The Top 10 Quarterbacks in the NFL

There may truly be no more consequential position in sports than the quarterback in the NFL. Every single play runs through the mind and the hands of the quarterback. Without competence at that position, an offense cannot succeed. For this reason, front offices around the league are set on either finding or retaining a franchise quarterback. Teams will reset their entire roster in hopes of building around their next signal caller. Because of the importance and visibility of the position, a constant debate exists over where to rank quarterbacks relative to their competitors. I find this season specifically to be an opportune time to rank quarterbacks. In the last few seasons, the previous generation of elites has retired, giving way to a younger group that brings a different play style to the field. More top quarterbacks now are running threats than perhaps ever before. Which QB’s have filled the space left by the stars of the past generation? Here are my top ten quarterbacks in the NFL today:

10. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

It feels like the Packers have had a top-10 quarterback every season for the last couple decades. Twice now, they have hit on late-first round picks that have turned out to be franchise QB’s. The latest star is Jordan Love. While it may seem premature to put Love on my list after one full season at the helm, I saw enough from him to be more than optimistic. The ability that he showed to operate both in and out of structure should have Packers fans salivating. With the young pieces around Love on offense, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Packers were back in the Super Bowl very soon.

9. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence may have been the most hyped quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck. He was the predetermined number one pick for years before even being draft-eligible. While he hasn’t quite lived up to the nearly impossible expectations set for him, he has proven himself to be a franchise quarterback. He has shown elite arm talent and the ability to read defenses at a high level. Were he in a better situation, we may be talking about Lawrence in a much higher regard relative to other quarterbacks around the league.

8. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

Yes, I have C.J. Stroud ranked eighth after his rookie season. Did you watch him play? As a rookie, with formerly unknown receivers around him, Stroud diced up defenses like he had been doing it for a decade. We knew he was accurate when he was coming into the league, but his ability to read defenses was astounding. When pressured, Stroud posted a QBR of 77.2, which ranked better than Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, and Patrick Mahomes. If he was able to accomplish that as a rookie, opposing teams should be terrified of what he could become.

7. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott plays for one of the most polarizing teams in the NFL. It’s only fitting that he would be one of the league’s most polarizing players. Some believe he’s an elite quarterback, while some Cowboys fans are calling for Trey Lance to take his job. For me, Prescott falls just outside the elite category while still being a very good quarterback. In 2023, he showed the ability to orchestrate a high-level offense and consistently make difficult throws. He has firmly planted himself as a top-10 quarterback in the league.

6. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

This is where the “elite” tier starts for me. Though Justin Herbert faded from national attention in 2023, he remains one of the top quarterbacks in the league. Herbert’s ability to read a defense and process where to throw the ball is almost unmatched. Perhaps the only downside to his game is his hesitation to risk throwing the ball into tight windows. I’m interested to see how Herbert’s game changes with a new coaching staff and limited options at receiver.

5. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

After winning a Super Bowl and performing at an elite level for years, Matthew Stafford is somehow still underrated. With his incredible arm talent, Stafford can access any throw on the field, a trait few QBs possess. Pair him with head coach and playcaller Sean McVay, and you’ve got the second most dangerous coach-quarterback combination in the league. While Stafford’s throw power may be declining at this point in his career, he still deserves his spot as an elite quarterback.

4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

People seem to have forgotten that Joe Burrow has taken the Bengals to two AFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl in the last three seasons. While he struggled to stay healthy in 2023, he’s still clearly an elite quarterback. Burrow excels in pre-snap reads and is able to manipulate opposing defenses to find the throws that he wants consistently. In 2022, Burrow posted an impressive adjusted completion percentage of 77.5% per PFF. With a healthy training camp to start the 2024 season, I expect Burrow to remind the league just who he is.

3. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

It’s getting harder and harder to find the Lamar doubters at this point. After winning his second MVP and totaling nearly 4,500 yards in 2023, Jackson has solidified his position as a top-5 quarterback. Lamar is far from being a running back as some used to call him, but his running ability forces defenses to play him differently than any other QB in the league. Now that Derrick Henry has been added to the Ravens’ backfield, defenses will be left dumbfounded. The only thing keeping Lamar from rising up this list is a lack of playoff success.

2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

After a relatively rocky start to 2023, Josh Allen turned things around for the Bills and led them to their fourth consecutive division title and fifth consecutive playoff appearance. According to PFF, Allen threw 37 “Big Time Throws” in 2023, which ranked second in the league behind only Dak Prescott. Allen also ran for 15 touchdowns, tying Jalen Hurts for the single-season quarterback rushing touchdown record. He’s consistently been a top-tier quarterback since his second NFL season. If only he didn’t have to battle the next guy on my list…

1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

The question isn’t whether Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL today, it’s whether he’s the best ever. Mahomes has taken the Chiefs to the AFC Championship in every season since he became their full-time starter. During that time, he’s won three Super Bowls and two MVP awards. His ability to utilize different arm angles and to throw off platform has truly revolutionized the way that the quarterback position is coached and played. I used to despise teams and players that won consistently in hopes of seeing parity. I’ve come to instead appreciate true greatness when I see it. Greatness is undeniable in Patrick Mahomes.