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NFL’s top 20 QBs: Others fight to try and dethrone Patrick Mahomes and the next crop of superstars are starting to emerge
It wouldn’t truly feel like the NFL season if we weren’t debating who the best QBs in the league are. The crown for the consensus top QB in the NFL has been owned by Patrick Mahomes for a few years now, but the gap seems to get smaller and smaller each year. Players like Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow were fantastic last season, but did any of them do enough to knock Mahomes off his throne? Our team here at A to Z Sports took a look at the QB positions and compiled our top 20 players. Before you review the list, please read below to learn how it was compiled.
In order to find the official consensus 2025 A to Z Sports NFL positional rankings, 16 of our staff members ranked their Top 20 edge rushers in order.
If a player was ranked 1st, they received 20 points. Ranked 2nd? 19 points. And so on, down to 20th, where players received just one point. Why use this method? If we simply used the average ranking, we may errantly include outliers that were ranked too highly by just one or two staff members.
This method allowed us to find a more true collaborative consensus that properly represented where the majority of our staff felt players belonged in overall positional rankings from 1st to 20th in the NFL.
NFL’s Top 20 QBs
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Highest Ranking: 1
Lowest Ranking: 4
“Mahomes is listed at No. 1, but really, he remains in a tier of his own. In a game where championships are the end goal, he’s the only active NFL quarterback with multiple Super Bowl wins. He’s the one thing standing in the way of QBs listed at Nos. 2, 3, and 4 having a chance at a Super Bowl title, let alone a win. Sure, he’s coming off a no-good, rotten season where he threw a career-worst 3,928 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions (numbers that some would beg for). But realize that he had a revolving door at left tackle, where the team’s best option by season’s end was their starting left guard. Injuries to Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice upended the passing game. Mahomes struggled to connect in the deep passing game with rookie WR Xavier Worthy, missing on numerous throws 20-plus yards downfield. Yet, he still managed to do enough with what he had to get his team a historical shot at a third consecutive Super Bowl. Mahomes and the team fell short, but that’s exactly why everyone should be so scared heading into the 2025 NFL season. Mahomes knows where he faltered a season ago and where he needs to be better, and the team believes they’ve provided him and the offense with the tools they need to be successful.” – Charles Goldman
2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Highest Ranking: 1
Lowest Ranking: 3
“Josh Allen ranking second in these rankings shouldn’t be much of a surprise after winning his first NFL Most Valuable Player award. What is surprising overall is that Allen has yet to be a first-team All-Pro, as Lamar Jackson earned that honor ahead of him. For my money, Allen is the best quarterback in the league for both his consistency and elite playmaking ability.
Allen accounted for a total of 40 touchdowns and just six interceptions last season, as he navigated with a depleted receiving corps and a running game that struggled to stay consistent. His play is the biggest reason for their appearance in the AFC Championship Game, and he’s far from the reason they have yet to get over the hump. Nobody in the National Football League has the combination of elite arm talent and production, as Anthony Richardson is the only one who can match the former. This feels like a Peyton Manning situation, where Allen will eventually slay his Tom Brady in Patrick Mahomes, and when it happens, it’ll be an incredible moment.” – Tyler Forness
3. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Highest Ranking: 1
Lowest Ranking: 4
“What’s a guy got to do to crack the top-2? Lamar Jackson has been as electric as any quarterback in football over the past two seasons, thanks to a reinvigorated passing game with offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Make no mistake, Baltimore has a unique blend of talents to carve out a strong supporting cast, but this offense has been gradually tailored to Jackson’s strengths, and he’s reaching a mastery on all fronts.
