5 NFL quarterbacks with the most at stake in 2026 as their futures, contracts and careers hang in the balance
It’s a big year for these players. Their performances in 2026 could determine where they play next, and for how much money.
The 2026 NFL season will reshape the futures of several quarterbacks across the league. From contract extensions to roster survival, these five signal-callers face campaigns that will determine their long-term standing. Whether it’s proving worthy of elite money or simply holding onto a starting job, the pressure is real for this group.
CJ Stroud, Houston Texans
Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud enters his fourth NFL season with plenty of promise but without firmly establishing himself as a top-10 quarterback. Stroud was 12th in EPA per play and 15th in success rate last season. He already has a $25.9 million fifth-year option secured for 2027, and Spotrac projects his extension at $51.6 million per year. His 2026 performance will determine how aggressively the Texans approach that extension. This is a defining year for Stroud, and Houston’s front office will be watching closely.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is also a fourth-year starter, and the Panthers exercised his $25.9 million fifth-year option for 2027. That decision wasn’t as obvious as Stroud’s. Young has not proven himself as a high-level starter despite some signs of improvement in 2025.
He has never posted a passer rating above 90 in any NFL season, and the Panthers added Kenny Pickett while bringing back Will Grier to the quarterback room this offseason. Spotrac projects Young’s extension at $37.2 million per year, but that number feels questionable given his body of work. This season is about proving he can be a long-term starter for Carolina or anywhere else in the league.
Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis has the opportunity to show he can be a full-time starter after signing a three-year deal worth $22.5 million per year. Willis was a third-round pick by the Tennessee Titans and had a shaky start to his career in Nashville before the Titans traded him to the Green Bay Packers for a seventh-round pick in 2024.
In Green Bay, Willis rebuilt his value with strong performances as a backup to Jordan Love. He made three starts over two years with the Packers and was efficient when he played, but the sample size remained small. Now in Miami without the strongest supporting cast, Willis needs to perform well to keep his job and prove he can be a viable starter for coach Jeff Hefley’s team.
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has already shown he can win a Super Bowl. The question now is whether he can attack the middle of the field consistently and prove he’s an all-around quarterback worthy of the $51.5 million he’s set to earn in each of the next three seasons. Hurts has guarantees through 2027, so if he struggles in 2026, he could become a trade candidate next offseason.
The Eagles hired offensive coordinator Sean Mannion to install a new offensive identity, one that could feature Hurts playing more under center in a scheme similar to what the Packers ran. Because Mannion served as Green Bay’s quarterbacks coach, the hope is that a system resembling what Matt LaFleur, Kyle Shanahan, and Sean McVay run will unlock another level for Hurts. If he doesn’t take that step, the Eagles will likely consider their options at quarterback.
Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings
Kyler Murray signed a veteran minimum contract with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason after the Arizona Cardinals released him. The Cardinals are still paying a significant portion of Murray’s salary, which made the vet minimum deal possible. This is a massive season for Murray.
If he plays well under head coach Kevin O’Connell with weapons like wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Murray could earn a substantial contract extension from the Vikings next offseason. If he struggles and cannot secure the starting spot over J.J. McCarthy, Murray might find himself without a starting job in 2027. The stakes are equally high for Minnesota, because if the McCarthy selection hasn’t panned out, finding a real replacement option in Murray would be significant for the franchise’s long-term quarterback plans.