Let’s rank the Las Vegas Raiders’ opposing quarterbacks in the 2026 season:
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs:
The Raiders play him twice, in Weeks 4 and 18. I know, I know, he is coming off a major surgery and and may not be the same early in the season. But he’s still an all-time great. He’s No. 1 in my book.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills:
If Allen is No.1 on your list, I get it. He’s an incredible player and a just a major pain to defend. He will be a huge challenge.
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams:
You know it’s a hell of a quarterback schedule if the reigning league MVP is No. 3 on the list. But here we are and it’s no slight on Stafford. He’s still brilliant.
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers:
Some people like to pretend Herbert is overrated. I’m not one of those people. He’s going to get better as well.
Drake Maye, New England Patriots:
An argument could be made that he is better than Herbert, but I want to see him continue to make strides in his third season. Either way, he’ll be a challenge for the Raiders.
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks:
We drop a tier here. Frankly, this might be a little high for Darnold, but let’s give credit is where it’s due. He’s been good for two seasons and he just won a Super Bowl. They guy can play whether we’ve comes to terms with that or not.
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos:
The Raiders play Nix in Weeks 11 and 15. He should be fully healed from his broken ankle he suffered in the playoffs. The kid is getting better and better.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers:
If you rank Purdy higher than Nix at this point, I’d get it. He’s very solid and he is a plus player who will challenge the Raiders.
Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans:
We’re dropping another tier again. But that doesn’t mean Ward won’t be on the rise. The Raiders face him in Week 16 and the 2025 No.1 overall pick could be a big problem by then. He’s got better weapons around him and should make improvements in Year Two.
Tyler Slough, New Orleans Saints:
Frankly, I almost ranked Slough higher than Ward. He opened eyes late last season and is a good fit for Saints’ head coach Kellen Moore. New Orleans think they have their quarterback of the future.
Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins:
I’m not sold on Willis being ready to be a full-time starter. Time will tell, but with the Raiders facing him in Week 1, I can’t put him very high on this list.
Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals:
I wouldn’t be shocked if rookie Carson Beck is starting for the Cardinals when the Raiders face them in Week 17. Either way, they are slotted were they should be.
Shedeur Sanders/Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns:
The word is Watson has looked good this spring and may be the leader to win this job. If this was 2020, he’d be much higher in this list. But it is not 2020 and Watson hasn’t done much since then. As for Sanders, he is still a developing player.
Geno Smith, New York Jets:
Sorry, I just can’t get last season out of my head.
How would you rank these QBs?
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