Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) embrace at midfield after their recreation on Sept. 15, 2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photographs
The NFL common season is 59 days away, and in response to sportsbooks, the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Payments will most likely meet within the Tremendous Bowl. There’s an extended technique to go earlier than that, although, so within the meantime, VikingsTerritory is embarking on an annual custom — rating the league’s beginning quarterbacks.
This 12 months was tougher than typical, primarily as a result of the part between Caleb Williams and Bo Nix under has equally environment friendly signal-callers.
QB Stability Separates the NFL’s Contenders from Everybody Else
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson heads towards the sideline throughout first-half motion towards Cincinnati, leaving the sphere because the AFC North matchup continues in Cleveland. On Oct. 20, 2024, Watson strikes away from the huddle whereas the Browns regroup and put together for his or her subsequent collection towards the Bengals at residence. Obligatory Credit score: Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photographs.
32 | Deshaun Watson (CLE)
Till Watson proves he can return to 2019 or 2020 kind — assuming he begins for the Browns in any respect — he lives on the backside of quarterback energy rankings. Them’s are the principles.
31 | Geno Smith (NYJ)
It’s laughable that the Jets will make Smith their QB1 answer with a head coach who might already be on the recent seat. At finest, Smith is a bridge quarterback to somebody promising.
30 | Cam Ward (TEN)
Ward’s numbers and effectivity metrics have been simply as unhealthy, if not worse, than J.J. McCarthy’s final 12 months, however no person cared. He should take a developmental step in 2026.
29 | Malik Willis (MIA)
Willis put good video games and memorable moments on tape in Inexperienced Bay, and good for him. Now, he should show he can deal with the complete brunt of a passing assault when defensive coordinators plan for him each week.
28 | Kirk Cousins (LV)
Cousins can pop off for a 400-yard passing recreation at any time, however he’s additionally outdated and sluggish.
27 | Jacoby Brissett (ARI)
Brissett is the perfect backup quarterback within the league, however that’s the place it ends. It’s wild that the Arizona Cardinals assume he’s a greater QB1 answer than Kyler Murray. They should be biding their time for the 2027 NFL Draft.
26 | Jaxson Dart (NYG)
Dart can simply climb this listing very quickly, however by NFL requirements, his crew wants a document higher than 4-8, which is what the Giants fired up on his watch. He additionally seemed misplaced within the December recreation towards the Vikings. Buffonish, even.
25 | Bryce Younger (CAR)
Younger ranked twenty fifth in EPA+CPOE final 12 months, however as a result of his crew made the playoffs, many noticed hope in his future.
24 | Tua Tagovailoa (ATL)
Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. will most likely play scorching potato with the QB1 job in Atlanta. Nonetheless, with Kevin Stefanski operating the present, there’s a path for Tagovailoa to throw for 3,500+ yards and 25+ touchdowns with all these weapons.
23 | Daniel Jones (IND)
Jones seemed nice for 2 months earlier than he started tailing off after which tore his Achilles. That damage isn’t a simple restoration, and folk questioned about Jones’s long-term consistency within the first place. He has to show himself once more in 2026.
22 | Aaron Rodgers (PIT)
It feels disrespectful to put Rodgers this low primarily based on profession achievement. However let’s face it: he ranked twenty second per EPA+CPOE in 2025. This spot is simply.
21 | C.J. Stroud (HOU)
Stroud produced 19 passing touchdowns final 12 months with a completion share under 65%. His numbers are imagined to be ascending, not declining.
20 | Bo Nix (DEN)
Nix ranked 18th per EPA+CPOE final 12 months. He’s propped up by a High 3 protection. He has limitations that ultimately shall be uncovered.
19 | Tyler Shough (NO)
Shough’s stat line as a rookie — if he performed 17 video games — would’ve seemed like this:
4,261 Passing Yards25 TDs9 INTs69.2% Comp
Is your complete NFL sleeping on Shough? The numbers say sure.
18 | Kyler Murray (MIN)
Murray averages 3,900+ passing yards, 30 complete touchdowns, and 600+ speeding each 17 begins. Why he’s thought-about a giant reclamation challenge is an utter thriller. The man is productive when wholesome, only a step under Lamar Jackson’s numbers.
