The overall offensive product in the NFL was down this season. Only 13 teams finished with a positive offensive EPA for the season. That is the lowest mark since 2017 when only 12 teams boasted positive offensive efficiency.
Between the evolution of NFL defenses and a catastrophic amount of quarterback injuries, defenses feasted in 2023. But how does each QB stack up among their peers? The QB power rankings have the answer.
2023-24 NFL QB Power Rankings
We used a mix of the all-seeing and all-knowing eye test, the inarguable box-score statistics, and the iron-clad advanced metrics nerds have bestowed upon us recently. Perceived talent takes a bit of a back seat for now.
66) Clayton Tune, Arizona Cardinals
Sometimes a player simply isn’t ready to step on an NFL field. Clayton Tune had no chance. He faced the Cleveland Browns in his only NFL start, and there haven’t been many more introductions to the league more brutal than his.
He completed 11 of his 20 attempts while managing just 58 passing yards. Tune was also sacked seven times, and he threw two interceptions.
65) Brett Rypien, Los Angeles Rams
Brett Rypien was a personal favorite during his time at Boise State. He commanded the Broncos offense with decisiveness while picking defenses apart, even in cold climate games.
I thought his arm met the threshold for NFL success, but that was not the case. In the end, Rypien never had the juice, and his immobility makes him an easy target in the pocket.
64) Jaren Hall, Minnesota Vikings
Jaren Hall somehow found a way to start two NFL games in 2023, and mercifully only had to attempt 16 passes between his two starts. In that time, he managed an adjusted EPA of -0.521 and a success rate of just 37%. However, he ended up completing 68.4% of his passes and posted a positive CPOE.
63) Tim Boyle, New York Jets
All four of the Jets’ starting QBs played poorly, no matter how small the sample size was. Tim Boyle was part of the Aaron Rodgers brigade that came from his time in Green Bay. It makes sense why he’d want him around as a backup.
There certainly wouldn’t ever be any competition for his spot.
62) Blaine Gabbert, Kansas City Chiefs
We’ve seen Blaine Gabbert survive in Kansas City’s offense, but that was when they had competent talent on the outside that would not actively sabotage their quarterback. Without Travis Kelce on the field against a horrific Chargers defense, Gabbert struggled to get anything going for KC’s offense.
61) Bailey Zappe, New England Patriots
Bailey Zappe was a gamer at Western Kentucky, and he played some impressive football at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. However, the second-year player’s spark burnt out spectacularly. At times, it appeared Zappe was actively trying to turn the ball over in the Patriots’ offense.
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While it’s important to note that he might have been as fast as his receivers on the outside (he’s not Michael Vick), that doesn’t excuse Zappe’s poor decision-making and lack of overall arm talent.
60) Trevor Siemian, New York Jets
Trevor Siemian was better than Boyle, but only slightly. He posted a 36.3% dropback success rate compared to Boyle’s 31.2% but also managed a worse EPA/play.
However, Siemian managed to go 2-1 in his three starts, and he’s the only one on the list thus far who didn’t completely roll over and play dead against the Browns’ defense.
59) P.J. Walker, Cleveland Browns
P.J. Walker had Cleveland’s offense looking better from an efficiency perspective, but the eye test says that Dorian Thompson-Robinson gave the Browns a better chance to succeed offensively.
Walker completed fewer than half of his passing attempts while also having a massive turnover-worthy-play rate. He was also a less efficient runner.
58) Case Keenum, Houston Texans
Considering how good C.J. Stroud looked in the Texans’ offense, it hurt to see Case Keenum — a veteran QB with 66 starts under his belt over an 11-year career — look so bad.
However, it’s also important to note that Keenum’s second start came against the Browns, where he managed only 62 yards on 17 attempts while throwing two interceptions. However, he didn’t fair much better against the Titans, even though that win helped them secure the AFC South.
57) Brian Hoyer, Las Vegas Raiders
Brian Hoyer was easily the Raiders’ worst starting QB in 2023. Although the Bears’ defense ended up being one of the most productive units in the league in the back half of the season, Hoyer’s performance against them left much to be desired.
56) Jeff Driskel, Cleveland Browns
Five starting quarterbacks in a single season would almost definitely spell disaster for an NFL franchise, but the Browns found a way to look like one of the best teams in the league despite that misfortune.
