The quarterback is often referred to as the most important position in football. Their performance can dictate the success of an entire team, making their evaluation critical yet complex. Grading NFL quarterbacks involves analyzing their physical abilities, decision-making, leadership, and performance under pressure. With the evolution of advanced analytics, the methods used to assess quarterbacks have expanded beyond basic statistics like touchdowns and interceptions.
My framework for grading quarterbacks uses traditional metrics (such as yards and touchdowns) and position specifics such as pass accuracy, situational awareness, and overall impact on the game (otherwise known as Big QB Energy).
These Tiers are in no particular order, except Lamar being the best and Anthony Richardson being the worst. What’s in between, read on to find out! There may be a few surprises to you on this list, so drop a comment and let’s chat about it!
Lamar Jackson (BAL): A
Lamar Jackson is the best QB in the NFL. Over 4,000 passing yards, nearly 1,000 rushing yards, and 45 total touchdowns. MVP front-runner, and rightfully so.
Joe Burrow (CIN): A
Dazzled us all season long with an absolute clinic on pure passing. Maybe the most accurate passer in the league, Joe put this team on his back and pushed like hell for the playoffs.
Josh Allen (BUF): A
Started the season slowly (by our expectations), but finished like a MONSTER. So incredibly valuable to his team, and full of BQBE.
Jayden Daniels (WAS): A
Insane to me I have a rookie QB this high, but Jayden Daniels is SPECIAL. So many big wins and moments for the kid – poise beyond his years.
Sam Darnold (MIN): A
If Darnold isn’t Comeback Player of the Year, something is wonky. That’s true; he benefitted from having a fantastic WR room, but we don’t hold that against Burrow. Or Joe Montana. Darnold = Montana. Kidding.
Baker Mayfield (TB): B
Lover that Baker is good at something other than insurance commercials. And it’s no coincidence he’s on a team with fantastic leadership. Right guy, right situation.
Jared Goff (DET): B
He absolutely has the numbers you look for in a Tier 1 signal caller. I want to rank him higher, and I will when he stops throwing costly interceptions.
Patrick Mahomes (KC): B
You have to give it to Mahomes – maybe the most resolute QB in the league. Unfazed by game or situation, the only reason he’s not higher are his stats, which dipped this season. Oops. I just got flagged for roughing. Sigh.
Jalen Hurts (PHI): B
It’s really weird to me on a team stacked with pass-catcher talent that his numbers dipped so badly, taking into consideration the impact of Saquon. Sure Hurts passed less, but e also wasn’t as good at it this season.
Bo Nix (DEN): B
Another rook with a better-than-I-expected grade out. Wasn’t high on him in the draft, but Payton has really worked his magic with yet another QB.
Kyler Murray (ARI): C
Maybe the QB I’m most disappointed in, based on expectations entering 2024. I’m convinced more and more everyday he should be playing centerfield for the Yankees.
Justin Herbert (LAC): C
He made a decent little rebound and a bonafide WR out of Ladd McConkey. He just doesn’t have much else on a run-first, second, and sometimes third offense.
Matthew Stafford (LAR): C
Stafford is ageless, and has been one of my favorite quarterbacks since entering the league. All-world WRs help, but Stafford still knows how to play the position.
CJ Stroud (HOU): C
A step back, or was he playing in the clouds in 2023? Losing Nico and Tank hit hard, but CJ is developing into a solid Tier 3 guy with Tier 2 potential.
Brock Purdy (SF): C
Injuries to himself and his weapons derailed what I was certain would be a fantastic season—expecting a nice bounce back in 2025 with Pearsall coming on strong to finish 2024.
Geno Smith (SEA): C
Looking at his numbers, you’d think he would be higher. But Seattle struggled to win games, and he seemed to have tunnel vision for JSN in the last month or so of the season.
Tua Tagovailoa (MIA): C
I really wish this guy would retire. Truly for his health and safety. But there’s no denying that when they’re firing on all cylinders in Miami, Tua can produce. Inconsistency and injuries remain issues.
Caleb Williams (CHI): C
Right in the middle of the middle. As a Bears fan, I’m so disappointed in the season. But Caleb showed flashes, and a solid coaching staff forming around him. Outlook is still sunny.
Jordan Love (GB): C
Another disappointing season, I had much higher expectations for Love (see Kyler Murray). Maybe the lack of a true WR1 hurts him, and he can still make big-time throws.
Aaron Rodgers (NYJ): C
I have such a disdain for Rodgers, I’m not sure I can write an unbiased article. I had him at a D (which, by his standards, that’s about right), but I looked his stats over again and moved him to a C. His QBR is garbage, and that also speaks volumes.
Derek Carr (NO): C
Never sexy, but the numbers generally hang in there when he and his arsenal are healthy. It started the season like a hurricane and finished as a light mist.
Drake Maye (NE): C
I really enjoyed watching Maye play. Once he took over, I he was steady and showed tremendous poise as a rookie. New coach, a few more weapons, and he’ll be a solid game manager.
Trevor Lawrence (JAX): C
Tools and talen around him, I’m not sure why Lawrence can’t take the next step. Maybe new head coach Liam Coen (see Baker Mayfield) can unlock the next level in him.
Pittsburgh QBs (PIT): C
Split between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, the season was just mehhhhh as we watched the Steelers fade again in January. Both are adequate, neither are winners at this point.
Dallas QBs (DAL): D
A tale of two QBs – Dak was playing at a decent level, and Cooper was not (he had flashes as he gained more experience, though). Talented roster, unexceptional results.
Kirk Cousins (ATL): D
Cooked. That is the most often-used word I had for Kirkers this season. Cooked and benched. And it’s probably done in Atlanta. Penix looks ready to take the reigns and show flashes himself.
Las Vegas QBs (LVR): D
Brutal QB room the best facial accessorizing in the NFL. Neither played like they wanted the job, and Davante Adams hated it so much he faked an injury for weeks until they traded him. Having Brock Bowers translate stats is the only thing that kept this grade from being an F.
Bryce Young (CAR): D
“F” in the early season, then benched, then a “C” after the benching. I love seeing the improvement, and with a focused offseason, he’ll be the biggest mover on this list in 2025.
Daniel Jones (NYG): D
The talent is there; they added weapons, and the HC is an offensive guru. Still, Jones continues to be a dumpster fire back there. Just a poor decision-maker and has next to zero BQBE. We’ll see what 2025 brings.
Cleveland QBs (CLE): F
Speaking of dumpster fires, my god. Winston was the best of the bunch, but he was also up to his old tricks. I am curious about where 2025 goes.
Tennessee QBs (TEN): F
I want to like Will Levis, but another terrible decision-maker. He’s got the moxie; he just doesn’t make plays (for his team).
Anthony Richardson (IND): F
The worst staring QB in the NFL – talent-wise, commitment-wise, and otherwise. Terribly inaccurate, fragile, and lazy – and the stats (and wins) reflected it.
