Top 10 Quarterbacks Going Into the 2025-26 NFL Season

Quarterbacks are probably the most important position in football. In today's NFL, having a true passer and a dual-threat quarterback is essential to being successful.

These are the best NFL starting quarterbacks right now. Begin the debate.

The Top Ten

Josh Allen

Joshua Patrick Allen (born May 21, 1996) is an American football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL).
He played college football for the Wyoming Cowboys and was selected seventh overall by the Bills in the 2018 NFL Draft. ... read more

Josh Allen played out of his mind last year. This guy threw for 3,731 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only 6 picks and had a QB rating of 101.4 and won MVP. He should have beat the Chiefs in the playoffs.
Probably the best dual threat quarterback in the NFL, and statistically he is a top 2 quarterback. Nobody can argue that. I think going off pure quarterback talent, he is the most purely talented quarterback in the NFL right now. Debate a wall.
He will win a ring at some point.
Patrick Mahomes

Patrick Lavon Mahomes II (born September 17, 1995) is an American football player who is currently the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He has led the team to multiple Super Bowl appearances, winning MVP honors for Super Bowl LIV and Super Bowl LVII. Mahomes is... read more

Patrick Mahomes will keep the Chiefs competitive for years no matter what. Even if we all know he's the refs' favorite player, you have to respect this man. He already has 3 Super Bowls and almost had a 3-peat.
Last year was probably his worst year statistically. He didn't even throw for 4,000 yards, and you can't really blame his receivers this time. He had to have some devil magic to win multiple Super Bowls with Kadarius Toney. Just admit he had a down year.
Also, somebody in the AFC please beat this man. I am sick of seeing the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
Lamar Jackson

Lamar Demeatrice Jackson Jr. (born January 7, 1997) is an American football quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL).
He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2016. Jackson was selected by the Ravens with the final... read more

Lamar is an elite dual threat quarterback. Last year was his best year statistically, and he nearly won MVP if not for Josh Allen playing out of his mind.
Lamar threw over 4,000 yards and 41 touchdowns and only 4 picks, making him one of the most effective and efficient quarterbacks in the league.
The only thing about him is he's a playoff choker. He cannot win big games when it matters most. Prove me wrong.
Joe Burrow

Joseph Lee Burrow (born December 10, 1996) is an American professional football quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). After three seasons of college football with the Ohio State Buckeyes, he played two seasons for the LSU Tigers, winning the Heisman Trophy and... read more

How did the Bengals miss the playoffs? This man was balling out like crazy.
Joe Burrow definitely can and will still torture the league for a long time, when he's healthy, that is. He threw for over 4,900 yards, 43 touchdowns, and only 9 picks.
Also, this man beat the Chiefs in the playoffs at Arrowhead. Let's not forget that fact. Bengals, you better not waste this man's career.
Jayden Daniels

Jayden Daniels so far is HIM. I don't make the rules. I'm still mad about THAT game, but I gotta respect the man.
Throwing 3,500 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 9 picks is impressive for a rookie. What's more impressive is leading the Commies to the NFC Championship game in year 1. That's no fluke either.
If he stays healthy, he's gonna be a star in this league. He will make a Super Bowl one of these days. Mark my words. He's so far been what RG3 was supposed to be.
Matthew Stafford

John Matthew Stafford, born on February 7, 1988, is an American football quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League. He was selected as the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, where he played for over a decade before being traded to the Rams in 2021.... read more

Matthew Stafford is solid and steady. A reliable veteran quarterback that can put up all the stats. On paper, he is one of the best quarterbacks of his generation.
Remember, before he won the Super Bowl, he was not beating the stat padder allegations, especially as a Lion. He may not be in his prime, but he's still good.
I doubt he stays in the league longer than 5 more years. The Rams are still good. If they win another ring, he's a sure bet for the Hall of Fame, right?
Baker Mayfield

Baker Reagan Mayfield is an American football quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He famously played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he secured the Heisman Trophy during his senior year. The Cleveland Browns originally snagged him with the... read more

