Don't be surprised if these 9 NFL players break out in 2026

The jump from college football to the NFL is rarely a smooth transition.

Not every NFL player reaches the heights of their capabilities from the jump. For many of them, breakouts happen in second, third or fourth seasons at the next level.

Last year, quarterback Drake Maye and wide receiver George Pickens had massive breakout seasons. The former finished as the NFL MVP runner-up while leading the league in completion rate, and the latter finished third in the NFL with 1,429 receiving yards. Maye was in his second NFL season last year, and Pickens was in his fourth.

Entering the 2026 season, there are several new candidates poised for breakout seasons after underwhelming starts to their careers. Here are nine players in a good spot to break out this year:

BENCH WATCH: Six NFL quarterbacks who could lose starting jobs in 2026

WR Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

McMillan's career story so far has been one of injuries. Through two seasons, the Buccaneers' wideout has managed to play in just 17 games total. As a rookie, McMillan missed four games with hamstring injuries and settled in as quarterback Baker Mayfield's fourth favorite target behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and tight end Cade Otton. In his second season, McMillan missed the first 13 games of the year after sustaining a scary neck injury in the preseason.

Upon his return, McMillan played well in a limited sample size of four games. He finished the 2025 season with 178 yards on 12 catches (15 targets) for an average of 14.8 yards per reception and 11.9 yards per target. McMillan's best performance – and perhaps one that's a sign of what is to come – was a seven-catch, 114-yard outing against the Miami Dolphins.

McMillan should have less competition for targets in 2026. Evans went to San Francisco in free agency, and Godwin is entering his age-30 season after a year in which his 2024 ankle injury clearly hampered him. Second-year Emeka Egbuka will be competing with McMillan for "breakout" status in the Bucs' receivers room. Still, expectations are that he and McMillan will split the bulk of the target share alongside Otton in 2026.

QB Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft had a debut season that was more forgettable than notable. Though Ward finished the year with more than 3,000 passing yards, his completion rate was below 60%, he only threw for 15 touchdowns with seven interceptions in 17 starts and he led the NFL in sacks taken (55) and sack yards lost (410).

Ward can't shoulder all of the blame for his shaky rookie season. The Titans had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, a weak room of receivers missing top dog Calvin Ridley for 10 games with a broken leg, and a bad head coach whom the Titans fired midseason.

This year, Ward enters the season with an overhauled coaching staff – led by head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll – and an overhauled receiving corps that now features Wan'Dale Robinson and No. 4 overall pick Carnell Tate. With more competence around him, Ward seems poised to leap forward in his sophomore campaign.

DT Walter Nolen III, Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals' 16th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft only got to play six games as a rookie thanks to calf and knee injuries knocking him out for more than half of the season in total. In those six games, Nolen looked dominant.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave the Ole Miss product a defensive grade of 74.1 for his rookie season, good for 16th among NFL defensive linemen last year. Nolen's most impressive performances were as an interior pass-rusher, where he accumulated 15 pressures in 99 pass-rush snaps, per PFF, including two sacks. Nolen also had two batted passes in six games as a rookie.

Provided he can stay healthy, Nolen appears set to take the league by storm as a dangerous interior defender in the middle of the Cardinals' D-line. He has not yet recorded his first NFL start, but former Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon had him playing more than 50% of defensive snaps in three out of six games last year. With Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson departing in the offseason, Nolen has room to see more action and step up in a big way for a rebuilding Cardinals squad.

Edge Nic Scourton, Carolina Panthers

As a 21-year-old rookie in 2025, Scourton led Panthers edge rushers and was tied for the team lead with five sacks. He also led the team with 37 total pressures, according to PFF. Carolina's next-best edge rusher last year was D.J. Wonnum, who tallied three sacks on 31 pressures, per PFF.

Wonnum is now a member of the Lions after signing a one-year contract in free agency, and Scourton's new pass-rushing mate is Jaelan Phillips – arguably the top edge defender on the market this offseason. In addition, the Panthers also brought in linebacker Devin Lloyd, one of the league's best pass-rushers at his position, in free agency.