17 | Sam Darnold (SEA)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold warms up at Levi’s Stadium earlier than going through New England in Tremendous Bowl LX, getting ready for the largest recreation of his skilled profession. On Feb. 8, 2026, Darnold goes via his pregame routine as Seattle readies for the championship matchup towards the Patriots in Santa Clara that night. Obligatory Credit score: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Photographs.
Darnold’s efficiency dipped late in 2025, however the Seahawks’ protection masked all the things. He has a Tremendous Bowl now that may by no means be taken away. However you need to ask your self: is he higher than the remaining males on this listing?
16 | Jared Goff (DET)
How lengthy will the Lions stick with it the Goff expertise with out reaching a Tremendous Bowl? Will it ever get stale? He’s within the outdated Kirk Cousins boat the place his stats are nice, nevertheless it feels just like the Lions peaked in 2023 with Goff beneath middle.
15 | Baker Mayfield (TB)
Mayfield’s grit ranks No. 1 or No. 2 within the NFL, however his EPA+CPOE quietly ranked nineteenth final season.
14 | Brock Purdy (SF)
Purdy missed eight video games in 2025, and the 49ers’ offense didn’t miss a beat with Mac Jones beneath middle. Unusual.
13 | Jayden Daniels (WAS)
Daniels, most likely due to accidents, endured a textbook sophomore droop. He wants a giant rebound season in 2026, and he has bodily instruments to do exactly that.
12 | Jordan Love (GB)
Love shouldn’t be ok to be feared each Sunday, however he’s ok to begin each Sunday and get his crew the seventh seed within the postseason event like clockwork.
11 | Trevor Lawrence (JAX)
Lawrence threw for 4,007 passing yards and 29 touchdowns in 2025. Has he turned the nook beneath the tutelage of Liam Coen and Grant Udinski?
10 | Dak Prescott (DAL)
Draft this man late in our redraft fantasy leagues; he received’t disappoint. It’s 4,000+ yards and about 30 touchdowns like clockwork when he performs a full season.
9 | Caleb Williams (CHI)
Williams ranks twentieth per EPA+CPOE final 12 months however bedazzled the plenty within the postseason. There’s an opportunity he completely turns the nook this season and morphs into the subsequent large factor.
8 | Jalen Hurts (PHI)
Hurts’s profession inventory is perhaps a low level, however he nonetheless accounted for 65 touchdowns because the begin of 2024. That ain’t nothin’, and it doesn’t develop on timber.
7 | Drake Maye (NE)
Maye had a case for the MVP award final season; Maye additionally confronted one of many best schedules in NFL historical past — earlier than turning right into a shell of himself within the AFC Championship and Tremendous Bowl.
6 | Justin Herbert (LAC)
One other steady-eddy, Herbert is desperately trying to find his breakthrough second. Rating him under six doesn’t really feel proper.
5 | Matthew Stafford (LAR)
The league MVP ought to most likely be greater on this listing, however he’s outdated and all the time has complicated moments with gaffes that everybody simply sweeps beneath the rug after which smirks.
4 | Joe Burrow (CIN)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow drops again to go throughout second-quarter motion towards Miami at Exhausting Rock Stadium, scanning the sphere because the pocket begins to kind. On Dec. 21, 2025, Burrow prepares to ship the soccer whereas Cincinnati works via its highway matchup with the Dolphins in South Florida that afternoon. Obligatory Credit score: Sam Navarro-Imagn Photographs.
Burrow has missed 32% of all video games from 2023 to 2025. If he performs 17 in 2026, the Bengals will return to the playoffs and perhaps even the AFC Title Recreation.
3 | Lamar Jackson (BAL)
Jackson’s numbers tumbled a bit in 2025, and he additionally missed 4 video games. However with a recreation on the road, he simply needs to be a High 3 choice.
2 | Patrick Mahomes (KC)
Bounceback and revenge season incoming.
1 | Josh Allen (BUF)
Has there ever been any sports activities participant who extra embodies a crew than Allen and the Payments? He’s the Buffalo Payments.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
