NFL free agency rankings 2026: Daniel Jones, Aaron Rodgers headline top QBs available

The Super Bowl is behind us and it’s officially the offseason, which means the start of NFL free agency for the 2026 season is close at hand. Teams are hard at work building out their plans for their own players, while keeping a close eye on the available free agents heading into the 2026 offseason. Today we’re going to take a look at the projected free agent quarterbacks in the 2026 class, as I give my best guess at how these players are likely to be ranked by NFL teams.

Keep in mind this listing only includes quarterbacks who are currently slated to become free agents. Several players–like Kirk Cousins, Kyler Murray, and Jacoby Brissett–may eventually join the list, but not yet. On paper, this is a class with a few bonafide starters available. But that won’t last long, as Daniel Jones is widely expected to remain with the Colts and Aaron Rodgers is considering retirement. Still, there are a number of solid bridge starters and top backups on the market, and we know several are likely to wind up starting games this season. Let’s take a closer look at the 2026 free agent quarterback class.

Daniel Jones

2025 Stats: 13 starts | 261/384 (68%) for 3101 yards (8.1 YPA), 19 TDs, 8 INTs, 100.2 passer rating, 22 sacks taken (5.42%) | 45 carries for 164 yards (3.6 YPC), 5 rushing TDs

After flaming out in his final year with the Giants and winding up as a backup in Minnesota to close out the 2024 season, Daniel Jones made his way to Indianapolis to compete with Anthony Richardson. Jones was named the starter early in camp, and immediately became one of 2025’s best success stories. He led the Colts to an 8-2 start before a three-game skid and subsequent season-ending injury. Jones still has some boom-or-bust tendencies, but also showed off his playmaking and dual-threat ability. It’s very likely he returns to Indianapolis, but if not, he’ll be the biggest name on the market.

Aaron Rodgers

2025 Stats: 16 starts | 327/498 (65.7%) for 3322 yards (6.7 YPA), 24 TDs, 7 INTs, 94.8 passer rating, 29 sacks taken (5.5%) | 21 carries for 61 yards (2.9 YPC), 1 rushing TD

It’s an open question if Aaron Rodgers will retire after a disappointing end to the 2025 season, but the Steelers bringing in Mike McCarthy could convince him to return. Rodgers was a solid starter for Pittsburgh last season, but has lost a significant amount of mobility. He’s still a dangerous passer if he can be kept clean, and wasn’t put in the most advantageous offense last year. If he returns, he’ll have a market as a bridge starter in a weak QB draft.

Malik Willis

2025 Stats: 4 games played, 1 start | 30/35 (85.7%) for 422 yards (12.1 YPA), 3 TDs, 0 INT, 145.5 passer rating, 3 sacks taken (7.89%) | 22 carries for 123 yards (5.6 YPC), 2 rushing TDs

Perhaps the most intriguing free agent quarterback in the class, Malik Willis has consistently improved since joining the Packers via trade prior to the 2024 season. He’s looked like a potential NFL starter when filling in for an injured Jordan Love, piling up yardage through the air and on the ground while avoiding turnovers. It’s a small sample size in a very well-run offense, but Willis offers the most tantalizing upside of any option in the free agent market and will be just 27 years old in 2026.

Marcus Mariota

2025 Stats: 11 games played, 8 starts | 139/227 (61.2%) for 1695 yards (7.5 YPA), 10 TDs, 7 INTs, 86.1 passer rating, 16 sacks taken (6.58%) | 50 carries for 297 yards (5.9 YPC), 1 rushing TD

One of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL, Marcus Mariota has never quite been able to establish himself as a long-term starter. When pressed into action for an injured Jayden Daniels for half the season, Mariota delivered some good games but never really got above “solid” as the Commanders struggled. If you need a spot starter for a handful of games, Mariota remains a top option. Beyond that, his limitations as a passer begin to show.

Mitchell Trubisky

2025 Stats: 4 games played | 25/35 (71.4%) for 313 yards (8.9 YPA), 4 TDs, 0 INT, 137.0 passer rating, 0 sacks taken

Mitchell Trubisky is one of the more interesting quarterbacks available on the market. His career as a starter was a roller coaster of good and bad, but he’s since become a very reliable (if rarely used) backup for the Bills. When Trubisky took the field, he looked very effective. But playing in mostly garbage time isn’t exactly a great data point. Trubisky has played well enough to potentially earn a shot as a bridge starter, and it’ll be very interesting to see how he’s valued by the NFL.

Joe Flacco

2025 Stats: 13 games played, 10 starts | 251/416 (60.3%) for 2479 yards (6.0 YPA), 15 TDs, 10 INTs, 79.2 passer rating, 18 sacks taken (4.15%) | 21 carries for 35 yards (1.7 YPC), 1 rushing TD

Somehow, Joe Flacco just keeps slinging it. Heading into his age 41 season, Flacco continues to look like a very good backup quarterback and even potential short-term starter for a team in need. He’s a more limited player at this stage of his career and will need a good system and offensive line around him to have success, but Flacco will be one of the most coveted backups in the league if he returns for another season.

Tyrod Taylor

2025 Stats: 6 games played, 4 starts | 80/134 (59.7%) for 779 yards (5.8 YPA), 5 TDs, 5 INTs, 72.9 passer rating, 14 sacks taken (9.46%) | 27 carries for 143 yards (5.3 YPC), 1 rushing TD

Tyrod Taylor has been one of the NFL’s most reliable and steady backup quarterbacks for his entire career. As a starter, he’s limited, but he can keep the offense on schedule and offers some dual-threat ability to keep the defense honest. Taylor is now entering his age 37 season and is likely to become a more limited athlete over time, but he’s still a quality veteran option who offers spot starter ability.

Russell Wilson

2025 Stats: 6 games played, 3 starts | 69/119 (58%) for 831 yards (7.0 YPA), 3 TDs, 3 INTs, 77.4 passer rating, 10 sacks taken (7.75%) | 18 carries for 106 yards (5.9 YPC)

It’s been interesting to watch the evolution of Russell Wilson over the years, from electric young player to Super Bowl champion to NFL spot starter. Things have changed quickly for Wilson, who quickly fell out of favor in Denver and found himself fighting for a starting job with the Steelers and then the Giants. At this stage of his career, Wilson is an unreliable high-variance quarterback. His experience and playmaking ability still give him appeal as a high-end backup, but his days as a Week 1 starter are likely over.

Tyler Huntley

2025 Stats: 5 games played, 2 starts | 52/67 (77.6%) for 426 yards (6.4 YPA), 2 TDs, 0 INT, 103.1 passer rating, 8 sacks taken (10.67%) | 24 carries for 151 yards (6.3 YPC)

The former Pro Bowl quarterback and longtime Lamar Jackson backup spent a year with the Dolphins before rejoining the Ravens for the 2025 season. Huntley remains a quality backup who fits very well into Baltimore’s system and is generally an efficient dual threat player when called upon. His ability as a starter seems fairly limited, but his consistently solid play will make him one of the NFL’s most coveted backups once again–particularly for teams with dual threat QBs.

Sam Howell

2025 Stats: N/A

At this point in the list, it’s basically “pick your favorite guy”. I have some interest in seeing how Sam Howell continues to develop, after some intriguing flashes as a single-season starter for the Commanders. Howell didn’t play much as a backup in Seattle or with the Eagles this season, but he’ll be just 26 during the 2026 season and at least has a full season’s worth of starting experience under his belt. Hopefully, continued development will allow Howell to limit the turnovers while continuing his aggressive style of play.