Every NFL Starting Quarterback, Ranked

All 32 NFL teams have one. But not all NFL starting quarterbacks are created equal.

No position in professional sports is under the spotlight more than an NFL quarterback. They face a tremendous amount of pressure, week to week, and while some of them crack, others come out shining like diamonds.

But who shines brightest? To decide, we approached the current crop of starting NFL quarterbacks like a draft. Here’s a ranking of all 32 NFL quarterbacks headed into the 2022 regular season.

32. New York Giants: Daniel Jones

Bill Kostroun / AP Photo

Born: May 27, 1997 (Charlotte, North Carolina)

High school: Charlotte Latin School (Charlotte, North Carolina)

College: Duke

Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 220 pounds

Career: 4 seasons (2019-present)

Teams: New York Giants

2022 salary: $4.1 million

Bottom Line: Daniel Jones

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones

Steve Luciano / AP Photo

Daniel Jones is bad, and he’s been bad from the start.

He was selected as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft and set a pair of franchise records as a rookie — most losses (9) and most fumbles (18) and fumbles lost (11).

Jones is 13-25 as a starter through three seasons.

31. Seattle Seahawks: Geno Smith

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith throwing the ball

Ron Jenkins / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 19, 1991 (Miramar, Florida)

High school: Miramar High School (Miramar, Florida)

College: West Virginia

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 220 pounds

Career: 10 seasons (2013-present)

Teams: New York Jets (2013-16), New York Giants (2017), Los Angeles Chargers (2018), Seattle Seahawks (2019-present)

2021 salary: $3.5 million

Bottom Line: Geno Smith

Michael Ainsworth / AP Photo

Journeyman quarterback Geno Smith spent three seasons as the backup to Russell Wilson on the Seattle Seahawks.

Smith ended up as the starter for the 2022 season ahead of the injured Drew Lock, who was part of the trade from Seattle to the Denver Broncos in exchange for quarterback Russell Wilson.

Smith isn’t the long-term answer for the Seahawks. Neither is Lock.

30. Washington Commanders: Carson Wentz

Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz

Daniel Kucin Jr. / AP Photo

Born: Dec. 30, 1992 (Raleigh, North Carolina)

High school: Century High School (Bismarck, North Dakota)

College: North Dakota State

Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 240 pounds

Career: 7 seasons (2016-present)

Teams: Philadelphia Eagles (2016-20), Indianapolis Colts (2021), Washington Commanders (2022-present)

2021 salary: $28.2 million

Bottom Line: Carson Wentz

Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz celebrates

Patrick Semansky / AP Photo

Carson Wentz seemed on the verge of becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL early in his career and was an NFL All-Pro selection for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017. The problem was Wentz got hurt late in the season, Nick Foles took over and led the Eagles to one of the more thrilling Super Bowl victories of all time.

Wentz hasn’t ever really recovered from what happened on that run, and things got so bad in Philly they eventually ditched him and his mega-contract to the Colts, who ditched him after one season and sent him to the Washington Commanders.

29. Cleveland Browns: Jacoby Brissett

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett

Rusty Jones / AP Photo

Born: Dec. 11, 1992 (West Palm Beach, Florida)

High school: Dwyer High School (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida)

College: Florida/North Carolina State

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 235 pounds

Career: 7 seasons (2016-present)

Teams: New England Patriots (2016), Indianapolis Colts (2017-20), Miami Dolphins (2021), Cleveland Browns (2022-present)

2021 salary: $4.6 million

Bottom Line: Jacoby Brissett

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett runs on the field

Rusty Jones / AP Photo

Jacoby Brissett became the de facto starter for the Cleveland Browns headed into the 2022 season because of starter Deshaun Watson’s 11-game suspension. The Browns signed Watson to a staggering, $230 million guaranteed contract in the offseason.

It’s not Brissett’s first time filling in for a suspended quarterback. He was the starter for the New England Patriots for several games in 2016 as Tom Brady served a four-game suspension for Deflategate.

