My NFL QB Rankings and Why Jalen Hurts Is Still Being Underrated

Because once again I saw Jalen Hurts sitting behind quarterbacks who, quite frankly, haven't achieved half of what he's achieved in the games that matter most. Look, I understand the arguments - Josh Allen puts up ridiculous numbers, Justin Herbert makes throws that don't look physically possible and Lamar Jackson is one of the most gifted athletes the NFL has ever seen.

But here's my question: If your team was playing in the Super Bowl tomorrow, who would you trust to lead them?

That's the ranking I care about. Not fantasy points. Not EPA. Not who can throw the prettiest spiral. Simply, "Who do I trust when everything is on the line?" Here is my list:

1. Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)

Let's not overcomplicate this. Mahomes remains the standard. Multiple Super Bowl victories, multiple Super Bowl appearances and arguably the greatest playoff start to a quarterback career we've ever seen. His playoff record speaks for itself. Every January feels like the rest of the league trying to stop an avalanche.

What makes Mahomes special isn't just the numbers. It's the improvisation. The ability to make throws from angles that coaches probably spend years telling younger quarterbacks not to attempt.

Even when Kansas City doesn't look at its best, somehow Mahomes usually finds a way. If every franchise restarted tomorrow, Mahomes would still be the first quarterback selected.

Patrick Mahomes is a multi-Super Bowl winning Quarterback, enough said. Image Credit: The Guardian

2. Matthew Stafford (Rams)

This might be my biggest hot take. I think Stafford is one of the most underrated quarterbacks of the modern era. Over 60,000 career passing yards. A Super Bowl ring. The arm talent has always been elite, but what separates Stafford is his willingness to attack every blade of grass on the field.

Need a fourth-quarter comeback? Need a game-winning throw? Need somebody who won't blink under pressure? Stafford checks every box.

The eye test has always told me Stafford was better than many people gave him credit for. Now the résumé backs it up too.

3. Jalen Hurts (Eagles)

I know some people won't like this. That's okay. At some point winning has to matter.

Hurts now owns multiple deep playoff runs, multiple conference championship appearances, multiple Super Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl victory where he was MVP. His critics spent years questioning whether he could throw well enough. Then he developed into one of the NFL's most efficient quarterbacks while continuing to be one of the league's most dangerous rushing threats.

What stands out most isn't statistics. It's leadership.

Watch how teammates respond to him. Watch how calm he remains in hostile environments. Watch how he performs when the pressure is highest. The brighter the lights get, the better Hurts seems to play. And he has done so with a new OC nearly every year since high school!

Jalen Hurts has been consistently underrated by the Media.

4. Joe Burrow (Bengals)

If we're talking pure passing ability, Burrow might be the best quarterback in football.

He's already led Cincinnati to a Super Bowl appearance and multiple playoff victories while establishing himself as one of the league's most accurate passers. Burrow consistently ranks among the NFL's passing leaders when healthy and combines elite anticipation with tremendous pocket awareness.

Burrow always looks like the calmest person in the stadium, and although he has had weapons, he’s done it all while dealing with a dodgy O-line and not much help coming from the other side of the ball.

5. Lamar Jackson (Ravens)

Lamar is one of the most difficult players in football to rank. He's already built a résumé that many quarterbacks would dream about. MVP awards. Multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Thousands of passing yards. Countless highlight plays.

The playoff résumé isn't quite as strong as some players above him, which is why he's fifth rather than second or third. But from an eye-test perspective? There has never been another quarterback quite like Lamar Jackson. Every snap has the potential to become a highlight.

6. Josh Allen (Bills)

Part of me feels guilty putting Allen this low. Allen has become one of football's most complete offensive weapons. He's a quarterback, short-yardage runner and deep-ball specialist rolled into one player. His playoff performances have often been exceptional even if the postseason results haven't always gone his way.

From a talent perspective, Allen might sit second on this list. The combination of arm strength, athleticism and physicality is outrageous. The only thing missing is the Lombardi Trophy and winning the biggest games when it matters. But that is important!

7. Justin Herbert (Chargers)

If this ranking was based solely on talent, Herbert might be top five. The arm talent is ridiculous. The athleticism is underrated. The toughness is unquestionable. Few quarterbacks can make every throw quite like Herbert.

The playoff résumé isn't where it needs to be yet, but every time you watch him play you can see why scouts fell in love with him coming out of Oregon.

8. Sam Darnold (Seahawks)

Most fans are still ranking Jets-era Sam Darnold. I'm ranking the quarterback we've seen recently. Those are two different players. This list wouldn’t have any credibility if Sam wasn’t high after winning a Super Bowl — that’s what matters!