The only thing he’s missing is a late-season signature stretch of play. If Jackson can collect that in 2025, one would have to guess his elite qualities and production can nudge him higher on the list.” – Kyle Crabbs
4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Highest Ranking: 2
Lowest Ranking: 5
“The conversation about Burrow is so interesting. He’s the best quarterback at performing the traditional quarterback things, and that equates to the fourth-best quarterback in 2025, I suppose. What he doesn’t have in otherworldly arm talent, he makes up for with league-best precision, accuracy, and processing. The offense he’s most comfortable running happens to be one that emphasizes all three of those attributes in a difficult manner, regardless of the two elite wideouts at his disposal. His ability to manage the pocket, evade pressures, and create out of structure also deserves proper recognition as well. He’s top four at the very least.” – John Sheeran
5. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Highest Ranking: 4
Lowest Ranking: 12
“Amid all of the comedic riffs that surround Justin Herbert on social media, there’s a quieter, strong majority that knows his skill set is one of the most well-balanced among young quarterbacks in the NFL. Jim Harbaugh has a ton of faith in his QB as well, and that should hold plenty of value. Herbert ran the ball more often than any other year of his career in 2024, and I won’t be surprised if he eclipses that total in 2025. As for his talent through the air, Herbert is consistently accurate. His on target rate has never dipped below 75% in his NFL career. Not to mention, he’s one of the most gifted deep ball passers in football. Herbert averaged the most yards per passing attempt of his career last season, even while averaging the least yards per game of his career so far – due to a more balanced attack from LA. Only three interceptions all season, too.
Herbert and the Bolts need to achieve more consistent team success and find themselves in a playoff run this season, but there aren’t many QBs you’re taking over the Chargers’ starter when looking to the future.” – Adam Holt
6. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Highest Ranking: 5
Lowest Ranking: 11
“Matthew Stafford, being among the top six quarterbacks in the NFL despite turning 37 this year, is a testament to what his career has been ever since joining the Los Angeles Rams. There seems to be a perpetual offseason conversation surrounding his future, and he’s once again heading to camp banged up, but when Stafford is on the field and right, he deals. Still possessing one of the best arms in the NFL, it’s a marvel to see him throw the football in tight windows and with such accuracy and poise. After dealing with a banged-up WR corps in 2024, if newcomer Davante Adams and returning starter Puka Nacua stay on the field, Stafford could be in line for a 2025 that mimics his 2023 season, where he was a Pro Bowler. And if his body holds up, he and the Rams may have one final deep run in 2025.” – Rob Gregson
7. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Highest Ranking: 5
Lowest Ranking: 14
“Jayden Daniels took the NFL by storm with one of the best rookie seasons by a quarterback in NFL history and earned himself Rookie of the Year honors in Washington. The connection he built with offensive coordinator and All-Pro WR Terry McLaurin didn’t take long, and it surged a rebuilding roster all the way to the NFC Championship. Washington’s season was highlighted by key plays from Daniels, including many game winners and a Hail Mary that shocked the world. Daniels is on pace to have a sophomore rise instead of a sophomore slump with a much-improved roster around him. He’s already earned the respect of a top-10 QB in the league ahead of some notable veterans such as Jalen Hurts, and has the ceiling to reach the top five with another season of growth and development.” – Josh Taylor
8. Jalen Hurts
Highest Ranking: 5
Lowest Ranking: 13
“Jalen Hurts will always be one of the most doubted quarterbacks in the NFL for his lack of passing game.
Even after leading the Philadelphia Eagles to two Super Bowls in just five seasons, including a historic Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs this past season, Hurts still has more to prove to be considered one of the best. But despite the ones who doubt him, Hurts knows how to win games, and he’s accomplished a lot more than what stands out on paper to the average eye.
Perhaps his biggest accomplishment that gets overlooked is the fact that he has remained consistent, even with a new offensive coordinator nearly every year since he entered the league, which says more than his stats ever could.” – Kelsey Kramer
9. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Highest Ranking: 6
Lowest Ranking: 12
“Jared Goff has consistently demonstrated that he is not the person everyone thought he was in 2020. He’s coming off three career seasons and was an MVP finalist in 2024. The thing everyone is going to wonder about is how he’ll do without Ben Johnson, but the Lions’ offense is built for him and partially by him. He and new OC John Morton had a lot to do with the installation of this scheme. That’s not going to change.” – Mike Payton
10. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Highest Ranking: 6
Lowest Ranking: 15
“Dak Prescott tumbling a few spots after a down year in 2024 is more than understandable. But he remains a Top 10 quarterback for good reason. Just a couple of years ago, the Cowboys quarterback finished the 2023 season as MVP runner-up to Lamar Jackson. As long as he can remain healthy, Prescott can play the QB position at a high level thanks to his superior processing. The biggest question mark moving forward is how mobile can he be following another leg injury? Since 2020, Prescott has suffered ankle, calf, and hamstring injuries, which have impacted his ability to run.