28. New England Patriots: Mac Jones

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones

Stew Milne / AP Photo

Born: Sept. 5, 1998 (Jacksonville, Florida)

High school: The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Florida)

College: Alabama

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 214 pounds

Career: 2 seasons (2021-present)

Teams: New England Patriots

NFL highlights: None

2021 salary: $1.3 million

Bottom Line: Mac Jones

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones points on the field

Winslow Townson / AP Photo

The New England Patriots selected Alabama quarterback Mac Jones at No. 15 overall and made him the starter as a rookie, where he even recorded a game with just two passing attempts.

Jones doesn’t look like he has what it takes to become an elite NFL quarterback and could be the final starter for head coach Bill Belichick.

27. Atlanta Falcons: Marcus Mariota

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota

John Bazemore / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 30, 1993 (Honolulu, Hawaii)

High school: Saint Louis School (Honolulu, Hawaii)

College: Oregon

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 222 pounds

Career: 8 seasons (2015-present)

Teams: Tennessee Titans (2015-19), Las Vegas Raiders (2020-21), Atlanta Falcons (2022-present)

2021 salary: $6.75 million

Bottom Line: Marcus Mariota

Danny Karnik / AP Photo

Marcus Mariota has been given another chance to be the starting quarterback for an NFL franchise following two years as a backup to Derek Carr on the Las Vegas Raiders.

Mariota, who won the Heisman Trophy at Oregon, fell flat in his first time as a starter with the Tennessee Titans, who made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.

It’s hard not to envision the Falcons trying to pick a franchise quarterback in the near future.

26. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa

Adam Hunger / AP Photo

Born: March 2, 1998 (Ewa Beach, Hawaii)

High school: Saint Louis School (Honolulu, Hawaii)

College: Alabama

Height/weight: 6-foot, 217 pounds

Career: 3 seasons (2020-present)

Teams: Miami Dolphins

2021 salary: $3.3 million

Bottom Line: Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa running

James Kenney / AP Photo

Tua Tagovailoa might be a really good game manager throughout his NFL career, but he’s not the franchise quarterback the Miami Dolphins hoped he would be.

He’s never going to be able to get past being picked ahead of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who was picked one spot behind him in the 2020 NFL draft.

25. Houston Texans: Davis Mills

Justin Rex / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 21, 1998 (Atlanta, Georgia)

High school: Greater Atlanta Christian School (Norcross, Georgia)

College: Stanford

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 225 pounds

Career: 2 seasons (2021-present)

Teams: Houston Texans

2021 salary: $897,000

Bottom Line: Davis Mills

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills throwing

Jeff Lewis / AP Photo

The Houston Texans bounced back between two quarterbacks in 2021 with Davis Mills and Tyrod Taylor but settled on Mills as the starter headed into 2022.

We’re not entirely sure which direction the franchise is headed in, but Mills has not been as bad as we expected.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mitch Trubisky

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky

Jeff Dean / AP Photo

Born: Aug. 20, 1994 (Mentor, Ohio)

High school: Mentor High School (Mentor, Ohio)

College: North Carolina

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 220 pounds

Career: 6 seasons (2017-present)

Teams: Chicago Bears (2017-20), Buffalo Bills (2021), Pittsburgh Steelers (2022-present)

2021 salary: $6.2 million

Bottom Line: Mitch Trubisky

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky on the sidelines

Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP Photo

Mitch Trubisky is getting another chance as a starting quarterback for an NFL franchise after he flamed out with the Chicago Bears, where he was famously picked ahead of Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL draft, and spent one season as Josh Allen’s backup with the Buffalo Bills in 2021.

Trubisky’s selection as the Steelers starting quarterback came after the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger in 2021.

Kenny Pickett is the quarterback-in-waiting after the Steelers selected Pickett as the No. 20 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft out of the University of Pittsburgh.

