The Five Best Quarterbacks Available in the 2026 NFL Offseason

At least five teams are in dire need of a quarterback upgrade. More than that are considering one.

As per offseason tradition in the NFL, demand far outpaces supply in free agency and the draft in 2026.

Starting at the top of the current draft order, the Raiders (No. 1 overall), Jets (No. 2), Cardinals (No. 3), Browns (No. 6), Dolphins (11) are most desperate for a fix. A few have veterans on hand that haven't worked out with a previous coaching regime.

Keeping them around under the guise of a fresh start might become reality because, frankly, what else are they going to do?

Count the Steelers, Vikings, Saints — no, I'm not yet calling Tyler Shough a bust — and Falcons are all on shaky turf at the QB spot. They might not be defined as desperate, but could find themselves knocking on that door.

Unless an outfit truly covets Kirk Cousins, Justin Fields or Geno Smith, where can they turn? These are the five best quarterbacks available this offseason.

Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

The No. 1 pick barring a calamity of a pro day or Godfather trade offer for the top spot from a team not planning to secure the Heisman Trophy winner, Mendoza might be the second coming of Cousins or an off-brand Joe Burrow. 

Neither would be the worst-case scenario for the Raiders or Jets, who are decades into swinging and missing at quarterback and have the assets to make the match a reality.

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

For a player yet to prove he's a franchise-caliber quarterback at 29 years old, we know there will be seats available on the Murray bandwagon until he wins consistently. 

But if your alternative today is hoping Michael Penix Jr. avoid another round of Operation in Atlanta or banking on JJ McCarthy suddenly finding it, it could be time to circle Murray's name on the QB board. He's all but talked his way out of Arizona. The new coaching staff of the Cardinals is better off to break here and begin anew. Can Murray pull a Sam Darnold with the Vikings under Kevin O'Connell or experience a revival with the Dolphins as a Tua replacement?

Ty Simpson, Alabama

He isn't the classic boom-or-bust quarterback prospect because of his age and plus decision-making and processing from the pocket. Even so, nobody can argue Simpson as a proven or complete product after one season as a starter. The cost and value debates will rage on this prospect and any other under consideration as the second quarterback off the board in the 2026 draft. He doesn't have a first-round grade for every team and there will be arguments made for draft prospects with higher upside.

Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins

Wonder aloud how the Dolphins might reconcile the bill inherited by the new regime in Miami, which calls for a $99.2 cap hit in 2026, but don't doubt they are ready to let him walk. 

It's highly unlikely a team wants to trade for Tagovailoa but he'll get a look as a QB2 for a team unsettled at the position. He could compete with McCarthy if the Vikings don't find a better solution, head to Arizona with an endorsement from Mike McDaniel to Mike LaFleur, or get a Russell Wilson-type audition as a short-term starter with the Falcons while Penix Jr. heals from an ACL tear. HIs game is built for the dome home field.

Aaron Rodgers, unrestricted free agent

Another one-year fix who could be back in Pittsburgh or try a reunion with Nathaniel Hackett with the Cardinals. 

His best play if the Vikings are willing would be Minnesota. As long as the Vikings have the line in front of him, Rodgers flinging the ball to Justin Jefferson in a division with the Packers would be the fitting curtain call to his prolific career.