Offseason Chronicles: Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks (2024)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen #17 and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 embrace after an NFL divisional round playoff game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, at Highmark Stadium, in Orchard Park, NY. The Chiefs won, 27-24. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)
It can be argued that there is no position in professional sports that is more important than the quarterback. In the NFL, it's the teams that are led by elite quarterbacks (e.g. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, etc) that are squarely in championship contention.
Football is the ultimate team sport, but the team will always go as far as the quarterback takes them. For some teams, that means taking numerous trips to the Super Bowl. And for others, it means being mired in a constant state of mediocrity.
In this article, I will be giving my take on the top 10 NFL quarterbacks entering the 2024 NFL season, but first...
Just missed the cut:
Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after a touchdown during an NFL wildcard playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Jan 14, 2024, at AT&T Stadium, in Arlington, TX. The Packers stunned the Cowboys, 48-32. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Coming into last season, Jordan Love was the league's biggest mystery. No one knew if Love could be a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL entering his first season as the starter in Green Bay; his struggles to start last season only amplified those concerns. However, during the second half of the 2023 campaign, Love's play rapidly improved as he performed at an elite level to close out the season, throwing 23 touchdowns against only three interceptions over his final 10 games while leading the Packers to a surprising playoff run that ended in the NFC divisional round. If Love can continue to make throws like this, he'll have a great chance to crack my top 10 next year and perhaps lead the Packers to an even deeper playoff run in 2024.
Projected stats: 66.4 completion %, 4,315 passing yards, 36 passing touchdowns, 251 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 11 interceptions
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons throws the football during an NFL minicamp practice, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Flowery Branch, GA. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
For the last decade or so, "Captain Kirk" has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the NFL. Coming into last season, he had notched eight consecutive seasons of throwing for at least 3,500 yards and 25 touchdown passes, the only quarterback in the league to do so. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback was well on pace to match those numbers once again in 2023 (throwing for 2,331 yards and 18 touchdowns in eight games) before suffering a torn Achilles in Week 8 that cut his campaign short. Now, as a member of a Falcons squad that boasts multiple dangerous weapons on offence such as running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts, look for the soon-to-be 36-year-old QB to continue to put up consistent numbers and help the "Dirty Birds" make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Projected stats: 67.1 completion %, 4,306 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, 42 rushing yards, nine interceptions
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, at Lincoln Financial Field, in Philadelphia, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Some may be surprised to see Hurts, who finished as the MVP runner-up in 2022 while leading the Eagles to Super Bowl LVII, outside of my top 10 rankings; after all, the 25-year-old quarterback was fourth on my rankings list coming into last season. But after leading his team to a 10-1 start in 2023, Hurts and the Eagles staggered down the stretch, losing six out of their last seven games, including an embarrassing loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC wildcard round. And during that tough stretch, Hurts really struggled, throwing just six touchdowns against five interceptions while completing just 62 percent of his passes. Hurts is still one of the best dual-threat QBs in the league and he still has very good players such as wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert to throw to. Combine that with the addition of All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley to the backfield along with having a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore and Hurts could easily make a return to my top 10 rankings next year.
Projected stats: 66.2 completion %, 4,005 passing yards, 23 touchdown passes, 683 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, nine interceptions
And now on to the top 10!
#10. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (last year's ranking: honourable mention)
Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions warms up before the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Getty Images)
By the time he was traded by the Los Angeles Rams to Detroit back in 2021 in exchange for fellow quarterback Matthew Stafford, it seemed like Jared Goff's career had come to a complete standstill. After leading the Rams to the Super Bowl in 2018, Goff's play slowly declined during the next two seasons, leading to his departure from the City of Angels. Many assumed that Goff's career would continue to take a nosedive in Detroit, but instead, with the help of fiery head coach Dan Campbell and well-renowned offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Goff has managed to revive his career with the Lions. He followed up a stellar 2022 campaign (4,438 passing yards, 29 touchdown passes, 99.3 passer rating) with another amazing season last year in 2023, completing 67.3 percent of his passes (a Lions single-season franchise record) while also throwing for 4,575 passing yards and 30 touchdown passes. Goff may not be as talented of a thrower as guys like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, but, as the orchestrator of an elite Lions offence that is chock full of playmakers across the board, he certainly does a great job of leading his team to victories (Detroit is tied for the seventh most wins in the NFL over the last two seasons with 21). If the team from the Motor City makes their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history this season, Goff will undoubtedly be one of the biggest reasons why.
