Sizing up four second-year NFL quarterbacks and where they need to improve in 2026

The NFL quarterback landscape is always a hot topic, and with four second-year QBs looking to make a leap in 2026, fans are eager to see growth and improvement. Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, and Shedeur Sanders all showed promise in their rookie seasons, but now it's time to take their games to the next level. For these young signal-callers, refining their skills is crucial to leading their teams to success.

One area where each of these QBs needs to improve is in their decision-making under pressure. In today's NFL, the ability to stay calm and make quick decisions in the pocket is essential. Ward, Dart, Shough, and Sanders will need to work on processing defenses and avoiding sacks to take their games to the next level. This is especially important for these second-year QBs, as defenses will be looking to exploit any weaknesses they showed in their rookie seasons.

As we head into the 2026 season, all eyes will be on these four QBs to see how they've developed. Will they be able to build on their rookie seasons and lead their teams to the playoffs? The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and the growth of these young players will be crucial to their teams' success. Next, watch for how these QBs perform in training camp and the preseason, as that will give us a glimpse into their progress and what to expect in the regular season.

Originally reported by espn.com. TourNews adds analysis for sports & fitness readers.