Quarterback is both the most important position in sports and the most difficult to master. He’s the face of the franchise. The man under the microscope. Teams’ fortunes hinge on their signal caller. They can get coaches hired and fired. They can also turn a franchise around in an instant (see, Maye, Drake).
For the last half-decade, the position has been dominated by a quartet of names hailing from the AFC: Mahomes, Jackson, Burrow, and Allen. But that’s slowly changing. Joe Burrow missed nine games with turf toe, Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL, and injuries turned Lamar Jackson into a pocket passer upon his return. When the playoffs start next weekend, all three will be bystanders.
Still, the NFL is in a golden era of quarterback play. Drake Maye is the best young quarterback in the game. Matthew Stafford is giving Father Time a stiff arm, setting passing records at 37. And Trevor Lawrence and Caleb Williams are fulfilling the potential that made them top overall picks. These are the Top 15 NFL Quarterbacks in 2026.
15.Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
327-498 65.7 CMP% 3,322 YDS 24 TD 7 INT 94.8 RTG
In what is most likely his final season, Rodgers is playing smart, mistake-free football. A throwback performance from the four-time MVP helped the Steelers clinch the AFC North in Week 18.
14.C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
273-423 64.5 CMP% 3,041 YDS 19 TD 8 INT 92.9 RTG
Stroud is hovering somewhere between his 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year season and the sophomore slump in 2024 that cost offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik his job. Stroud has been steady since returning from a mid-season concussion.
13.Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
330-568 58.1 CMP% 3,942 YDS 27 TD 7 INT 90.1 RTG
The top overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft hasn’t caught fire like Jayden Daniels last season or 2025 Drake Maye but is trending in the right direction under new head coach/play caller Ben Johnson. Though the Bears secured the two seed in the NFC, Williams and the offense consistently struggled in the first half of games.
12.Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
294-454 64.8 CMP% 3,224 YDS 25 TD 6 INT 98.5 RTG
The reigning Super Bowl MVP has struggled all season to mesh with his new offensive coordinator. Hurts threw four interceptions in a Week 14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers but outdueled Josh Allen in a Week 17 win over the Bills.
11.Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
404-600 67.3 CMP% 4,552 YDS 30 TD 10 INT 99.5 RTG
Prescott is one the best in the game when it comes to the intangibles of the position; quarterbacks are part CEO, part media relations manager. But he seems to falter against the top teams and also in January. Week 14 against Detroit was no different: Prescott lit up the stat sheet but two interceptions proved killer.
10.Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
393-578 68.0 CMP% 4,564 YDS 34 TD 8 INT 105.5 RTG
Goff, a throwback pocket passer, is still surrounded with plenty of weapons and throws one of the most accurate balls in the game. But, once again, injuries on defense proved too much for the Lions to overcome.
9.Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
341-560 60.9 CMP% 4,007 YDS 29 TD 12 INT 91.0 RTG
It's finally coming together for Lawrence, the top overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and the most hyped QB prospect since Andrew Luck. Under first-year head coach Liam Coen, Lawrence has been more accurate, more decisive in the pocket, and more inclined to utilize his athleticism when on the move.
8.Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
340-512 66.4 CMP % 3,727 YDS 26 TD 13 INT 94.1 RTG
Herbert’s uptick in turnovers has been a concern following his sterling 2024 regular season. But he needs his offensive line to get healthy and more weapons on the outside before the Chargers can challenge for the AFC crown.
7.Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
291-439 66.3 CMP% 3,381 YDS 23 TD 6 INT 101.2 RTG
The Packers offense was up and down all season thanks to injuries and inconsistent line play. But Love remains a top-tier quarterback. He has a big arm, accuracy, and is careful with the ball.
6.Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
192-302 63.6 CMP% 2,549 YDS 21 TD 7 INT 103.8 RTG
Earlier in the season, Lamar Jackson was once again making history with his arms and legs, posting ridiculous stats. But he wasn't the same after returning from a hamstring injury. A back injury further hindered the two-time MVP and the Ravens missed the postseason for the first time since 2021.
5.Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
173-259 66.8.CMP% 1,809 YDS 17 TD 5 INT 100.7 RTG
After missing nine games with turf toe, Burrow returned on Thanksgiving to give the flailing Bengals a jolt but they missed the playoffs for a third straight season. Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase form the best QB-WR duo in the sport, yet the Bengals will continue to tread water until they fix their offensive line and porous defense.
4.Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
315-502 62.7 CMP% 3,587 YDS 22 TD 11 INT 89.6 RTG
The Chiefs dynasty appeared to come an end in Week 14 at home against the Texans and their season went from bad to worse the next week against the Chargers went Mahomes went down with an ACL injury. Though Mahomes is on target to return for next season's opener, the Chiefs must finally address their offensive line if they're to rebound.
3.Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
319-460 69.3 CMP% 3,668 YDS 25 TD 10 INT 102.2 RTG
Allen isn’t putting up video game numbers like in his MVP season and the Bills have struggled with consistency but they enter the postseason feeling good about their chances in the AFC. With no Pat Mahomes in their way, Buffalo is poised to make a Super Bowl run.
2.Drake Maye, New England Patriots
354-492 72.0 CMP% 4,394 YDS 31 TD 8 INT 113.5 RTG
The MVP co-favorite made the leap in his second season—his first with six-time Super Bowl champion Josh McDaniels calling plays. Maye has a huge arm and throws a pretty deep ball but he also has all the intangibles needed for a winning quarterback. Now, can he replicate his regular season success in the playoffs?
1.Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
388-597 65.0 CMP% 4,707 YDS 46 TD 8 INT 109.2 RTG
The Rams reloaded this offseason, adding Davante Adams to an already talented receiver room and remaking their offensive line. But no one saw this coming. Year 17 Stafford has resembled 2004 Manning or 2007 Brady in terms of production. He will be an MVP finalist.