All five NFL quarterback competitions that opened in 2026 went to the older players, a shocking trend as teams finalize their depth charts for Week 1. This isn’t just about veterans holding their ground; it’s about the league’s newest, highest-drafted talent getting relegated to the bench right out of the gate. What does this even mean for the future of quarterback development?
Early Shocks in Minnesota and Cleveland
The first big surprise hit in Minnesota, and it happened *before* the first preseason game even kicked off. Kyler Murray, the 2019 number one overall pick, straight up prevailed over J.J. McCarthy, who was a top-10 selection just last year in 2024. Talk about a statement! And if that wasn’t enough, it looks like Carson Wentz, the 2016 second overall pick, has apparently snagged the backup job, leapfrogging McCarthy too. The Vikings are rolling into the season with three former high first-round picks in that QB room, but it’s the old guard running the show.
Then, the Cleveland Browns made their call two weeks ago, and it was another win for experience. Deshaun Watson, who went 12th overall in 2017, was named the starter for Week 1, and likely Week 2, over 2025 fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders. You’ve got to wonder what the plan is when a team picks a quarterback in the fifth round and then sees him immediately behind the entrenched veteran. Is it a learning year, or is it a sign of something more?
Raiders and Falcons Double Down on Experience
The trend continued with the Raiders. Just last week, they officially declared Kirk Cousins, a fourth-round pick way back in 2012, as their Week 1 starter. His competition? Fernando Mendoza, the *number one overall pick* in the 2026 draft! Yeah, you read that right. The guy taken first overall isn’t starting his first game. That has to sting for Mendoza and for the Raiders fans who were probably dreaming of a fresh face under center.
And the Falcons followed suit, giving the nod to Tua Tagovailoa, the fifth overall pick in 2020. He beat out Michael Penix Jr., who was the eighth overall selection. Another high draft pick, another bench spot to start the season. It’s a clean sweep, all five quarterback battles going to the older player. It’s almost like teams are saying, “We value experience over raw potential right now.”
So, Week 1 is staring us down, and the message from these NFL teams is loud and clear: age and experience won out. No rookie or young gun who competed for a starting job actually grabbed it. With the season kicking off, these decisions are locked in. Will these veteran quarterbacks prove their worth and justify their teams’ faith, or will we be left wondering what could have been if the younger talent had been given the reins? It’s going to be a fascinating start to the year for these teams.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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