During the 2026 season, opponents' offensive lines will have to split their attention between Phillips, Lloyd and Scourton. Carolina's upgraded defense means Scourton should have more chances to excel in his second season, and it should not be surprising if he reaches the double-digit sack mark in Year 2.

WR Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers

Few NFL players have been as unlucky as Pearsall has been in the last two seasons. Before his rookie year, the 49ers' first-round pick was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery and wasn't able to play until Week 7 as he recovered. In 2025, the wideout landed on the PUP list before training camp with a hamstring injury, played four games to begin the year, then missed six games with a PCL injury.

When he's been able to play, Pearsall has played well. He has 928 yards and three touchdowns on 67 catches through his first 20 games across two seasons. His 73.2 receiving grade on PFF ranked in the top 50 in 2025, and he was credited with catching nine of his 11 contested targets.

Entering 2026, Pearsall has an opportunity to step into a more pronounced role with the 49ers – should he stay healthy. San Francisco added veteran Mike Evans in free agency but lost Jauan Jennings, their top receiver in 2025. Brandon Aiyuk seems to be on his way out of the Bay Area one way or another. Pearsall is expected to start across from Evans this year and could be in for a big season if his health holds up.

CB Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars

After the Jaguars traded up to the No. 2 overall pick to select Hunter, a two-way starter from Colorado, in the 2025 NFL Draft, he only managed to play seven games before his season ended early with a knee injury. Hunter split his time between wide receiver and cornerback in his first season in Jacksonville, though he played exactly twice as many snaps on offense (324) as he did on defense (162).

In 2026, the Jaguars are expected to prioritize Hunter's cornerback snaps. ESPN's Ian Rapoport reported in April that the team sees the second-year player as a "full-time corner, part-time receiver." That shift in expectations correlates with the level of contribution Hunter made on each side of the ball last year. Despite the heavier offensive snap count, Hunter graded better as a cornerback, per PFF, which gave the rookie a 73.2 defensive grade and 62.2 offensive grade.

A heavier emphasis on defense should fare well for Hunter in his second season. There will be less pressure both mentally and physically on the former Heisman Trophy winner (and his knees) with a narrowed focus on the position he has played better over the last couple of years. The 2026 season could be a real coming-out party for Hunter's defensive prowess if he manages to stay healthy.

WR Isaac TeSlaa, Detroit Lions

TeSlaa was a star for the Lions in the preseason last year, taking advantage of his big frame to haul in 10 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns – all of which were tightly contested. In his regular season debut, TeSlaa caught a one-handed, 13-yard touchdown pass for his lone catch of the game.

But TeSlaa was not able to parlay his early success into a sustained volume output for the remainder of the season. He finished his rookie campaign with 16 catches for 239 yards. However, he also caught six touchdown passes – third-most on the team – on 27 targets as quarterback Jared Goff and the Lions' offense made TeSlaa a focal point of their red-zone efforts.

The second-year player will still need to compete with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams for targets in 2026, but Kalif Raymond departed in free agency, moving TeSlaa up the depth chart. In addition, early reports from camp are that TeSlaa has made a notable leap in athleticism and strength. It's unclear as of yet how new OC Drew Petzing plans to get TeSlaa involved, but he's unquestionably a player that could excel with more touches in 2026.

CB Nohl Williams, Kansas City Chiefs

What could have convinced the Chiefs that their secondary would be alright after trading away starting cornerback Trent McDuffie and letting fellow starter Jaylen Watson walk in free agency? Perhaps it was the quietly excellent performance of 2025 third-rounder Williams in limited looks.

Williams appeared in all 17 games as a rookie with five starts during the 2025 season. In his 17 appearances, he accumulated 272 snaps in coverage and graded out as the 15th-best coverage corner in the NFL, per PFF, between Bucs standout Jamel Dean and Colts star Sauce Gardner. His 75.6 coverage grade was better than both McDuffie's (74.7) and Watson's (68.4) – albeit in a smaller sample size – and his 20% forced incompletion rate, per PFF, was 10th-best of all NFL cornerbacks with at least 150 snaps last year.

