Some NFL backups are ready for an harm to create a chance. These three quarterbacks may use the 2026 season to persuade a unique crew at hand them a beginning job subsequent 12 months.
Mac Jones may comply with acquainted path out of San Francisco
Mac Jones has already accomplished the tough portion of his profession rehabilitation.
After flaming out in New England and spending a season in Jacksonville, Jones landed with Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers. He went 5-3 whereas changing an injured Brock Purdy in 2025, throwing for two,151 yards and 13 touchdowns throughout 11 appearances.
Jones stays firmly behind Purdy, which makes his future in San Francisco pretty apparent. He’s scheduled to change into an unrestricted free agent after the season and acknowledged that one other contract is on his thoughts.
Jones may comply with the trail Sam Darnold took after rebuilding his repute beneath Shanahan. One other sturdy look or two would make him one of the crucial skilled choices obtainable to quarterback-needy groups in 2027.
Joe Milton III may change into invaluable Cowboys commerce chip
Joe Milton III won’t substitute Dak Prescott in Dallas. His path to a beginning job runs by means of one other metropolis.
Milton owns one of many NFL’s strongest arms, however accuracy and decision-making issues adopted him from faculty. His newest preseason work suggests these tough edges might lastly be smoothing out.
The 26-year-old accomplished 12-of-15 passes for 107 yards and one landing in his first preseason appearance. He adopted that efficiency by connecting with Jonathan Mingo for a 53-yard landing in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals.
Dallas acquired Milton from the New England Patriots for a fifth-round decide earlier than the 2025 season. If he secures the backup job and continues displaying improved management, the Cowboys may obtain calls from groups in search of an affordable quarterback with monumental bodily upside.
Milton stays beneath contract past this season, so he can’t merely go away in free company. A commerce would require one crew to imagine his arm is lastly connected to a quarterback able to deal with an NFL offense. Each deep completion makes that gamble simpler to justify.
Mason Rudolph may obtain one other probability elsewhere
Mason Rudolph isn’t going to encourage a parade. He may nonetheless change into an inexpensive answer for a crew unable to land a franchise quarterback.
The veteran has made 19 career starts and owns a 9-9-1 document. He additionally rescued Pittsburgh’s 2023 season by profitable three consecutive video games and guiding the Steelers into the playoffs.
Rudolph returned to Pittsburgh on a two-year contract in 2025 and is positioned to again up Aaron Rodgers once more. With Drew Allar and Will Howard ready behind him, the Steelers seem unlikely to view Rudolph as their long-term reply.
One other crew might even see issues otherwise.
Rudolph has completed 64.4% of his profession passes whereas throwing 30 touchdowns in opposition to 22 interceptions. These numbers are unspectacular, however respectable quarterback play turns into awfully engaging when the choice is a rookie who isn’t prepared or a veteran whose greatest days disappeared three groups in the past.
Jones presents the strongest resume, whereas Milton brings the best ceiling. Rudolph represents the fallback plan. All three may enter 2027 carrying totally different uniforms and receiving alternatives unavailable with their present groups.
