Top Five Most Underrated NFL Quarterbacks
The quarterback is the most important position in football. While teams can win games through other ways, such as a strong running game or a tough-as-nails defense, most Super Bowl contenders have an elite quarterback. In a new era of NFL football where quarterbacks are taking nearly 1/5 of the total cap space, it's essential to make sure you have your franchise guy and pay him if you are 100% confident it will be worth it.
This post will rank the top five most underrated quarterbacks in the NFL. This could be players who are not talked about enough, are overrated, or are ranked lower than they should be. Disagree with these rankings? Let Stadium Rant know on Twitter/X at @StadiumRant.
Aaron Rodgers - New York Jets
Aaron Rodgers is expected to have a big season for the New York Jets in 2024
Aaron Rodgers has a lot of expectations for his sophomore season in The Big Apple. After missing the entire season in 2023 due to a Week One Achilles injury, Rodgers is expected to bounce back and help lead the New York Jets to the postseason.
Many analysts have Rodgers off their top-ten NFL quarterbacks list. It’s easy to forget that the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback won back-to-back MVPs two seasons ago. While he is older and coming off a serious injury, Rodgers has proven that he can be an elite quarterback, and with an improved offensive line and weapons in New York, he will have a chance to compete for another Super Bowl.
Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford hopes to bring Rams second Super Bowl championship this season
The former Detroit Lion and current Los Angeles Ram is easily one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the NFL. Despite being one of the youngest rosters he’s played with and injuries to his top wide receiver, Matthew Stafford helped the Rams overcome a 3-6 start to make the postseason.
The Los Angeles Rams are rarely talked about as one of the top teams in the NFL, but they should be. With a healthy Cooper Kupp and hopefully a full season for the 36-year-old quarterback, Stafford could have an MVP-type season in 2024 and help the Rams compete with the San Francisco 49ers at the top of the NFC West.
Kirk Cousins - Atlanta Falcons
Kirk Cousins looks to continue successful career down south in the ATL
Kirk Cousins is the newest star of the Atlanta Falcons. After moving south following six years in Minnesota, the former Viking is being overlooked. Maybe the Falcons’ decision to draft a rookie quarterback makes it seem like management isn’t confident in the 35-year-old Cousins.
Even after a season-ending injury, Cousins should still be regarded as a good quarterback in the NFL. It seems like just not that long ago, analysts compared Cousins to Chargers star quarterback Justin Herbert. While the Buccaneers are tough, I trust Cousins to help lead the Falcons back to the postseason in 2024.
Kyler Murray - Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray looks to have a big season following return from season-ending injury
Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals were just 8-0 in 2021 and one of the top teams in the NFL. Then the team collapsed and lost in the first round of the postseason and only got worse from there. Murray suffered an ACL tear late during the 2022 season and missed half of the 2023 season, with the Cardinals winning four games both years.
Arizona's expectations are just as low in 2024, with a 6.5 projected win total. Don’t count out Murray on having a bounce-back season. The Cardinal's offense looked much better once the 26-year-old quarterback returned from injury, which should also be the expectation this season. The team could be a dark-horse pick to make the playoffs in 2024.
Gardener Minshew - Las Vegas Raiders
Gardner Minshew looks to steer Raiders into playoff contention this season
Many Las Vegas Raiders fans were disappointed the team missed out on Kirk Cousins and failed to draft one of the top six quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Signing former Colts quarterback Gardener Minshew is a consolation prize.
Minshew has been a career backup following his rookie season with the Jaguars, where he started most of the season after Nick Foles’ season-ending injury. Signed initially to backup rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson last season, Minshew was made a starter for Indianapolis following the former Florida quarterback’s season-ending injury.
He led the Colts to a 7-6 record and was a dropped pass away from potentially leading Indianapolis to the AFC South division title. While Minshew isn’t a star quarterback, he is underrated because he is a quarterback you can win with and exceeded expectations last season with the blue and white. The Raiders could sneak into the playoffs if Minshew plays at a high level in 2024.
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