What happened: ESPN's Dan Graziano outlined the biggest quarterback questions hanging over the league entering the 2026 season. The list centers on whether Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold are headed for major contract extensions, whether Bryce Young can take another step forward, and when Fernando Mendoza will see the field.
Why it matters: The Mayfield and Darnold negotiations are the marquee threads: Mayfield has set the start of training camp as his deadline to get an extension done before playing out the final year of his deal, while Darnold's strong season has not yet converted into the long-term security some peers received. How both shake out becomes a bellwether for how teams value the position, with Young's development and Mendoza's timeline as the longer-term subplots.
By the numbers: Over the past four seasons, Baker Mayfield ranks among the NFL's top five in deep passing touchdowns, per FantasyPts data — context for a quarterback entering a contract year and looking to keep proving doubters wrong.
What to watch: Watch whether Mayfield's camp reaches a deal before training camp opens, and how Darnold's market firms up as the offseason progresses.