Midseason NFL Quarterback Tiers: Reviewing the 2026 Season's Passers

With the 2026 NFL season reaching its midpoint, analysts have revisited preseason quarterback tiers to evaluate performance over the first two months. The evaluation covers 32 expected Week 18 starting signal-callers, excluding players lost for the year like Jaxson Dart and Gardner Minshew, while including Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts.

At the bottom tier of replacement-level players, multiple quarterbacks are facing immense pressure. Deshaun Watson has struggled outside of clutch moments, while J.J. McCarthy continues to deal with pocket presence issues in New York. Miami's Malik Willis remains a stopgap, Daniel Jones appears broken, and Carson Beck was pushed into action after starting the year buried on Arizona's depth chart.

Other notable transitions include Fernando Mendoza taking over the Raiders' starting role after Kirk Cousins was sent back to Minnesota. First-overall pick Mendoza is viewed as a quick processor with high upside, though the offense shifts under his command. Meanwhile, veterans like Justin Herbert have battled struggles within new offensive schemes, and Matthew Stafford faces questions regarding his mobility as a 38-year-old.

What to watch next: Monitor how struggling quarterbacks adjust their play styles and whether replacement-level starters can retain their jobs as the second half of the 2026 NFL season unfolds.