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NFL QB Index: Ranking all 32 teams' primary starting quarterbacks at the end of the 2023 regular season
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NFL QB Index: Ranking all 32 teams' primary starting quarterbacks at the
end of the 2023 regular season
Published: Jan 11, 2024 at 02:47 PM
Headshot_Author_Nick-shook_1400x1000
Nick Shook
Around The NFL Writer
NOTE: This week's rankings feature each team's most prominent starting
quarterback, based solely on play from the 2023 regular season.
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Rank
1
Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens · Year 6
2023 stats: 16 games | 67.2 pct | 3,678 pass yds | 8.0 ypa | 24 pass TD
| 7 INT | 821 rush yds | 5 rush TD | 11 fumbles
Before another person takes up 90 seconds of your life with an MVP pitch
for Jackson, let’s face reality: Jackson’s season-long performance
wasn’t perfect. In fact, much of it wasn’t MVP-caliber. He didn’t enter
my top five QBs until Week 15. But his finish has been so incredible,
it’s difficult to point to any other quarterback (Dak Prescott,
perhaps) having a better year in total than Jackson, an elite player
with rare talents that powered Baltimore’s run to the AFC’s top seed. No
one in the NFL wants to play Baltimore right now, and it’s primarily
because it would mean dealing with Jackson. We’ll find out in a few
weeks whether he earned MVP honors – possibly just days before his team
plays in the Super Bowl.
Rank
2
Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott
Dallas Cowboys · Year 8
2023 stats: 17 games | 69.5 pct | 4,516 pass yds | 7.7 ypa | 36 pass TD
| 9 INT | 242 rush yds | 2 rush TD | 4 fumbles
If we eliminate two games from Dallas’ schedule (Week 5 at San Francisco
and Week 15 at Buffalo), Prescott is your runaway MVP. He’s been
fantastic for the vast majority of the season, powering a Dallas offense
that has evolved from one that relied heavily on CeeDee Lamb to a
unit that can spread it all over the field and succeed. A year after
leading the NFL in interceptions, Prescott has cut down on risky plays
while using his mobility to navigate the pocket and rip rockets to open
targets. He finished third in passing yards (4,516), posted a 36:9
TD-INT ratio, and even recorded his highest rushing total (242 yards)
since 2019. He’s been in complete command of Mike McCarthy’s offense,
which is what made their face plant in Orchard Park so stunning. I
believe that evening in Western New York could cost him the MVP --
especially when you juxtapose his Week 15 showing with Lamar Jackson's
undeniably strong close to the season. But individual awards won’t
matter if Prescott performs in the playoffs like he did for most of 2023.
Rank
3
Josh Allen
Josh Allen
Buffalo Bills · Year 6
2023 stats: 17 games | 66.5 pct | 4,306 pass yds | 7.4 ypa | 29 pass TD
| 18 INT | 524 rush yds | 15 rush TD | 7 fumbles
Bills fans who have been in my mentions since the midpoint of the season
have been lying to themselves about Allen’s overall ranking. He has not
been one of the two best QBs overall. But there’s beauty in Allen’s 2023
season: Although he wasn’t playing all that well while dealing with some
bumps and bruises, he persisted, and now the Bills are riding a hot
streak into the playoffs. Allen became a bit of a turnover machine
during Buffalo’s rough patch, and it won’t be easy to shake the 18
interceptions listed next to his name. But he’s been able to overcome
many of his miscues by relying on his unique brand of football, throwing
for 4,306 yards -- even while Stefon Diggs battles through his quietest
statistical season since 2019 -- while adding another 524 yards and 15
touchdowns on the ground. He’s still just as much of a nightmare to face
as ever.
Rank
4
Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford
Los Angeles Rams · Year 15
2023 stats: 15 games | 62.6 pct | 3,965 pass yds | 7.6 ypa | 24 pass TD
| 11 INT | 65 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 0 fumbles
Few of us had the Rams headed for the postseason when this year began,
yet here they are. A healthy Stafford, seemingly pushing every ability
to its fullest potential, has truly been a delight to watch play
football in 2023. Few quarterbacks, if any, threw the ball better and
more consistently this season than the 35-year-old -- even if the
numbers don't quite show it. And that's fine. Those of us who have
watched the tape know.
Rank
5
Tua Tagovailoa
Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins · Year 4
2023 stats: 17 games | 69.3 pct | 4,624 pass yds | 8.3 ypa | 29 pass TD
| 14 INT | 74 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 13 fumbles
I suspect TuAnon is ready to tar and feather me for ranking their guy
here, but I’m standing by my decision and dealing with the fallout that
comes. Tagovailoa put up crazy yardage totals in 2023 -- MVP-level
numbers -- leading the league with 4,624 passing yards. But I can’t get
over the fact he faltered in some huge games, especially against
defenses that knew how to throw a wrench into Miami’s machine. His
under-pressure numbers were significantly worse than when he wasn't
pressured (54.1 completion percentage versus 73.5, plus a 25.3-point
drop in passer rating), and in these matchups, he failed to elevate the
Dolphins. He also had a -- cover your ears, Dolphins fans -- turnover
problem, regardless of matchup, which is a big no-no when it comes to
evaluating quarterbacks. When Tua's dealing, it’s a beautiful thing, and
he dealt a lot in 2023. I just need to see him do it in a high-stakes
situation to be convinced.