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Jeff Driskel is well-known for his rushing abilities, but the powerful runner resembles a tight end as much as he does a starting NFL QB.
55) Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers
Mitchell Trubisky leaned into the bit of not being able to look and throw to his left very heavily in 2023. His passing charts over at Next Gen Stats are all the evidence you need.
Trubisky didn’t have a ridiculously high turnover rate, but his overall passing inefficiency kept the Steelers’ offense grounded and eventually led them to Mason Rudolph, who willed this offense to the seventh seed.
54) Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Cleveland Browns
“DTR” flashed some impressive quick decision-making, but Cleveland’s offense was seriously limited with Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center. He lived around the line of scrimmage and got the ball out as quickly as possible, which kept the Browns’ offense from finding explosive plays.
53) Tommy DeVito, New York Giants
Tommy DeVito was an absolute sensation during the Giants’ improbable three-game winning streak. But despite the wins, he was one of the least-productive passers in the NFL this season.
The Giants’ offensive line and receiving corps certainly didn’t help the cause, but DeVito was more of a meme than an NFL starter. Leaning into his Italian heritage was great for his brand, and he’ll likely be able to ride that to a respectable backup career with a decent media presence.
52) Mac Jones, New England Patriots
Mac Jones played well as a rookie for the Patriots, but his world came crashing down when Bill Belichick hired Matt Patricia as the team’s offensive coordinator, even though Patricia hadn’t frequented that side of the ball in a decade and a half.
Although Belichick hired a real OC for 2023, the damage was already done to Jones, and the weapons for New England were missing in action.
51) Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens
Seeing a Pro Bowl quarterback this low on the list should feel like a catastrophe. However, the Pro Bowl is effectively a joke at this point, as Tyler Huntley made it while being a backup for most of the season.
Lamar Jackson remained healthy this season, which means that Huntley didn’t have to see the field until the final game of the season, a loss to the Steelers in which he looked uncomfortable in the pocket.
50) Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
Ryan Tannehill spoiled the Jacksonville Jaguars’ season, but the Titans made the right decision to move onto Will Levis.
Tannehill was not good in 2023. Tennessee’s offensive line may as well have been invisible, and although he’s a former wide receiver, Tannehill doesn’t have the athleticism or creativity to overcome a poor OL.
49) Tyson Bagent, Chicago Bears
Tyson Bagent went 2-2 in his four starts with the Bears, and there were some interesting moments with him. He’s an impressive athlete with decent agility and was dangerous on the ground, picking up 11 first downs on 23 attempts while scoring two touchdowns.
Unfortunately, Bagent couldn’t replicate that kind of efficiency through the air. He only managed three passing touchdowns over that time without creating many explosive plays. He also put the ball at risk far too often.
48) Easton Stick, Los Angeles Chargers
Easton Stick didn’t win any games for the Chargers, but by the time he was injected into the starting lineup after Justin Herbert’s season-ending injury, the roster was in shambles.
Stick’s touchdown-to-interception ratio looks impressive, and he ended with a QBR of 50.5. But he was just along for the ride on sinking shift as he did everything he could not to drown.
47) Nick Mullens, Minnesota Vikings
Nick Mullens was not good in the three games he started or the five games he appeared in, but he was incredibly fun, and that’s all that matters (that’s a lie).
Mullens looked like he was just vibing out there. His 10-yard aDOT was much higher than any of the three other Vikings QBs to get a start in 2023-24. If you squinted, you’d have seen Jameis Winston and not Mullens.
He made huge throws and even more egregious ones, but few quarterbacks were more entertaining this year.
46) Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young’s rookie season was a disaster. Unfortunately, that shouldn’t surprise anyone. The Panthers’ roster was a disaster, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
The receiving corps was irredeemable. The offensive line was bad and got worse as injuries piled up. Their head coach was fired midway through his first season with the franchise.
But Young was also bad, independent of his situation. He still takes far too many hits, and he puts the ball at risk more often than he ever did at Alabama. Young ranks 46th because the flashes that made him the top pick in the draft still exist.
45) Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Daniel Jones played well enough in 2022 to secure $40 million per season, but he fell apart in 2023. The Giants’ OL was among the worst in the league to start the year, and the injuries piled up quickly with the unit.
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However, Jones couldn’t create any explosives while rarely pushing the ball downfield. Meanwhile, Tyrod Taylor thoroughly outplayed him when he was able to stay on the field.
