It’s a new year, which means there will be several quarterbacks putting on new uniforms this year. A lot of them will be journeymen QBs who will serve as backups to either younger guys or seasoned vets, but a few teams made some big moves when it comes to the QB position. And some of them might even find their new environment fosters more productivity than they saw before.
Last month, we wrote about quarterbacks who are in rather unenvious positions going into the 2025 NFL season, and how that will affect their chances in Madden 26. But what about the guys who are seemingly right where they need to be?
Here are a few QBs that I think will flourish with their new teams and, by proxy, in Madden 26.
Sam Darnold Looks To Prove He’s The Real Deal
Coming off a career-best year with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 that resulted in his first Pro Bowl selection, I believe Sam Darnold is poised for success with his new team, the Seattle Seahawks. Sure, Seattle might’ve parted ways with physical specimen DK Metcalf over the offseason, but in his place comes Cooper Cupp, one of the premier receivers in the NFL.
I won’t pretend like it’s a slam dunk, as Seattle’s offensive line wasn’t exactly phenomenal last year. On top of that, outside of a spectacular 2024 season, Darnold still has a lot to prove in order to beat the allegations of it being a fluke. But if both Darnold and his o-line are at least competent next season, the Seahawks can be a force in the NFC next year. They’re in no way favorites, but they are competitors.
Justin Fields
Training camp injury scare aside, I’m really bullish on Justin Fields this season. After a rocky 2024 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers that saw him get benched for Russell Wilson (unjustifiably, in my humble opinion), Fields looks like he’s committed to becoming everything that he has the potential of becoming. He’ll also be on a team where he is the undeniable QB1, eliminating that Wilson-sized cloud that hung over his head in 2024.
Now, it won’t be easy. Outside of the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans, I can’t think of a team that can be described as a “quarterback graveyard” more than the New York Jets. And, to be frank, the team’s fan base isn’t incredibly enthused with the team’s immediate direction, or the signing of Fields to begin with. But, as a Steelers fan, I was impressed by Fields last season. Not only do I think he played as well as he could in a system that was designed for a different QB, but he had a great attitude all season. I think 2025 is the year he puts it all together.
Aaron Rodgers
I know it’s crazy, considering I included Aaron Rodgers in the aforementioned “worst situation” article. But, having had time to chew on the Steelers’ decision to bring in Rodgers, I honestly think it’s a decent decision. And I think Rodgers still has one more season left in him.
If you look at his 2024 season with the Jets, it honestly wasn’t bad. Was it anywhere close to his best? Absolutely not. But I can’t foresee any scenario (upon further evaluation) where he’s any worse than Russell Wilson was in the backstretch last season. Yes, he needs one more weapon at wide receiver. But DK Metcalf will produce when he needs to. Plus, the Steelers have tooled up on defense, bringing in Jalen Ramsey and re-signing TJ Watt. So there will be less pressure on Rodgers to be at the MVP level he used to be. He doesn’t have to be great, so long as he isn’t bad.
