Malik Willis is one of the top quarterbacks in free agency which proves there is far more risk than reward with the 2026 crop

This is not the offseason to need a starting-caliber quarterback.

AJ Schulte, Destin Adams, Evan Winter, Kyle Crabbs, Rob Gregson, Tyler Forness
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The 2026 NFL new league year begins on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET, with the legal tampering period starting two days before then on March 9. On that day, a long list of talented players will look to secure their next contracts and find new homes within the league.

Here at A to Z Sports, we have examined all of the upcoming free agents and compiled a top 100 ranking of this year’s free agency class. In the lead-up to the release of our complete top 100, we will share select positional rankings derived from that list. To start, let’s take a look at the top quarterbacks set to enter free agency.

Below are the writers who not only ranked the players, but also offered up insights and analysis on why the players are ranked where they are:

Who are the top five quarterbacks heading into 2026 free agency?

1. Indianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones

Before tearing his Achilles, which ended his season, Daniel Jones was having the best year of his NFL career. He was playing like a top-10 quarterback in the league, in fact. If it weren’t for the injury, he would probably be in the discussion to become a 50 million a year QB on the open market. 

Jones helped lead the Colts’ offense to impressive heights through the first half of the season. Everything began to collapse when he decided to play through his fractured leg injury. Jones, having to recover from two significant injuries, makes his situation a bit complicated. Still, the ability he showed through the first half of the year is more than enough to say he will be the top QB on the market if he makes it there without a new deal from Indianapolis. – Destin Adams

Three best fits: Colts, Cardinals, Dolphins

A to Z Sports’ Top-100 rank: 12

Daniel Jones’ 2025 stats before tearing his Achilles

  • 13 games
  • 3,101 passing yards
  • 19 passing touchdowns
  • 8 interceptions
  • 238.5 passing yards per game (9th in the NFL)
  • 5 rushing touchdowns

2. Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis

The most fascinating quarterback to hit the free agent market in some time is Malik Willis. After a disastrous two seasons with the Tennessee Titans, he saw his career revitalize over the last two years with the Green Bay Packers. Matt LaFleur seamlessly integrated him into the offense and catered it toward his mobility. 

Willis has alway possessed plus arm talent, and they were able to maximize it with proper coaching. The difficulty here is simple: Willis has just a 3.5 game sample size over the last two years to judge him on. How much do you give a player like that? With how many teams need quarterbacks, it could become a difficult task. – Tyler Forness

Three best fits: Vikings, Steelers, Dolphins

A to Z Sports’ Top-100 rank: 16

3. Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers is no longer the yearly MVP candidate that we saw back at the beginning of the decade. The mobility aspect of his game has eroded to the degree that he has one of the fastest times to throw in the NFL, and he certainly isn’t a fan of standing in there and taking a shot anymore. However, he probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves for the 2025 season. 

Dealing with fourth-string left tackles and a game where, without DK Metcalf, his WR corps totaled 60 receiving yards against the Browns in Week 17, Rodgers was the only player keeping things afloat on Pittsburgh’s offense last year. He still projects to be a middle-of-the-road starter in 2026 with excellent arm talent and football intelligence at age 43. – Rob Gregson

Three best fits: Steelers, Vikings, Dolphins

A to Z Sports’ Top-100 rank: 27

Giants QB Russel Wilson
Jan 4, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) waves to fans after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesJeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

4. New York Giants QB Russell Wilson

Remember when Wilson threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2, and we all wondered if he was back to cooking? Turns out that was just what playing the Cowboys in 2025 was like, as he tailed off in Week 3 and was benched for Jaxson Dart shortly after. 

Wilson might be a decent high-profile backup quarterback at this point of his career if a team needs someone to come in and let the deep ball fly while their starter is recovering, but that’s probably all he can offer at this stage of his career. In an ideal world, he’s a backup mentor for a young quarterback, but I suspect he’d much rather play for a team he has a chance to start at.  – AJ Schulte

Three best fits: Falcons, Colts, Chiefs

A to Z Sports’ Top-100 rank: 136

5. Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Flacco

Big Joe Flacco continues to just keep on ticking. It was a nice reminder of his prime to watch him with the boosted pass catcher group around him in Cincinnati. His play tailed off with the Bengals after about a month, and his viability as a full-season starter has probably come and gone. 

But if you need a dude who could come in for a few weeks and rip it while having a strong grasp on what defenses are trying to do, Flacco could be the right guy for you. – Kyle Crabbs

Three best fits: Giants, Colts, Falcons

A to Z Sports’ Top-100 rank: 137

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