44) Taylor Heinicke, Atlanta Falcons
Taylor Heinicke is supposed to provide at least a few brief moments of brilliance before looking like a perennial backup. Unfortunately for Arthur Smith and Co., the Fitzmagic side of the former Commander never showed up in Atlanta.
43) Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons
Desmond Ridder wasn’t much better, which is the reason why Smith kept flipping between the two quarterbacks. Smith needed Ridder to just be 75% of what Tannehill was for him in Tennessee. Unfortunately, Ridder’s inconsistent ball placement and growing lack of confidence in the picture kept the Falcons from being a playoff team.
42) C.J. Beathard, Jacksonville Jaguars
A quick look at Jacksonville’s offense with Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Beathard would tell you that the latter was better. However, Beathard’s one start came against the Panthers, who happened to be the worst team in the NFL this year.
We know Beathard is a backup, and only that. But he also completed three out of every four passes and produced a dropback EPA that would have ranked eighth in the league if his sample size had any significance.
41) Jimmy Garoppolo, Las Vegas Raiders
What happened to Jimmy Garoppolo in 2023 tells us quite a bit about just how special Kyle Shanahan is. What happened to Garoppolo also is a negative mark on Brock Purdy’s pursuit of an MVP award.
From 2018-2022, only Patrick Mahomes produced a higher dropback EPA per play. Garoppolo posted a negative EPA as the Raiders’ starter and was outproduced (if only slightly) by a fourth-round rookie.
40) Zach Wilson, New York Jets
Don’t get it twisted, Zach Wilson was horrific yet again this season. However, his horrid play was still levels better than what his two counterparts could produce, and we also saw a few instances of legitimately awesome play from the former second-overall pick.
Wilson certainly has the physical talent to be a high-caliber player. But quarterbacking involves even more mental aptitude than physical ability.
39) Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders
Aidan O’Connell had moments as a rookie, and he’s one of the few on this list so far who created more big-time throws than he had turnover-worthy plays in 2023.
It’s a bit scary how much O’Connell resembles Derek Carr in that Raiders uniform, although he’s not nearly as physically gifted as the former Raiders QB. O’Connell isn’t a guy who you’d want starting a ton of games, but he took decent care of the ball as a rookie, a feat in and of itself.
Las Vegas appears to have found a decent backup.
38) Drew Lock, Seattle Seahawks
Drew Lock’s two starts came against the San Francisco 49ers and late-stage Philadelphia Eagles.
Like a few already on the list who found themselves up against teams like the Browns, San Francisco’s defense is no slouch. To make matters worse, SF can rush the passer with a devastating front four, and Lock’s offensive line isn’t exactly the Great Wall of China.
But overall, Lock looked suspiciously impressive in both outings. He doesn’t bring the consistency of Geno Smith, but his arm talent allowed the Seahawks’ offense to produce a higher EPA/play mark than when Smith was on the field.
However, Smith’s 48.8% success rate blew Lock’s 36.3% out of the water. The gunslinging QB is an enticing backup option.
37) Joshua Dobbs, Arizona Cardinals/Minnesota Vikings
Speaking of enticing and exciting backup options, nobody put us through the roller coaster of emotions that Joshua Dobbs put us through in 2023. He beat Dak Prescott with a lifeless Arizona Cardinals roster. He survived with Marquise Brown and almost nothing else on the outside.
Then, when he was traded to Minnesota, it looked like Dobbs might be able to save the Vikings’ playoff hopes. The cliff rapidly approached, but Dobbs can be the kind of backup who can legitimately win you football games because of his talent. Yet, the volatility in his game means you likely don’t want him starting forever.
36) Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers
Since we’re discussing players we likely wouldn’t want starting forever…
Kenny Pickett was incorrectly billed as a pro-ready passer from Pittsburgh, but that wasn’t necessarily the case. The reality is that Pickett was an inconsistent processor with an underwhelming arm. However, his ability to create despite somewhat lackluster physical traits and ridiculous production alongside Jordan Addison elevated his status as a prospect.
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Although he hasn’t been an absolute disaster, Pickett certainly hasn’t been good enough to keep Pittsburgh from reloading at the position if Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix are available midway through Round 1.