23. Detroit Lions: Jared Goff

Justin Berl / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 14, 1994 (Novato, California)

High school: Marin Catholic High School (Kentfield, California)

College: Cal

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 222 pounds

Career: 7 seasons (2016-present)

Teams: Los Angeles Rams (2016-20), Detroit Lions (2021-present)

2021 salary: $26.1 million

Bottom Line: Jared Goff

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff throwing

Lon Horwedel / AP Photo

The success the Los Angeles Rams experienced in four years with Jared Goff as the full-time starter was mostly in spite of him, not because of him.

Goff was traded to the Detroit Lions before the 2021 season and has shown what kind of quarterback he is without a tremendous supporting cast around him.

But we still like to think that he’s winning. For all intents and purposes, he’ll earn every cent of a four-year, $134 million contract he signed while still with the Rams.

22. New York Jets: Joe Flacco

Rich Schultz / AP Photo

Born: Jan. 16, 1985 (Audubon, New Jersey)

High school: Audubon High School (Audubon, New Jersey)

College: Pittsburgh/Delaware

Height/weight: 6-foot-6, 244 pounds

Career: 15 seasons (2008-present)

Teams: Baltimore Ravens (2008-18), Denver Broncos (2019), New York Jets (2020, 2021-present), Philadelphia Eagles (2021)

2021 salary: $3.5 million

Bottom Line: Joe Flacco

New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco throwing

Rich Schultz / AP Photo

Zach Wilson was ready to be the starting quarterback for the New York Jets for a second season until a preseason injury sidelined him for at least the start of the 2022 season.

In stepped former Super Bowl winner Joe Flacco. We don’t expect Flacco to be around for long as the Jets will undoubtedly go back to Wilson as soon as he’s healthy.

21. San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance

Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo

Born: May 9, 2000 (Marshall, Minnesota)

High school: Marshall Senior High School (Marshall, Minnesota)

College: North Dakota State

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 222 pounds

Career: 2 seasons (2021-present)

Teams: San Francisco 49ers

2021 salary: $2.2 million

Bottom Line: Trey Lance

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance walking off field

Charles Rex Arbogast / AP Photo

Jimmy Garoppolo led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2019, inked a megadeal and even held off the franchise-quarterback-to-be in San Francisco after they drafted Trey Lance at No. 5 overall in 2021. Garoppolo couldn’t hold off Lance for another season.

While Lance is now the starting quarterback for the 49ers, they’ve kept Garoppolo around as a backup plan. That’s never good for the starter.

20. Carolina Panthers: Baker Mayfield

Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield

Rusty Jones / AP Photo

Born: April 14, 1995 (Austin, Texas)

High school: Lake Travis HIgh School (Austin, Texas)

College: Texas Tech/Oklahoma

Height/weight: 6-foot, 215 pounds

Career: 5 seasons (2018-present)

Teams: Cleveland Browns (2018-21), Carolina Panthers (2022-present)

2021 salary: $4.8 million

Bottom Line: Baker Mayfield

Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield yelling

Rusty Jones / AP Photo

Few quarterbacks in the NFL have seen their games picked apart more than 2018 No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield, who has seemed on the verge of making the Cleveland Browns an elite AFC team for the last few seasons.

While he’s come close, Mayfield hasn’t delivered on that potential quite yet, although that hasn’t been entirely his fault. The bigger problem is he seems to constantly be hurt — dinged up in minor ways that hold him back. Things came to a head following the 2021 season, when he was finally traded to the Carolina Panthers.

Mayfield’s career seemed poised for a $100 million-plus deal just two years ago and is now on life support.

19. New Orleans Saints: Jameis Winston

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston

Brynn Anderson / AP Photo

Born: Jan. 6, 1994 (Bessemer, Alabama)

High school: Hueytown High School (Hueytown, Alabama)

College: Florida State

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 231 pounds

Career: 8 seasons (2015-present)

Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2015-20), New Orleans Saints (2021-present)

2021 salary: $15.2 million

Bottom Line: Jameis Winston

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston on field

Brynn Anderson / AP Photo

Jameis Winston bounced back from a devastating knee injury early in the 2021 season to become the New Orleans Saints full-time starting quarterback again in 2022.

