Next NFL QB Benched Odds 2026: (Updated 9/23)

Every year a handful of starting quarterbacks lose their job before the season’s even a third of the way done, and every year the sportsbooks put out a number on who goes first. Two weeks into 2026, the board already looks nothing like it did on opening day. Here’s where things stand.

Next NFL QB Benched Odds (Updated 9/22)

Where Everybody Actually Stands

Deshaun Watson. 24 for 30, 238 yards, two touchdowns — that was his Week 2, a total change from his pick-six mess he threw in Jacksonville a week earlier. He saved his job, at least for now. Cleveland isn’t benching a guy who just posted his best game, at least this week.

Geno Smith. He’s been fine. He threw 247 yards and a score in Week 2, even though the Jets blew a late lead and lost in overtime to Green Bay. That one’s not on him.

Kirk Cousins. 2-0, three touchdowns against the Chargers in Week 2. Nobody is sweating this pick.

Jacoby Brissett. Big hero in Week 1, disaster in Week 2. Seattle held him to 95 yards on 17-of-28 with a pick and a 63.8 rating in a 31-7 blowout. One bad week doesn’t make a trend, but that’s a rough one to shake off.

Kyler Murray. Different animal here. He took a scary hit in Week 1 that knocked his helmet clean off, landed him in concussion protocol, and he sat out all of Week 2 while Carson Wentz went out and beat Chicago 9-3. Murray’s since cleared protocol and starts Week 3 against Tampa Bay. This is medical, not performance, so it shouldn’t move his number here — but a good week from Wentz and “temporary” starts looking a lot less temporary.

Malik Willis. Tough one here. He was 14 of 23, 197 yards, one score, in a 35-13 loss at San Francisco. Miami’s 0-2 and Quinn Ewers is standing right there in the room. Not a disaster yet. Just not great.

Bryce Young. Might be the best story in the league right now, never mind this board. 287 yards and three more touchdowns in a 34-3 beatdown of Atlanta, and he’s sitting at 648 yards and six touchdowns against a single interception through two games. Highly unlikely this guy gets benched.

Jaxson Dart. Giants fans can read on. Dart is off the board entirely now. He went down early against the Rams on Monday night with a knee injury, and it’s since been confirmed — he’s having season-ending surgery. Jameis Winston came in and struggled that day, 11 of 27 for 111 yards with a pick in a 28-6 loss, and he’s the Giants’ guy the rest of the way. This one was never a benching to begin with. He’s just hurt, and hurt badly enough that there’s nothing left to track here.

Tyler Shough. Steady couple of weeks. Overtime heartbreaker against Detroit in Week 1, then 252 yards, a passing score, and a rushing touchdown in a win over Baltimore. Nowhere near the hot seat.

So Where’s This Headed

Our guess: the money drifts off Watson after that Tampa Bay game, at least until Cleveland actually settles on a full-time answer in Atlanta — assuming they ever do. Brissett’s the one we’d watch closest after that Seattle no-show. Murray’s fine, just a name to file away for later.

Don’t expect an actual benching announcement soon regardless. Last year the first two didn’t happen until Week 4 and Week 5.

Odds and implied probabilities are for informational purposes only. Confirm current lines with a licensed sportsbook before betting, and gamble responsibly.