The Best and Worst NFL Starting Quarterbacks
If you saw the most recent list of top 100 NFL players, it’s easy to conclude the only people who know less about the subject are the players themselves.
Fifteen quarterbacks made the cut. Geezers Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers ranked first, third and fifth at the position, respectively. Really, would you take any of them over Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson right now? Yet Wilson was no better than 25th at any position. And Watson wasn’t even among the top 50.
Obviously, this task calls for a neutral party who actually watches the games. That’s us, kids.
Our ratings for the 32 starters aren’t for fantasy geeks. Rather, they’re a measure of expected efficiency based on skill level, experience, recent trends, growth potential and the like. We don’t give a rip about what happened 10 years ago. So only statistics for the last three seasons were taken into consideration.
Here goes.
Note: These rankings were made before Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck retired from the NFL prior to the start of the 2019 season.
32. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Career: 2018 (1 season)
2018 statistics/game: 58.2 COMP%, 75.1 PASS YDS, 43.4 RUSH YDS, 0.7 TOTAL TD
2018 record: 6-1
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: The coaches want him to throw more and run less. Sounds good in theory, but is it practical?
Sure, Lamar Jackson's young enough to get better in the passing game, but he doesn’t have the arm or accuracy to become the next Doug Williams, either.
Until Jackson can drop back in the pocket, read the defense, throw a strike on time and do all of it with consistency, he’ll resemble a change-of-pace backup.
31. Josh Rosen, Miami Dolphins
Career: 2018 (1 season)
Also played with: Arizona Cardinals
2018 statistics/game: 55.2 COMP%, 162.7 PASS YD, 0.8 PASS TD
2018 record: 3-10
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: The organization figures to take a long look at the newbie in Josh Rosen's first season in Miami, so we've included him over veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, the more known commodity.
Some college teams were coached better than the Arizona Cardinals' offense in 2018, so we'll give Rosen a mulligan.
Nonetheless, the 10th pick will have to show a lot more in the pocket to live up to his draft status. He won’t make many plays with his feet.
30. Eli Manning, New York Giants
Career: 2004-2018 (15 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 63.6 CMP%, 250.9 PASS YD, 1.4 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 19-28
Super Bowl titles: 2 (2007, 2011)
Bottom line: We absolutely refuse to pile on a washed-up 38-year-old who throws wobbly changeups, mopes around like a spoiled kid and would be out of the league if his last name were Hickenlooper.
So don’t expect us to be critical, OK?
29. Case Keenum, Washington Redskins
Career: 2012-18 (7 seasons)
Also played with: Houston Texans, St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos
2016-18 statistics/game: 63.8 COMP%, 235.1 PASS YD, 1.2 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 21-18
Bottom line: Rookie Dwayne Haskins may be the future, but the future is not now. The kid looks overwhelmed out there.
Case Keenum has made more pit stops than an Indy driver, but the 31-year-old is a battler and relatively cheap, which makes him a good spacer-filler in a redshirt season.
28. Joe Flacco, Denver Broncos
Career: 2008-18 (11 seasons)
Also played with: Baltimore Ravens
2016-18 statistics/game: 63.8 CMP%, 242.0 PASS YD, 1.2 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 21-20
Super Bowl title: 1 (2012)
Bottom line: Joe Cool put up some of his best numbers in 2018 before the Ravens organization rode him out of Mobtown.
Maybe the Mile High air will breathe some fresh life into the 33-year-old veteran.
Or not.
27. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Career: 2018 (1 season)
2018 statistics/game: 52.8 CMP%, 172.8 PASS YD, 52.6 RUSH YD, 0.7 TOTAL TD
2018 record: 5-6
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: His size, mobility and arm strength are obvious assets. Can’t say the same about his vision and accuracy, though.
Of course, the lack of a proven go-to receiver doesn’t do him or the offense any good.
Yo, Buffalo, can we get a little help over here?
26. Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears
Career: 2017-18 (2 seasons)
2017-18 statistics/game: 63.5 CMP%, 208.3 PASS YD, 25.7 RUSH YD, 1.4 TOTAL TD
2017-18 record: 15-11
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: We’ve called him Mitchell Toorisky from the moment that he was drafted second overall in the 2017 draft.
Sure enough, the postseason exposed him as a skittish quarterback who was unable to make all the necessary throws.
While it's too soon to call 2019 a make-or-break season for Toorisky just yet, the Super Bowl-starved Bears need the 25-year-old to take the next step as soon as possible, if not earlier.
25. Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans
Career: 2015-18 (4 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 63.6 CMP%, 208.8 PASS YD, 23.1 RUSH YD, 1.3 TOTAL TD
2016-18 record: 24-19
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: Every year, the one-time Heisman Trophy winner is expected to take his game to the next level. Waiting. Still waiting.
