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The Five Best Quarterbacks Available in the 2026 NFL Offseason

Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) audibles during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) audibles during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium.

At least five teams are in dire need of a quarterback upgrade. More than that are considering one.

As per offseason tradition in the NFL, demand far outpaces supply in free agency and the draft in 2026.

Starting at the top of the current draft order, the Raiders (No. 1 overall), Jets (No. 2), Cardinals (No. 3), Browns (No. 6), Dolphins (11) are most desperate for a fix. A few have veterans on hand that haven’t worked out with a previous coaching regime.

Keeping them around under the guise of a fresh start might become reality because, frankly, what else are they going to do?

Count the Steelers, Vikings, Saints — no, I’m not yet calling Tyler Shough a bust — and Falcons are all on shaky turf at the QB spot. They might not be defined as desperate, but could find themselves knocking on that door.

Unless an outfit truly covets Kirk Cousins, Justin Fields or Geno Smith, where can they turn? These are the five best quarterbacks available this offseason.

Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (15) talks to the crowd on the podium after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) talks to the crowd on the podium after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

The No. 1 pick barring a calamity of a pro day or Godfather trade offer for the top spot from a team not planning to secure the Heisman Trophy winner, Mendoza might be the second coming of Cousins or an off-brand Joe Burrow. 

Neither would be the worst-case scenario for the Raiders or Jets, who are decades into swinging and missing at quarterback and have the assets to make the match a reality.

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

For a player yet to prove he’s a franchise-caliber quarterback at 29 years old, we know there will be seats available on the Murray bandwagon until he wins consistently. 

But if your alternative today is hoping Michael Penix Jr. avoid another round of Operation in Atlanta or banking on JJ McCarthy suddenly finding it, it could be time to circle Murray’s name on the QB board. He’s all but talked his way out of Arizona. The new coaching staff of the Cardinals is better off to break here and begin anew. Can Murray pull a Sam Darnold with the Vikings under Kevin O’Connell or experience a revival with the Dolphins as a Tua replacement?

Ty Simpson, Alabama

Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) passes against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesJan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) passes against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

He isn’t the classic boom-or-bust quarterback prospect because of his age and plus decision-making and processing from the pocket. Even so, nobody can argue Simpson as a proven or complete product after one season as a starter. The cost and value debates will rage on this prospect and any other under consideration as the second quarterback off the board in the 2026 draft. He doesn’t have a first-round grade for every team and there will be arguments made for draft prospects with higher upside.

Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins

Dec 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) leaves the field following a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn ImagesDec 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) leaves the field following a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Wonder aloud how the Dolphins might reconcile the bill inherited by the new regime in Miami, which calls for a $99.2 cap hit in 2026, but don’t doubt they are ready to let him walk. 

It’s highly unlikely a team wants to trade for Tagovailoa but he’ll get a look as a QB2 for a team unsettled at the position. He could compete with McCarthy if the Vikings don’t find a better solution, head to Arizona with an endorsement from Mike McDaniel to Mike LaFleur, or get a Russell Wilson-type audition as a short-term starter with the Falcons while Penix Jr. heals from an ACL tear. HIs game is built for the dome home field.

Aaron Rodgers, unrestricted free agent

Another one-year fix who could be back in Pittsburgh or try a reunion with Nathaniel Hackett with the Cardinals. 

His best play if the Vikings are willing would be Minnesota. As long as the Vikings have the line in front of him, Rodgers flinging the ball to Justin Jefferson in a division with the Packers would be the fitting curtain call to his prolific career.

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Josh Jung’s 2-run blast lifts Rangers past Athletics

MLB: Athletics at Texas RangersApr 25, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Danny Jansen (9) scores at home plate as Athletics catcher Austin Wynns (29) attempts to make the tag during the third inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Josh Jung hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning as the Texas Rangers beat the Athletics 4-3 on Saturday in Arlington, Texas.

Corey Seager had two hits and an RBI for Texas, which evened the three-game series after losing the opener 8-1 on Friday.

Rangers starter MacKenzie Gore allowed three runs on six hits with three walks and seven strikeouts over five innings. Cole Winn (2-1), Jalen Beeks and Jakob Junis each pitched a scoreless inning before left-hander Jacob Latz retired the Athletics in order in the ninth for his first save.

Shea Langeliers and Jacob Wilson had two hits apiece for the Athletics, who lost despite out-hitting the Rangers 7-5. The Athletics were 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position and fell back into a tie with the Rangers for first place in the American League West.

The Athletics claimed a 1-0 run in the second inning when Wilson doubled and scored on Darell Hernaiz’s two-out single.