It’s Winston’s second chance at leading an NFL franchise after he flamed out in Tampa Bay, where the former Heisman Trophy winner was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.

18. Chicago Bears: Justin Fields

Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo

Born: March 5, 1999 (Kennesaw, Georgia)

High school: Harrison High School (Harrison, Georgia)

College: Georgia/Ohio State

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 217 pounds

Career: 2 seasons (2021-present)

Teams: Chicago Bears

2021 salary: $1.5 million

Bottom Line: Justin Fields

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields arguing with referee

Kamil Krzaczynski / AP Photo

Justin Fields will be a pretty good NFL quarterback if he can avoid injuries, something he’s been prone to in his first season with the franchise and in college.

Like almost all young NFL quarterbacks, Fields has shown he’s prone to throwing a lot of interceptions, which is fixable. What’s even more important to fix is Fields’ judgment when it comes to throwing or running the ball — and when to slide.

He’s so athletic that it’s his natural inclination to run, but he will need to become more of a pocket passer and rely on his rocket arm, which won’t do him much good if he has no one to throw to.

17. Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Hurts

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts scores touchdown

Brad Penner / AP Photo

Born: Aug. 7, 1998 (Houston Texas)

High school: Channelview High School (Channelview, Texas)

College: Alabama/Oklahoma

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 223 pounds

Career: 3 seasons (2020-present)

Teams: Philadelphia Eagles

NFL highlights: None

2021 salary: $1.1 million

Bottom Line: Jalen Hurts

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts

Mark Tenally / AP Photo

Things got bad enough in Philadelphia that the franchise believed Jalen Hurts was a better option at quarterback than former NFL All-Pro Carson Wentz, who they drafted at No. 2 overall in 2016.

Hurts proved to be more than serviceable in 2021, and the Eagles were one of the favorites to win the NFC in 2022. If Hurts can successfully lead the franchise for one more year, don’t be surprised to see him land a huge contract following the year.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray

Darryl Webb / AP Photo

Born: Aug. 7, 1997 (Bedford, Texas)

High school: Allen High School (Allen, Texas)

College: Texas A&M/Oklahoma

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 207 pounds

Career: 4 seasons (2019-present)

Teams: Arizona Cardinals

2021 salary: $30 million

Bottom Line: Kyler Murray

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray smiling

Roger Steinman / AP Photo

The Arizona Cardinals picked Kyler Murray No. 1 overall in the 2019 NFL draft — a bet that seemed to be paying off until a disastrous playoff appearance to close out the 2021 season. Murray seemed genuinely lost and recorded a career-low playoff rating.

Things didn’t get much better for Murray or the Cardinals in the offseason when he signed a five-year, $230.5 million contract with $160 million guaranteed, and it was discovered there was a clause in the contract that required four hours per week of “independent study” free from distractions like the internet and video games.

The clause was eventually removed from the contract, but the PR damage was done. Tough to walk that one back.

15. Indianapolis Colts: Matt Ryan

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan recovers fumble

David J. Phillip / AP Photo

Born: May 17, 1985 (Exton, Pennsylvania)

High school: William Penn Charter School (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

College: Boston College

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 217 pounds

Career: 15 seasons (2008-present)

Teams: Atlanta Falcons (2008-21), Indianapolis Colts (2022-present)

2021 salary: $24.7 million

Bottom Line: Matt Ryan

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan

David J. Phillip / AP Photo

It’s OK to say it. Things haven’t been the same for Matt Ryan since Feb. 5, 2017. That’s the day the Atlanta Falcons and Ryan blew a 28-3 lead to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

The Falcons and Ryan limped into the postseason the next season and haven’t sniffed the playoffs since, despite the signal-caller being paid $30 million per year.

That downhill slide finally ended when the Falcons finally cut bait with the former NFL MVP and traded Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts.

14. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence

Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 6, 1999 (Knoxville, Tennessee)

High school: Cartersville High School (Cartersville, Georgia)

College: Clemson

Height/weight: 6-foot-6, 220 pounds

Career: 2 seasons (2021-present)

Teams: Jacksonville Jaguars

2021 salary: $2.3 million

Bottom Line: Trevor Lawrence

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence throwing

Steven Senne / AP Photo

Trevor Lawrence, more than any young quarterback, seems like a lock to become an NFL star for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

We’re excited to see what the future holds for Lawrence after a disastrous rookie season in which head coach Urban Meyer was fired before the season was over.

13. Tennessee Titans: Ryan Tannehill

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill

Steven Senne / AP Photo

Born: July 27, 1988 (Big Spring, Texas)

High school: Big Spring High School (Big Spring, Texas)

College: Texas A&M

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 217 pounds

Career: 11 seasons (2012-present)

Teams: Miami Dolphins (2012-18), Tennessee Titans (2019-present)

2021 salary: $29.5 million

Bottom Line: Ryan Tannehill

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill runs on field

John Amis / AP Photo

If you wrote Ryan Tannehill off after his time with the Miami Dolphins, we get it. We did too. But he’s created an amazing second act to his career with the Tennessee Titans.

The Titans are playoff contenders and one of the best teams in the AFC with Tannehill behind center. They rewarded him in March 2020, and he signed a four-year, $118 million extension with Tennessee.

If we can play devil’s advocate for a moment, we’d like to point out that a lot of Tannehill’s success can be attributed to running back Derrick Henry. That’s it. That’s the take.

12. Minnesota Vikings: Kirk Cousins

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins

Jed Jacobsohn / AP Photo

Born: Aug. 19, 1988 (Barrington, Illinois)

High school: Holland Christian High School (Holland, Michigan)

College: Michigan State

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 205 pounds

Career: 11 seasons (2012-present)

Teams: Washington Football team (2012-17), Minnesota Vikings (2018-present)

2021 salary: $40 million

Bottom Line: Kirk Cousins

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins looks to throw

Bruce Kluckhohn / AP Photo

Kirk Cousins is a truly average quarterback who has become incredibly rich playing in the NFL — and not doing a whole lot to back up what he’s been paid.

Consider that through 10 NFL seasons, Cousins has been the full-time starter on just two teams with winning records and has a 1-2 record in the postseason. When his current contract ends after the 2022 regular season, Cousins will have accumulated $196.6 million in career earnings.

Isn’t America great?

11. Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott

Michael Ainsworth / AP Photo

Born: July 29, 1993 (Sulphur, Louisiana)

High school: Haughton High School (Haughton, Louisiana)

College: Mississippi State

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 228 pounds

Career: 7 seasons (2016-present)

Teams: Dallas Cowboys

2021 salary: $20 million

Bottom Line: Dak Prescott

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and center Tyler Biadasz

Roger Steinman / AP Photo

Dak Prescott has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL since his rookie season in 2016. During the regular season. Let’s make sure we qualify that part.

Despite a gruesome injury suffered to his leg early in the 2020 season, Prescott rehabbed and became the Dallas Cowboys starter again in 2021 and was rewarded with a four-year, $160 million contract before the season.

Imagine what he could’ve asked for with more than one playoff win through his first five seasons. Fast-forward to the first game of the 2022 season and a thumb injury for Prescott required surgery that will keep him out for 6-8 weeks.

10. Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford

Tony Avelar / AP Photo

Born: Feb. 7, 1988 (Tampa, Florida)

High school: Highland Park High School (Dallas, Texas)

College: Georgia

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 220 pounds

Career: 15 seasons (2009-present)

Teams: Detroit Lions (2009-20), Los Angeles Rams (2021-present)

2021 salary: $61.5 million

Bottom Line: Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford calls play

Terrance Williams / AP Photo

It filled our hearts with no small joy to see Matthew Stafford get a shot with a competent franchise when he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams before the 2021 season, leading the Rams to a Super Bowl championship in his first year with the team.

