The 2024 NFL season is in full swing, and the Super Bowl will be here before we know it. Playoff slots are being clinched, the season’s starting QBs have secured their spot in the pocket (even if some spent a few weeks on the bench), and MVP chatter is everywhere you turn. As is often the case, the NFL’s top storylines this season have been centered around the quarterbacks: Can Aaron Rodgers turn things around for the Jets, or is his time in New York destined to be a M-E-S-S, mess, mess, mess? Despite Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase’s efforts, are the Bengals playing more like house cats? Is Sam Darnold’s ceiling higher than we’d given him credit for?
Though only two weeks remain in the regular season, there’s still a lot of football left to be played. As the stakes get higher, it’s the perfect time to evaluate individual performances from the most critical players on the field. We’re breaking down the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL, right now.
Before you accuse us of glazing Justin Herbert, tell me: Can any other starting QB say they went the majority of the season (357 passes, to be exact) without an interception? That’s the fifth-longest run in NFL history. Herbert has thrown only two interceptions all season, the lowest of all first-string quarterbacks, in 399 passing attempts. It’s an impressive statistic that highlights Herbert’s unmatched ability to keep the ball safe.
Not to mention, he’s got an absolute cannon of an arm and, per PFF, is the most accurate QB since 2021. That’s the kind of combo that wins prizes at the carnival but somehow, thus far, hasn’t translated to post-season success. The Chargers have been plagued by the sixth-most dropped passes this season—a side effect, at least in part, of Herbert’s ball velocity—and a slowdown in their run game following J.K. Dobbins’ injury in late November.
But the season isn’t over yet. Herbert still has time to change the narrative, silence the naysayers, and prove he can carry this team on a postseason run. And to that I say, bolt up, baby. — Brighid Tully
The curious case of Kyler Murray has been playing out again in 2024. Throughout this season, much like his entire career, Murray has had some consistency issues that have kept him from reaching the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks.. When Murray is on his game, he’s one of the best scrambling quarterbacks of all time. His rocket arm and ability to take off down the field make him a constant threat to defenses. But when he isn’t, he’s prone to hanging on to the ball too long and chucking it down the field, usually resulting in an ugly interception.
When Kyler can put it all together, which he has at points this season, it’s easy to see why the Cardinals took him first overall. His best game of the season came against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2 when he threw for three touchdowns, 266 yards, no interceptions, ran for 59 yards, and posted a 98.0 QBR (according to ESPN) in a game that could have big playoff implications. He currently ranks fourth in the league in QBR (68.3), fifth among QBs in rushing yards (455), and is tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns (4)– all despite a disappointing rookie year from fourth overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr.
A strong finish to the season would go a long way for Murray. Not only are the Cardinals fighting for an NFC West title, Murray is hoping to dispel some of his December demons. Through 21 games during the final month of the year, he has an 8-13 record with 20 interceptions and a passer rating of 85.2, the lowest of any month in his career. A strong finish to a solid season could help catapult Murray higher in the rankings. — Michael Rosen
Jalen Hurts hasn’t delivered a performance like this since 2022, the year he led the Eagles to the Super Bowl against the Chiefs. His stat line is strikingly similar to that season, one in which he was the runner-up in NFL MVP voting. In some ways, it’s even better. Hurts has a top-five passer rating; his completion percentage of 69.2% is a career-best figure that underscores a newfound level of accuracy and control. This season, he’s accumulated 2,892 passing yards and 18 touchdown throws with just five interceptions. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s system might just be the sprinkle of pixie dust that Hurts’ game needed.
So why isn’t Hurts in MVP contention? His supporting cast might simply be too good, including MVP-hopeful Saquon Barkley and a reliable receiving corps in A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith (despite some drama in the media surrounding his relationship with Brown). And though the Eagles have one of the strongest O-lines in the NFL, giving Hurts ample pocket protection to run plays, this hasn’t stopped him from holding onto the ball long enough to be the sixth-most sacked QB this season.
Ultimately, the kind of season Jalen Hurts is having demands attention. And no matter how many look-alikes are out there, there’s only one Jalen Hurts. — Brighid Tully
Matthew Stafford would have been nowhere near this list a month ago. His knack for throwing interceptions was on full display earlier this season, at one point throwing a pick in six-straight games. But he has been on fire as of late and it has pushed the Rams to the top of the NFC West. In his last five games, Stafford has 10 touchdowns, zero interceptions, 1,200 yards, and a passer rating of 113.2; keep in mind this includes the ugly 12-6 game against the 49ers last week. Unsurprisingly, the Rams are 4-1 in their last five games, including that wild 44-42 win over the Bills.
