All articles tagged with #quarterback
Denver’s QB situation is settled under Sean Payton after drafting Bo Nix in 2024 and moving on from Russell Wilson, a stark contrast to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who ESPN-insiders say may skip an early quarterback pick or rely on Day 2/3 prospects (including Will Howard) and thus remain uncertain at signal-caller as 2026 looms.
The Jets face a tough call in the 2026 NFL draft as the QB class lacks a clear top prospect besides Mendoza; Ty Simpson offers NFL-ready throws but limited starts and injury concerns, while Drew Allar has tools but a down 2025 season and footwork issues, leaving the Jets to decide whether to draft a developmental QB or wait for 2027 while still pursuing edge and receiver upgrades.
Kirk Cousins joins the Las Vegas Raiders on a one-year, $20 million deal (with $8.3 million paid by the Falcons) and positions himself to either start or mentor rookie Fernando Mendoza as the franchise rebuilds. After consulting coach Klint Kubiak and receiving guidance from Tom Brady, Cousins embraced Vegas’ culture and the chance to help Mendoza develop, stressing that winning with the right people matters most and that he’ll play if he’s the best option for the team.
The Minnesota Vikings are bolstering their quarterback room for 2026 by signing Kyler Murray to a one-year deal and re-signing Carson Wentz to provide depth behind young J.J. McCarthy, as coach Kevin O’Connell emphasizes Murray’s pocket rhythm and the value of a deep, competitive QB room to ensure quality play and resilience through injuries.
Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said at the NFL owners meetings that he's confident Aaron Rodgers will play another season, though the decision remains Rodgers's personal choice; Rodgers is expected to return to Pittsburgh for a 22nd NFL season, with no specific timeline publicly announced.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said he’s comfortable with a deep quarterback room after signing veterans Carson Wentz and Kyler Murray, joining young QBs J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer. The move aims to ensure quality QB play, healthy competition, and flexibility across the season, with the group expected to push each other and be ready to contribute to winning.
The NFL announced Seattle will headline Hard Knocks for the 2026 season and New England will take over in 2027, while Netflix confirms Season 3 of Quarterback will stream in July.
Steelers owner Art Rooney II says he expects Aaron Rodgers’ decision on returning for 2026 to come before the April 23 NFL draft in Pittsburgh, with retirement or another season in Pittsburgh as likely options. Rodgers helped Pittsburgh reach the 2025 postseason, and Rooney noted Rodgers told him he wouldn’t drag out the decision as long as last year. With Mason Rudolph and Will Howard on the roster, Rodgers’ choice will shape the Steelers’ quarterback plans.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn named Geno Smith the starting quarterback for the 2026 season, confirming the veteran’s return to lead New York after earlier stints in Seattle and with the Raiders. Smith, 35, beat out Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe in a roster that includes those two QBs, and the move follows a Raiders trade that brought him back to the Jets. He previously made the Pro Bowl in Seattle (2022-23) but had a league-high 17 interceptions in 2025 with Las Vegas.
At Alabama’s Pro Day, Ty Simpson said he should be a first-round pick and that as a program changer, he would not only improve himself but also elevate his future team, promising to leave any franchise better than he found it.
Alabama QB Ty Simpson followed up his combine appearance with a pro day in Tuscaloosa that reinforced his status as a potential first-round pick, telling reporters he’s done everything he can while projecting to be a franchise-caliber quarterback; he’s already met with the Rams and Jets as the draft approaches and plans to show teams he can lead a program and elevate a roster.
Alabama QB Ty Simpson delivered a strong pro day, completing 50 of 55 passes and showcasing solid footwork, accuracy, and leadership that reinforce him as the draft class’s second-best QB. Yet durability concerns (back injury, elbow bursitis) and only one year of starting experience leave his NFL future uncertain, with most evaluators projecting a first- or second-round selection but no clear landing spot a month before the draft.
The New York Jets are holding a private workout with Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson as they evaluate draft options, with No. 2 and No. 16 picks and potential trade-up scenarios. Simpson is viewed as the second-best QB in the class behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, following his March 25, 2026 Pro Day in which he threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2025.
DJ Lagway left the Florida spotlight for Baylor to reboot his college career, moving from the Gainesville glare and online lone-wolf years to in-person classes and a fresh start. He’s coping with injuries and the mental strain of hype while Baylor uses Cognilize VR to sharpen his decision-making and his coaches work to unlock his talent, hoping to rebuild a career that was derailed by a tough sophomore season. A team-bonding Miami trip and a deliberate, patient plan from coach Aranda and OC Spavital signal a staged rebuild as Lagway proves he can translate his big‑arm potential into consistent play.
Joe Flacco, back with the Cincinnati Bengals as a backup after being traded mid-season to run their offense while Joe Burrow recovered, says he still believes he can be a starter and criticizes teams for not giving him that opportunity. In nine appearances for Cincinnati last year he threw for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions with a 61.7% completion rate, but those numbers didn't earn him a starting job this season.