If you know football, you know Stafford is the real deal. He spent 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions and never won a playoff game — he was 0-3 in the postseason — but the fact the team was ever even in the playoffs was usually due to some on-field miracle Stafford conducted.

Stafford also holds the NFL record for most fourth-quarter comebacks in a single season with eight in 2016.

9. Las Vegas Raiders: Derek Carr

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr

Matt Patterson / AP Photo

Born: March 28, 1991 (Fresno, California)

High school: Bakersfield Christian High School (Bakersfield, California)

College: Fresno State

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 210 pounds

Career: 9 seasons (2014-present)

Teams: Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders

2021 salary: $25 million

Bottom Line: Derek Carr

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr scrambles

Zach Bolinger / AP Photo

Despite playing through turmoil, including multiple team and coaching scandals and a move from Oakland to Las Vegas, quarterback Derek Carr has continued to perform and be a leader for the Raiders.

You can almost credit Carr solely for keeping his team’s head above water since that disastrous, 4-12 season in 2018. Carr gets a top 10 spot on this list thanks to a big boost in his receiving corps with NFL All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, who was Carr’s teammate at Fresno State.

8. Denver Broncos: Russell Wilson

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson

Jack Dempsey / AP Photo

Born: Nov. 29, 1988 (Cincinnati, Ohio)

High school: Collegiate School (Richmond, Virginia)

College: North Carolina State/Wisconsin

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 215 pounds

Career: 11 seasons (2012-present)

Teams: Seattle Seahawks (2012-21), Denver Broncos (2022-present)

2021 salary: $57 million

Bottom Line: Russell Wilson

Stephen Brashear / AP Photo

The Denver Broncos made arguably the biggest splash in the offseason when they traded two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, quarterback Drew Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris and tight end Noah Fant to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for quarterback Russell Wilson.

Wilson quickly went viral with the Broncos, signing a five-year, $245 million contract extension but becoming much better known for the ultra-awkward “Let’s Ride” promo for the Broncos.

7. Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson

Nick Wass / AP Photo

Born: Jan. 7, 1997 (Pompano Beach, Florida)

High school: Boynton Beach Community High School (Boynton Beach, Florida)

College: Louisville

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 212 pounds

Career: 5 seasons (2018-present)

Teams: Baltimore Ravens

2021 salary: $23 million

Bottom Line: Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson running

Winslow Townson / AP Photo

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson won an NFL Most Valuable Player trophy in his second season. What he hasn’t done yet is put together a successful playoff run.

Any conversation about Jackson begins and ends with his playoff failures. The Baltimore Ravens are 1-3 in the playoffs since he took over as a starter, which definitely undersells what an amazing player he is and his record as a starter midway through four seasons is 37-10.

Jackson bet big on himself before the 2022 regular season, turning down a reported $290 million contract with $130 million guaranteed to play one year on the franchise tender offer of $23 million for one season.

6. Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throwing

Kyusung Gong / AP Photo

Born: March 10, 1998 (Eugene, Oregon)

High school: Sheldon High School (Eugene, Oregon)

College: Oregon

Height/weight: 6-foot-6, 240 pounds

Career: 3 seasons (2020-present)

Teams: Los Angeles Chargers

2021 salary: $3 million

Bottom Line: Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert

Kyusung Gong / AP Photo

Justin Herbert might be the best young quarterback in the NFL, and it’s a shame that the cheaper-than-cheap Los Angeles Chargers can’t surround him with better coaches who understand how he should be used.

Our only hope is that if the Chargers can’t get it together and figure out how to maximize their investment with Herbert by making him a better team, they cash out and let him go somewhere that will appreciate his talents.

The Chargers really are the worst.

5. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow runs on field

Jeff Dean / AP Photo

Born: Dec. 10, 1996 (Ames, Iowa)

High school: Athens High School (The Plains, Ohio)

College: Ohio State/LSU

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 221 pounds

Career: 3 seasons (2020-present)

Teams: Cincinnati Bengals

2021 salary: $3.9 million

Bottom Line: Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow looks to throw

Jeff Dean / AP Photo

Joe Burrow returned from a devastating knee injury suffered as a rookie in 2020 to lead the Cincinnati Bengals on a surprise run to the Super Bowl in 2021 — the franchise’s first trip to the Super Bowl in over 30 years.

