The 2026 NFL Draft consists of a deep quarterback class, including Cade Klubnik and Drew Allar among others. Quarterbacks have far and away the most positional value in football. Teams that need a franchise signal-caller often spend their first-round picks in hopes of getting one. Some potential long-term quarterback options haven’t panned out, while others are getting up there in age.
Five Teams Looking to Take a Quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft
Cleveland Browns
The Browns have the most congested quarterback room in the NFL entering 2025. Deshaun Watson may miss the entire 2025 season due to injury and might have already taken his last snap with the organization. This leaves a four-way quarterback battle between Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. Flacco found some success with Cleveland in 2023 en route to a playoff berth; however, at 40, he isn’t a long-term option. The Browns just drafted Gabriel and Sanders in the third and fifth rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, respectively. While one of the rookies may show promise, their margin for error is thin. Considering the low draft capital Cleveland invested in them, the franchise can easily go forward with a top quarterback prospect in 2026.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh has been in search of a true franchise quarterback ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season. The Steelers didn’t address the position with their first-round selection; however, that likely won’t be the case next April. They signed Aaron Rodgers to a one-year deal, but Rodgers is 41, and retirement seems probable after 2025. Pittsburgh drafted Will Howard in the sixth round earlier this offseason. Unless Howard gets on the field and thrives as a rookie, the organization will turn its attention to the 2026 quarterback class. Solidifying the most important position will go a long way in snapping a six-game playoff losing streak.
Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson is entering a pivotal third season after being drafted fourth overall in 2023. His first two years in Indianapolis have been plagued by injury and subpar performance. Richardson enters 2025 battling for the starting job with Daniel Jones. The physical traits are still present with Richardson, but NFL teams are increasingly impatient with their young quarterbacks. Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen need the on-field results to improve sooner rather than later. Richardson staying healthy and showing drastic improvement is the Colts best bet at making the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Unless said improvement happens in 2025, Indianapolis will be in the market for a new signal-caller come April.
New Orleans Saints
Like Pittsburgh, New Orleans has been looking for a long-term option under center since losing a future Hall of Famer to retirement. The Saints have missed the playoffs every year since Drew Brees hung up his cleats after 2020. Derek Carr’s retirement earlier this offseason left a void at quarterback for the franchise. New Orleans returns Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener, along with adding second-round pick Tyler Shough. Neither Rattler nor Haener have shown a ton of promise to this point in their respective NFL careers. Shough should get a chance to show what he’s got in Kellen Moore’s offense this fall. Barring a strong rookie showing from Shough, the Saints will be one of the top candidates to take a quarterback early in 2026.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have been a consistent winner ever since trading for Matthew Stafford, making the playoffs in three of four seasons and winning Super Bowl LVI since he arrived. Stafford is still a productive player; however, he will be 38 with one year left on his contract by the time the draft rolls around. His successor doesn’t appear to be on the Rams current roster. Los Angeles has two first-round picks in 2026 after its trade with Atlanta. This gives the Rams options regarding their 2026 NFL Draft strategy. If the Falcons struggle this season, that pick will be high enough to get their next quarterback. Even if Atlanta has a strong 2025 and makes the playoffs, Los Angeles has two first-round picks it can trade to move up and find Stafford’s eventual replacement.
Main Photo: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
The post Five Teams Looking to Take a Quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.