Now is be as good a time as any to show that he’s more than a Chip Kelly creation who gets hurt a lot.
Marcus Mariota has playoff-caliber talent around him, not to mention a cake schedule.
24. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Career: First season
Bottom line: How can we rank someone this high when he hasn’t accomplished squat at the pro level? Easy. The 22-year-old rook is a sawed-off Patrick Mahomes who can think on his feet and deliver the ball with touch or velocity from any number of angles.
We know — Kyler Murray is only 5-foot-10. Except that his insane quickness and mobility allow him to throw around the trees, not through them.
Here's what concerns us: This is a bad football team with a coach (Kliff Kingsberry) and system ( Air Raid offense) that are unproven at the pro level. Will the kid get stuck in the muck or somehow play above it? We shall see.
23. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
Career: 2011-18 (8 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 62.3 CMP%, 234.7 PASS YD, 1.5 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 18-24-1
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: The "Red Rifle" may not qualify as a franchise quarterback, but there’s something to be said for one who consistently outperforms the talent around him.
It will be interesting to see if the 31-year-old can become something more now that new head coach Zac Taylor promises to open up the offense.
Andy Dalton's future in CinCity hangs in the balance.
22. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
Career: 2014-18 (5 seasons)
Also played with: New England Patriots
2016-18 statistics/game: 65.5 CMP%, 185.3 PASS YD, 1.1 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 8-2
Super Bowl titles: 2 (2014, 2016)
Bottom line: A lot of people rave about this guy. And not all of them are female, you know.
It’s just that, well, um, we just want to see Jimmy GQ start more than 10 games in a season. That’s his career total, people. (Bet his old Patriots coach Bill Belichick is a bit curious to know as well.)
Maybe this will be the season that Tom Brady’s former caddy is healthy enough to show us that he really is worth his $137 million contract.
21. Nick Foles, Jacksonville Jaguars
Career: 2012-18 (7 seasons)
Also played with: Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs
2016-18 statistics/game: 66.7 CMP%, 157.3 PASS YD, 1.0 TOTAL TD
2016-18 record: 7-2
Super Bowl titles: 1 (2017)
Bottom line: Whether or not the streaky 29-year-old can provide a swift kick to this sorry offense remains to be seen.
Know this much: The Super Bowl LII MVP deserves a chance to start more than 11 games in a regular season, which Nick Foles has never done in his career.
St. Nick fun fact: He has won more Super Bowls than 24 players on this list.
20. Sam Darnold, New York Jets
Career: 2018 (1 season)
2018 statistics/game: 57.7 CMP%, 220.4 PASS YD, 1.3 PASS TD
2018 record: 4-9
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: The 22-year-old should take a noticeable step forward in his second season.
If Sam Darnold had a Don Maynard or Wesley Walker in his prime to target downfield, it might even be a quantum leap.
The kid has some Brett Favre in him, mostly in a good way. Minimize the Favre-like brain farts and play with some semblance of consistency, and the potential to become a top 10 quarterback is there.
19. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
Career: 2009-2018 (10 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 65.7 CMP%, 261.5 PASS YD, 1.5 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 24-24
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: The temptation is to let "Stats Mafford" carry this team, given his $29.5 million salary-cap hit, the highest in the NFL.
Except the 31-year-old comes off one of the worst overall seasons of his career, a sign that his best days are behind him.
It’s time to develop a consistent run game and put the emphasis on defense, something that should have been done years ago.
18. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
Career: 2014-2018 (5 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 63.6 CMP%, 275.2 PASS YD, 1.9 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 26-22
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: Years from now, we’ll look back on Philip Rivers' 2018 season at 37 years of age in complete amazement, if not utter shock.
Old Man Rivers was that drop-dead good. Don’t expect him to approach that level again, though.
Father Time doesn’t like to be embarrassed, and 2019 will be the season that he begins to even the score.
17. Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders
Career: 2014-2018 (5 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 65.2 CMP%, 249.6 PASS YD, 1.5 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 22-24
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: Seems that almost everyone has written this guy off already, but we don’t get it. Wasn’t Derek Carr an MVP candidate not long ago?
At 28, he’ll begin the season with the same offensive coordinator for only the second time in his career. Unlike a year ago, he’ll also be surrounded by real linemen and wide receivers.
Sure, coach Jon Gruden is hell on quarterbacks, but that may be a good thing for one who needs to toughen up a bit.
Prediction: a bounce-back here.
16. Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Career: 2015-2018 (4 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 62.8 CMP%, 264.7 PASS YD, 1.65 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 15-23
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: Famous Jameis hasn’t played up to the hype in his pro career, but let’s be fair. The one-time Heisman Trophy winner hasn’t exactly had a bunch of Bill Walshes to work with over the years. Until now.
Coach Bruce Arians has an impressive track record with quarterbacks, and we bet he’ll get the most out of this one.
There’s certainly no shortage of talent at the wide receiver/tight end positions in Tampa Bay to make it happen.
15. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Career: 2016-2018 (3 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 66.1 CMP%, 226.6 PASS YD, 1.4 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 32-16
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: Based on Dak Prescott's improvement with wideout Amari Cooper in the lineup, the Cowboys can win a Super Bowl with him.
Still, we're not sold that it can win one because of him, which is why Dallas should hesitate to offer a max contract. If you're gonna invest 15 percent of the team salary cap in one player, he must be an accomplished passer who can carry his team when necessary, not a game manager in a run-dominated offense.
The question is, where can the organization find that guy?
Our advice: Draft the next Oklahoma quarterback.
14. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Career: 2001-2018 (18 seasons)
Also played with: San Diego Chargers
2016-18 statistics/game: 71.9 CMP%, 288.0 PASS YD, 2.0 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 31-16
Super Bowl titles: 1 (2009)
Bottom line: While everyone complained and moaned about "The Non-Call" in the 2018 NFC championship game, they forget the most obvious storyline of all. The future Hall of Famer looked old out there, get-me-a-new-arm-and-oxygen-mask old, especially in the second half.
Dude, the guy is about to turn 41 and throw the 10,000th pass of his career.
Could the 2019 season be the last we see of Drew Brees?
13. Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Career: 2016-2018 (3 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 63.7 CMP%, 253.8 PASS YD, 1.75 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 23-17
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: Maybe we’ve shortchanged him. We just want to see Carson Wentz play in the postseason for once.
His mobility is an obvious plus, but he needs to make better decisions with the ball. His high sack percentage translates to a lot of hits and fumbles, many of them unnecessary.
He’s only 26, so there’s still time to learn before it’s too late. The natural talent is there.
12. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Career: 2011-2018 (8 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 59.8 CMP%, 226.8 PASS YD, 35.6 RUSH YD, 1.8 TOTAL TD
2016-18 record: 23-21
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: We haven’t seen the last of his Superman act, but at the big three-oh, Cam Newton needs to pick his spots now.
The quarterback dodged a bullet in the offseason, when right arm surgery revealed no rotator cuff damage. Yet coupled with knee issues, doubts exist whether he can get through a 16-game schedule any more.
His backup? Raise a toast to Taylor Heinicke, Panthers fans.
11. Andrew Luck*, Indianapolis Colts
Career: 2012-2018 (6 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 65.5 CMP%, 284.9 PASS YD, 2.3 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 18-13
Super Bowl titles: None
*Retired from the NFL on Aug. 24, 2019
Bottom line: The four-time Pro Bowler sat out the entire preseason with a calf issue. Check that — it was a high ankle problem. Wait, it was a "small little bone" in his foot, team owner Jim Irsay told us.
Whatever the heck it was, the whole ordeal confused a lot of people. And it should concern the Colts.
Would anyone be surprised if the talented quarterback sat out half the season or more? The best ability is availability, which is why Andrew Luck can’t be ranked higher until further notice.
10. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
Career: 2012-2018 (7 seasons)
Also played with: Washington Redskins
2016-18 statistics/game: 67.2 CMP%, 277.3 PASS YD, 1.7 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 23-23-2
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: As we all know, this guy is grossly underpaid by franchise quarterback standards. But his guaranteed $84 million price tag overshadows some good numbers.
In fact, expect a Pro Bowl-type season out of the veteran now that he has one season in the offense under his belt and a better line in front of him.
Otherwise, deny this was ever written.
9. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Career: 2000-2018 (18 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 66.4 CMP%, 283.8 PASS YD, 2.0 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 35-9
Super Bowl titles: 6 (2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2018)
Bottom line: Sorry, no slobber here. Let's recognize Tom Boy for what he really is: a savvy dinker-and-dunker with zero mobility who benefits hugely from an all-time great coach and all-time lousy division in a soft league that glorifies the forward pass and coddles its quarterbacks.
That said, when the guy has all day to pick out a receiver and deliver the ball — which is to say almost always — the 41-year-old can still dissect a defense like a lab experiment.
Remember, how good does a quarterback have to be to beat the Bills, Dolphins and Jets five or six times every season.
8. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Career: 2016-2018 (3 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 68.0 CMP%, 290.9 PASS YD, 1.9 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 28-20
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: Predictably, "Matty Ice" hasn’t been quite the same since the 2016 season, far and away the best of his career. But don’t call him "Matty Slush" just yet.
Shorter routes and quicker releases have allowed the 33-year-old to remain a productive ball distributor.
He has enough support to be in the top 10 for perhaps one final time.
7. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
Career: 2018 (1 season)
2018 statistics/game: 63.8 CMP%, 266.1 PASS YD, 1.9 PASS TD
2018 record: 6-7
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: So his swag rubs a lot of people the wrong way, does it? Well, that’s too damn bad.
True, if these were the joyless, hoity-toity Patriots, Baker Mayfield's act would be over the top. But we’re talkin’ about the dog-breath Cleveland Browns. Cleve-land. If any franchise is desperate for some maniac to light a 4-11 fire under it, this definitely is the one.
Oh, there will be some turbulence along the way, all right, but the guy can ball and hates to lose. When was the last time we could say that about a Browns quarterback?
6. Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
Career: 2016-2018 (3 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 62.1 CMP%, 259.2 PASS YD, 1.7 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 24-14
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: First, we were assured that the rookie would be a colossal bust. Then, he led his team to the playoffs the next season and became a so-called system quarterback. Then, he led his team to the Super Bowl the next season. With a broken-down feature back and without his favorite receiver, no less.
Can we admit the 24-year-old is a legit franchise quarterback and leave it at that?
Now that Todd Gurley will take on a lesser load, expect the offense to lean on Jared Goff even more.
5. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Career: 2016-2018 (3 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 65.3 CMP%, 293.3 PASS YD, 2.0 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 31-13-1
Super Bowl titles: 2 (2005, 2008)
Bottom line: Among active players, only God (Tom Brady himself) has a better career winning percentage and more Super Bowl victories. And Ben Roethlisberger did it with a perennial AFC North favorite.
Now that the Stillers have been cast as underdogs for a change, their 37-year-old quarterback will be more motivated than ever.
It's doubtful that Big Ben will duplicate his career highs of 34 touchdowns and 5,100-plus yards from the 2018 season (with Antonio Brown and his frostbitten feet and new lid not around), but Roethlisberger should be productive just the same.
The chip on his shoulder pads will never be larger.
4. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Career: 2005-2018 (14 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 64.2 CMP%, 270.4 PASS YD, 2.1 PASS TD
2016-18 record: 20-18-1
Super Bowl titles: 1 (2010)
Bottom line: Aaron Rodgers may be longer in the tooth, but he’s in a far better place than the disaster of 2018. For one, the 35-year-old begins the 2019 season reasonably healthy. There’s also a new head coach and new energy.
The seven-time Pro Bowler will operate in a more traditional offense, which means more handoffs and fewer hits. Would you believe the front office even got off its duff and upgraded the offensive line and defense for a change?
As long as the quarterback remains upright, he’s primed for a big comeback.
3. Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans
Career: 2017-2018 (2 seasons)
2017-18 statistics/game: 66.4 CMP%, 255.0 PASS YD, 35.7 RUSH YD, 2.3 TOTAL TD
2017-18 record: 14-8
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: How could Deshaun Watson not be on the short list of elite quarterbacks?
He doesn't have a classic delivery, but few quarterbacks possess his combination of smarts, attitude, accuracy, mobility and leadership ability.
When the rest of the offense begins to catch up to him, he’ll be an MVP candidate. Don't be surprised if it happens this season.
2. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Career: 2012-2018 (7 seasons)
2016-18 statistics/game: 63.7 CMP%, 242.7 PASS YD, 25.4 RUSH YD, 2.0 TOTAL TD
2016-18 record: 29-18-1
Super Bowl titles: 1 (2013)
Bottom line: If he hadn’t thrown that ridiculous interception in the final minute of Super Bowl XLIX, the most asinine play call in NFL postseason history, more than a few people would consider Russell Wilson to be an all-time great.
Then he would be one of only 13 quarterbacks with multiple Super Bowls wins on his resume.
As the motor who drives an offense that has had precious few star receivers over the years, he should be thought of as a perennial MVP candidate at the very least.
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Career: 2017-2018 (2 seasons)
2017-18 statistics/game: 65.9 CMP%, 316.5 PASS YD, 2.9 PASS TD
2017-18 record: 13-4
Super Bowl titles: None
Bottom line: The reigning league MVP comes off of the greatest second season in league history — 5,663 total yards and 52 touchdowns.
Statistically, Patrick Mahomes can’t possibly improve on these ridiculous numbers.
But the 23-year-old can and will get better in other ways, and that’s terrible news for defenses who haven’t figured him out.