35) Jarrett Stidham, Denver Broncos
Jarrett Stidham certainly won’t be the Broncos’ starter next season, but he showed enough over the last two weeks of the season that he’ll likely stick around as Denver’s backup for another season. But it likely won’t be for the $7 million cap hit that it’s currently slated to be.
The former fourth-round pick has the requisite physical tools, but his lack of NFL playing time has kept his overall development to a minimum.
Nevertheless, Sean Payton very clearly values the young quarterback. Compared to the starting QB he inherited in Denver, his review of Stidham’s play has sounded like a love letter.
34) Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos
At this point in Russell Wilson’s career, he’s best suited as a highly volatile backup option. But in the right situation, he might be able to find a bit of success still.
Wilson won’t pick defenses apart with precision, but he still throws an unbelievable deep ball, and he showed that he can still create a bit in 2023.
But where are those fits? Atlanta could have been an option if Arthur Smith had survived to see another season, but he’s now gone.
33) Carson Wentz, Los Angeles Rams
Carson Wentz spent most of this season on the couch watching football or in the woods hunting. But when called upon, the QB who never says die started the final game of the season for the Rams, a game he won.
We’re not worried about small sample sizes here. Wentz was exciting and efficient against the 49ers in a game that neither team really cared to win. It’s almost certainly not sustainable. But if Wentz is okay with being a backup, he’s not an awful guy to have backing up an entrenched starter.
32) Sam Darnold, San Francisco 49ers
The same can be said for Sam Darnold, who was also good in his one outing of the season, coincidentally against Wentz and the Rams.
Competency has eluded Darnold at the NFL level. However, his surroundings have never been adequate. The Jets were an abject disaster, and then Darnold moved on to the league’s next disaster in Carolina.
Shanahan has carved out a nearly QB-proof roster and scheme. Darnold’s high-end talent makes him an incredible backup option for Purdy.
31) Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
Rodgers wasn’t good before his horrific Achilles injury, but he’s still one of the most talented quarterbacks of all time, and his miniature sample size isn’t a good indication of what was to come for himself and the Jets in 2023.
30) Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers
We only saw Andy Dalton once in 2023. He threw for 361 yards and two touchdowns against Seattle.
Those numbers are a bit less impressive, considering he attempted nearly 60 passes, but the overarching takeaway is that he was still far more impressive in that one performance than Young managed in all of his.
Dalton has been around the block and seen his share of NFL defenses, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he outperformed his rookie teammate. But with the top pick in the draft traded away to Chicago and Young struggling to tread water, it’s surprising that we didn’t see more of Dalton late in the year.
At some point, one must wonder whether keeping Young out there was regressing him and not the opposite.
29) Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals
Zac Taylor deserves a lot of credit for finding ways to make a physically limited QB look impressive.
Jake Browning lacks the athleticism and arm talent to create out of structure and spray the ball downfield consistently, but he was efficient around the line of scrimmage.
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The Bengals-led offense was better than it was with Burrow. That’s an indisputable fact, even when we know that Burrow is the better quarterback. Browning’s 0.15 adjusted dropback EPA ranked 14th among all QBs with at least 20 attempts. Burrow’s 0.048 ranked 36th. Browning also had a higher dropback success rate than Burrow.
Although it was only one half of a season, Browning appears to be a legitimate backup option for the foreseeable future.
28) Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson was relatively unimpressive as the Browns’ starter in 2023, aside from one performance. However, multiple nagging injuries and an eventual season-ending one could have harmed his overall game.
Things weren’t always pretty for Watson and Cleveland’s offense. While it wasn’t disastrous, Joe Flacco has been able to get more out of the offense while also being more successful on a down-to-down basis.
Considering how things developed this season, there will be a ton of due pressure on the $240 million man next season.
27) Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants
Taylor was easily the best Giants quarterback in 2023. Although that bar isn’t particularly high, the veteran passer shined late in the season against the Rams and Eagles.
The makeshift Giants offensive line meant athleticism was a necessity for survival, and Taylor’s veteran prowess allowed him to survive defensive onslaughts.
Although he’s going to be 35 next season, he remains an excellent backup option.
26) Sam Howell, Washington Commanders
There is a starting NFL quarterback somewhere inside of Sam Howell. He can absolutely spin the ball, and his gunslinger mentality has him producing high-level throws with relative consistency. But the good comes with the bad.
Howell remains mechanically manic, and his pocket presence (or lack thereof) makes him an incredibly inconsistent passer. He’s a mix of impressive arm talent and a frustrating process.
