5 NFL Starting Quarterbacks Who Could Be Benched During the 2026 Season

NFL quarterbacks are under the microscope after 80 games of the 2026 season. Injuries have sidelined a few starters, but no team has made a flat-out benching yet. That patience may not last. With no rookie starting under center this year, some changes feel inevitable. The question is when teams will pull the trigger.

Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans: The Most Pressure

Tennessee is 0-5, and coach Robert Saleh is already fielding questions about Ward’s future. Among NFL quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts, the second-year passer ranks last in EPA per dropback (-0.27). Against Houston, he completed nine of 16 passes for 70 yards and an interception under pressure, and he was sacked four times.

Even so, the Titans will likely ride it out. Ward needs reps to develop, and nobody is eager to see Mitch Trubisky in 2026.

Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders: A Quarterback of the Future Waits

The Raiders started 3-0 but have lost two straight, including a 41-17 loss in New England. Cousins is tied for second in the league with 12 passing touchdowns and still ranks top-10 in EPA per dropback. If he sits, it will be because losses pile up and first-year coach Klint Kubiak wants to start No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Week 8 against the Jets looks like a possible turning point if Buffalo and the Rams blow out Las Vegas.

Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals: Replaceable Production

Arizona has lost four straight and is 1-4. Brissett averages an NFL-worst 5.6 yards per attempt, and the offense has produced a league-low 14 explosive plays. He has just seven pass plays of 20-plus yards. Middle-of-the-pack play can survive for a while, and Brissett will probably start until late November or early December. Some would prefer to see third-round rookie Carson Beck get a look sooner, perhaps in Week 8 at Dallas.

Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins: Outgunned but Safe

Willis ranks 24th in EPA per dropback (-0.2), and his completion rate has dipped to 56.2%. But Miami’s best targets are rookies, the blocking is shaky, and the team lost its most explosive player for the season. With the Dolphins focused on the long term, a benching seems unlikely. There is no urgent need to see what Kyle McCord offers.

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: Struggling, Not Going Anywhere

Herbert’s numbers are ugly for a $50-million-plus passer. The Chargers are 0-5, and he has taken 17 sacks and is tied for the league lead with seven interceptions. Coach Jim Harbaugh isn’t expected to bench him. A more likely move is firing offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, possibly during the Week 7 bye if Sunday’s game in Kansas City goes badly.

What Happens Next for NFL Quarterbacks

Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts is also worth watching. He has been diagnosed with a superficial blood clot that will keep him out at least one game, and he hasn’t played well, with a 57.8% completion rate. Tanner McKee could make the most of the opportunity. For more sports coverage and analysis, visit Riz Khan’s blog. Ultimately, most NFL quarterbacks on this list will keep their jobs for now, but a few more losses could change the picture quickly.

FAQs

Which NFL quarterbacks are most likely to be benched in 2026?

Cam Ward, Kirk Cousins and Jacoby Brissett are the most discussed names, though none is guaranteed to lose his job soon.

Have any NFL quarterbacks been benched this season?

Not yet. Teams have stuck with their starters, and the only absences so far have come from injuries.

Who could replace Kirk Cousins in Las Vegas?

Rookie Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, is the likely successor if the Raiders’ losses mount.

Will the Chargers bench Justin Herbert?

Unlikely. Jim Harbaugh is expected to stand by his quarterback, and a coordinator change looks more probable.