Darnold has rebuilt his career from the ground up and finally looks comfortable running an NFL offense. The confidence is there. The decision making is better. The physical talent has always been there. He deserves more respect than he gets, especially as a Super Bowl champ!

9. Drake Maye (Patriots)

The breakout star. Everything screams franchise quarterback.

Size. Arm strength. Athleticism. Leadership.

The Patriots finally look like they've found their quarterback again. What impresses me most is how naturally Maye creates outside structure. When protection breaks down, he doesn't panic.

That's usually a trait reserved for elite quarterbacks, and it will be interesting to see how things progress now that he has a true WR1.

10. Caleb Williams (Bears)

The upside is outrageous. Every now and then he throws a pass that reminds you why he was considered one of the best quarterback prospects in years. The creativity jumps off the screen. The arm talent is elite. And unlike many young quarterbacks, he doesn't look overwhelmed by NFL speed.

I wouldn't be remotely surprised if he's sitting in the top five by 2028.

11. Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers)

One of my favourite stories in football. Written off. Discarded. Mocked.

Yet here he is producing some of the best football of his career. Baker has playoff experience, playoff victories and the type of personality teammates rally around. His toughness alone would make most coaches love him. At this stage, I'd take Baker over a few bigger names.

Baker is somewhat of an enigma, a battle tested QB with a storied past. Image Credit: Sports Illustrated

12. Dak Prescott (Cowboys)

Dak has a lot of negative press for his underperformance when it matters, and most of it is fair.

But Dak has been productive throughout his career. Multiple 4,000-yard seasons, excellent touchdown production and consistently strong efficiency numbers when healthy.

The eye test tells you he's an excellent quarterback. The statistics tell you he's an excellent quarterback. The problem is that he seems to choke when it matters… and he is a Cowboy, so maybe there is some bias here.

13. Bo Nix (Broncos)

Every year people predict regression. Every year Nix seems to answer those critics. He's not flashy like Allen. He's not athletic like Lamar. But he processes quickly, protects the football and consistently puts his team in position to win.

Sometimes being effective matters more than being exciting.

14. Jared Goff (Lions)

The most consistently underrated quarterback in football. Goff owns a Super Bowl appearance, multiple deep playoff runs and continues to put up impressive passing numbers. Every year somebody predicts he'll fall off. Every year he proves them wrong.

At some point we need to stop acting surprised.

15. Brock Purdy (49ers)

People keep waiting for Purdy to fail. I'm not sure why. The guy wins football games. He's been to major playoff games, played in a Super Bowl and consistently operates one of the NFL's best offenses.

At some point results matter.

16. C.J. Stroud (Texans)

He's already shown poise, accuracy and leadership beyond his years. The playoff runs are there.

This feels like a quarterback who could spend the next decade inside the league's top ten. But he has to show more of what we saw in his rookie season.

17. Jordan Love (Packers)

There are stretches where Love looks like an MVP candidate. The challenge now is consistency. The talent is absolutely there.

18. Jayden Daniels (Commanders)

This ranking might look far too low a year from now.

The athleticism is obvious. The arm talent is obvious. The confidence is obvious. Washington might have found themselves a star. But he needs to continue to improve on consistency.

19. Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars)

This feels like my final year betting on potential. The tools remain elite. The production simply needs to follow. There could be a top-ten quarterback hiding in there somewhere.

20. Cam Ward (Titans)

Here's another hot take. I'd rather bet on Ward's upside than some older veterans ranked below him.

Maybe I'm wrong. But the ceiling is worth betting on.

The Rest of My Rankings

Rank	QB	Team
21	Jaxson Dart	Giants
22	Michael Penix Jr.	Falcons
23	Kyler Murray	Vikings
24	Bryce Young	Panthers
25	Geno Smith	Jets
26	Kirk Cousins	Raiders
27	Aaron Rodgers	Steelers
28	Malik Willis	Dolphins
29	Tyler Shough	Saints
30	Shedeur Sanders	Browns
31	Daniel Jones	Colts
32	Jacoby Brissett	Cardinals

Final Thoughts

I already know where the criticism is coming from.

Stafford at two. Hurts over Allen. Darnold in the top ten. Trust me, I get it. But quarterback rankings should never be about reputation alone.

For me they're about three things:

1. Can you win playoff games?

2. Have you shown you can perform on the biggest stage?

3. When I watch you play, do you look like the guy who can carry a franchise?

That's why Mahomes sits first, that's why Hurts sits third and that's why I still think people are massively underrating the Eagles quarterback heading into 2026.

Now comes the important question: What's your biggest disagreement? Let us know in the comments. 🦅🏈