It might take time in the shadows as a backup, but Howell could have a second or third-contract surge as a starting QB somewhere if he can develop.
25) Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts
What Shane Steichen accomplished with Gardner Minshew should be award-winning. Minshew’s erratic pocket behavior comes in stark contrast to Howell’s. While it certainly helps keep him off the ground, at least with the ball remaining in his hands, it severely limits the explosive potential of the Colts’ offense.
Still, Indianapolis somehow managed to win nine games in Steichen’s maiden voyage. Minshew is a perfect backup option for the Colts’ coach because of his familiarity with the system. However, he was more prone to mistakes in 2023 than he had been in previous campaigns, which needs to be addressed in the offseason.
24) Will Levis, Tennessee Titans
One look at the Titans’ OL and weapons corps should tell you there was no avenue toward success as a rookie for Will Levis. However, the rookie — who many believed needed significant development time — outperformed expectations in an untenable situation.
Although the gunslinger never managed to replicate the statistical dominance of his first career outing, Levis showed a strong rapport with DeAndre Hopkins, and his style fit the Titans’ offense incredibly well.
The problem now is what happens to him with a new coaching staff. For as talented as Levis is, there are things he does very well, but they’re not necessarily modern traditional. He thrives turning his back to the defense on hard play-action concepts and attacking the middle of the field. However, only a few systems lean on that with any frequency.
23) Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona has given Kyler Murray the vote of confidence moving forward despite an uninspiring return from injury in 2023. It’s important to note that he was throwing to what is the equivalent of a JV squad relative to most NFL rosters, and he was working his way through a very new offense.
Monti Ossenfort and Co. have a lot of freedom to improve the roster this offseason. If Murray can take a mental jump in 2024 while getting back to 100%, Jonathan Gannon’s squad could surprise folks in 2024.
22) Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
Things are still far from perfect for Justin Fields. There’s a chance his time with the Chicago Bears will come to an end this offseason, but that could be best for both worlds were it to happen.
Fields remains a bit frustrating with his quick game operation. It’s an infrequent part of the Bears’ offensive system, and while he’s likely not the only reason they tend to avoid it, he is a reason they stick to long-developing concepts.
Fields’ arm talent is impressive, and his overall intermediate and deep game is top-tier. But those physical gifts can only carry him so far in Chicago’s offense. A change of scenery might be best. However, he’s still one of the most dangerous league entities with the ball in his hand as a runner.
21) Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
Is there a more frustrating quarterback than Derek Carr? He oozes talent as a passer. He possesses a big arm and innate placement, all while flashing a high-caliber process.
But at times, he plays like he has six downs, while other times, he’s actively trying to sabotage the offense. But even though the Saints embarrassingly missed out on the playoffs, the offense started to hum down the stretch, and Carr was a significant part of that surge.
20) Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers
In no world did I expect Rudolph’s name to make the list, let alone land ahead of established starters. The league works in mysterious ways, and the voodoo Mike Tomlin has to avoid subpar seasons has no limit to its power.
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Rudolph spammed the George Pickens button late in the season, and the gifted receiver embraced the volume. Rudolph had a ton of success throwing to the 1-2 punch of James Washington and Marcel Ateman at Oklahoma State, and the Steelers’ attack felt similar.
Rudolph always threw a well-placed, high-arcing deep ball, and that’s been on full display as of late.
19) Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
Although Anthony Richardson’s rookie season was marred by injuries in most of his outings, his talent exploded off of television, computer, and phone screens everywhere. He possesses an unfair height/weight/speed/agility/velocity combination.
Richardson has a ways to go mechanically to become consistent in his ball placement, but they’re sortable mechanical concerns. The greater concern is his inability to protect himself. Richardson must become more careful with the ball in his hands to ensure longevity in his career.
18) Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns
From being a dad and coming off his couch to being a fatherly figure and starting quarterback on an AFC contender is a wild story for Flacco to tell when he gets older (than he already is).
If you’d tell me his aDOT was 15, I’d believe you. He’s created huge explosive plays downfield in each of his games after his first start, and he’s consistently become more comfortable in his other operations with the Browns’ offense as he got more snaps.
17) Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Baker Mayfield resurgence is a heartwarming story. Mayfield led Cleveland to their first playoff victory since Nam, tore up his shoulder, battled through it, and then was discarded.