With McDuffie and Watson both in Los Angeles bolstering the Rams' secondary, Williams will have a big chance to step up and show out in Year 2.

RB Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders

After the season Jeanty had to finish his college career – 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in 14 games – his rookie season performance was a disappointment by comparison. The Raiders' rookie finished with fewer than 1,000 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 266 carries.

However, Jeanty also was involved in the passing game – 55 catches for 346 yards and five more touchdowns – that helped buoy the overall production of his first season. Still, an average of 3.7 yards per carry as a rusher – after averaging seven yards per carry at Boise State in 2024 – set a low floor for Jeanty's NFL production.

The good news for the Raiders and their starting running back is his floor should be significantly higher in 2026 thanks to some key offseason changes. Las Vegas has a new anchor on its offensive line with its signing of top free agent center Tyler Linderbaum, and the unit will be boosted further by left tackle Kolton Miller's healthy return. In addition, the Raiders drafted quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed veteran Kirk Cousins to be a bridge.

When paired with new head coach Klint Kubiak and his offense, both quarterbacks should elevate the Raiders' offense and make it more dynamic. Teams will have to respect Las Vegas' passing attack more than they did in 2025, when Geno Smith led the league with 17 interceptions. Jeanty should get more opportunities to shine as a rusher in 2026.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Don't be surprised if these 9 NFL players break out in 2026

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Patrick Mahomes gets candid about ambitious ‘goal’ in Chiefs injury recovery

Patrick Mahomes Chiefs

Consider Patrick Mahomes an optimist regarding his injury timeline. 

Despite suffering a torn ACL in a Week 15 loss to the Chargers last season, the two-time NFL MVP said he’s on track to be ready for the Chiefs’ Week 1 game against the Broncos. 

“That’s my goal,” Mahomes told Yahoo Sports on Wednesday. “I’ve said that since the beginning is being ready to go Week 1. I can’t predict the future and I know that it’s a long process. It’s not just my decision, but at the same time I’m going to give the doctors and the coaches every single opportunity I can to let me be out there Week 1.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws a pass. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

“I don’t want to miss that game [against the Broncos] because that’s the team that won the division while we were gone and you want to be out there and ready to go with your teammates.”

Mahomes also said he hopes his medical team and coaching staff will ultimately give him the “green light” for a Week 1 comeback.

Mahomes missed the final three games of 2025 with the injury, as the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. 

He was held out of full-team drills but has participated in offseason workouts. 

Mahomes said he missed being on the field with his teammates and that after the injury, it was time to move his focus to 2026. 

Patrick Mahomes lies on the ground holding his knee after being injured in the fourth quarter the Chiefs’ 16-13 loss to the Chargers on Dec. 14, 2025 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

“After the season ended, it was just about getting back out there and try and do whatever I can to be able to participate in OTAs, which I did, and be ready to go for training camp,” Mahomes added. “I know it’s a long process, but you have these end goals. I’m just trying to achieve those end goals by dominating every single day.” 

“We’ve had a great recovery program going these last few months and we’re in a good spot. Now it’s just about trying to continue to do that so that I’m ready to go when the season comes around.” 

After going 0-3 without Mahomes in 2025, it’s safe to say the Chiefs need him back at full strength. 

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes runs with the ball against the Jets. Robert Sabo for NY Post

Through eight years as a starter, Mahomes has thrown 267 touchdowns and over 35,000 yards, transforming the Chiefs into a dynasty with three Super Bowl wins and five overall appearances.

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Mitchell Robinson is a perfect fit for Mazzulla Ball and the Celtics

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 19: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks goes up for the rebound during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 19, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The 2025-26 Boston Celtics were an elite regular season team last season because they dominated on the margins. Low turnovers and dominating the glass were the foundation. By signing Mitchell Robinson, the Celtics are deepening their belief in that idea.

