Skip to main content

Top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL Top 100

profilephotocropby:Suzanne Halliburton08/08/23

suzhalliburton

joe burrow patrick mahomes
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

League players recently voted on who is the best among them. And like every year, NFL quarterbacks attract the most attention.

To no one’s surprise, the AFC dominated this NFL quarterback list. Six of the list are AFC signal-callers, including a new addition to their ranks.

So ready, set, hut-hut. Check out the list.

1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes takes a breath at training camp. (Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)

It’s difficult to see any quarterback other than Patrick Mahomes to be No. 1 on this list. And he’s only 27, with three Super Bowl appearances, two of them victories.

AFC teams know the road to the Super Bowl runs through Arrowhead Stadium. Mahomes has started the last four. And we’re thinking his game is getting better.

2. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia

The Super Bowl featured the top two quarterbacks on this list. Jalen Hurts had a nice game, even in the loss. (Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Jalen Hurts definitely had his NFL quarterback moment for all of 2022. His stats were nice. And his runs added to his game. He rushed for 453 yards, with 123 of them designed. Plus, he’ll always have the Tush Push.

The Eagles awarded him with a new contract that pays $51 million a season.

3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati

Jul 26, 2023; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during training camp at Kettering Health Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Burrow‘s tender calf muscle aside, the quarterback is one of the NFL’s best. The former LSU star played in the last two AFC title games.

And he’s about to sign a contract that likely puts him atop the league’s best.

4. Josh Allen, Buffalo

osh Allen desperately wants to get the Bills to the Super Bowl, especially after last season’s flame out in the second round of the playoffs. (Jamie Germano/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Josh Allen‘s stats last season were of the gaudy variety. He threw for 4283 yards and 35 touchdowns. Maybe that’s why he’s on the cover of Madden. But he got dinged with 14 interceptions.

The Bills gifted him with rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid, who will help with the third-down plays.

5. Justin Herbert, Chargers

Call him the highest paid player in the NFL. Justin Herbert works out in training camp (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Justin Herbert ranking this high among top NFL quarterbacks is a surprise and might be a reach. What’s true — he’s currently the highest-paid QB in the league.

The Chargers also hired new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Will this be the year that the Chargers win a playoff game?

6. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota

Did you catch Kirk Cousins on the Netflix docuseries Quarterback? (Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Kirk Cousins was having a moment last season. As his Vikings continued to win, he threw for 4,547 yards and 29 touchdowns. The yardage mark was a career-high.

But the Vikings want to go farther in the playoffs than just the first round. Upsets to the Giants probably won’t be tolerated well if it happens again.

7. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets

Aaron Rodgers probably was the top quarterback in the NFC for much of his career. That’s not the case with his move to the AFC. (Julie Vennitti Botos / Canton Repository / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Aaron Rodgers, with his four career MVP awards, is a surprising seventh among the top 10 NFL quarterbacks. Seems too low, right?

Top 10

  1. 1

    DJ Lagway

    Florida QB to return vs. LSU

    Breaking
  2. 2

    Dylan Raiola injury

    Nebraska QB will play vs. USC

  3. 3

    Elko pokes at Kiffin

    A&M coach jokes over kick times

  4. 4

    SEC changes course

    Alcohol sales at SEC Championship Game

    New
  5. 5

    Bryce Underwood

    Michigan prepared to offer No. 1 recruit $10.5M over 4 years

View All

But he’s 39 now and starting over with the Jets. Give it a we’ll see, but he now plays in the quarterback-dominant AFC. It’s going to be difficult climbing this list.

8. Dak Prescott, Dallas

Dak Prescott runs a play in Cowboys training camp. (Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports)

Cowboys management may think Dak Prescott should come in higher among NFL quarterbacks. But here’s the hard truth. Prescott, who turned 30 last month, needs to be judged by playoff wins. He’s yet to take the Cowboys to an NFC title game.

Maybe this season is different. Coach Mike McCarthy will call plays. And he’s also overhauled the offense to give it a flavor of the vintage West Coast.

9. Jared Goff, Detroit

Nov 6, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) looks to pass against Green Bay Packers linebacker Jonathan Garvin (53) during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han-USA TODAY Sports

Jared Goff threw for a healthy 4,438 yards and 29 touchdowns last season. But here’s his best stat for the Lions. Goff led his team to eight wins in their final 10 games.

But with Goff under center, fans are excited about the entire team. They sold out all season tickets for the first time at Ford Field.

10. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore


Lamar Jackson greets his many fans at Ravent training camp. (Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports)

Talk about a surprise. Lamar Jackson is only the 10th-best quarterback on this list. It may be because injuries have limited him the past two seasons. He’s missed 10 games.

Still, Jackson got his money, although negotiations hit an impasse for weeks. Up until Justin Herbert signed his deal, Jackson’s $52 million a year topped the league salary list.

So, do you agree or disagree with the list? The NFL kicks off its preseason action this weekend with a full slate of games.