All articles tagged with #quarterback
Falcons/NFL coach Kevin Stefanski refused to speculate on who will start at quarterback in Week 1 against the Steelers, saying he wants to evaluate Michael Penix in practice as he returns from ACL rehab while Tua Tagovailoa remains in camp competition; the Week 1 starter remains unresolved weeks before the season.
Vanderbilt has named fourth-year quarterback Blaze Berlowitz the starting quarterback for the 2026 season, edging out true freshman Jared Curtis and replacing Diego Pavia. Berlowitz saw limited action as Pavia’s backup last year after transferring from New Mexico State, and will guide a schedule that includes SEC showdowns with Georgia, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Florida, plus a Week 13 visit from Tennessee. Pavia’s 2025 line was 3,192 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, along with 826 rushing yards and 9 rushing scores.
Five-star freshman Faizon Brandon has been named Tennessee's starting quarterback for the 2026 season, beating out George MacIntyre after spring and fall scrimmages. He faces a brutal early schedule starting with Furman and a road test at Georgia Tech, but Tennessee’s strong offensive line and skill players aim to ease the transition as the Vols pursue a return to the CFP.
A Sports/Athletic take argues Deshaun Watson has repeatedly avoided accountability amid sexual misconduct allegations and underwhelming play, with preseason boos and a tense Browns quarterback competition against Shedeur Sanders raising questions about the franchise’s gamble and future under his leadership.
RTI’s Chris Low, on the RTI Low-Down, says five-star freshman Faizon Brandon has separated himself in Tennessee’s quarterback competition over sophomore George MacIntyre and is expected to be the starter, a move that would mark UT’s first true-start quarterback since 2004, though Josh Heupel’s official timeline for announcing the choice remains to be seen.
Watson’s rough showing against the Bills and his public rebuke of Browns fans who booed him complicate Cleveland’s QB plans. With coach Todd Monken expected to name a Week 1 starter, the Browns face a binary choice: start Watson again or cut him, given his $230 million investment and injury history. A rebound in upcoming road tests at Jacksonville and Tampa Bay could keep the plan intact; a poor showing could force a change.
Browns coach Todd Monken says a starting quarterback will be named on Monday after weighing a few factors, with Deshaun Watson’s preseason reception not impacting the decision; Monken is focused on team performance, and if Watson isn’t the starter, the plan could involve Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green in the final preseason game.
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule named Anthony Colandrea the starting quarterback for the 2026 season, opening Sept. 5 against Ohio. The Virginia/UNLV transfer brings extensive starter experience (31 games, 61 total touchdowns, 45 turnovers) plus mobility and playmaking ability, which could unlock a more dynamic, run-heavy, RPO-friendly offense. Backup competition remains with TJ Lateef and Daniel Kaelin, but Colandrea’s pedigree and leadership position him as the likely catalyst for improved results on a challenging schedule (ranked 21st hardest by ESPN’s FPI).
Colts backups were overwhelmed 34-6 at home by Atlanta in Week 2 of the preseason, highlighting questions at quarterback behind Richardson and Leonard, while Seth McGowan emerged as the lead backup RB and Deion Burks showed promise at receiver and as a returner; the defense and special teams showed mixed results as a kicking competition between Shrader and Grupe tightened.
Per Gerry Dulac, the Steelers plan to keep Will Howard and Drew Allar on the 53-man roster, likely carrying four quarterbacks; this comes after a 17-0 preseason loss to the Jets in which Howard went 10-of-15 for 74 yards with two INTs and Allar went 11-of-23 for 110 yards with three sacks. Mason Rudolph remains the veteran backup behind a 42-year-old starter, raising questions about quarterback depth.
Alabama has named Keelon Russell as its starting quarterback, edging out Austin Mack. Russell, a sophomore and former five-star recruit, brings dual-threat ability and high upside to a Tide offense in transition with many young players expected to contribute. The decision underscores Alabama’s focus on athleticism and long-term development at quarterback, as the team faces a challenging schedule and rebuilds its lineup around a new offense led by coaches Ryan Grubb and Kalen DeBoer.
CBS Sports fantasy analyst Jacob Gibbs names 18 players he believes could define the 2026 fantasy season, highlighting late-round RB upside like Jonathon Brooks and high-upside pass-catchers such as A.J. Brown, Luther Burden, Tucker Kraft, and Oronde Gadsden II, plus Jaxson Dart at QB, across teams including the Panthers, Bears, Packers, Vikings, and Buccaneers, with roles, target shares, and favorable schedules driving value in 2026 drafts.
Marshall Manning, Peyton's freshman son at Baylor School in Chattanooga, played a few snaps as the backup quarterback in the season opener, wearing No. 16. He’s seen as the next in the Manning QB line, with Arch Manning starring at Texas and the family legacy extending from grandfather Archie to Eli and beyond, though he’ll wait his turn to start.
A Falcons beat writer uses the Colts’ joint practices to gauge the team’s quarterback situation, noting how reps and environment shape early impressions, while also touching on the broader NFL context with updates on Tua Tagovailoa’s likely Week 1 start and Michael Penix Jr.’s potential to start later if healthy; the piece also links to coverage from multiple outlets and previews the upcoming preseason game against the Colts.
Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak again declined to name a regular-season starter between veteran Kirk Cousins and rookie Fernando Mendoza, keeping the quarterback competition unresolved ahead of the preseason finale and a Sept. 13 opener vs. the Dolphins. Cousins has led camp so far, while Mendoza flashed in the preseason and is viewed as the long-term option to develop behind the veteran, a dynamic that has drawn scrutiny as the team balances development with winning now.