With free agency behind us, NFL rosters shifting during the 2024 NFL Draft, and training camps soon opening across the league, it’s time to rank some quarterbacks in the AFC.
This list includes the presumed starter for each AFC team. We took some liberties, such as assuming Zach Wilson won’t start for the Broncos and including both Steelers quarterbacks.
Be sure to check out the full list of our 2024 NFL QB Rankings, or you can check out our 2024 NFC QB Rankings.
2024 AFC QB Rankings
1) Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Let’s not overthink this. You could make a case Mahomes is already the second-best quarterback in NFL history, and he still is just 28 years old. After winning three Super Bowls in five years, Mahomes is the clear-cut best QB in football — and it’s not close.
2023 STATS: 4,183 Passing Yards, 27 Passing Touchdowns, 14 Interceptions, 7.0 Yards Per Attempt, 63.1 QBR
2) Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
The two-time NFL MVP has come a long way as a pocket passer. Still the most dangerous running QB in football, Jackson is now just as capable of beating teams with his arm. Yes, his durability issues and postseason struggles are concerning, but Jackson’s regular-season dominance is undeniable.
The scariest part: Jackson still is just 27 years old. There’s a good chance the best is yet to come for the Ravens superstar.
2023 STATS: 3,678 Passing Yards, 24 Passing Touchdowns, 7 Interceptions, 8.0 Yards Per Attempt, 64.7 QBR
3) Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
It’s easy to forget about Burrow, who struggled last season before missing the final seven games due to a wrist injury. But he clearly wasn’t right from the start and probably should’ve sat for the first few weeks due to his calf injury. So, his hold on this spot is tenuous.
Nevertheless, when healthy, Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He’s tough, deadly accurate, and has a flair for big moments. Next season should offer a reminder of just how good he is.
2023 STATS: 2,309 Passing Yards, 15 Passing Touchdowns, 6 Interceptions, 6.3 Yards Per Attempt, 51.6 QBR
4) Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Allen did his new-age Brett Favre thing in 2023, pairing unbelievable plays with boneheaded mistakes. He’s a force of nature when he’s locked in, but Allen’s also capable of losing games on his own. Still, for all his flaws, he’s obviously one of the five best quarterbacks in the NFL.
2023 STATS: 4,306 Passing Yards, 29 Passing Touchdowns, 18 Interceptions, 7.4 Yards Per Attempt, 69.6 QBR
5) Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Herbert’s naysayers will point toward his record (30-32) and playoff collapse in 2022 while arguing he’s overrated. And it’s true that Herbert seemingly plateaued the last two seasons after taking the league by storm in his first two campaigns.
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But Herbert was also undermined by awful coaching and disappointing performances from the Chargers’ defense. He might be the most purely talented quarterback in football, even more than Mahomes.
With Jim Harbaugh now his head coach, Herbert is out of excuses.
2023 STATS: 3,134 Passing Yards, 20 Passing Touchdowns, 7 Interceptions, 6.9 Yards Per Attempt, 64.1 QBR
6) C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
The NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award winner was exceptional in 2023, quickly establishing himself as one of the NFL’s rising stars. It’s hard to poke holes in a player who threw for 23 TDs and just five picks as a rookie while leading his team to the playoffs.
However, it is a small sample size, and defenses will adjust in 2024. If Stroud makes the necessary counter-adjustments, we’ll have a real star on our hands.
2023 STATS: 4,108 Passing Yards, 23 Passing Touchdowns, 5 Interceptions, 8.2 Yards Per Attempt, 57.5 QBR
7) Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
Nobody questions Rodgers’ ability. The doubts center around his age (40), recent injury history, and mercurial personality.
Rodgers is as capable of leading the Jets to the Super Bowl next season as he is dragging them into a lost campaign. He still is a top-10 quarterback, but he’s fading.
2023 STATS: N/A
8) Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Will the real Trevor Lawrence please stand up? One minute, he looks like a top-five quarterback; the next, he looks deserving of a benching.
Lawrence has the talent to be an elite quarterback, but he needs to cut down on the mistakes — 39 interceptions in three seasons — and stop playing hero ball.
This is a big year for Lawrence.
2023 STATS: 4,016 Passing Yards, 21 Passing Touchdowns, 14 Interceptions, 7.1 Yards Per Attempt, 56.1 QBR
9) Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
One of the most polarizing quarterbacks in football, Tagovailoa is what he is: a solid quarterback who needs to be propped up by elite weapons.
Tua’s accurate, but he is not much of a playmaker, and he is injury-prone. Still, Tagovailoa has established himself as a dependable NFL starter and a great leader. In 2023, he led the NFL in passing yards (4,624).
2023 STATS: 4,624 Passing Yards, 29 Passing Touchdowns, 14 Interceptions, 8.3 Yards Per Attempt, 60.8 QBR
10) Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
What a weird season Watson had in 2023. The former Houston Texan looked washed up early in the season but appeared to be turning a corner before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
Watson’s play was erratic, but there were glimpses of a player who was once among the best QBs in football.
