Ranking all 63 starting quarterbacks from the 2025 NFL season

This is the final, post-Super Bowl LX rankings of every quarterback who started a game during the 2025 NFL campaign -- based on play from the regular season AND the playoffs. Here are my rankings, 1 through 63.

TIER 1

• Matthew Stafford won NFL MVP because he was, in fact, the best quarterback in the NFL. His playoff performances proved it: He engineered a comeback win on the road in Charlotte, N.C., to advance beyond Wild Card Weekend, piloted the Rams through choppy, frigid waters in a Divisional Round overtime victory in Chicago and nearly singlehandedly threw the Rams to the Super Bowl in a narrow NFC Championship Game loss in Seattle. Stafford produced his best season of his career in 2025, showing off an elite blend of arm strength, accuracy and decision-making ability that made the Rams one of the favorites to win it all. Best of all: He'll be back in 2026.
• Josh Allen did not have an MVP-caliber season but still attracted some consideration because of how he carried the Bills to the Divisional Round. Yes, I can mention how he had the benefit of playing alongside the NFL rushing yards leader in James Cook, or I can knock him for essentially giving away a Divisional Round game to Denver with his four turnovers. I won't let that sink his stock, though, because his importance to the Bills and his elite ability vastly outweighs those details.
• Dak Prescott was the reason the Cowboys finished anywhere near .500 this season. He proved himself as one of the NFL's best passers, completing a league-high 404 attempts for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns. He powered George Pickens' career-best season and reminded us of his value throughout Dallas' up-and-down campaign. The hope is that the Cowboys can maximize his talents better in 2026.
• Drake Maye nearly won NFL MVP but certainly didn't look the part in the postseason. After producing an incredible season in only his second year, Maye looked like a sophomore starter in the playoffs, struggling to find the consistency that defined his campaign. He made big plays in key spots, sure, but struggled with turnovers all the way through Super Bowl LX, a game in which his youth was painfully evident. Luckily, he's only 23 and has plenty of learning experiences already under his belt.
• Justin Herbert deserves a medal for the courage required to get these Chargers to the playoffs. He lost one starting tackle (Rashawn Slater) for the entire season and another for a significant portion of it (Joe Alt) and played a significant chunk of time without one or both of his top two running backs (Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton). He put the Chargers on his back anyway, finishing as both the leading passer and rusher in some games while carrying them to an 11-6 finish and a return trip to the playoffs. Oh, he did much of this with a broken hand, too. Hopefully, the Chargers can stay healthy up front and take some of the responsibility off his shoulders next season.
• Trevor Lawrence played the best football of his career in 2025, finally flirting with the generational tag he's carried since his days at Clemson. Lawrence was a laser-accurate passer, used his legs more than he ever has as a pro and proved to be the unrelenting engine behind a Jaguars team that evolved into an offensive machine in the second half of the season. With Liam Coen leading the way, Lawrence and the Jaguars have a bright future ahead of them.

TIER 2

• Sam Darnold is a Super Bowl champion. Sure, he didn't have to do all that much in two of Seattle's three postseason wins, but he definitely powered it to the Super Bowl with his NFC Championship Game performance. Don't discount his role in their Super Bowl LX win, either; he may not have made a ton of memorable throws, but he won in the minor areas by slipping would-be sacks, extending plays and scrambling in key spots. Seattle will always revere him, too, because his arrival and subsequent performances symbolize their ascension to the NFL's throne.
• Caleb Williams steadily improved throughout his first season under Ben Johnson and produced some incredible heroics in the postseason, powering an unbelievable comeback over the Packers on Wild Card Weekend and nearly doing the same against the Rams in the Divisional Round. Perhaps I'm a sucker for recency and hyperbole, but by the end of this season, Williams is among the quarterbacks I think of first when I ask the question: Who defined the 2025 season?
• Jared Goff produced at a rate that was very similar to his last two seasons and tried his best to rescue a Lions offense that declined in 2025. Their running game's disappearance undercut their chances, though, and put a target on his back that he was unable to shed in the final month of the regular season.
• Joe Burrow missed more than half of the season, but once he returned, he sure was excellent. In Weeks 13-18, Burrow posted a 15-5 TD-to-INT ratio, threw for 1,620 yards and returned the Bengals offense to its high-powered existence of previous years. Unfortunately, it also only produced three wins.
• Lamar Jackson wasn't himself for most of the 2025 season because of the injuries he suffered. His mobility disappeared for weeks, but once it returned, he reminded us why he's won the NFL MVP award twice. His showing in Week 18 was scintillating and will remain burned in my memory for quite some time. As Isaiah Likely told "NFL Daily" on Radio Row during Super Bowl week, Jackson had that look in his eye that night. Hopefully, he'll have it throughout 2026.
• Daniel Jones resurrected his career through the first 10 weeks of the 2025 season, serving as a dynamic quarterback who was a perfect fit for Shane Steichen's offense. The Colts were one of the NFL's best because of Jones, but once injury struck, he wasn't the same. He's now traveling a long road back to the field, and hopefully the soon-to-be free agent will rediscover what made him and the Colts special in that beautiful stretch in the 2025 season.
• Patrick Mahomes tried his best, but even he couldn't save the Chiefs from their demise in 2025. The devil was in the details for much of the season, and when the margin for error shrunk late, Mahomes' struggles increased, as evidenced by the 5-7 TD-INT ratio he posted from the start of November through his unfortunate season-ending ACL injury in Week 15.