The tear in his non-throwing shoulder completely compromised his mechanics, and the surgery did not allow Mayfield time to rehab and iron out those issues.
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While he’s never been a mechanical role model, Mayfield had an offseason to get back into working order and found success in a Buccaneers offense that couldn’t run the ball if they needed to breathe air. His rapport with Mike Evans was a treat to watch in 2023, and he earned the starting spot for them for the foreseeable future.
16) Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
If Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars’ offense doesn’t improve significantly in 2024, we’re going to have some difficult conversations.
Lawrence is a QB-guy’s favorite QB because he does… quarterbacky… things incredibly well. His feel for pressure, escape hatches, and the quick game are phenomenal. He’s fluid and can create with his legs. It’s why he was such a sought-after prospect.
But Lawrence’s placement remains frustratingly inconsistent. He played behind an awful offensive line this season, and the leaky interior castrated his aggression. His lack of confidence in his surroundings hurt the offense this season.
But the brilliant flashes keep film junkies coming back for more.
15) Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts played through a lot of his name this season. He played endlessly banged up all season long — that much was clear literally every time he carried the ball on a non-Brotherly Shove run.
Hurts’ injuries zapped his explosiveness, and without that, he’s not a top-tier quarterback.
That’s not derogatory. Many modern NFL quarterbacks rely on their athleticism for success. Injuries that take from that will hamper their production. That, in combination with the loss of Steichen, meant for some inconsistent times in Philadelphia offensively.
14) Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Burrow wasn’t the 14th-best quarterback in the league this season, but we have a significant track record that proves he can be a top-five passer. So, he lands somewhere between his ugly 2023 performance and his usual output.
Like Hurts, Burrow battled through injuries this season. The cerebral passer is best known for his innate pocket manipulation that allows him to hold onto the ball in the pocket while avoiding sacks and letting plays develop.
His injuries took that trump card from him early, and by the time he got healthy, Burrow’s season was ended prematurely by a wrist injury.
13) Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
Geno Smith and the Seahawks’ offense is an enigma. Tyler Lockett has always possessed big-play ability. DK Metcalf is carved from stone with a supercharged LS7 strapped to his back. Yet, somehow, this offense is markedly more efficient than it is explosive.
As Benoit Blanc once famously said, “It makes no damn sense. Compels me, though!”
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The likely answer is the successful version of Jacksonville’s situation. Smith’s offensive line was paper mache, so he needed to release the ball within three seconds or face the consequences.
But in the end, the Seahawks’ offense was not their main malfunction.
12) Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Early in the season, it looked like Herbert might be ready to finally ascend, despite still having a receiving corps with either negative speed or ability.
11) Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love is a silly goose. He plays the game with an arrogant level of relaxation. The fadeaway dimes are jaw-dropping. They bring us back to the previous generation when Rodgers was doing the same thing.
Love, by the process of osmosis, has mimicked many of Rodgers’ passing mannerisms. Even though there were inconsistent stretches this season, Love led an unbelievably young corps of WRs and TEs to impressive offensive efficiency.
10) Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
As long as the Lions’ offensive line was relatively intact and they weren’t playing outside in frigid weather, Jared Goff was outstanding. As a California kid who played at California and then for the Rams, it makes sense that he would loathe the cold weather. It hits differently when you’re not used to it.
The addition of Sam LaPorta helped elevate this offense to the next level. Goff is oftentimes an assassin over the middle, so adding an impressive receiving TE helped complement Amon-Ra St. Brown.
9) Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford was outstanding for the Rams this season. Puka Nacua was a welcome addition to the offense, as is evidenced by his record-breaking rookie season. Stafford was back to his playmaking ways, but he also did a great job avoiding the big mistakes we’ve seen from the gunslinger at times.
Although the offensive line overperformed relative to expectations, Stafford’s veteran savvy consistently meant the ball was out in 2.5 seconds, which mitigated any issues that were on the OL. And the veteran turned it on in the back half of the season, posting QB ratings of over 100 in five consecutive games from Weeks 12-16.
8) C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
Stroud’s rookie season was outrageous. Although the Texans QB was the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft, even his most loyal supporters couldn’t have dreamed that he would be so incredible so early on.
Yet, considering what he showed against Michigan and Georgia, maybe we shouldn’t have been surprised.