Gore allowed two more runs in the third. With two on and no outs, Colby Thomas singled in a run before Tyler Soderstrom grounded out. Wilson followed with a sacrifice fly to score Nick Kurtz from third.

Texas answered with two runs in the third against Jeffrey Springs (3-2). The Rangers loaded the bases with no outs and pushed a run across on Brandon Nimmo’s sacrifice fly before Seager singled in a run with two outs.

Springs gave up four runs on five hits over six innings. He walked two and struck out four.

The Rangers pulled ahead on Jung’s two-run homer in the sixth. Seager hit a leadoff single and Jake Burger flied out before Jung deposited Springs’ 0-1 slider over the right-center field wall.

The 381-foot blast was Jung’s fourth homer of the season. After going 0-for-17 in March, Jung is batting .371 (26-for-70) with 14 RBIs in his last 20 games.

The Athletics put the tying run in scoring position with one out in the eighth on Carlos Cortes’ double, but Jeff McNeil and Austin Wynns each flied out to end the threat.

–Field Level Media

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Michael Lorenzen, double plays help Rockies top Mets

MLB: Colorado Rockies at New York MetsApr 24, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Michael Lorenzen tossed a season-high seven innings and earned the win Friday night for the visiting Colorado Rockies, who beat the New York Mets 4-3 in the opener of a three-game series.

Jake McCarthy laced the tiebreaking RBI double in the sixth while Troy Johnston had what proved to be the decisive two-run single an inning later for the Rockies, who improved to 11-16. Colorado didn’t win its 11th game last season until June 3, when it was 11-50.

TJ Rumfield hit into a run-scoring groundout in the fifth while Ezequiel Tovar finished with two hits.

Marcus Semien hit into a run-scoring double play in the second and Brett Baty delivered a two-run single in the eighth for the Mets, who had won two straight following a 12-game losing streak.

Baty, Mark Vientos and Ronny Mauricio had two hits apiece.

Lorenzen (2-2), who entered Friday with a 7.48 ERA and pitched beyond the fifth just once in his first five starts this season, gave up one run on seven hits and no walks while striking out three. He induced three double plays in his longest outing since last Sept. 19, when the right-hander tossed 7 2/3 innings for the Kansas City Royals in a 20-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Mets immediately rallied in the eighth against Jaden Hill, who gave up four singles, including Baty’s hit, while recording one out. But Antonio Senzatela entered and got Vientos to line into a double play.

The four double plays were the most for the Mets since they hit into four against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sept. 9, 2019.

Senzatela threw a perfect ninth to close out his second save.

Freddy Peralta (1-3) took the loss for the Mets after allowing two runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out eight over 5 2/3 innings.

–Field Level Media

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Junior Caminero, Jonathan Aranda each homer twice as Rays beat Twins

MLB: Minnesota Twins at Tampa Bay RaysApr 24, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jonathan Aranda (8) celebrates a home run during the fourth inning against Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images

Junior Caminero hit a pair of tape-measure home runs and drove in three runs and Jonathan Aranda also homered twice to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to a 6-2 victory over the visiting Minnesota Twins in the opener of a three-game series on Friday night.

It was the fifth career multi-homer game for Caminero, who has hit six home runs during a nine-game hitting streak.

Drew Rasmussen (2-0) picked up the win, allowing one run on five hits over six innings. He walked one and struck out six. Bryan Baker retired all three batters he faced in the ninth for his fifth save.

Brooks Lee homered and doubled in a 3-for-4 game and Royce Lewis also homered for Minnesota, which took its seventh loss in the last eight games

Taj Bradley (3-1), traded by Tampa Bay to Minnesota at the last year’s trade deadline for reliever Griffin Jax, allowed six runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings in his first start against the team that drafted him in the fifth round of the 2018 MLB Draft.

Bradley, who came into the contest third in the American League with a 1.63 ERA, allowed four homers after giving up none in his first five starts of the season.

Tampa Bay took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a 450-foot blast over the batter’s eye in center field by Caminero, the longest home run of his career.

The Rays extended the lead to 2-0 in the third inning when Nick Fortes led off with a double, was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Taylor Walls and scored on a groundout to first by Chandler Simpson.

Aranda led off the bottom of the fourth with a home run down the right field line to make it 3-0, but the Twins cut the lead to 3-1 in the fifth on Lee’s fourth home run.

Aranda led off the sixth with his second homer of the game and sixth of the season, a 414-foot drive deep into the bleachers in right to make it 4-1. Tampa Bay then broke the game open in the seventh when Caminero clubbed a two-run homer, this one a 435-foot drive off the batter’s eye in center, to extend the lead to 6-1.

Lewis ended the scoring with a leadoff homer down the left field line in the ninth off reliever Trevor Martin.

–Field Level Media

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