TIER 3

• Jordan Love peaked in a Week 8 win over Aaron Rodgers' Steelers, throwing the Packers to victory on the road, but never quite found the level of consistency Green Bay needs from its franchise quarterback. He certainly enjoyed some highs, with the four-touchdown showing against Detroit on Thanksgiving coming to mind. He just needs to do it more often in order to help the Packers reach their potential.
• Injuries robbed Brock Purdy of nearly half of the season. When he returned, he delivered some electrifying performances (see: Week 17 against Chicago) while also producing some clunkers, even in games the 49ers won (see: Week 12 against Carolina). I'm pretty sure I know who Purdy is at his best. I'd like to see him live up to that standard more often (and for the 49ers to stay healthy) going forward.
• Aaron Rodgers bested Father Time for much of 2025 and is the primary reason the Steelers even reached the playoffs. He produced some of his best games of the last three or four years and can definitely still fill a starting job somewhere in this league if he wants it.
• Baker Mayfield went from legitimate early-season MVP candidate to the face of Tampa Bay's downturn in 2025, and did much of it while playing through injury. He's a gamer, a tireless competitor who owns his role as the Bucs franchise quarterback and is often an entertaining watch. He's also a streaky passer, which unfortunately contributed to the Bucs' second-half collapse.
• Bo Nix didn't find a true sense of consistency until after Thanksgiving, diluting his overall 2025 résumé. Still, if what we saw from Nix down the stretch is a preview of his future, Broncos fans have plenty of reason to be excited.
• Jalen Hurts was at his best when the Eagles went up-tempo, an admission that made me wonder whether removing the thought process from playing quarterback might be best for him. The scheme certainly didn't help him, and offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo was promptly fired after the Eagles' season ended in a first-round postseason exit. But I truly believe Hurts would benefit from shedding his focus on making the perfect play, an outcome that could be expedited by new OC Sean Mannion.
• C.J. Stroud's playoff performances hurt his reputation, but those who watched the Texans in the regular season shouldn't have been all that surprised by the result. Sure, Stroud delivered a memorably terrible outing against New England in the Divisional Round, but he also showed plenty of inconsistencies in the months leading up to it. Those explosive moments -- i.e., Week 5 at Baltimore and Week 15 versus Arizona -- however, sure were a treat to watch.

TIER 4

• Bryce Young needs to find consistency in 2026, because he was among the most mercurial quarterbacks we saw in the NFL this season. One stretch illustrates this: In Week 11, he threw for 448 yards and three touchdowns in an overtime win over Atlanta. In the games that bookended that high-flying affair, he threw three interceptions in two losses. The tools are there, but he needs to prove he can be reliable.
• Tyler Shough looks the part. He was my pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year because he steadily improved and injected life into the Saints, firing passes on time and on target, using his legs as a weapon and showing plenty of signs that he can be the Saints' long-term answer at the position.
• Jaxson Dart electrified New York in a fashion it desperately needed at the quarterback position, but he also demonstrated a refusal to surrender that put him in harm's way on a few occasions. His rookie season included some bumps in the road, but if he can stay on the field more consistently in the seasons ahead, I think the Giants might have their guy.
• Malik Willis only made a few appearances in 2025 but maximized the opportunity, demonstrating legitimate growth and playmaking ability that should draw a significant pay raise and a shot at a starting job elsewhere in 2026.
• The 49ers' 2025 story cannot be written without Mac Jones, a backup who handled the job exceptionally well when he was forced into action to replace an injured Brock Purdy. Jones kept the 49ers competitive and flat-out won a few games for San Francisco. He should be a highly desired trade chip this offseason.
• Cam Ward gave us some jaw-dropping highlights in his rookie season, showed struggles typical of a rookie and produced a product strong enough to convince the Titans they made the right call drafting him No. 1 overall last April. Now, they need to surround him with upgraded talent.
• Kirk Cousins exceeded most expectations when he took over for an injured Michael Penix Jr., initially keeping the Falcons offense afloat before settling in, finding a rhythm and looking more like the version of Cousins the Falcons thought they'd signed in 2024 than he did near the end of that season. He's deep into the back nine of his career but should carry value for teams seeking a bridge veteran in 2026.
• Marcus Mariota started more games than anyone expected him to and performed admirably, producing consistent showings regardless of opponent or available weaponry. Washington would be wise to find a way to keep him in 2026.

