Aug 25, 2026 · 1h 11m
Six quarterbacks face defining 2026 seasons
Quarterbacks at a crossroads in 2026
Their performances could reshape contract decisions, depth charts, and long-term plans across several NFL organizations.
- 1C. J. Stroud and Bryce Young must answer whether promising foundations justify major commitments.
- 2Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert face new tests as their teams’ offensive environments change.
- 3Michael Penix Jr. and Malik Willis may be auditioning for futures beyond their current teams.
Don't miss
The hosts’ critique of Cleveland starting Deshaun Watson crystallizes how contract, injuries, performance, and off-field history can collide in one quarterback decision.
The brief
Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen, and Dave Helman examine six quarterbacks whose 2026 seasons could determine contracts, depth charts, and organizational direction.
The hosts begin by criticizing Cleveland’s decision to start Deshaun Watson, arguing that poor play, injuries, contract constraints, and off-field history make the choice especially fraught.
C. J. Stroud and Bryce Young face different versions of the same question: have their flashes and improved support earned long-term commitment, or should their teams keep searching?
Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert enter new offensive circumstances, making 2026 a test of whether their production reflects quarterback limits or environments that previously held them back.
Michael Penix Jr. could be evaluated against Atlanta’s future draft plans, while Malik Willis gets a rare Miami audition that may matter more to another team than his current one.
The episode’s central tension is whether one season can settle a quarterback’s future—or merely give a team enough evidence to reconsider everything.
Weekly email
State of the Pod, every Monday
The week's most-discussed names and stories from podcasts, with the moments behind them. Free, five minutes, unsubscribe in one click.