No, Mitchell Robinson does not shoot threes and no, Mitchell Robinson will not become a three-point threat once he starts playing for the Celtics. Mazzulla Ball is not all about shooting threes. Are there still people who really still believe that?

Mazzulla Ball is about dominating the margins — winning the possession battle and taking more shots than your opponent plays a big part of that and winning the rebounding and turnover battle are the best ways to win the possession battle.

Well, who better to add than the best offensive rebounder in the NBA?

Robinson had the best offensive rebounding rate in the NBA last season, rebounding 21.2% of Knicks misses, according to Cleaning the Glass. The Celtics were 5th in the NBA in offensive rebounding rate last season at 31.8%. Robinson will make the Celtics even better at something they were already very good at.

Robinson also took a big leap as a defensive rebounder a season ago. Entering last season, Robinson’s career high in defensive rebounding rate was 18.2% in 2023. Last season, that number jumped to 23.1%.

After struggling at the beginning of last season due to rebounding, the Celtics shored up their defensive rebounding, they were 2nd in the NBA in defensive rebounding rate from December 1st on. The addition of Robinson and return of Jayson Tatum should boost them even higher in that regard.

Speaking of Tatum, the two man game between Robinson and Tatum should be elite. According to Basketball University, since 2016, Robinson is the most efficient roller in the NBA.

Most Efficient Roll Men since 2016…

Red Zone Targets pic.twitter.com/PieOa3RuVL

— Basketball University (@UofBasketball) July 7, 2026

One thing the Celtics did not do a great job of last season was forcing turnovers. They ranked 23rd in opponent turnover percentage. Both big Celtics additions, Robinson and Paul George, will help with that.

Robinson was 10th in the NBA among big men last season in steal percentage, at 2%. Robinson, in fact, is one of the best defensive players in the NBA.

An elite rim protector, Robinson is also very good when he switches, as seen by his steal percentage. He can move his feet extremely well, which allows for teams to switch more than they typically would. This can allow Boston to use Derrick White as their roamer and have Robinson guard centers.

Robinson does have his weak points. First is health; Robinson has missed games throughout his career and didn’t play in back-to-backs last season, something that I would expect to carry over into this season. Secondly is the free throw shooting.

I feel like we all know Robinson is a really bad free throw shooter. It was hard to miss the “worst in NBA history” graphic during the Finals.

Mitchell Robinson's free throw percentage in the playoffs is the worst in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/CwnaAbiQTB

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) June 11, 2026

The good news for the Celtics is they don’t ever get to the line, so they don’t spend much time in the bonus, which means teams can’t play Hack-a-Mitch.

Mitchell Robinson is an awesome player who is going to fit in beautifully with the Celtics next season as they look to get back to the Finals. Also, if someone says “Mazzulla Ball is all about threes,” just ignore them because they don’t know what they are talking about.

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Grades for Chiefs' offseason reset, from free agency haul to Taylor Swift aura

The Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2025 NFL season hoping to become the first team to earn a Super Bowl three-peat.

Instead, they sputtered to their worst-ever finish during Andy Reid's 13 seasons in Kansas City.

The Chiefs posted just a 6-11 record in a season that was marred by a bevy offensive issues that led to the team struggle badly in one-score contests. Kansas City lost starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee in the game during which it was eliminated from playoff contention, adding injury to what was already an insulting season.

As such, Kansas City entered the offseason hoping for two things: get healthy and reshape its roster to better support Mahomes, especially with him returning from a significant injury.

Were the Chiefs able to accomplish those goals? Here's a complete breakdown of Kansas City's offseason and whether the team has the talent and pathway needed to be a contender in 2026.

Kansas City Chiefs offseason report card

Free agency: C

Free agency was a mixed bag for the Chiefs. On the one hand, they made a notable upgrade to their running game by signing Kenneth Walker to replace Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. The Super Bowl 60 MVP should help take pressure off Mahomes, which could prove critical as the 31-year-old quarterback returns from his significant knee injury.

However, the Chiefs also lost a lot of talent, particularly on defense. Notably, they lost three starters from their secondary, as cornerback Jaylen Watson and safety Bryan Cook signed with the Rams and Bengals in free agency while star cornerback Trent McDuffie was traded to the Rams.

