NFL teams keep four quarterbacks on final 53-man rosters
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 2:27 PM
Last updated Aug 31, 2026
Four NFL teams finalized their 53-man rosters by carrying four quarterbacks into the start of the season. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, and Philadelphia Eagles opted for this strategy, departing from the standard practice of keeping two or three players at the position. While some teams used injuries as a roster management tool, such as the Cleveland Browns placing Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve, others retained extra signal-callers to explore developmental depth. Personnel like Jack Strand in Atlanta and Cole Payton in Philadelphia are expected to fill specialized roles on sneaks or special teams. Teams argue that the opportunity cost of releasing a depth linebacker or reserve player is minimal compared to the long-term potential of cultivating an additional quarterback. This roster approach suggests a potential shift in how franchises value depth at the sport's most critical position.
- •Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Minnesota, and Philadelphia kept four quarterbacks on their 53-man rosters.
- •The Browns placed Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve instead of releasing a fourth quarterback.
- •Atlanta plans to use Jack Strand for quarterback sneaks and gadget plays.
- •Philadelphia utilized Cole Payton in special teams roles during the preseason.
- •Teams can keep four quarterbacks because seven players are inactive on game days.
- 12:35 AMYahoo Sports — Why the Steelers, Eagles and 3 Other NFL Teams Kept Four Quarterbacks and What It Means for Their 2026 Seasons
- 2:27 PMYahoo Sports — NFL teams keeping four quarterbacks isn't a big deal, and here's why
"It doesn’t happen often, or ever really. The last time a team kept four quarterbacks on a roster was in 2024 with Cleveland.
"Four teams kept four quarterbacks in their final cutdown.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 1, 2026, 12:35 AMWhy the Steelers, Eagles and 3 Other NFL Teams Kept Four Quarterbacks and What It Means for Their 2026 Seasons
It doesn’t happen often, or ever really. The last time a team kept four quarterbacks on a roster was in 2024 with Cleveland.
- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 2:27 PMNFL teams keeping four quarterbacks isn't a big deal, and here's why
Four teams kept four quarterbacks in their final cutdown.
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