Ranking the top 8 QBs for NFL free agency 2026

NFL teams are always looking for talent at the quarterback position. It won’t necessarily be easy to find during the 2026 NFL offseason.

The NFL’s free agent class isn’t much better. There are plenty of solid backup-caliber players on the market, but those hoping to find a starter won’t have many options from which to choose.

Perhaps the overall market will get a boost from roster cuts ahead of free agency. The Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins all have to make decisions about the respective futures of Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins and Tua Tagovailoa, and if any is released, they would instantly jump close to the top of the free-agent quarterback pecking order.

But for now, here’s a look at the NFL’s top free agent quarterbacks for the 2026 offseason:

NFL free agency: Top 8 quarterbacks, ranked

1. Daniel Jones (2025 team: Indianapolis Colts)

Jones enjoyed a breakout year in his first season under the tutelage of Shane Steichen. The 28-year-old completed a career-high 68% of his passes and 100.2 passer rating while looking more comfortable than ever in the pocket. The downside: Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in the Colts’ Week 14 loss to the Jaguars, throwing into question his availability for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.

2. Aaron Rodgers (2025 team: Pittsburgh Steelers)

Rodgers may not be the player he once was, but the 42-year-old was still a passable starting quarterback in 2025. His ability to get the ball out of his hands quickly – his 2.46-second time to throw ranked third-fastest in among quarterbacks to log at least 100 plays, per Sumer Sports – was a great equalizer against pressure and helped cover up his dwindling arm strength.

Even without above-average downfield passing ability, Rodgers possesses the veteran savvy needed to remain a decent starting quarterback should he return to the NFL for a 22nd season.

3. Malik Willis (2025 team: Green Bay Packers)

Willis has done wonders for his stock during his two seasons with the Packers. The 26-year-old started just three games in place of Jordan Love but comported himself well, completing 78.7% of his passes for 972 yards and six touchdowns without an interception. The Liberty product’s combination of downfield accuracy – he completed all seven of his passes of 20-plus yards for 230 yards and two touchdowns, per Pro Football Focus – and mobility make him an intriguing gamble for teams seeking young upside at the quarterback position.

4. Russell Wilson (2025 team: New York Giants)

The highlight of Wilson’s season was the Giants quarterback throwing for 450 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in the team’s Week 2 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Everything else went poorly, as Wilson completed a career-low 58% of his passes and was demoted to third string in what figures to be his lone season with the Giants.

Wilson, 37, may still get looks as a potential backup, but it’s clear his days as an NFL starter are over.

5. Marcus Mariota (2025 team: Washington Commanders)

Mariota made his first starts since 2022 in place of the injured Jayden Daniels this season. The No. 2 pick from the 2015 NFL Draft showed why he’s widely considered one of the league’s top backups by completing 61.2% of his passes for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading a banged-up Washington team.

Mariota still showed solid mobility during his age-32 season, rushing for 297 yards on 50 carries. That will make him one of the top, dual-threat backups on the market.

6. Joe Flacco (2025 team: Cincinnati Bengals)

Flacco turns 41 on Jan. 16, but showed his gunslinging capabilities across 10 starts with the Cleveland Browns and Bengals this past season. He particularly shone with the Bengals, completing 61.7% of his passes for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions after coming to the team in a midseason trade.

Flacco remains a statuesque pocket passer but isn’t afraid to uncork deep passes. His big time throw percentage (BTT%) of 29.5% on passes of 20-plus yards ranked 13th among players to attempt at least 10 passes of 20-plus yards during the 2025 NFL season, per Pro Football Focus. Expect teams to show interest in the veteran as a backup who can keep a contender afloat in a short-term starting stint.

7. Kenny Pickett (2025 team: Las Vegas Raiders)

Pickett didn’t look great across two starts with the Raiders in 2025, completing 62.2% of his passes for 188 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Granted, his supporting cast was one of the NFL’s worst and he did lead the team to a Week 18 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, but it was hardly an inspiring season for the 27-year-old, who was traded out of the Browns’ quarterback room before the campaign began.

Still, Pickett is young and has upside after being the lone, first-round quarterback selected in 2022. Expect a team to sign him as a solid backup with the goal of developing him into something more.

8. Trey Lance (2025 team: Los Angeles Chargers)

Lance had a chance for a showcase game at the end of the 2025 NFL season. The result? He completed 20 of 44 passes (45.5%) for 136 yards and an interception against the Broncos. He also added 69 rushing yards on nine carries, continuing to flash his dual-threat upside.

Those results seem more like stagnation than progression from Lance, but he was playing an elite Broncos defense behind a shoddy offensive line. He also won’t turn 26 until May, so plenty of NFL teams will still view him as a solid developmental backup given his raw athletic talent.

Best of the rest

• Teddy Bridgewater
• Jimmy Garoppolo
• Tyrod Taylor
• Mitch Trubisky
• Carson Wentz
• Zach Wilson