Ranking Every NFL Division's Quarterbacks: NFC Edition
NFC North
1. Jordan Love: Green Bay Packers
Love just became the highest-paid player in NFL history. He finally had his chance to start last season and brought everything to it. He led the Packers to a playoff win. His contract could be too high for a 2nd-year starter, but he certainly has a high upside.
2. Jared Goff: Detroit Lions
Jared Goff was traded to the Detroit Lions in 2021, and he’s seen a career resurgence since then. After being stagnant in his final LA seasons, Goff has played a huge role in turning the Lions into playoff contenders, proving he can still capture the magic he had in 2018.
3. Caleb Williams: Chicago Bears
The clear #1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, expectations are sky-high for Caleb Williams. There is every chance he fails to live up to the hype, but he’s also far too talented to fail. He can easily be on top of this division 2 years from now.
4. Sam Darnold/JJ McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings haven’t yet made a clear decision on their starting QB. They picked up Sam Darnold in free agency and drafted JJ McCarthy 10th overall. Darnold has proven to be a decent backup. Meanwhile, despite his clear talents, McCarthy is still a huge question mark.
NFC West
1. Matt Stafford: Los Angeles Rams
Stafford is a Hall of Fame caliber quarterback, and he brought a Super Bowl to LA in his first season there. At 36 years old, the two-time pro bowler is likely retiring soon. He’s made his mark on the league and stands on top of this division until he hangs it up.
2. Brock Purdy: San Francisco 49ers
Purdy gets a lot of criticism for being a “system QB”. He’s certainly in a fantastic situation in San Francisco, but he’s held up his end of the deal as well. It’s easy for a QB to play badly in a good system, but he has not done that. He helped bring the 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII and nearly won it all in his second year.
3. Geno Smith: Seattle Seahawks
Smith has turned his career around in Seattle, and with Sam Howell entering the picture, there’s a good chance Smith’s time is running out. He’s proven he can still play at a high level, and he’s got a few good years left in him.
4. Kyler Murray: Arizona Cardinals
Murray has had a roller coaster of a career. When he’s healthy, he’s electric, but he can’t seem to stay there. After only playing 19 games in the last 2 years, Murray has a lot to prove. He can climb his way up this list very quickly in 2024 and he likely will. Until then, it’s hard to trust his production.
NFC South
1. Kirk Cousins: Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons signed Cousins to a $180 million contract in 2024. He’s coming off a torn Achilles and will be 36 years old when the season starts. Those factors should be considered, but Cousins has been a consistent presence in Minnesota and is likely to do the same in Atlanta.
2. Baker Mayfield: Tampa Bay Bucaneers
Mayfield played on a “prove it” deal in Tampa Bay last year and delivered. With Tom Brady’s departure, he had massive shoes to fill and exceeded all expectations. He earned a 3-year, $100 million contract this year, and his career seems to be on an upswing.
3. Bryce Young: Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young was the #1 overall pick in the 2023 Draft and was thrust into a floundering Carolina Panthers team. He might be better than his ranking here, but he didn’t get to show it last year. Carolina has made improvements this offseason, and if Young can get a chance to shine, he will.
4. Derek Carr: New Orleans Saints
Carr is under contract with the Saints until 2027, but he’s always been a temporary solution. The Saints drafted Spencer Rattler in the 5th round of the 2024 draft, and he can quickly take over as their QB of the future. Rattler's potential is uncertain now, but he could prove to be a late-round steal.
NFC East
1. Dak Prescott: Dallas Cowboys
Prescott is coming off an MVP-contending season in Dallas. He has been a massive part of the Cowboys’ success over the last 8 years. His future with the Cowboys is uncertain, but as long as he’s there, he’s the best in this division.
2. Jalen Hurts: Philadelphia Eagles
Hurts is a strong contender for the top spot in the East, but after last year’s late-season spiral, he’s left in a tough spot. Eagles players get a lot of criticism, and Hurts is facing some major doubters. He’s supremely talented and will surely find his footing again. If Dak leaves Dallas next year, this division belongs to Jalen Hurts.
3. Jayden Daniels: Washington Commanders
This is a difficult one to predict, and putting Daniels over Daniel Jones might be controversial. The 2024 2nd overall pick has an arguably higher ceiling. He’s unproven, but the talent is there and that will shine through.
4. Daniel Jones: New York Giants
Jones doesn’t necessarily deserve the bottom spot in the East, but in this case, the shoe fits. Granted, Jones did lead the Giants to a playoff win a couple of years ago. With his injury history and inconsistent play, he’s a bottom-10 QB in the NFL. That’s not to say he can’t turn things around. With a revamped offensive line, and superstar rookie wideout Malik Nabers, Jones can find a spark that New York desperately needs.
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