5 Bold Quarterback Predictions for the 2026 NFL Season

You could justifiably argue that the NFL is actually a running back league nowadays. Kenneth Walker III won the MVP award at the Super Bowl, Saquon dragged the Eagles to the Super Bowl back in 2024, and the 49ers are a far more successful team when CMC is healthy.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t talk about the signal callers ad nauseum.

Cam Ward Scores More Touchdowns Than Jaxson Dart

Ward didn’t run very often in his rookie season, just 39 times in total, but he did average 4.1 yards per carry. He did turn one of his attempts into a 20-yarder, though, and ran two of them in for touchdowns.

The former Miami Hurricane only threw 7 picks in 13 starts, and 6 of those came in his first 8 games as a pro. Fumbling the ball was a major issue, though; Ward put the ball on the ground 11 times in 2025. A lot of those were down to an offensive line that allowed the second-highest pressure rate in the league. That’s why there are seven new offensive linemen in Music City.

Dart ran the ball 86 times in 2025 (!!!) and crossed the whitewash 9 times. Matt Nagy will have a conniption if he tries that this season.

The former Ole Miss signal-caller fumbled five times and threw 5 interceptions in 2025; if he gets anywhere near that in 2026, John Harbaugh will have him riding the pine by Thanksgiving.

Ward’s new offensive coordinator, Brian Daboll, uses an adapted Erhardt-Perkins system, so he’s not going to ask Ward to perform miracles. The Titans will run the ball as much as possible and, once the defense is focused on stopping the run, Ward will throw the ball. With Carnell Tate, Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike and Wan’Dale Robinson catching those passes, he should throw 30 touchdowns in 2025.

Dart has to deal with the Trump curse in 2026; the President has caused the Chiefs to lose a Super Bowl, Team USA to lose the Four Nations Ice Hockey Tournament, Team USA to lose the Ryder Cup, the Commanders to lose 44–22 to the Lions in November. And his attendance at Madison Square Garden saw the end of the Knicks' historic 13-game winning streak.

If the Donald’s new bestie survives preseason, he’ll be doing well.

Geno Smith Leads the League in Taking Sacks (again)

But he’ll still be the best quarterback in NYC. The Jets seem to think their 2025 offensive line was in good shape, but Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields saw a 26.5% pressure rate on their dropbacks. Only three teams, the Cardinals, Titans and Chargers (who were operating with a very injured line,) allowed more pressure!

Bo Nix is in For a Rough Season

Trading for Jaylen Waddle (and drafting Jonah Coleman) has got the great unwashed jumping on the Broncos bandwagon. But it’s not that simple.

Nix’s average Air Yards per Completion was 3.7 yards; Jared Goff led the league with 14.1 yards per completion! And to make things worse, Waddle’s average depth of target is 10.6 yards.

It’ll be easy for Sean Payton to adapt the offense to fit Waddle, but it isn’t going to be easy for Nix to transform into a gunslinger after being Captain Checkdown in 2025.

There’s a reason Denver is in the market for a backup quarterback, and it’s not because Jared Stidham isn’t very good (even if that is true). Some analysts have linked Payton with a move for Saints backup Spencer Rattler; now that would be chaotic. And remember when Derek Carr wanted to come out of retirement?

Ty Simpson Plays More Than Anyone Wants Him To (even himself)

As an old man with a bad back, I can tell you that no amount of drugs can fix it for longer than 12 months. If you have a lower back issue to begin with, eventually your neck gives in and vice versa.

Joe Burrow Leads the League in Touchdown Passes

And the Bengals still miss the playoffs. The Myles Garrett-less Browns are going to give every other team in the AFC North two pretty easy wins, but the Ravens, and maybe even the Steelers, are going to stop the Bengals running the ball.

If Burrow can stay healthy (big if), he’ll throw 40 touchdowns and Chase could catch 20 of them.