Football season is here, and the 2026 NFL starting quarterbacks are set across the league. Here is the projected Week 1 QB1 for all 32 teams, updated for the new season, plus a free printable tracker you can keep by the couch and update as depth charts move.
2026 Starting Quarterbacks: AFC
| Team | Week 1 QB1 |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | Josh Allen |
| Miami Dolphins | Malik Willis |
| New England Patriots | Drake Maye |
| New York Jets | Justin Fields |
| Baltimore Ravens | Lamar Jackson |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Burrow |
| Cleveland Browns | Deshaun Watson |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Aaron Rodgers |
| Houston Texans | C.J. Stroud |
| Indianapolis Colts | Daniel Jones |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Trevor Lawrence |
| Tennessee Titans | Cam Ward |
| Denver Broncos | Bo Nix |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Patrick Mahomes |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Kirk Cousins |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Justin Herbert |
2026 Starting Quarterbacks: NFC
| Team | Week 1 QB1 |
|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | Dak Prescott |
| New York Giants | Jaxson Dart |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Jalen Hurts |
| Washington Commanders | Jayden Daniels |
| Chicago Bears | Caleb Williams |
| Detroit Lions | Jared Goff |
| Green Bay Packers | Jordan Love |
| Minnesota Vikings | Kyler Murray |
| Atlanta Falcons | Tua Tagovailoa |
| Carolina Panthers | Bryce Young |
| New Orleans Saints | Tyler Shough |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Baker Mayfield |
| Arizona Cardinals | Jacoby Brissett |
| Los Angeles Rams | Matthew Stafford |
| San Francisco 49ers | Brock Purdy |
| Seattle Seahawks | Sam Darnold |
Biggest QB Changes for 2026
The quarterback carousel reshaped several teams this offseason. Kyler Murray is now under center for the Minnesota Vikings, which pushed 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy to the bench. That move sent the Arizona Cardinals to Jacoby Brissett as their Week 1 starter. Tua Tagovailoa landed with the Atlanta Falcons, opening the door for Malik Willis to lead the Miami Dolphins. Justin Fields took over as the New York Jets starter, and in Cleveland, the Browns named Deshaun Watson their QB1 over rookie Shedeur Sanders. Kirk Cousins is the Las Vegas Raiders starter with rookie Fernando Mendoza waiting in the wings.
Quarterback Battles and Injuries to Watch
A few situations are worth tracking as Week 1 nears. Patrick Mahomes (knee) and Daniel Jones (Achilles) have both recovered and are on track to start, but their reps are worth monitoring. The Raiders list Kirk Cousins ahead of first-round rookie Fernando Mendoza, a battle that could tighten if the veteran struggles. Depth charts can flip fast on an injury, so keep the printable handy and pencil in changes. For the roster context behind these calls, see our 2026 NFL roster cuts tracker and practice squad tracker.
How to Use the Printable QB1 Tracker
Print the one-page sheet, which groups all 32 starters by conference and division. Flagged names mark the battles and injury watches. As the season unfolds and backups take over, cross out and write in the new starter so you always have an at-a-glance league-wide QB board. Grab more free trackers and schedules at SportsBrackets.net, or check current depth charts on ESPN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Cleveland Browns starting QB in 2026?
Deshaun Watson, who was named the Week 1 starter over rookie Shedeur Sanders in late August 2026.
Who is the Minnesota Vikings starting QB in 2026?
Kyler Murray, who the Vikings named QB1 ahead of J.J. McCarthy.
Is Patrick Mahomes healthy for Week 1?
Yes. Mahomes recovered from a knee injury and is on track to start the Chiefs opener, though his workload is worth watching.
Which rookie quarterbacks are starting in 2026?
Cam Ward leads the Titans and Tyler Shough starts for the Saints, while first-round rookie Fernando Mendoza is the backup in Las Vegas behind Kirk Cousins.