That overhaul, along with the loss of linebacker Leo Chenal, could prove a lot for the Chiefs to overcome on defense even after adding some solid veteran depth in the form of defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, safety Alohi Gilman and CB L'Jarius Sneed.

NFL draft: B+

The good news for the Chiefs? They had a rock-solid 2026 NFL Draft that helped shore up their defense. Kansas City spent its first three picks on that side of the ball, landing the draft's top cornerback, Mansoor Delane, a potential-packed defensive tackle in Peter Woods and an explosive, high-motor edge rusher in R Mason Thomas.

The Chiefs also spent a seventh-round selection on quarterback Garrett Nussmeier – viewed by many as a Day 2 talent – after he slid due to injury. Having him to develop behind Mahomes and free-agent signee Justin Fields will be nice for Reid.

State of the roster: B-

This version of the Chiefs has more concerns than previous iterations. The cornerback group is particularly suspect, though Delane's presence raises that unit's ceiling. Elsewhere, the team is thinner than most would like at receiver while right tackle remains a question mark.

Still, Mahomes remains one of the NFL's best quarterbacks even with the questions facing him in his return. Kansas City's interior offensive line remains strong thanks to the Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith pairing while Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy could be a strong receiver duo, if all goes well.

Defensively, the Chiefs still look strong up the middle thanks to Chris Jones and the team's newly-acquired interior depth as well as the Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill partnership at linebacker. It's just a matter of whether they will be able to hold up in coverage with their new-look secondary.

All that's to say that while the Chiefs still have an above-average roster, it has far more holes than many of its recent Super Bowl-winning units have.

Chance of contending in 2026: B

There are some factors working against the Chiefs this season. They play in the AFC West, which figures to once again be one of the toughest divisions in football, and will need to stay afloat early in the season either without Mahomes or with him still getting his injured left leg under him.

Kansas City is also undergoing a lot of changes on defense, so it may take a while before Steve Spagnuolo's unit is playing at its peak.

Still, there's plenty of evidence to suggest that Reid and Co. will be able to turn this team into a playoff contender once again. He and Mahomes have three rings together, after all.

Long-term outlook and team direction: A-

The Chiefs still have a rosy outlook long-term. Realistically, that will remain as long as the Reid-Mahomes partnership is in effect. Sure, the team will have to get creative with its finances considering the quarterback's record-breaking contract, but GM Brett Veach has shown an ability to navigate the cap well across his tenure.

This offseason is a great example of that. Veach had to play "Moneyball" with some portion of the team's roster as expenses mounted, and he chose the secondary for that. That was an astute move considering Spagnuolo's penchant for developing defensive back talent, and giving him a top prospect like Delane via a trade up was a sensible maneuver.

The biggest questions with which Kansas City will soon reckon are about how to replace Travis Kelce and whether to extend Rashee Rice. As long as they find suitable answers to those and fill any holes that develop during the 2026 season, the Chiefs should remain a contender.

Aura and vibes: B

Vibes around the Chiefs are generally good. Mahomes' recovery from his late-season injury has inspired optimism, as he and the team has posted videos of him working out and throwing, while the antics surrounding Kelce's wedding to Taylor Swift showed off the team's strong-looking bond.

The lone negative? Rice has had a trying offseason during which he spent time in jail for a probation violation. Questions about his ability to stay on the field continue to persist, and he remains one of the team's biggest short- and long-term question marks because of it.

Nonetheless, there seems to be a lot of belief that the Chiefs can re-establish themselves as a playoff contender during the 2026 NFL season. That's great news for a team that endured a disappointing and shocking 6-11 campaign last year after back-to-back Super Bowl wins.

Overall offseason grade: B-

It's hard to fault the Chiefs too much for the approach they took during the offseason. They suffered some key losses in free agency, but that was to be expected given how much they are paying to Mahomes and other stars on the roster.

