end of last season. Ewers showcased his skills effectively during spring practices, positioning himself as a viable alternative for the Dolphins if they need to explore other options.