Projected stats: 66.8 completion %, 4,530 passing yards, 31 passing touchdowns, 27 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, 12 interceptions
#9. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (last year's ranking: #6)
Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, at SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, CA. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
From a pure talent perspective, you can count the number of quarterbacks that are better than Justin Herbert on one hand. When it comes to throwing the football, Herbert is an absolute stud. Last season, however, Herbert had a "down" year, throwing for 3,134 yards, and 20 touchdown passes as he played only 13 games due to suffering through various injuries throughout the season. During the offseason, the Chargers made a lot of changes, which included hiring Jim Harbaugh (who is coming off leading the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship victory in the NCAA last season) to be their new head coach. The addition of Harbaugh (whose offences tend to run the football a lot) along with the subtractions of longtime Chargers wide receivers Keenan Allen (traded to the Bears) and Mike Williams (released, then signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets) means that Herbert probably won't put up gaudy numbers in 2024, but his overall talent combined with Harbaugh's great coaching combined should lead to great results this season.
Projected stats: 67.6 completion %, 4,154 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, 197 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, eight interceptions
#8. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (last year's ranking: unranked)
Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Lumen Field, in Seattle, WA. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
After struggling through an injury-riddled 2022 campaign, it was fair to wonder how Matthew Stafford would respond in 2023. The veteran quarterback bounced back big time in 2023, throwing for 3.965 yards, and 24 touchdown passes to lead the Rams back to the playoffs after a one-year absence. Long known for having one of the biggest arms in the NFL, Stafford is one of the few quarterbacks in the league that can make any throw from any angle, including when he's not even looking at the receiver he's throwing to. With great playmakers around him such as All-Pro running back Kyren Williams, All-Pro wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, and an elite head coach calling the shots in Sean McVay, look for Stafford to enjoy another great season in 2024.
Projected stats: 65.7 completion %, 4,265 passing yards, 33 touchdown passes, 56 rushing yards, 14 interceptions
#7. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (last year's ranking: unranked)
C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans drops back to pass during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, at NRG Stadium, in Houston, TX. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Last year, C.J. Stroud entered the NFL as a rookie with high expectations as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. But no one could've foreseen what Stroud went on to do in his first year in the Space City. The former Ohio State standout threw for 4,108 yards, led the entire NFL in passing yards per game (273.9 passing yards per game), and threw 23 touchdown passes despite missing two games due to a concussion while leading the Texans to an AFC South division title and a playoff victory. With a combination of great pocket presence, mobility, and a very accurate touch on the football, Stroud was able to carve up defences at the NFL level the same way he did at college. And now, with an elite wide receiver trio of Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell to throw to, it wouldn't be surprising if the 22-year-old signal caller ends up entrenching himself in the MVP conversation this season.
Projected stats: 65.2 completion %, 4,596 passing yards, 34 touchdown passes, 173 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, nine interceptions
#6. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (last year's ranking: #9)
Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys points to the sky after throwing a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, at AT&T Stadium, in Arlington, TX. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Ever since he entered the league in 2016, Dak Prescott has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. But last season, Mr. "Here We Go" had his greatest season yet, as he completed a career-high 69.5 percent of his passes, threw for over 4,500 yards and a career-high 36 touchdown passes (first in the NFL), and compiled a career-high passer rating of 105.9 (second in the NFL among qualified passers). Is Prescott as talented of a quarterback as Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson? Probably not. Is he a quarterback that you can win a Super Bowl with? The jury is still out on that one and the 30-year-old definitely has some work to do to overcome his past playoff failures (which is why his future with the Cowboys is currently up in the air). But when it comes down to the intangibles and flat-out leading a team, there's not many better than No. 4 in Dallas.
Projected stats: 68.2 completion %, 4,464 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns, 260 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 12 interceptions
#5. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (last year's ranking: unranked)
Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass during an NFL divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, Sat. Jan, 20, 2024, at Levi's Stadium, in Santa Clara, CA. The 49ers won, 24-21, to advance to the NFC Championship game. (Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
In today's NFL, there is perhaps no quarterback that has caused more division among NFL fans and experts than Brock Purdy. On the one hand, there are some who think that Purdy is just a product of head coach Kyle Shanahan's well-renowned offensive scheme and that if Purdy was on another team, he wouldn't be nearly as successful as he's been during his first two years in the NFL. But on the other, some people (including me) see Purdy as an elite processor and one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the league. After throwing 13 touchdown passes in just five games during his rookie season in 2022, Purdy enjoyed a full-on breakout campaign in 2023, throwing for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdown passes while also breaking the NFL record for the most passing yards per attempt in a single season (9.6) and leading the league in passer rating. In two seasons as the 49ers' starter, Purdy has led the team to two NFC Championship game appearances and a Super Bowl appearance last season. Say what you want about "Mr. Irrelevant", but he's one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and at 24 years old, only getting started.
