5 NFL QBs Face Make-or-Break Season

J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. among quarterbacks under pressure in 2026

Mar. 2, 2026 at 4:39am

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With the 2025 NFL season in the rearview mirror, the focus has shifted to the upcoming 2026 campaign. While the Seattle Seahawks celebrate their Super Bowl LX victory, several other quarterbacks around the league find themselves on the hot seat and facing a make-or-break year to prove their worth.

Why it matters

Quarterback is the most important position in football, and teams are often only as good as their signal-caller. These five QBs will have a lot riding on their performance in 2026, as they look to either solidify their starting jobs or potentially play themselves out of the league.

The details

The five quarterbacks facing the most pressure in 2026 are J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr., Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis, and Tua Tagovailoa. Each of these players has shown flashes of potential but must take a significant step forward this season to avoid being labeled as busts or backups.

  • The 2025 NFL season recently concluded.

The players

J.J. McCarthy

A former highly touted recruit, McCarthy has struggled to live up to the hype in his first two NFL seasons.

Michael Penix Jr.

After a promising college career, Penix has failed to translate that success to the professional level.

Kenny Pickett

The 2022 first-round pick has shown flashes but needs to take a big leap in his third season.

Malik Willis

The athletic quarterback was a high draft pick in 2023 but has yet to solidify himself as a starter.

Tua Tagovailoa

The former top-5 pick has struggled with injuries and inconsistency, putting his future in Miami in jeopardy.

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The takeaway

The 2026 NFL season will be a critical one for these five quarterbacks, as they look to prove they have what it takes to be long-term starters in the league. Their performances this year could go a long way in determining the trajectories of their careers.