Kansas City should still be a playoff contender, but questions remain whether this year's iteration of the team can reach the Super Bowl ceiling of previous squads. It's hard to categorically count out Mahomes and Reid, but given the holes Kansas City has, it wouldn't be a surprise to see it have to scratch and claw its way into the playoff race.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Grades for Chiefs' offseason reset, from free agency haul to Taylor Swift aura

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49ers News These Aaron Donald rumors are unideal :

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 17: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams rushes the edge during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) | Getty Images

49ers may not like Adam Schefter’s latest Aaron Donald update
“He told the team that he wanted to go there, work out, see how he felt, see how he reacted, see everything that went along with being back in pads, on the football field, and seeing how it made him feel,” Schefter said.

“Now, I don’t know what he told them about that after he went through those workouts at the facility, but I really think it was just a trial method to see how his whole body reacted, how his mind reacted to being back out there.”

49ers roster preview: Wesley Grimes makes sense as a practice squad stash
“Grimes had the profile of a Shanahan receiver. His average depth of target was 12.9 yards at North Carolina State. He average a hair over five yards after the catch. He had a 20 yard reception in six separate games. A good portion of his production came on in-breaking routes and he was efficient on targets beyond 20 yards.

Grimes has an ideal baseline to work with. At 22, you can use the same aggression he has after the catch and attempt to use that in his blocking. Grimes may not have the ceiling of a WR1, but the tools are there. The same kind of tools the 49ers have lacked at the position in recent seasons.”

Oft-injured 49ers WR Trent Taylor retires after season on IR: ‘Football gave me everything’ (paywall)
“Football gave me everything,” Taylor wrote on Instagram. “All of my lifelong friendships. All of the adversity and life lessons It taught me along the way. Nothing else in this world breaks you down and teaches you who you are like the game of football does. The dog days and the relationships built within it are what’s going to be missed the most.”

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Bench watch: Six NFL quarterbacks who could lose starting jobs in 2026

It's hard to get one of the 32 NFL starting quarterback jobs. The harder part is keeping it.

Not every quarterback is in a Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen situation. More signal-callers at the NFL level are in a more fluid position, where any given year – or any given week – they could be replaced following poor performance.

The length of a quarterback's leash varies by team. Those with a younger quarterback seeking a chance to prove himself early in his career might pull the plug early on a struggling veteran. Other teams might have a high-level backup quarterback waiting in the wings for an opportunity to prove he's worthy of the starting job.

Heading into the 2026 season, there are more than a handful of quarterbacks at risk of getting benched in favor of another signal-caller lower on the depth chart. Here are six of the most likely quarterbacks to be benched in 2026:

NFL QUARTERBACKS: From the Chiefs to the Jets, ranking every team's QB situation

Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals

Brissett was a more-than serviceable fill-in for former Cardinals starter Kyler Murray after Murray's injury in 2025. In 12 starts, he set career highs in passing yards (3,366) and touchdowns (23). Brissett's 64.9% completion rate was also his best in any season with at least 25 pass attempts.

In the offseason, the 33-year-old veteran requested a multi-year extension that would pay him starting quarterback money. Instead, the Cardinals repaid him with a likely future replacement when they selected University of Miami (Fla.) quarterback Carson Beck in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. With Arizona expected to be one of the league's worst teams again in 2026, it's likely only a matter of time before the team gives Beck a shot at the starting job.

Tua Tagovailoa, Atlanta Falcons

Tagovailoa is in a position that is almost a direct inverse of Brissett. Rather than replacing a former first-round quarterback who ended up cut by the team that drafted him, Tagovailoa is that player. After the Dolphins released Tagovailoa this offseason, he signed with the Falcons to compete with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job.

It's unclear which quarterback is leading in the race to be Atlanta's Week 1 starter, but it's likely that whoever wins the gig will have a very short leash with another capable passer behind him. Tagovailoa struggled in 2025, with his 2,660 passing yards nearing a career low since taking over as the Dolphins' full-time starter in 2021. Penix also struggled last year in his first full season as a starter in the pros, leading to a 3-6 record before a knee injury ended his season early.

