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It's that point in the NFL offseason when we simply must parse through everyone's subjective opinions about the best players in the league. It is not enough that training camps for the 2026 season are on the horizon. It is not enough that it feels like we only just finished an extensive free agency and draft period. We must, as always, dive into some mostly meaningless rankings for some reason.
Fortunately, ESPN's positional ranking series, which is rooted in an (anonymous to us) survey with NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, seems to have gotten it mostly right with quarterbacks. Well, to anyone paying attention over the last few years, that is.
To that I say: Phew. The last thing we could afford is another water-cooler debate about a season and the play of players over half a year old. A new NFL season is a little under two months away, folks. You can wait!
It is, indeed, the top of these quarterback rankings that should still inspire the most discussion. As it stands, the NFL people who participated in this survey believe the four best signal-callers in the league are:
Honestly? I don't hate (most of) it.
Mahomes might have the Super Bowl jewelry, but he has been decidedly underwhelming, especially in the regular season, over the last few years. He last averaged more than seven yards per pass attempt three seasons ago and hasn't eclipsed 4,000 yards passing in each of the last two years. He's probably still the best playoff quarterback, but it's high time someone knocks him down a peg for his recent performance. You can't stay No. 1 and play the way he has lately.
Allen, for that matter, has yet to win a Super Bowl. But it's hard to argue against his recent track record. The 2024 MVP is a walking 40-touchdown player (passing and rushing) and is essentially the sole reason the bumbling Bills remain bona fide championship contenders rather than having begun a pseudo-rebuild.
I love having Stafford at No. 3, too. It's high time the 2025 MVP starts getting the respect he deserves. Even as he nears the age of 40, Stafford remains one of the sport's premier off-script playmakers who still has stellar anticipation and arm strength. With the Rams' terrific supporting cast surrounding him, Stafford likely won't go anywhere from the top here any time soon.
My only real contention is Burrow at No. 4. The man has played in just 35 total games over the last three seasons. He can't play under center and actively contributes to his offensive line's supposed pass-protection struggles. Burrow is a winner and a gaudy-numbers machine, but having him this high after his recent track record is a bit of an absurd overrating. He, like Mahomes, has to prove it again.
All in all, I dig the overall top of the quarterback rankings and still find minimal fault with the top 10 in general. It's a sign of the times that someone has actually (and rightfully) dethroned Mahomes at the top, among other things.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: NFL executives and coaches have a fascinating top-4 quarterback ranking, per ESPN
Continue reading...
Fortunately, ESPN's positional ranking series, which is rooted in an (anonymous to us) survey with NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, seems to have gotten it mostly right with quarterbacks. Well, to anyone paying attention over the last few years, that is.
To that I say: Phew. The last thing we could afford is another water-cooler debate about a season and the play of players over half a year old. A new NFL season is a little under two months away, folks. You can wait!
It is, indeed, the top of these quarterback rankings that should still inspire the most discussion. As it stands, the NFL people who participated in this survey believe the four best signal-callers in the league are:
- Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
- Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
- Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Honestly? I don't hate (most of) it.
Mahomes might have the Super Bowl jewelry, but he has been decidedly underwhelming, especially in the regular season, over the last few years. He last averaged more than seven yards per pass attempt three seasons ago and hasn't eclipsed 4,000 yards passing in each of the last two years. He's probably still the best playoff quarterback, but it's high time someone knocks him down a peg for his recent performance. You can't stay No. 1 and play the way he has lately.
Allen, for that matter, has yet to win a Super Bowl. But it's hard to argue against his recent track record. The 2024 MVP is a walking 40-touchdown player (passing and rushing) and is essentially the sole reason the bumbling Bills remain bona fide championship contenders rather than having begun a pseudo-rebuild.
I love having Stafford at No. 3, too. It's high time the 2025 MVP starts getting the respect he deserves. Even as he nears the age of 40, Stafford remains one of the sport's premier off-script playmakers who still has stellar anticipation and arm strength. With the Rams' terrific supporting cast surrounding him, Stafford likely won't go anywhere from the top here any time soon.
My only real contention is Burrow at No. 4. The man has played in just 35 total games over the last three seasons. He can't play under center and actively contributes to his offensive line's supposed pass-protection struggles. Burrow is a winner and a gaudy-numbers machine, but having him this high after his recent track record is a bit of an absurd overrating. He, like Mahomes, has to prove it again.
All in all, I dig the overall top of the quarterback rankings and still find minimal fault with the top 10 in general. It's a sign of the times that someone has actually (and rightfully) dethroned Mahomes at the top, among other things.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: NFL executives and coaches have a fascinating top-4 quarterback ranking, per ESPN
Continue reading...