All told, Stafford is having another good year in a long career full of solid seasons. He is top 10 in the league in passing yards and QBR, and is putting up a similar season to the one he had last year. Stafford has been a very good quarterback for the last decade and a half; he has a ring and will most likely be a Hall of Famer. But no one, except maybe people in Detroit, mentions his name when talking about the best quarterbacks of the 21st century, let alone all time. That’s no disrespect to Stafford, who is having a better season than most 36-year-olds would, but he’s not someone you can depend on to win a game by himself.
It’s no coincidence that Stafford’s struggles earlier this year came when Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp were injured. When healthy, the three of them, plus Kyren Williams, make for a very good offense, albeit one that is lacking in depth. It’s enough talent to make up for the Rams’ very shaky defense, but one injury on offense could be the Jenga block that sends everything crashing down. — Michael Rosen
Jared Goff being in MVP contention was not on my 2024-2025 season bingo card, I’ll tell you that much. Even Nick Wright, who as recently as November called him a “civilian” quarterback, is predicting Goff wins the MVP. While I’m not quite ready to cast a vote for Goff, it’s pretty clear that he’s having the best season of his career. He ranks second in passing yards, completion rate, and passer rating heading into Week 16. This comes after an incredible performance last week—five touchdowns and zero interceptions—that ultimately resulted in a loss against fellow MVP-favorite Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Under head coach Dan Campell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Goff has been able to thrive within a system that prioritizes play-action passing and quick decision-making. He’s demonstrated accuracy, leadership, and smart play execution (so long as there’s not too much pressure in the pocket).
Jared Goff is silencing critics and proving he belongs in the conversation. Whether or not he takes home the MVP, his growth, consistency, and ability to elevate this Lions offense have been undeniable. Goff isn’t just a placeholder–he’s the engine driving one of the NFL’s most dynamic teams. If he keeps this up, the Lions might just find themselves playing deep into January, and Goff might finally shed that “civilian” label for good. — Brighid Tully
It was a brisk Sunday evening on October 27, 2024, when Commanders fans packed in for the highly anticipated Week 8 showdown between the top two draft picks—a game they’ll never forget. Talk about a hail mary for the ages!
Listen, I said it then, and I’ll say it now: Jayden Daniels should’ve been QB1 in the 2024 draft. Daniels has already solidified himself as one of the most exciting players to watch in the NFL. I don’t care if he and Caleb Williams’ stats are nearly identical; just watch the games. By the end of the season, Daniels will hold several single-game and season-long rookie records.
Match Jayden’s skill set with a Kliff Kingsbury offense, and it’s a match made in Commanders’ heaven. When they’re healthy and clicking, this Commanders’ offense is just utterly scary. Top six in offensive yards per game, points per game, and rushing yards per game, the Commanders are looking like a quiet threat come playoff time if they maintain their positioning.
We get why Washington fans might be wary given the RG3 comparisons, but it’s time to focus on the present, not the past. And right now? Jayden Daniels is looking like he could be better than RG3. For all you fantasy players, that could mean that Jayden might just be a perennial top-5 QB. — Jonathan Brens
CAN WE GET JOE BRRR SOME HELP ON THE DEFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL PLEASE?! After an injury-plagued 2023 that ultimately ended his season early, Joe Burrow has returned to cement his name atop the QB rankings. Unfortunately, the Bengals defense is making sure his season goes unnoticed.
The Bengals front office did absolutely nothing to help Burrow heading into 2024: They let Joe Mixon walk, allowed contract negotiations with Ja’Marr Chase to disturb training camp, and didn’t provide any complementary weapons outside of Chase or Higgins. Yet, someway, somehow, Joe Cool will ultimately end up with his best season yet in the NFL.
Statistically, Burrow is having the best season amongst all QBs; he currently leads the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns, on top of ranking 3rd in QBR and 4th in fantasy points amongst QB’s. The man is currently on an unreal run of 6 straight games with 250+ passing yards and 3 touchdowns, which has only been completed once before in NFL history! With better luck, Burrow would’ve been the clear MVP favorite. — Jonathan Brens
Okay so hear me out: This is by far “pedestrian Pat’s” least dazzling season in his already legendary career. However, the man is still slinging it like he’s running the Air Raid at Texas Tech. He’s second in the league in passing attempts (502) at the time of writing, and his current 66.7 completion percentage is the 4th best of his career.
