Offensive players, excluding quarterbacks, and defensive players to keep an eye on were covered earlier in the week. Now, the focus now turns to passers. Every season, a different set of players face a crossroads or have something to prove for a variety of reasons.
The most common reasons are related to age, contract or salary cap concerns, injury, performance or off-the-field issues. Ten such quarterbacks to watch during the 2026 season are below. A record 11 first-round picks have had contracts extended after playing three seasons in 2026.
This dates to 2014 when the initial first-round draft class under the rookie wage scale implemented in 2011 became eligible to sign new deals. Stroud, who was 2023's second overall pick, seemed like a lock for an early contract extension after one of the greatest debut seasons for a quarterback when he was named 2023's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. That was before Stroud's regression over the last two seasons culminating with a terrible closing statement in the playoffs.
Stroud had the worst two-game stretch of his NFL career during the postseason. His four interceptions, all in the first half, against the New England Patriots in the divisional playoffs followed five fumbles (two were lost) in a wild card game win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Stroud connected on 51.9% of his passes for 462 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions to post a 51.8 passer rating in the two playoff games.
Stroud's playoff woes haven't prevented the Texans from having negotiations about a new deal. The Texans have reportedly offered Stroud in the neighborhood of $50 million per year. The three-year, $165 million contract extension, averaging $55 million per year, Baker Mayfield just received from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers complicates matters.
Stroud has plenty of incentive to be patient. Provided he has a major bounce back from last season's playoffs, he could be in a position to reset the quarterback market next year, just like Texans teammates Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. did for edge rushers and cornerbacks with their respective contract extensions. Watson has gotten a new lease on his football life, at least temporarily, thanks to first-year Browns head coach Todd Monken.
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