TIER 5

• Kyler Murray's 2025 showing matched the disappointment that was the entire Cardinals season, and reports suggest his time in Arizona is winding down. When 33-year-old Jacoby Brissett produces at a better rate than you, you're in trouble.
• Joe Flacco won the Unc Bowl in his first start with the Bengals, but only after the Browns asked him to lead them through the fire in the first month of the season, failed to protect him adequately and unceremoniously benched him for Dillon Gabriel. Such is the life of a veteran backup. Flacco's effectiveness waned in Cincinnati and he was eventually sent back to the bench once Joe Burrow returned, but not before the 41-year-old inspired dads everywhere with his 470-yard, four-touchdown performance in a loss to Chicago.
• I will remember this season's version of Davis Mills fondly, and it's only because of how he directed one of the most electric comeback efforts seen anywhere in the NFL in 2025, engineering three fourth-quarter touchdown drives to propel the Texans to a comeback win over the Jaguars at a crucial point in the season. Oh, I should also note he did a bang-up job of keeping the Texans rolling in his other two starts, posting a 5-1 TD-INT ratio in three straight wins.
• Tumultuous is an understatement when describing J.J. McCarthy's first season as Minnesota's QB1. He struggled to stay on the field and encountered significant difficulties in the middle portion of the season (appearing remarkably overwhelmed), but he finished strong and found a groove over his final four starts. He has plenty of work to do this offseason with both coach Kevin O'Connell and receiver Justin Jefferson.
• Michael Penix Jr.'s second season was a disappointment and ended in similarly disheartening fashion via injury. This next year has become crucial for him, especially with Kirk Cousins expected to head elsewhere in March.
• Well, the Raiders decision to trade for Geno Smith proved to be a swing and miss. It wasn't entirely Smith's fault; he played behind the NFL's worst offensive line. In fact, it's a minor miracle that he still threw for 3,000 yards. It's less surprising, however, that he tossed 17 interceptions. With the Raiders expected to draft Heisman Trophy-winning Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, don't be surprised if they release Smith.
• Philip Rivers provided us with the funniest and most fascinating storyline of the 2025 season, when he ended a five-year retirement to try to save the Colts' season. The 44-year-old proved he could still succeed with his brain; his arm, however, showed his age.
• Folks will remember Tua Tagovailoa's nightmarish, coffin-closing performance in primetime in Pittsburgh. The final moment illustrating that it had become clear that clear he was not going to be involved in Miami's future. Though that's an accurate assessment, he still enjoyed a relatively positive stretch that began with his pink eye performance in Atlanta -- a four-touchdown showing in a romp over the Falcons -- and included a win over the Bills in Miami. As we eventually learned, the success was fleeting and Tagovailoa will soon find a new home.
• It almost feels as if we never saw more than cameo appearances from Jayden Daniels. Injuries ruined his sophomore season and the Commanders' ambitions of returning to the playoffs.
• Mason Rudolph played well in relief of Aaron Rodgers and kept the Steelers afloat in his only start, but his lower ceiling also showed us why he's a backup at this point in his career.
• Jameis Winston lived up to his reputation as a veteran backup, keeping the Giants competitive while also reminding us of his tendency to commit turnovers at the worst possible time.
• Spencer Rattler finally earned his first win as a starter and led some of us to believe he might keep the job as we approached Halloween. A couple of meltdowns against Chicago and Tampa Bay, however, cleared the path for Shough to take over.

