Every position on the team is important, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more pivotal player to a team’s success than their quarterback. The team captain, the shot-caller, the man with the golden arm: the QB does it all. Here are the best 30 quarterbacks currently playing in the NFL, ranked.
30. Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots
Jacoby Brissett has been uninspiring during his tenure with New England. He started his rookie year with the Patriots in 2016, the year they won the Super Bowl. With Brissett behind center, the Patriots have struggled to achieve any kind of success. At this point, they might want to consider switching to Maye.
29. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
The Browns’ QB has been struggling in the past few seasons. In his defense, Deshaun Watson has dealt with what is probably the worst offense of line in the NFL in recent years and has been subject to the most dropped passes. Cleveland’s coach, Kevin Stefanski, made it clear he won’t make a QB change despite a rocky 2024 season. But many see no harm in finding out what Jameis Winston can do.
28. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Broncos coach Sean Payton is keeping a tight leash on the 12th overall draft pick and rookie quarterback out of Auburn, keeping the passing game to a minimum. Nix throws pretty well, but he’s got a limited skill set that isn’t intimidating for opponents. Nonetheless, the Broncos seem to have a lot of faith in Nix and will see where he goes as his skills develop.
27. Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers
Three-time Pro Bowler Andy Dalton is usually great, becoming a bit dicier in the past few seasons. The Panthers started off 2024 on bad footing, perhaps due to Dalton’s shot-calling, despite a competent offensive lineup. Some fans are calling on the Panthers to mix it up and bring in last year’s overall No. 1 NFL draft pick and former Crimson Tide QB, Bryce Young.
26. Gardner Minshew, Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have struggled to find a solid QB over the past few seasons. Weakness in this role has been a persistent issue for the team, which is currently relying on a contingent including Gardner Minshew to get the ball across to the end zone. Or, you know, not.
25. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and overall No. 1 NFL draft pick in 2024 out of USC, has high hopes on his shoulders. He’s yet to prove himself in Chicago, but Bears fans are hoping he can pull it together and kickstart a badly-needed rebuild and turn the Bears back into a dynasty.
24. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts has had a rough time on the Eagles roster and can’t seem to stay healthy. With time off, he would benefit from studying in the film room to strategize his game against his next opponents. The Eagles could develop into a serious threat if Hurts can catch his breath and develop a sounder playmaking ability.
23. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence can bring something great to the Jags if he can get those interceptions under control. While the Jags have been in a bit of a slump in the past few seasons, fans may be getting the feeling that it’s time for the team to move on from the loss of Bortles due to retirement.
22. Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Daniel Jones is changing the minds of Giants fans who want to move on to a new quarterback. Despite the odds… despite his shakier starts… and with all due respect to the fans who want the Giants to look elsewhere, the guy is getting better every game. It’s hard to hate on a talented player who is continuing to up his game.
21. Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
Justin Fields is one of those divisive players that some people say is amazing and others say needs to be cut loose. Some fans have openly wondered: might Russell Wilson take over? Fields has a long way to go but shows glimmers of greatness.
20. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert is an exciting young player who has had some early struggles with injuries. It’s frustrating when talented players can’t stay healthy! Still, the Chargers have a bright future ahead of them with their new QB. Herbert should improve once he and his team get healthier.
19. Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts
In 2023, Joe Flacco joined the Browns midway and led the team to a playoff berth and won the Comeback Player of the Year award. While playing with the Colts, the 39-year-old QB demonstrated he still deserves a starting role. It’s encouraging to see older, wiser QBs sticking around longer in the league these days. It shows that the focus on brain health and sustainability is having some impact.
18. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford has battled tough breaks like an injured offensive line and an absence of his star receivers. Without his top playmakers, Stafford tried to pivot into a playmaking role, doing his best to string together wins with a skeleton crew. It’s a testament to his ingenuity, but not a knock on his ability that the Rams have struggled lately.
17. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
The 40-year-old, four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers is doing his best to keep up with the rest of the league. The Jets are relying on him heavily right now, and he’s been pretty good. Still, questions about his sustainability and long-term potential at his age continue to gnaw at New York fans.
16. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Goff and Detroit got off to a blazing start in 2024 and have been riding that momentum ever since. It’s kind of nice to hear the name “Detroit Lions” and not let out a laugh, isn’t it? Eat this up, Detroit, your time in the limelight has been a long time coming.
15. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
Coming off an Achilles tear at the start of the 2024 season, 36-year-old Kirk Cousins delivered the greatness the Falcons have been waiting to see, upsetting the Buccaneers 36-30. That’s the kind of performance the long-struggling Atlanta team has been begging to see out of anyone for many seasons now, so it’s about time someone showed up.
14. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
What makes Kyler Murray such a great QB? Well, the Cards can rely on him to score touchdowns in any environment. He can fling a long pass if the defense lets his guys through, or he can make a break for it and score the TD himself. That’s versatility!
13. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Purdy is a force to be reckoned with thanks to his impressive physical strength. That athleticism has allowed him to escape several would-be tacklers, which keeps plays alive and keeps him healthy. And, of course, a healthy QB is a QB who can win games.
12. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
Four-time Pro Bowler Derek Carr brings an impressive assortment of skills to the QB role for the Saints. From his high average passing statistics to his deft skills as a leader, he’s the kind of guy you want calling the shots for the team. Now, if only he could stop throwing interceptions.
11. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings got off to a dynamite start in 2024 thanks in no small part to Sam Darnold’s performance as team captain. Don’t let the naysayers fool you, Darnold is the real deal. As he develops his skills and learns the ins and outs of his role, he’s going to become one of the league’s best QBs.
10. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Don’t judge Jordan Love by stats alone, as he can make a big throw downfield when it counts. In the early parts of 2024, Love may not have been at his best, showing some shakiness with his passing game. But the Packers got the wins to prove that Love is far from a liability. It will be interesting to see where he goes from here.
9. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
Geno Smith led the NFL in passing at the start of the 2024 season. In their loss to the Giants, Smith was a double threat, throwing for 284 yards and one touchdown. He was Seattle’s leading rusher, gaining 72 yards on four carries. Smith’s 32-yard run put the Seahawks in a winning position that ended with a blocked field goal. He’ll remain a serious threat as long as he’s got that arm.
8. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Prescott is an all-around threat with the ball in his hands. He can snap it off deep into the end zone, or he can make a break for it and deftly whirl around defenders. The Cowboys sorely needed a player like him at the helm.
7. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, Jayden Daniels, has helped Washington gain an eye-popping winning record in the NFC East. He’s ranked highly in terms of both passing and rushing yards. During an early 2024 game against the Browns, Daniels went 14 of 25 for 238 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also scrambled for 82 yards on 11 carries.
6. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud is one of the best passing threats in the NFL. In the Texans’ upset over the Bills, Stroud went 28 of 38 for 331 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also scrambled three times for 27 yards. There were some negatives, such as the interception, a fumble, and an intentional grounding penalty. Still, on the whole, he’s a phenomenal asset for the Texans.
5. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Allen is one of those unassuming, quiet players who does his best work without a word. He’s a workmanlike QB who puts in the yards game-in, game-out, and has made the Bills a very dependable organization after some chaotic seasons. He’s not as flashy as some team captains, but he’s the right man for this Bills team.
4. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Some of the victories have been ugly, but the Chiefs remain the team to beat in the NFL. Mahomes didn’t have his first 300-yard game of the 2024 season until Week 5. Nonetheless, Mahomes excels at making the clutch plays when they’re needed most. At the end of the day, a win is a win, no matter what it looks like. You don’t get bonus points for winning in shootouts.
3. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield is a dependable, long-serving QB who brings a sure-handed steadiness to the Buccs. Tampa Bay has looked a little listless and lost following Brady’s retirement, and Mayfield is the kind of guy who can pull them out of that funk.
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2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
In the 2024 season, Joe Burrow has been an impressive presence for the Bengals. He’s easily one of the best QBs in the league, and it’s hard to pick between him and Lamar Jackson. However, his struggles against lower-ranked opponents in the early going of the 2024 season have us giving the edge to Jackson.
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1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
What else is there to say about the Ravens’ secret weapon? He’s looked unstoppable for his entire tenure with Baltimore. Whether he’s running in touchdowns himself or launching deep forward passes with unerring accuracy, this is the kind of guy who can just flat-out win games. Overall, Jackson remains the #1 quarterback to watch.
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