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Still just 28 years old, Watson could be headed for a bounce-back campaign. But he needs to stay healthy.
2023 STATS: 1,115 Passing Yards, 7 Passing Touchdowns, 4 Interceptions, 6.5 Yards Per Attempt, 42.9 QBR
11) Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
Richardson electrified in four games before succumbing to a season-ending shoulder injury. The fourth overall pick from the 2023 NFL Draft was undeniably impressive, proving dangerous on the ground and surprisingly polished as a passer.
But it was a four-game sample, and we’re not getting carried away. Richardson will skyrocket up this list if he picks up where he left off — but that’s a big “if.”
2023 STATS: 577 Passing Yards, 3 Passing Touchdowns, 1 Interception, 6.9 Yards Per Attempt, 45.0 QBR
12) Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers assumed almost zero financial risk by signing Wilson, so he isn’t guaranteed the starting job. Despite Mike Tomlin’s public support, Wilson is bound for a training camp QB battle with Justin Fields.
Wilson ranked in the top 10 in touchdowns and passer rating last season, but those numbers were fool’s gold. His arm strength diminished, he was alarmingly skittish in the pocket, and he rightly was benched by the Broncos for the final two games.
Wilson’s best days are well behind him.
2023 STATS: 3,070 Passing Yards, 26 Passing Touchdowns, 8 Interceptions, 6.9 Yards Per Attempt, 50.7 QBR
13) Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
After flaming out in Chicago, Fields now gets a chance to resurrect his career in Pittsburgh.
Fields, for all his talent, hasn’t proven capable of making NFL-caliber throws consistently. He was among the league’s worst quarterbacks in the fourth quarter last season and regularly came up short in big moments.
Nevertheless, he’s got a real shot at beating out Wilson for the Steelers’ starting QB job.
2023 STATS: 2,562 Passing Yards, 16 Passing Touchdowns, 9 Interceptions, 6.9 Yards Per Attempt, 46.1 QBR
14) Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders
O’Connell might’ve been the best rookie QB in 2023 not named C.J. Stroud. The fourth-rounder was thrust into the starting role amid Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury and performance woes — and he delivered.
In 10 starts, O’Connell completed 62.1% of his passes for 2,218 yards and 12 touchdowns to go along with seven interceptions. He’s not the most mobile quarterback, but he’s got a strong arm, and he clearly has support in the locker room.
O’Connell will compete with Gardner Minshew for the starting job in training camp.
2023 STATS: 2,218 Passing Yards, 12 Passing Touchdowns, 7 Interceptions, 6.5 Yards Per Attempt, 40.5 QBR
15) Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots
Brissett is the perfect bridge starter. He’s respected in the locker room and capable of winning games, but he won’t complain if asked to hand the keys to a top draft pick. If the Patriots eventually turn to Maye, Brissett will handle it like a pro.
But Brissett also could be New England’s starting quarterback for the entire 2024 season. Maye needs a ton of work, and the Patriots can’t risk ruining his development.
Brissett will likely be the Week 1 starter and keep the job until the Patriots have no choice but to play Maye.
2023 STATS: 224 Passing Yards, 3 Passing Touchdowns, 0 Interceptions, 9.7 Yards Per Attempt, 95.6 QBR
16) Will Levis, Tennessee Titans
The rookie made the most of his opportunities last season, racking up 1,808 yards and eight TDs to go along with four picks in nine starts.
Levis still has much to prove, but he’s got the arm strength and mentality required to be a solid starter in the pros. Let’s see what he does in 2024.
2023 STATS: 1,808 Passing Yards, 8 Passing Touchdowns, 4 Interceptions, 7.1 Yards Per Attempt, 33.2 QBR
17) Jarrett Stidham, Denver Broncos
This appears to be Stidham’s job to lose, even with Nix now in the picture. Stidham has impressed in his limited opportunities as a starter, but he remains a likely backup in the NFL.
Even if he wins the starting job, he’ll likely have a short leash as the Broncos look toward getting the Nix era underway.
2023 STATS: 496 Passing Yards, 2 Passing Touchdowns, 1 Interception, 7.5 Yards Per Attempt, 31.1 QBR
Unranked Rookies
Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Maye is such a wild card. Could he, the No. 3 pick in the draft, beat out Jacoby Brissett for the starting job? Sure, but all signs point toward Maye beginning his career as a backup. He’s talented enough to develop into a star, but flawed enough to be a bust. We’ll see.
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Sean Payton reportedly believes Nix is a future star. We’ll see about that. Nix excels on intermediate throws but struggles with deep passes and other throws that require elite arm skill. Regardless, he joins a QB room that includes Wilson and Jarrett Stidham. Your guess on the Week 1 starter is as good as ours, but for now, we’re going with Stidham.