New head coach Kevin Stefanski is a former offensive coordinator and has inherited a roster loaded with talent on offense. Atlanta's biggest hurdle is its quarterback situation, and Stefanski should be quick to make a change if things aren't working early. Either Penix gets the early starts with the hopes he'll continue to develop – though he is 26 – or Tagovailoa fills in until things don't work out.

Geno Smith, New York Jets

The Jets' quarterback situation remains in flux. After signing Justin Fields to a two-year deal in free agency last year, injuries and underperformance led to starts from Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook. None of New York's three quarterbacks in 2025 inspired confidence in being a long-term solution. So this offseason, Gang Green reunited with Smith by sending a sixth-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Smith is coming off of a season with 17 interceptions in 15 games, a mark which not only led the league but also were the most he's thrown in a year since his rookie year in 2013. After a season like that, Smith is may be in a position to be a "tank commander" for New York as they continue to look for their quarterback of the future.

The Jets have three first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, and they drafted Cade Klubnik in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. At some point this season, Klubnik should get his shot for the Jets to see if they have their guy. If not, one of their three first-rounders next year will be used to take a quarterback.

Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts

For the first several weeks of the season, Jones was playing like an NFL MVP candidate. But the wheels started to come off in Week 9, when teams started to slow down running back Jonathan Taylor after his torrid start to the season. When Jones had more pressure on his arm to lead the Colts' offense under head coach Shane Steichen, he started to turn the ball over more.

After throwing just three interceptions and not losing any fumbles in his first eight starts, Jones threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles against the Steelers in Week 9. The Colts went on to lose four of their next five games before a torn Achilles sidelined Jones for the remainder of the season.

Is Jones the most likely candidate to lose his job? No, but Indianapolis still rosters Anthony Richardson, who will be waiting in the wings should Jones struggle in his return from the Achilles injury.

Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers

Aaron Rodgers has said this season – his 22nd – is going to be his last rodeo. Since the Green Bay Packers drafted him in 2005, he's played across three decades of NFL football. There have been signs that his age is starting to catch up with him over the last few seasons, and that became most apparent during the 2025 season.

Rodgers' average depth of target last year was just 6.6 yards. That was the lowest mark of his career and one of the lowest across all NFL quarterbacks in 2025. Under pressure, he had a completion rate of 41.5%, which ranked fourth-worst in the league among quarterbacks with at least 400 dropbacks. Rodgers was also unable to avoid sacks at a high rate, and his 21.4% pressure-to-sack rate ranked seventh-worst among starting quarterbacks in 2025.

The Steelers don't have a clear succession plan. They drafted Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft and Drew Allar in the third round this year. Mason Rudolph is also currently on the roster. It feels more than likely that Rodgers hits the bench at some point this year if the Steelers are struggling. Pittsburgh needs to figure out its QB future by giving Howard or Allar a shot.

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

Texans general manager Nick Caserio gave Stroud a vote of confidence after the quarterback's four-interception performance in a divisional round loss. Caserio did not give Stroud an extension in his first offseason eligible.

Stroud struggled in 2025, continuing an alarming pattern of regression since his outstanding rookie season in 2023. Much of that can be chalked up to the issues with the Texans' reworked offensive line. For a second straight year, Stroud faced pressure on more than 37% of his dropbacks. More notably, in 2025, Stroud's decision making regressed. His 14 turnover-worthy plays (per Pro Football Focus) were tied for fourth-most in the NFL under pressure. His 35.5 PFF grade under pressure was third-worst in the league.

Things got worse in the playoffs vs. the Patriots, with a four-interception performance in the divisional round.

During three games that Stroud missed with a concussion, backup Davis Mills went 3-0 with 915 passing yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Mills is also likely not the long-term answer for Houston given he already lost his starting quarterback job to Stroud in 2023. But if Stroud starts the 2026 season playing like he did in the 2025 playoffs, questions will be raised about whether or not Mills should get a second crack at the starting gig.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bench watch: Six NFL quarterbacks who could lose starting jobs in 2026

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Knicks’ second-round pick Tyler Nickel already showing his 3-point prowess

LAS VEGAS — For obvious reasons, Tyler Nickel prefers to wear No. 5.