Projected stats: 69.1 completion %, 4,302 passing yards, 29 touchdown passes, 137 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, 10 interceptions
#4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (last year's ranking: #3)
Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, at Levi's Stadium, in Santa Clara, CA. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)
In today's NFL, there are only a few quarterbacks that can genuinely carry their teams to playoff success. And make no mistake about it, Joe Burrow is certainly one of those players. Ever since he entered the league in 2020, Burrow has become one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL. In 2023, Burrow threw 15 touchdown passes in just 10 games as he dealt with a calf injury early in the season before suffering a torn ligament in his right wrist midway through the season, cutting his campaign short. Here's a look at how the Bengals have performed over the last four seasons with Burrow on the roster.
2020: 4-11-1 record (Burrow played 10 games before tearing his ACL)
2021: 10-7 record (Burrow stayed healthy; led the team to the Super Bowl)
2022: 12-4 record (Burrow stayed healthy; led the team to the AFC Championship game)
2023: 9-8 record (Burrow played 10 games before the torn wrist ligament injury)
As you can see, when Burrow has remained upright, Cincinnati has been a top-tier team in the NFL. If he can stay healthy in 2024, Burrow will indeed "give people something to talk about" and potentially help the Bengals make another deep playoff run.
Projected stats: 66.7 completion %, 4,682 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns, 217 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 11 interceptions
#3. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (last year's ranking: #2)
Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills waves to fans after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, at Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami Gardens, FL. The Bills defeated the Dolphins, 21-14, to capture the AFC East for the fourth consecutive year. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
When it comes to pure entertainment, you could argue that Josh Allen is the most must-watch quarterback in the NFL, because you never truly know what he's going to do on any given play on the football field. On one play, Allen can look like the best quarterback in the league, and on others, well, let's just say, he doesn't look too great. This is perfectly encapsulated by the fact that in 2023, Allen led the NFL in both total touchdowns with 44 (29 passing, 15 rushing) and total turnovers with 22 (18 interceptions, four fumbles lost). But overall, Allen is one of the most talented quarterbacks that the NFL has ever seen and his mere presence gives Buffalo a chance to win each and every week. Will this season finally be the year that he leads the Bills to their first Super Bowl victory? Who knows, but especially with the team trading away All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs in the offseason, Allen will have more on his plate than ever before in 2024, and I think that will lead to what we're accustomed to seeing from No. 17 in Buffalo; lots of mistakes, but also, a lot of theatrics and fireworks as well.
Projected stats: 65.9 completion %, 4,305 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, 618 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, 15 interceptions
#2. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (last year's ranking: #5)
Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs past Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, at M&T Bank Stadium, in Baltimore, MD. (Mitch Stringer/USA TODAY Sports)
I went back and forth between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen for the number two spot on my quarterback rankings, but ultimately, I sided with Jackson, the reigning MVP coming into this season. Sure, Jackson doesn't have the greatest playoff resume (2-4 record with nine total touchdowns to nine total turnovers), but he's still a proven winner (58-19 regular season record in six seasons) and one of the most dynamic players that have ever stepped foot on a football field. Last season, Jackson set career-highs in completion percentage (67.2), passing yards (3,678), and passing yards per attempt (8.0) while also rushing for 821 yards (most rushing yards for a quarterback in 2023) and scoring 29 total touchdowns (24 passing, 5 rushing) to help lead the Ravens to a league-leading 13-4 record and the AFC Championship game for the first time in 11 years. And now, with Baltimore adding two-time rushing champion Derrick Henry to complement Jackson in the backfield, you can expect the two-time MVP to post another banner campaign in 2024.
Projected stats: 66.7 completion %, 3,487 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, 857 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, eight interceptions
#1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (last year's ranking: #1)
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, in Kansas City, MO. (Getty Images/Cooper Neill)
Surprise! Just like in 2022 and 2023, Patrick Mahomes comes in at number one in my top 10 quarterback rankings. The now three-time Super Bowl MVP didn't even have a great season last year, throwing for "only" 4,183 yards and 27 touchdowns, as the Chiefs' offence struggled with inconsistency throughout the season. However, once the postseason arrived, all concerns were alleviated, as Mahomes elevated not only his play but also, the play of those around him to help the Chiefs repeat as Super Bowl champs. To this point, no team in the Super Bowl era has ever won back-to-back-to-back Super Bowls, but if there's any player that can help spearhead such a feat, it's definitely No. 15 in Kansas City red and white, especially considering that the team improved Mahomes' weaponry coming this season by adding speedy wide receivers Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy to make the Chiefs' offence even more difficult to gameplan and defend against.
Projected stats: 67.5 completion %, 4,625 passing yards, 35 passing touchdowns, 308 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 10 interceptions
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