Ranking the 20 Best Quarterbacks Playing Right Now

The NFL quarterback pool in 2025 is stacked. Between seasoned vets and breakout stars, there’s no shortage of talent slinging the football every Sunday.

This ranking considers recent performances, leadership qualities, and the ability to take over a game when it matters most. Some names are precisely where you’d expect them to be—others might surprise you.

20. Bryce Young

Jan 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates after a victory over the Atlanta Falcons in overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Brett Davis-Imagn Images

After a rocky rookie year, Bryce Young turned a corner and gave Panthers fans hope for the future. He’s calm in the pocket, smart with the ball, and finally looks like the guy Carolina thought they were drafting.

19. Drake Maye

Feb 1, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during AFC Practice for the Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Drake Maye brought a new level of energy to the Patriots’ offense. He’s raw but fearless; you can see the potential written all over his game.

18. Sam Darnold

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold attends the TGL match between Jupiter Links GC and Atlanta Drive GC at SoFi Center on March 4, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
GREG LOVETT/PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Sam Darnold found new life in Minnesota, and now he’s on to Seattle, proving he’s not quite done yet. He played with confidence and command, something we haven’t consistently seen until now.

17. Bo Nix

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) gets sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) during the second half of the Buffalo Bills wild card game against the Denver Broncos at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 12, 2025.
Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Denver finally found some stability with Bo Nix leading the way. His rookie year was promising, and he looks like a long-term answer for a team that’s had a QB carousel for years.

16. Trevor Lawrence

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) walks off the field during the first organized team activity at Miller Electric Center Monday, May 19, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla
Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Injuries slowed him down, but Trevor Lawrence still has all the tools to be a top-tier quarterback. With better health and some offensive help, he could easily climb this list next year.

15. Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (19) gets ready to throw the ball before the game, Sunday January 5, 2025, in East Rutherford
Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Tua is a timing and accuracy machine when everything is clicking. He keeps the Dolphins in the playoffs and can pick defenses apart when he’s in rhythm.

14. Dak Prescott

Nov 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks off the field after a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Dak continues to be one of the league’s most reliable quarterbacks. He’s efficient, experienced, and keeps Dallas in the yearly playoff hunt. He needs to stay healthy.

13. Baker Mayfield

Feb 1, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws the ball during NFC Practice for the Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Baker shocked the league with a resurgence in Tampa Bay. He’s got swagger and grit; now, he’s a legitimate case to be a long-term starter again.

12. Kyler Murray

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray signs autographs for brothers Brody, 8, and Jaxson Quintero, 5, during his celebrity softball game at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, on May 17, 2025
Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

When he’s healthy, Kyler is one of the most exciting players in the league. His speed and improvisation make him a nightmare for defenses in any game.

11. Brock Purdy

Iowa State senior quarterback Brock Purdy looks for an open receiver downfield in the second quarter against TCU on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. The San Francisco 49ers made Purdy a seventh-round pick in 2022
Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Mr. Irrelevant no more, Brock Purdy keeps proving he belongs. He’s calm under pressure and consistently makes the right reads in big moments.

10. Jared Goff

Feb 1, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during NFC Practice for the Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Detroit’s offense has become one of the league’s best, and Goff is a big reason why. He’s confident, efficient, and ideally suited for the system.

9. Jordan Love

Sep 20, 2020; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love during warmups prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Jordan Love took a significant leap, bringing serious juice back to Green Bay. He’s got the arm, the movement, and the results to match.

8. Justin Herbert

May 20, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws the ball during offseason workouts at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Herbert remains one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the league. If the Chargers can figure things out around him, he’s a perennial MVP threat.

7. Matthew Stafford

Jan 19, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls a play from the line of scrimmage in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Stafford still has one of the best arms in football. Even when the Rams are banged up, he finds ways to keep them in games with his toughness and accuracy.

6. Jayden Daniels

Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) walks off the field after losing the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Jayden Daniels came out swinging in his rookie year and never looked back. Cool, creative, and clutch—he’s already one of the league’s most exciting players.

5. Jalen Hurts

Jan 3, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts before a game against the Washington Football Team at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Hurts bounced back in a big way, leading the Eagles on another deep run. He’s as composed as they come and always seems to deliver in crunch time.

4. Josh Allen

Bills quarterback Josh Allen talks with offensive coordinator Joe Brady between drills
Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Allen remains a human highlight reel. He’s got the big arm, the legs, and the consistency to back it all up.

3. Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson directs his teammates before the snap
Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Lamar is playing the best football of his career, and the Ravens are reaping the rewards. He’s still the most dangerous dual-threat quarterback in the league.

2. Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs through drills during practice, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Kettering Health Practice Fields in Downtown Cincinnati
Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

When healthy, Burrow is surgical. He commands the field like a veteran chess master and makes winning look easy.

Read More: 15 NFL Quarterbacks Who Never Stopped Yelling

1. Patrick Mahomes

Dec 27, 2020; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is interviewed after the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Mahomes is still the king of the quarterback mountain. The creativity, poise, and playoff heroics are all there, year after year.

Read More: 20 NFL Quarterbacks Who Felt Like the Opposite of “Hollywood”

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