I'm honestly so glad to see Baker Mayfield have a true glow up. He was the best quarterback the Browns ever had, pretty much.
Now they get old Joe Flacco and Deharvey Weinstein, oh I mean Deshaun Watson. Now with the Buccaneers, he has truly built himself back up. He threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns last year.
You cannot tell me he's not a top 10 quarterback in the league right now.
Jalen Hurts

Jalen Hurts is a Super Bowl Champion, that's why he's here, honestly. Sure, he's a dual threat, but let's be real here, he's a tush push merchant. He's lucky that play didn't get banned.
Bro didn't even throw 3,000 yards. Nobody is moved by this man. Still good, but bro is carried by one play. Probably one of the most boring stars to watch play.

Just my two cents, he should be above Lamar just based on how he absolutely destroyed the Chiefs. Yeah, he had some help like Saquon Barkley, but still, he won a Super Bowl (and massively so) in which his team was considered the underdogs by experts, betting markets, the general public, and so on.
Justin Herbert

Justin Patrick Herbert (born March 10, 1998) is an American football quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL).
He played college football for the Oregon Ducks, winning the 2019 Pac-12 Championship, and was selected by the Chargers as the sixth overall pick... read more

Justin Herbert is a social media quarterback. He's good on paper but hasn't really done anything so far. Has he won a playoff game?
For what it's worth, the Chargers are just a cursed team. Herbert is pretty effective and efficient. When it comes to being reliable, he had only 3 interceptions in the regular season. Then he melted down in the playoffs. That narrative is going to stick with him, unfortunately.
Win a playoff game, then we'll talk. Until then, he is staying at 10.
Jared Goff

Jared Thomas Goff is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of California, Berkeley, and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Following a stint in Los... read more

Jared Goff has been one of the biggest reasons the Lions are as good as they are now. He can guide the offense successfully.
The Lions were a juggernaut last season, and they had the most explosive offense of anybody. Jared Goff kept them in any game.
Now he's facing his biggest test, now that Ben Johnson is out of the picture.

The Newcomers

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Jordan Love
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Dak Prescott

Rayne Dakota "Dak" Prescott, born July 29, 1993, is an American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football at Mississippi State, where he set several school records. Prescott has been the Cowboys' starting quarterback since 2016.

The Contenders

Justin Fields
C.J. Stroud

Stroud did have a sophomore slump last year, but it was not entirely his fault. Bad offensive line play plus a coaching scheme prevented what should have been a chance for him to elevate his game. Then, you add in the fact he lost two key wide receivers to injuries down the stretch of the season. The Texans did not live up to the hype, but with a new offensive coordinator plus more valuable receivers, Stroud could potentially get himself back into the conversation among the elite. Do not hate the guy for one bad season.
Shedeur Sanders
Brock Purdy
Drake Maye
Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Charles Rodgers (born December 2, 1983) is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He signed a one‑year deal with Pittsburgh in March 2025 after being released by the New York Jets. Rodgers is a four‑time NFL MVP and Super Bowl XLV champion... read more

He's slinging the ball like he's 25!
Russell Wilson

Russell Carrington Wilson (born November 29, 1988) is an American football quarterback. He played for the Seattle Seahawks before being traded to the Denver Broncos in 2022. After two seasons, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and then joined the New York Giants for the 2025 season.
Kyler Murray

Kyler Cole Murray is an American football quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League. He was selected first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft after a standout college career at the University of Oklahoma. Murray is also notable for being drafted in the first round of both the NFL... read more
Geno Smith

Eugene Cyril Smith III, known as Geno Smith, is an American football quarterback. He currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League. Smith previously played for teams including the New York Jets and the Seattle Seahawks.
Trevor Lawrence
Bo Nix
Cam Ward
J.J. McCarthy
Kirk Cousins

Kirk Cousins, born August 19, 1988, in Barrington, Illinois, is an American football quarterback. He currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. Cousins began his NFL career with the Washington Redskins and has become known for his consistent passing statistics and leadership... read more
Bryce Young