With the retirements of franchise icons such as Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, & others in recent years, there’s been a change of the guard at QB. There is no longer a clear consensus on which quarterbacks are amongst the elite at the position. The AFC is loaded with quarterback talent, while there are only a few obvious NFC standouts. Here is my attempt at doing the impossible in ranking the top ten QBs in the league right now. These rankings are based on previous track record, 2022 stats, & outlook for the 2023 season.
#1: Patrick Mahomes
2022 stats: 5,250 passing yards, 41 TDs, 12 INT, 67.1% completion
It’s Patrick Mahomes’ world in the league these days, and we’re all simply living in it. Mahomes led the league in passing TDs, yards per attempt (8), & passer rating (105) last year. The reigning league MVP and Super Bowl LVII MVP continues making his case for Canton.
#2: Joe Burrow
2022 stats: 4,475 passing yards, 35 TDs, 12 INT, 68.3% completion
This is where the real debate begins, as opinions certainly vary about whether to have Burrow, Allen, or Hurts in this #2 spot behind Mahomes in the top ten quarterback rankings. Burrow gets my vote after finishing 2nd in the NFL in completion % (68) & TDs (35) in 2022. He’s elevated the Bengals from obscurity to Super Bowl contending status in just three seasons.
#3: Josh Allen
2022 stats: 4,283 passing yards, 35 TDs, 14 INT, 63.3% completion
Allen also rushed for 762 yards & 7 TDs last season, which is such a remarkable feat. This means that he actually had almost as many TDs (42 total) as Mahomes (45) did last year. He needs to take better care of the ball (25 turnovers) in order to get over the proverbial hump.
#4: Jalen Hurts
2022 stats: 3,701 passing yards, 22 TDs, 6 INT, 66.5% completion
Hurts rushed for 760 yards & 13 TDs in 2022, showcasing dynamic playmaking ability. His outstanding performance in Super Bowl LVII earned him a lucrative payday this offseason. There’s no doubt that he’s the best quarterback in the NFC, & there’s still room for growth here.
#5: Justin Herbert
2022 stats: 4,739 passing yards, 25 TDs, 10 INT, 68.2% completion
Herbert is as tough as nails, playing through fractured rib cartilage & a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder while leading his team to a 10-7 mark & an AFC Wild Card playoff berth. He’s been brilliant through three seasons, & it’s not his fault that the Chargers can’t play defense.
#6: Aaron Rodgers
2022 stats: 3,695 passing yards, 26 TDs, 12 INT, 64.6% completion
The four-time NFL MVP is coming off a down year by his standards; however, my belief is that he will bounce back this season after reuniting with OC Nathaniel Hackett in New York. Rodgers still has the ability to carry a team on his shoulders, but he shouldn’t have to for the Jets. Would it really shock anyone if, in six months from now, Rodgers wins his 5th NFL MVP Award?
#7: Lamar Jackson
2022 stats: 2,242 passing yards, 17 TDs, 7 INT, 62.3% completion
I’m still a believer in the 2019 NFL MVP, but he needs to stay healthy over a full season. Health has been an issue for Jackson, & it’s the only thing keeping him from achieving greatness. The Ravens have done their part this offseason in supporting their superstar QB by paying him & giving him better weapons to work with, & the pressure is now on Lamar to make things happen.
#8: Trevor Lawrence
2022 stats: 4,113 passing yards, 25 TDs, 8 INT, 66.3% completion
Let’s credit Doug Pederson for Lawrence’s career revival last season, as the former No. 1 overall pick made huge strides in his second season under the former Super Bowl winning coach. The Jaguars went from worst to first last year due to these dynamic changes, culminating in a 9-8 record, an AFC South division title, and a 31-30 comeback win over the Chargers in the playoffs. There’s potential for Lawerence to be even better in year three with new offseason additions.
#9: Matt Stafford
2022 stats: 2,087 passing yards, 10 TDs, 8 INT, 68.0% completion
Stafford is probably the 2nd best QB in the NFC now behind Jalen Hurts after the recent retirements of Tom Brady & Drew Brees, along with Aaron Rodgers’ offseason trade to the Jets. He’s certainly got the track record as a Super Bowl winning QB; however, his injury history & inconsistent play mean that his outlook for 2023 isn’t as rosy as some of the others on this list. Still though, the last time we saw a fully healthy Stafford he was leading the Rams to victory in Super Bowl LVI while throwing for 4,886 yards, 41 TDs, & 17 INT during the regular season.
#10: Jared Goff
2022 stats: 4,438 passing yards, 29 TDs, 7 INT, 65.1% completion
Goff was an afterthought player in the Matt Stafford trade a couple years ago, & although that move worked out pretty well for the Rams, it’s also worked out rather well for the Lions too. Remember that Goff is still just 28 years old, and he has a Super Bowl appearance on his resume. He also has three Pro Bowl selections and a solid track record of QB performance under his belt.
Also considered: Kirk Cousins (Vikings), Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins), Geno Smith (Seahawks)
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