In 2025, Prescott will have the most talented WR duo he’s had in George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. Let’s see if he capitalizes on it.” – Mauricio Rodriguez
11. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Highest Ranking: 7
Lowest Ranking: 14
“I would be fairly comfortable putting Jordan Love in the top 10 based on his production over the past two years. Since 2023, he is eighth in adjusted EPA/play and sixth in air yards. And that’s handling injuries and wide receiver drops (Packers were worst in WR mistakes) throughout the entire 2024 season.
The perception that Love regressed in his second year as a starter is much more related to circumstances than individual performance. The fact is that Love played at a high level and led the youngest roster in football to the playoffs two consecutive seasons, and he wasn’t a passenger on those offenses.” – Wendell Ferreira
12. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
Highest Ranking: 5
Lowest Ranking: 16
“C.J. Stroud took the league by storm with a stellar rookie season, immediately looking like a top-10 quarterback. However, a sophomore slump set him back, and he didn’t look like the same player at times during the 2024 season. The Texans dealt with multiple issues on offense, and while Stroud wasn’t solely to blame, he didn’t quite reach the level he displayed as a rookie. The Ohio State product landing at No. 12 is a solid spot, and with a strong season, he has the potential to climb back into the top 10. Houston has revamped its offensive line and added some key pieces—now we’ll see how No. 7 bounces back.” – Brandon Little
13. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Highest Ranking: 4
Lowest Ranking: 12
“It’s safe to say that Baker Mayfield has found a home with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Back-to-back seasons that earned him Pro Bowl honors, if not for him playing in the NFC South, there would probably be a lot more notoriety around Mayfield and what he’s become in Tampa. A former number one overall pick who played for three different teams before settling down in Florida, the last two seasons, but 2024 especially showed why he was viewed so highly in the 2018 draft. The person has settled down, but the arm, the accuracy, the poise, and the leadership have all leveled up. Mayfield’s 2024 numbers are downright guady. Completing over 70% of his passes en route to 4,500 passing yards and over 40 TDs, Mayfield is more than capable of being a top 10 player at the position. Having just turned 30 only 100 days ago, there is a chance Mayfield continues to improve in pewter.” – Rob Gregson
14. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49rs
Highest Ranking: 11
Lowest Ranking: 19
“Many view Brock Purdy as a pure game manager who is solely reliant on the 49ers’ excellent ecosystem to be productive, but those thoughts are ill-informed. There are legitimate criticisms to Purdy’s game and his physical profile, including a high propensity to put the ball in harm’s way and somewhat questionable results while under pressure. However, Purdy was often the person carrying the 49ers’ battered offense in 2024 beyond where it should’ve been. His ability to avoid sacks, deliver accurate passes quickly, and aggressiveness with one of the highest yards per attempt rate all overcome some limiting factors. He benefits from having Kyle Shanahan, but Purdy is also the perfect non-elite QB for this team, and he’s decidedly worth his ranking.” – Ian Valentino
15. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Highest Ranking: 13
Lowest Ranking: 18
“Kyler Murray does just about everything you want your quarterback to do. He can throw the ball pretty well, has an exceptional deep ball considering his size, and he is one of the best in the league when running with the ball in his hands. Every now and then, he has a play that makes you really remember how good the dude is. But then he makes stupid plays, too. He struggles on the IQ side of things when it comes to reading defenses and just making the smart play. And, sure, he can do everything you want your QB to do, but he doesn’t do it often enough, and frankly, he hasn’t for some time now. I think 15 is a good spot for him, because if you told me that he isn’t a top 15 QB in the league, I might laugh at you, but he’s certainly not a top 10 quarterback. He does, though, have the potential to be a top-five quarterback. But how long will we wait for that to kick in?” – Justin Churchill
16. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Highest Ranking: 14
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
“Things haven’t quite gone to plan for Trevor Lawrence since the Jaguars selected him first overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was one of the most anticipated first overall picks we have had since the Colts selected Andrew Luck in 2012, but has has a very up and down career to date. This past year, he had his lowest number of wins in a season, leading the team to a 2-8 record while under center in 2024. And he put up an uninspiring stat line of 2,045 yards, 11 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 10 outings.