TIER 6

• Tyler Huntley should have been the backup to Lamar Jackson all along. He won both of his starts -- including a crucial Week 17 game at Lambeau Field -- and proved his experience in Baltimore was beneficial to the Ravens. We'll see if new coach Jesse Minter thinks similarly.
• Carson Wentz deserves credit for trying to play through an assortment of injuries in a vain attempt to keep the Vikings afloat. His efforts also didn't come without the mistakes we've watched him make since he began his nomadic journey through the NFL.
• Shedeur Sanders did some good things (sharp downfield accuracy, an increased willingness to keep defenses honest by scrambling), did some not so good things (holding onto the ball too long, firing panicked throws into traffic) and gave the Browns enough reason to include him in the competition for their starting job next year. That shouldn't be misinterpreted as me saying he's their proven starter. He's still far from it after half of a season of NFL action.
• Russell Wilson rightfully lost his job before October but not before he delivered an outrageously explosive showing in Dallas. Otherwise, most of his other struggles from previous stops remained a persistent issue. He'll carry minimal value as a veteran backup on the open market.
• Quinn Ewers looked remarkably overmatched in his first start, but he showed signs of growth in his final two appearances. Depending on what's available to the Dolphins -- currently projected to be $16 million over the cap in 2026 -- he might also be their starter next season.
• Riley Leonard made one start and was shockingly effective, slinging the ball around the yard as if there was no tomorrow in a high-scoring loss to Houston. With Indianapolis' QB situation in flux entering 2026, I'm curious to see where he lands in their pecking order.
• Josh Johnson made his first start since 2021 in Week 18, leading the Commanders to a late win on the road in Philadelphia, a triumphant moment that was long overdue for the 39-year-old. He's defined nomad in his NFL journey; why not give it another go in 2026?

TIER 7

• Tyrod Taylor fell victim to the Jets' lack of talent, a glaring admission when considering the receiving corps that joined him on the field was largely rebuilt during the season and headlined by Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III (who was traded twice in 2025). Injuries got in the way, too, but despite the immense challenges the Jets faced this season, Taylor has said he's open to returning to New York in 2026.
• Dillon Gabriel received the first crack at taking over for Joe Flacco in Cleveland largely because he played within the scheme and got the ball out on time. His lack of arm strength and average-at-best mobility weighed down both he and the Browns, calling into question Andrew Berry's decision to spend a third-round pick on him. He's on the fast track to backup/emergency quarterback territory.
• Justin Fields looked like a transformed quarterback in New York's Week 1 shootout loss to the Steelers and never found that version of himself again, reverting to his negative tendencies behind a porous Jets offensive line. We'll see if the Jets give him another shot to start in 2026 -- that is, if they don't cut him.
• Andy Dalton made one entirely forgettable start in Week 8 and threw an interception in a blowout loss to Buffalo. He's still under contract and should be expected to remain Bryce Young's backup.
• Jake Browning looked nothing like the quarterback who nearly powered the Bengals to a playoff appearance in 2023. It was telling that Cincinnati's offense was significantly better with Joe Flacco -- on less than a week's worth of preparation, I should note -- than it was with Browning.
• Jarrett Stidham threw a couple of beauties in the AFC Championship Game, fumbled away possession and proved the skepticism regarding his viability as a threatening quarterback was justified.
• Given how he didn't seem to fit, Cooper Rush's move to Baltimore was always mystifying. Tyler Huntley was always the better option, which the Ravens eventually learned.
• There was little, if anything to learn from Clayton Tune's Week 18 start in a rest game against Minnesota. He certainly didn't provide us with anything memorable.
• Chris Oladokun proved to be a gamer when taking over for both Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew, and he deserved credit for maintaining some sense of competitiveness in the Chiefs' final few weeks. Unfortunately, his Week 18 showing (two fumbles lost) in a loss to the lowly Raiders also dealt a devastating blow to his prospects of securing a backup job in Kansas City in 2026.
• I thought Trey Lance looked like a significantly improved quarterback during preseason action. It was mildly disappointing that didn't carry over into the Chargers' Week 18 rest game, a loss to Denver.
• Gardner Minshew's 2025 season lasted a whole 14 snaps as a starter. Not much to glean from that.
• Kenny Pickett lost his chance of winning the Browns' starting job once he suffered a hamstring injury in camp, was traded to Las Vegas and performed worse than I expected in place of Geno Smith, so much that Pete Carroll benched him for Aidan O'Connell, the quarterback Las Vegas would be wise to invest in as its long-term backup.
• Tanner McKee's preseason hype machine blew a gasket in Week 18, especially when the backup had two chances to lead the Eagles to victory and promptly wasted both, appearing unsettled and wildly inaccurate as a passer.
• Brady Cook enjoyed a very small sample of success -- we're talking glimpses at best -- and ultimately struggled as quarterback of one of the worst teams in the NFL. It was a predictable outcome for a quarterback who was never supposed to see the field in 2025.
• Max Brosmer proved why he was an undrafted free agent, appearing overwhelmed by the speed of the game. We'll all remember that Week 17 win over Detroit -- you know, the one in which the Vikings recorded six takeaways and did almost nothing with the extra possessions -- as the evidence we all needed to know Brosmer wasn't a viable backup option.