Like his former OSU teammate, Stroud holds onto the ball for an eternity. However, he found far more success in doing that than Fields did in Chicago, even though Stroud’s offensive line rotated constantly because of injuries.
7) Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
Cousins was outstanding this season, and it’s a shame that Minnesota didn’t get a chance to push the Lions for the NFC North crown late in the season, considering how their defense improved during the year.
Cousins has always been able to produce some gaudy numbers, but what he was able to accomplish without Justin Jefferson in the lineup was impressive.
6) Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
The only reason Purdy falls to sixth on the list is because nobody will forget what he looked like without Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel on the field. Purdy himself offers more to Shanahan’s offense than Garoppolo ever did, which is why he deserves more credit for their offensive efficiency than the previous QB.
However, no quarterback in the league has an environment so conducive to success. Purdy has the best back in the league, arguably the best tight end, a top-10 WR, and arguably the best post-catch weapon in the league.
What makes Purdy different from Garoppolo (better) is his ability to hit the ball in the gaps for doubles. Garoppolo was an assassin, slapping the ball around from left center to right center, but never enough to get two bags. Purdy’s playmaking ability and aggressiveness make the offense more explosive.
5) Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa is in a similar situation. He means a lot to Miami’s offense. That much was clear a season ago.
Although Purdy and the 49ers’ offense was more efficient, Tua’s anticipation and ball placement put him in a slightly different conversation. However, Tyreek Hill’s nagging injuries late in the season forced Tua out of rhythm more often, and he simply was not as efficient down the stretch because of it.
4) Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes is still the best quarterback in the NFL. Nobody plays the game the way he does. His blend of innate creation ability and efficiency within structure is unmatched. He sees the field in a way no other player in NFL history has, and his rubber-band arm allows him to make physics-defying throws consistently.
Yet, Mahomes’ receivers were horrific this season, and he suffered through the worst offensive tackle play of his career. All that made his production look mortal for the first time in his NFL life. Mahomes is and will remain the standard, but there were others this season whose blend of talent and production vaulted over him for these rankings.
3) Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen quietly had an MVP-caliber season, but like Dak Prescott a season ago, the turnover narrative finally caught up to the modern-day gunslinger.
The reality is Allen was much less turnover-prone than many other top quarterbacks. And as it’s been throughout his career, his volume of production and efficiency have always outweighed the turnovers.
Most importantly, Allen seemed to, at least anecdotally, take fewer bone-crushing hits in 2023. He has the talent to win an MVP and be a Hall of Famer, but he must endure longevity to accomplish that.
2) Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson will win MVP this season. He was a very productive quarterback on the best team in the NFL. That’s simply how the award is handled.
Did he have the best season of the bunch? No. But he surged late while Prescott had two of his worst performances late in the year, and recency bias matters.
In games where he posted a QBR under 50, the Ravens went 3-1. Prescott had three such games, and the Cowboys went 0-3. So “value” seems a bit lost in the voting.
But let’s not harp too much on the negatives, because Jackson was brilliant this season. He’s always had a gift from layering throws over the middle. The additions of Todd Monken, Zay Flowers, and Odell Beckham Jr. transformed this offense.
MORE: Tom Brady Praises Lamar Jackson
Jackson was outstanding from within the pocket while also having the most significant rushing season of any quarterback, something we’ve come to expect from the now presumably two-time league MVP.
Things should only improve for Jackson moving forward. Isaiah Likely is a stud, and Mark Andrews will return healthy next season. Jackson will continue to improve incrementally as a passer as he ages in the NFL.
Not bad for someone who some thought should switch to wide receiver during the draft process.
1) Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Prescott was the best quarterback in the NFL this season. To recycle a word from earlier, nobody in the NFL is more “quarterbacky” than Dak.
Not every ball knower loves Prescott. We all have our preferences for what we like and dislike regarding QB play. Prescott’s footwork remains unique, mostly in a bad way. But as Linkin Park said, “In the end, it doesn’t even matter.”
The Cowboys quarterback was outrageous this year. His rapport with CeeDee Lamb has entered automatic territory, and the addition of Brandin Cooks’ corner routes almost single-handedly transformed the Cowboys’ red-zone offense after the bye week.
But the biggest difference in Prescott this season compared to his previous two was his mobility. Prescott created outside of structure and on the move more effectively than any NFL QB, which is a far cry from the near statue he became after his ankle injury.
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