With a revamped offensive line and an elite wide receiver in college teammate Jamarr Chase, Burrow could be the man guiding the Bengals for the next 15 years. If they can afford him.

Burrow is eligible for a contract extension after the 2022 season and could end up hauling in upward of $40 million per year.

4. Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen throwing

Butch Dill / AP Photo

Born: May 21, 1996 (Firebaugh, California)

High school: Firebaugh High School (Firebaugh, California)

College: Reedley College/Wyoming

Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 237 pounds

Career: 5 seasons (2018-present)

Teams: Buffalo Bills

2021 salary: $46.9 million

Bottom Line: Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen running

Adrian Kraus / AP Photo

Josh Allen has dealt with doubters since he was a high school star in California and couldn’t even get an offer from Fresno State, which was right down the road.

Allen became a star on his own at a junior college, then at the University of Wyoming and has taken a moribund franchise with the Buffalo Bills and turned them into one of the elite teams in the NFL through the first three seasons of his career.

After leading the Bills to the AFC championship game following the 2020 season, Allen was rewarded with a six-year contract extension for $258 million.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tom Brady

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady

Jeff Lewis / AP Photo

Born: Aug. 3, 1977 (San Mateo, California)

High school: Junipero Serra High School (San Mateo, California)

College: Michigan

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 225 pounds

Career: 23 seasons (2000-present)

Teams: New England Patriots (2000-19), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020-present)

2021 salary: $30 million

Bottom Line: Tom Brady

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady calling play

John Munson / AP Photo

If it’s just coming down to one game, we still would take Tom Brady above every other starting quarterback in the league. That’s even after the seven-time Super Bowl champion retired briefly following the 2021 NFL season only to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

There’s little doubt the former sixth-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2000 has become the greatest quarterback in NFL history. With another championship, he could make his claim as the greatest athlete in the history of professional team sports.

And he shuts down haters better than anyone.

2. Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers

Jeffrey Phelps / AP Photo

Born: Dec. 2, 1983 (Chico, California)

High school: Pleasant Valley High School (Chico, California)

College: Butte JC/Cal

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 222 pounds

Career: 18 seasons (2005-present)

Teams: Green Bay Packers

2021 salary: $42 million

Bottom Line: Aaron Rodgers

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throwing

Jeffrey Phelps / AP Photo

Almost two decades into his NFL career, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers remains one of the NFL’s elite players and is already a surefire, first-ballot Hall of Famer.

The four-time NFL Most Valuable Player and Super Bowl champion has won back-to-back NFL MVP honors in 2020 and 2021. Despite his threats to leave following the 2021 season, Rodgers re-signed with the Green Bay Packers on a three-year contract worth $150.8 million.

1. Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throwing

Peter Aiken / AP Photo

Born: Sept. 17, 1995 (Tyler, Texas)

High school: Whitehouse High School (Whitehouse, Texas)

College: Texas Tech

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 230 pounds

Career: 6 seasons (2017-present)

Teams: Kansas City Chiefs

2021 salary: $29.4 million

Bottom Line: Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes

Emilee Chinn / AP Photo

Patrick Mahomes is a once-in-a-generation quarterback. He will continue to dog the franchises that passed him over in the 2017 NFL draft and let him drop to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 10 overall — none more than the Chicago Bears, who picked Mitch Trubisky at No. 2 overall.

Through Mahomes’ first five seasons in the NFL (four as a starter), he’s played in the AFC championship game four times, won a Super Bowl and played in another and been named NFL Most Valuable Player.

In March 2020, following the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers, Mahomes signed a 10-year contract worth $503 million, the second-largest contract in professional sports history. But Mahomes is more than just a $500 million NFL quarterback.

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