In defense of ranking him among the top quarterbacks in the league, the Chiefs’ offense has faced significant challenges at key playmaker positions. They lost Rashee Rice, their bona fide WR1, for the season, Isaiah Pacheco has been sidelined for multiple weeks due to injury, the left tackle position has been a revolving door, and Travis Kelce hasn’t looked as swift on the field. Mahomes has kind of been doing it on his own as much as he can this season.
Sure, let’s be honest: If you were starting a franchise today, Mahomes would still probably be your first pick at the QB position. But let’s discuss why he’s currently ranked third on this list. Mahomes inherited his dad’s Major League pitcher arm and he can throw with the best of them. However, this year he’s averaging 6.7 yards per attempt, which is a career low.. He’s throwing it a lot, but he’s not throwing it for big plays–which I’m sure can be attributed to Rice’s injury having an effect on Andy Reid’s play calling. His 3% big-time throw rate (PFF) is another career worst. Pair the lack of explosiveness with Mahomes’s 11 interceptions through 15 games, and let’s just say that it’s not exactly Pat’s greatest showing this year.
Like prime Skip Bayless a-la Broncos Tim Tebow, we can’t forget that QB wins matter. The Chiefs hold the best record in the league and are staring down another top seed in the AFC playoffs. What’s made Mahomes special is that he can turn on the brilliance when he needs to. Could that be what the Chiefs are doing this season as well? Biding their time until January and February? Only time will tell, but that’s why Mahomes can’t slide outside of the top 3 right now. — Brighid Tully
Lamar Jackson won his second MVP award last season and has been even better in 2024. He surpassed his passing touchdown total of 24 from last year and now ranks second in the league with 34 touchdowns, while his 120.7 passer rating leads the league and is far superior to his 102.7 mark last season. Jackson also has the most points in Yahoo Fantasy (357.50), leads the league in yards per attempt (8.9), and is fifth in the league in passing yards (3,580). He has just three interceptions this season and hasn’t thrown more than one pick in a single game.
We haven’t even gotten to his best asset yet: His legs. The addition of Derrick Henry has eaten into Jackson’s rushing attempts a tad, but he still leads the league in rushing yards for a quarterback (743) and leads all rushers, not just quarterbacks, in yards per carry (6.4). He has a chance to become the seventh player to win three MVP awards, although the guy ranked ahead of him may have something to say about that.
While Lamar is having another fantastic regular season, his true test will come in January. Jackson’s postseason struggles have been well-documented. He is 2-4 in the playoffs with six interceptions to just six touchdowns. His regular season career completion percentage (65.1) and passer rating (101.7) drop substantially in the playoffs to 57.44 and 75.7, respectively. Jackson is already one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks of all time, but he has a lot to accomplish in January before he can be mentioned in the G.O.A.T. conversation, despite what his new teammate says. A strong playoff run, if not a ring, would go a long way for his legacy. — Michael Rosen
Josh Allen is having the season of his career. He’s putting forth Superman-like performances week after week that not only have him in contention for MVP, but heavily favored–And for good reason. Earlier this month, he became the first NFL quarterback to score a touchdown passing, rushing, and receiving in one game and made Yahoo Fantasy history with 51.88 points: The all-time single-game record for a quarterback.
Josh Allen has the strongest arm in the league, but he’s equally impressive when scrambling to keep a play alive. He’s physically imposing, accurate, and creative; when he succeeds in extending a drive, as he often does, it’s an impressive feat. From a purely quantitative standpoint, Allen has ESPN’s #1 QBR, a top-10 passer rating of 101.9, and has thrown 23 touchdowns with only 5 interceptions. He’s only been sacked 13 times this season, compared to Mahomes’ 35. For those keeping track at home, that’s pretty damn good.
Josh Allen is the number one quarterback in the league today, full stop, but what will catapult him into MVP infamy (and Lombari Trophy contention) will be his ability to maintain. If he stays hot through the post-season, the upside is nearly unlimited. According to the New York Times, the Bills have a 16% chance to winning it all–And it’s Josh Allen who can get them there.
After all, if the memes are to be believed, he is the only QB in NFL history. — Brighid Tully
