Some honorable mentions here: Kirk Cousins can be an elite quarterback, but he certainly isn’t consistent enough to be in the top 10. Deshaun Watson may have been on this list a couple of years ago before that entire fiasco.
Russell Wilson is coming off the worst statistical year of his career, so he just falls off the list for the first time in a while, and Kyler Murray had a great first half of the season last year, but his poor finish sees him just to the side of the top tier.
10. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Despite all the criticism, Dak actually had one of his best statistical years last season. He threw for almost 4,500 yards, his second-highest to date during his six-year career. He also threw for a career-high 37 touchdowns while only giving the ball way 10 times through the air.
He won 11 games in the regular season, and despite the early playoff exit, Dak was one of the most consistent QBs last year. If they can recover Zeke Elliott’s form, and replace Amari Cooper after that trade, Dak will likely be on this list long after his gruesome injury in 2020.
9. Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
Carr played in maybe the toughest division in football last year, and with Russell Wilson joining the Broncos, it’s only going to get tougher. Perhaps this is why rumblings about Carr demanding a trade have been intensifying over the last week or so.
Coming off probably his best year, he led the Raiders to their second playoff appearance since he arrived, and because of his rather healthy season, he was able to start in his first playoff game after sealing the berth with a dramatic win over the rival Chargers.
Carr had 4,800 passing yards last season, by far his most in the NFL. He also won double-digit games for the first time since his third season.
Carr has also had a lot of criticism on his back, but he proved doubters wrong and he showed why he deserves to be considered among the best at his position.
8. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
The 2019 NFL MVP picked up plenty of injuries last season, pretty much eliminating the Ravens from playoff contention. The numerous other injuries the Raven suffered didn’t help either.
Despite the difficulties in the medical tent, Baltimore still has one of the league’s best QBs.
The dynamic runner still made the Pro Bowl despite playing only 12 games out of the now 17-game regular season.
He’s still one of the most difficult quarterbacks to gameplan for because you just can’t hope to have any players on the defensive side of the ball that can keep up with Jackson’s running speed or open-field prowess. He’s an elite runner, and an elite thrower, making him a lock for the top 10.
7. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Stafford, in his 13th season, his first in LA, finally won his deserved Super Bowl. His connection with wide receiver Cooper Kupp was electric and one of the best QB-WR duos in the last decade.
He had the best completion percentage of his career and threw for 41 touchdowns, also a career-high. He also threw for 4,800 yards, something he hadn’t done since 2012.
He had plenty of weapons and a great defense backing him up, but it’s time people realize how good Matthew Stafford is, and has been for his whole career, and it’s a shame he had to waste so much time hiding in Detroit.
6. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
The other LA QB, though beside Stafford in these rankings, has a much different story. Herbert hasn’t had to suffer for a decade until his potential was realized and he was rewarded for his efforts.
Herbert, at 24 years old is one of the best QBs in the world. He has elite arm strength and he finds ways to win games. Though his defense and coach stopped Herbert from reaching his first playoffs in his second year, he still threw for over 5,000 yards and 38 touchdowns in his sophomore year.
One of the best rookie years ever, and one of the best sophomore years in NFL history, Herbert is on track for a fantastic career, and this may be the lowest he is on this list for the next decade.
5. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Burrow led his team to the Super Bowl in only his second season, his first full season as a starter. He also led the Bengals to the big game, something that can be said of only three quarterbacks in history.
Though they were defeated in a tight game by the Rams, Burrow’s first full year was full of highlights and accolades.
With one of the worst offensive lines at protecting the quarterback, Burrow led the league in yards per attempt and in completion percentage. 70% of his passes were caught by his receivers, a remarkable number that’s not only a testament to him, but the weapons around him as well.
Burrow threw for over 4,600 yards and 34 touchdowns as well, and his connection with former LSU teammate Ja’Marr Chase was unstoppable. He’s the franchise QB Cincinnati needed, and then some, and he’ll be alongside Herbert at the top of this list for a very long time.
4. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
The kid from the University of Wyoming has now put together two consecutive seasons of pure greatness that affirms his place in the current top five.
In the last two seasons, he’s thrown for around 4,500 yards and 35 touchdowns, but what has separated him from other elite passers is his running ability with his size and power. Allen ran for over 700 yards last year and 6 touchdowns, and he also led the league in yards per carry with six.
A third consecutive double-digit winning season has Allen cemented as a future MVP.
3. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In his 22nd season, the undisputed GOAT put up career-high numbers. At 44 years old he led the league in passing attempts, passing yards, and passing touchdowns. He also set the NFL record for completions in a season.
Throwing for over 5,300 yards broke his own personal record, which had people wondering why he was retiring in the first place when he made the announcement. But of course, Brady couldn’t stay away for long, as he recently announced that he is coming back.
Age isn’t an issue, and that’s clear. Brady resumes his position as one of the best passers in the world.
2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
The defending back-to-back NFL MVP was always going to be towards the top of this list. Though not as old as Brady, at 38 years old Rodgers topped the league in quarterback rating while throwing for 37 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
His interception rate remains the NFL record for a career, and with a new extension in Green Bay, it looks like he’ll be torturing the NFC North for a few more years to come.
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Though last season possibly made Mahomes look at least human, he is still the best quarterback in the NFL, and the number one player nobody wants to go against.
He has immense talent in finding ways to get his receivers the ball and his ability to throw the ball on a dime at awkward arm angles makes him the most exciting player in football.
Mahomes has the NFL record for a career in passer rating through now five NFL seasons, four as a starter. His disappointing loss to Cincinnati will push him next year to win even harder, and he will be atop the AFC for years to come along with his fellow AFC young QBs.