He now has a 22-38 record as a starter over the past four years and now has a brand-new coaching staff for the third time in his NFL career. The team added Travis Hunter to pair with Brian Thomas Jr., who is coming off a stellar rookie season. So now the ball is in Lawrence’s court to prove he can be one of the top QBs in the NFL. This year could be the start of a bright future in Jacksonville, but if he isn’t able to show improvement, it could also be the beginning of the inevitable end.” – Destin Adams
17. Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders
Highest Ranking: 14
Lowest Ranking: 18
“Geno Smith is certainly one of the more talented throwers in the league. There are not many throws that he can’t make. In fact, when you go and watch his tape from last season, Smith made some of the most impressive throws in the entire league. However, he is also prone to making mistakes, especially when under pressure. And that’s why if you have a Geno Smith on your team, you have to have a good offensive line. Without that, his biggest flaws are put on display for everyone to see. I think 18 is a decent spot, because he is definitely a top 20 quarterback in the league. However, I would have him closer to 15. 2025 could see him make a huge leap with a better offensive line, a decent run game, and the monster tight end that is Brock Bowers.”
18. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Highest Ranking: 14
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
“Tua is one of the toughest to place on this list. He’s got terrific accuracy and can fit the ball in a tight space as well as anyone. He’s shown a ceiling among the best quarterbacks in the league – that is, when everything lines up like it did in 2023 when he made it through the entire season. He led the league in passing that year with 4624 yards and threw 29 TDs – but with 14 interceptions as well.
Unfortunately, his well-documented injury history is impossible to ignore. Mix in head-scratching decisions at times, and you’ve got a very talented thrower with a couple of large question marks that he hasn’t been able to shake. I would probably have him a little bit higher myself, but I can’t argue with 18.” – Craig Smith
19. Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
Highest Ranking: 15
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
“Aaron Rodgers may not be the quarterback who beat the Steelers in a Super Bowl over a decade and a half ago, or even the player who won back-to-back MVPs in the early 2020s. What he still is however, is a top 20 quarterback in the league. Despite having a season that you could say was the worst of his career from a team perspective, Rodgers threw for just under 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns to go with only 11 interceptions. And let’s be honest, doing that with the mess of a franchise that is the New York Jets is no small feat. The Steelers signed Rodgers to a one-year deal under the guise of hope. They know Rodgers may not be as good as he once was, but they just need him to be as good *once* as he ever was.” – Rob Gregson
20. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Highest Ranking: 16
Lowest Ranking: Unranked
“It’s no secret that Caleb Williams failed to live up to expectations during his first season with the Chicago Bears after being drafted first overall, especially when you compare him to second overall pick Jayden Daniels. In Williams’ defense, he was forced to battle through extreme circumstances that limited his ability to shine.
Throughout his rookie year, Williams went through two different head coaches and three different offensive coordinators while playing behind a shaky at-best offensive line. The results weren’t pretty, but when it mattered most, Williams showed some of the flashes the Bears were looking to see out of him. Going into Year 2, the Bears revamped the offensive line, added even more playmakers, and signed the top offensive-minded head coach to bring out the best in his game. His ranking next year is sure to be much higher, but still ranking in the top 20 after all that happened is impressive in itself.” – Kole Noble
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