But that uniform was taken by Knicks guard Jose Alvarado. So Nickel settled for double-nickel.

“T-Nick is my nickname, but a lot of people call me T-5,” said Nickel, the No. 47 overall pick in last month’s draft. “So [No.] 5 has been me. So when [No.] 55 was available, I was like, ‘OK, I can’t get [No.] 5, so [No.] 55 is cool.’ ”

If Nickel carves out an NBA career, he’ll be defined by a different digit — 3.

Knicks second-round pick Tyler Nickel shoots a 3-pointer during the Knicks’ 70-49 Summer League loss to the Spurs on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas. NBAE via Getty Images

As the second-round pick demonstrated in his first two summer league games, his greatest asset is his proficiency from beyond the arc.

Nickel dropped six treys on 10 attempts Friday against the Nets, the lone positive in a blowout defeat that featured ugly performances from summer league vets Mohamed Diawara, Pacôme Dadiet and Dillon Jones.

On Saturday, Nickel again was the Knicks’ leading scorer with 16 points on 6-for-14 shooting in 30 minutes in the Knicks’ 70-49 loss to the Spurs.

“I definitely feel like I have some comparisons in the league. I feel like I’m a mix of some different guys: my size, my strength, my shooting ability,” Nickel said. “I feel really comfortable shooting off the move, so like [Detroit’s] Duncan Robinson, [Cleveland’s] Max Strus, [Boston’s] Sam Hauser. But then I have my own type of way of being. So it’s kind of a mix of a lot of people but also myself.”

All those players, including Nickel, have two things in common: They’re catch-and-shoot specialists, and they’re white.

Tyler Nickel, who scored a team-high 16 points, looks to make a move during the Knicks’ Summer League loss to the Spurs. NBAE via Getty Images

“Hey, listen,” the 22-year-old Vanderbilt product laughed when told he was making just white-player comparisons. “They got roles in the league.”

Nickel, who is from Virginia and talks with a Southern twang, will struggle to stay on an NBA court if he can’t competently defend.

It’s considered his weakness, but the 6-foot-7 Nickel has the size to make it work with enough effort.

According to TJ Saint, coach of the Knicks’ summer league team, Nickel committed to defense during minicamp last week.

“He’s been shooting all right. His defense has actually been impressive in the camp,” Saint said. “When we were in the airport the other day, I went over to talk to him, and he was studying our playbook, so I already like where he’s at, getting ahead of the game.”

Despite his promise, Nickel is unlikely to command a standard contract for the defending champs.

He’s a candidate for a two-way deal, though, and that should all be sorted out during training camp in late September into October.

Nickel’s 18-point game against the Nets drew the attention of Josh Hart, who tweeted during the action, “[No.] 55 got a chop,” in reference to the forward’s shooting stroke.

As Kevin McCullar Jr. and especially Diawara demonstrated last season, there always could be unexpected opportunities for young players.

In the meantime, Nickel’s wearing two 5s in Vegas and taking 3s.

“I heard my name called [at the draft], and seeing it being the Knicks, I was super excited,” Nickel said. “Obviously, a championship organization. I thought it was perfect; a perfect situation to see what winning is all about. The standard that they hold everybody to in the program, I feel like it’s perfect for me to be on.”

Vegas intel

Everybody is awaiting The Decision 2.0 from LeBron James — including another future Hall of Famer on the market.

According to a league source, Russell Westbrook is a candidate to join the Heat but not if LeBron signs in Miami.

Westbrook, 37, is a diminished version of his former MVP self but still averaged 15.2 points over 64 games last season with the Kings.

James, meanwhile, is sifting through his options in free agency. Miami, Cleveland and Philadelphia are considered the front-runners.

Westbrook and James were teammates with the Lakers for 1 ½ seasons and struggled, winning just 33 games and falling to 11th in the West in 2021-22.

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