Ranking the 12 best quarterbacks in the NFL for 2026

[ASFN Admin]

In today's NFL, you cannot be taken seriously as a Super Bowl contender without high-level quarterback play. This is why we see quarterbacks remaining the highest-paid players in the league and for the Pittsburgh Steelers, why they brought back Aaron Rodgers and doubled his salary from 2025. But the reality is, Rodgers' 2025 season was far from elite and he has one chance to put it behind him before he rides off into the sunset. We put together our ranking of the 10 best quarterbacks in the NFL for the 2026 season and let's see if Rodgers makes the cut.

1 - Joe Burrow - Cincinnati Bengals​

If not for a turf toe injury, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow could have been league MVP and assuming he's back to 100 percent will be a frontrunner for the honor in 2026.

2 - Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills​

If you wanted to put Josh Allen at No. 1 over Burrow, you'd get little argument from us. Allen is the best all-around quarterback in the NFL and anything he lacks in the passing game, he more than makes up for with his ability to win with his legs.

3 - Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens​

Jackson took a step back in 2025 after a huge 2024 season and saw his success in very specific scenarios that weren't enough to get the Ravens into the playoffs in 2025. Jackson's ability to run the football is still tops in the NFL but he has to find the full field as a passer in 2026 to get back to MVP form.

4 - Matthew Stafford - Detroit Lions​

Stafford continues to defy Father Time as well as trends as an aging pocket passer who just keeps on producing. Part of what makes Stafford an MVP is how well he takes care of the football and his elite control over the Lions offense and all that experience in dealing with NFL defenses.

5 - Jordan Love - Green Bay Packers​

Jordan Love took a huge leap forward last season and really does deserve to be in this group. Love threw for 225 yards per game and finished the season with a 101.2 quarterback rating. Love is the top young quarterback in this group, and the group as a whole is incredibly impressive.

6 - Patrick Mahomes - Kansas City Chiefs​

Mahomes is coming off his worst season and is currently trying to recover from torn knee ligaments. We give him the No. 6 spot on potential and reputation as well as the coaching on the Chiefs but this is the guy on the list we see most poised for a tumble.

7 - Drake Maye - New England Patriots​

We considered putting Maye at No. 6 because not only is he one of the most talented young quarterbacks in the league, but he's also a perfect fit for the New England offense.

8 - Jared Goff - Detroit Lions​

I seriously considered leaving Goff off this list but despite the Lions' struggles last season, he was No. 2 in the NFL in passing yards and is a true field general.

9 - Justin Herbert - Los Angeles Chargers​

We have always felt like Justin Herbert's skills have been wasted with the Chargers because of the lack of skill-position talent the team has placed around him. This might not change much in 2026 but Herbert is the guy on this list who does the most with the least.

10 - Caleb Williams - Chicago Bears​

Caleb Williams improved by leaps and bounds in 2025 and finally feels like he loves playing football and it shows. The level of focus and intensity we saw from him last season was something we never saw in college or last year in Chicago.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Ranking the 12 best quarterbacks in the NFL for 2026

Continue reading...