Let's be real—trying to keep track of a list of nfl starting quarterbacks in the middle of January is usually a total nightmare. One day you’re looking at a franchise legend, and the next, some rookie nobody heard of three months ago is taking snaps in a playoff game because of a "freak oblique injury." It's chaotic. It’s messy.
Honestly, the 2025-26 season has been one of the weirdest on record for the position. We’ve seen established stars like Patrick Mahomes go down with late-season ACL tears (leaving us with Chris Oladokun in Kansas City, of all people) and aging vets like Aaron Rodgers trying to find their soul again in Pittsburgh. If you feel like the depth charts are moving under your feet, you're right. They are.
The Playoff Field: Who’s Actually Under Center?
Right now, as we hit the Divisional Round, the list of nfl starting quarterbacks looks nothing like what we predicted back in August. It’s a mix of "the usual suspects" and guys who were basically insurance policies a few weeks ago.
Take the Seattle Seahawks. Sam Darnold has been surprisingly solid all year, but he’s currently nursing an oblique injury. He’s active for today’s game against the 49ers, but honestly, one bad hit and we’re looking at Drew Lock or even Jalen Milroe. Across the field, Brock Purdy remains the steady hand for San Francisco, proving that the "system QB" label is basically just a compliment for "guy who doesn't screw up."
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Then there’s the AFC. Josh Allen is still doing Josh Allen things in Buffalo—hurdling defenders and throwing lasers—but the landscape around him is unrecognizable. With Mahomes out, the path to the Super Bowl goes through Buffalo or Baltimore, where Lamar Jackson is coming off another MVP-caliber campaign. It's wild to think that the Ravens' stability is now the outlier in a league full of turnover.
A Division-by-Division Look at the Starters
If you're looking for the current list of nfl starting quarterbacks across the league as of January 2026, here is how things have shaken out after a brutal regular season.
AFC East: The Changing of the Guard
- Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen. No questions here.
- New York Jets: Brady Cook. The Jets pivoted late in the year after the Justin Fields experiment hit the IR.
- Miami Dolphins: Quinn Ewers. Tua's benching was the drama of the winter, and Ewers is now the guy.
- New England Patriots: Drake Maye. He’s arguably the brightest young star in the division not named Allen.
AFC North: Drama and Dominance
- Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson. Still the gold standard.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow. He’s back, but the frustration with the front office is palpable.
- Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders. He took over for Deshaun Watson late and has brought a completely different energy.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Rodgers. Though whispers of retirement are everywhere after their Wild Card exit.
NFC North: The Most Stable Division?
- Detroit Lions: Jared Goff. The most consistent pocket passer in the league right now.
- Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love. He’s dealing with some dings but remains the undisputed starter.
- Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams. Year two has been a rollercoaster, but he’s the guy.
- Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy. He’s the future, even if his 2025 was marred by a hand injury late.
NFC West: The Oblique Bowl
- San Francisco 49ers: Brock Purdy.
- Seattle Seahawks: Sam Darnold. (Questionable, but starting today).
- Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford. The man is a machine. He might play until he’s 50.
- Arizona Cardinals: Jacoby Brissett. Kyler Murray is on the IR, leaving the veteran to hold down the fort.
Why the Carousel Never Stops
You might be wondering why this list of nfl starting quarterbacks feels so volatile. It's not just injuries. We’re seeing a massive shift in how teams value the position. The days of "waiting for a rookie to develop" are mostly dead. Look at the Colts. Riley Leonard ended the year as the starter because Anthony Richardson's eye injury and Daniel Jones' Achilles tear left them with no choice.
Teams are more willing to pull the plug than ever before. The Dolphins benching Tua Tagovailoa for Quinn Ewers is the perfect example. It was a "win now" move that shocked the locker room but showed that even a $50 million contract won't save you if the production drops off.
Also, can we talk about the "reclamation projects"? Sam Darnold in Seattle and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay have basically written the blueprint for how to save a career. It’s why you see teams like the Giants taking a flyer on Jaxson Dart or the Saints starting Tyler Shough. There's a desperate hope that the next "unwanted" guy is actually a franchise savior in the wrong system.
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The 2026 Offseason: What Happens Next?
The list of nfl starting quarterbacks you see today is going to be shredded by March. We already know the 2026 Draft is looking a bit thin because of NIL money keeping guys like Arch Manning in school. This means the veteran trade market is going to be absolutely insane.
- Joe Burrow might actually force his way out of Cincy.
- Aaron Rodgers is likely headed to a dark room or a retirement home.
- Daniel Jones is a free agent coming off a major injury.
Honestly, the most interesting name to watch is Malik Willis. He’s been the "ultimate backup" in Green Bay, but his Week 17 performance against Baltimore has scouts thinking he’s ready for a full-time starting gig somewhere else.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason
If you’re a fan trying to make sense of this, don't get too attached to the names on the back of the jerseys just yet. Here is what you should actually be watching as we move toward the Super Bowl and the draft:
- Monitor the Medical Reports: Guys like J.J. McCarthy and Cam Ward (Tennessee) are entering the offseason with lingering issues. Their recovery timelines will dictate whether their teams hunt for veterans in free agency.
- Follow the Coaching Hires: A new OC in Pittsburgh or Las Vegas will completely change who they want under center. If the Raiders hire an offensive guru, expect them to move heaven and earth to trade up for someone like Fernando Mendoza.
- Watch the "Dead Cap" Hits: The Dolphins are in a world of hurt with Tua’s contract. How they navigate that will be a masterclass (or a disaster) in salary cap management.
The NFL quarterback landscape is a game of musical chairs played at 100 miles per hour. By the time the Super Bowl trophy is lifted, half the teams on this list will already be looking for someone new.