Rank
6
Jared Goff
Jared Goff
Detroit Lions · Year 8
2023 stats: 17 games | 67.3 pct | 4,575 pass yds | 7.6 ypa | 30 pass TD
| 12 INT | 21 rush yds | 2 rush TD | 6 fumbles
Goff’s 2023 season has been a joyous revelation for Lions fans, who
watched their team win its division for the first time since I was an
infant. Once viewed as a bridge quarterback to make the Rams' trade for
Matthew Stafford work, Goff has shattered that take over the past two
seasons. In addition to his impressive stat line this season, he helped
propel Sam LaPorta to a fantastic rookie year. But for all of his
success in 2023 -- and there was plenty of it -- a glaring vulnerability
exists in Goff's game. When he’s protected, he can execute Ben Johnson’s
offense as well as any top-tier quarterback, and is tough to stop. But
when he’s thrown out of rhythm by pressure, it can get ugly. For most of
this season, the former occurred, which is why the Lions are hosting a
playoff game this weekend.
Warner and Carr's film-breakdown preview of Rams-Lions on Super Wild
Card Weekend
Rank
7
Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy
San Francisco 49ers · Year 2
2023 stats: 16 games | 69.4 pct | 4,280 pass yds | 9.6 ypa | 31 pass TD
| 11 INT | 144 rush yds | 2 rush TD | 6 fumbles
The last 21 months have been an incredible whirlwind for the polarizing
Purdy, a quarterback who calmly executes Kyle Shanahan’s offense with
poise and wisdom beyond his years, yet continues to be discounted due to
his draft status and seeming lack of elite traits. He’s also knocked for
being surrounded by elite talent, which is a hollow take, given he’s far
from the only quarterback playing with a quality supporting cast. I'll
admit that Purdy shocked me with how well he played early in the season,
dominating the likes of two eventual playoff teams (Pittsburgh and
Dallas) in the first five weeks of the season. The second-year
signal-caller ran into some struggles during San Francisco’s three-game
losing streak, forcing me to drop him in the QB Index for a time, but
he’s since bounced back well enough to earn a solid place in the top 10.
I wouldn’t vote for him for MVP, but he’s had a great year and continues
to defy expectations.
Rank
8
C.J. Stroud
C.J. Stroud
Houston Texans · Rookie
2023 stats: 15 games | 63.9 pct | 4,108 pass yds | 8.2 ypa | 23 pass TD
| 5 INT | 167 rush yds | 3 rush TD | 8 fumbles
When Stroud completed his pre-draft process, I felt as if the consensus
opinion -- Bryce Young over Stroud -- was short-sighted.
Stroud’s greatest strength (accuracy) typically makes for the smoothest
transition to the NFL, given a quarterback land in a good situation.
That’s exactly what happened for Stroud, who was selected by a team with
a franchise left tackle and a coordinator willing to design his offense
around his quarterback. The results have been stunning: 4,108 yards, a
23:5 TD-INT ratio, a 100.8 passer rating and a division title for the
formerly cellar-dwelling Texans. Houston doesn't earn a playoff berth
without Stroud, bottom line. He’s been remarkably poised and confident,
relying on his talent and accuracy to put together one of the best
rookie seasons by a quarterback since Cam Newton and Andrew Luck. He’s
the clear front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year, and he deserves
some outside consideration for MVP. And he’s only just getting started.
Rank
9
Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs · Year 7
2023 stats: 16 games | 67.2 pct | 4,183 pass yds | 7.0 ypa | 27 pass TD
| 14 INT | 389 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 5 fumbles
If you asked the average NFL fan to describe Mahomes' 2023 season, my
guess is they'd respond with "Disappointing." And yet, his overall
numbers still rank among the league's best. The two-time MVP was let
down by his teammates on multiple occasions over the course of he
17-game slate -- some in more high-profiled situations than others --
and yet he still threw for 4,183 yards, 27 touchdowns and 14
interceptions. That’s a down year for Mahomes, an otherworldly talent
who is still in the MVP conversation despite Kansas City’s struggles. If
his receivers had caught the ball more consistently this season -- and
if he hadn't pressed the Chiefs into a Christmas Day loss to the Raiders
-- he’d rank higher.
Rank
10
Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins
Minnesota Vikings · QB
2023 stats: 8 games | 69.5 pct | 2,331 pass yds | 7.5 ypa | 18 pass TD |
5 INT | 25 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 7 fumbles
This season was shaping up to be one of the best of Cousins' career when
it suddenly came to a halt due to a season-ending Achilles injury.
Cousins was sharp and composed even while the rest of his teammates
struggled during a rough start to the season, steadily keeping them
afloat almost on his own. He was on pace to throw for more than 4,700
yards and shatter his career-high passing touchdown mark of 35 before he
went down, and the tape was even better than the numbers. We’ll never
know how it may have turned out, but we know one thing for sure: The
Vikings undoubtedly need him in 2024.
Rank
11
Jordan Love
Jordan Love
Green Bay Packers · Year 4
2023 stats: 17 games | 64.2 pct | 4,159 pass yds | 7.2 ypa | 32 pass TD
| 11 INT | 247 rush yds | 4 rush TD | 9 fumbles
If we gave an award for the most improved player over the course of a
season, Love would win it in runaway fashion. He’s grown from a
quarterback who self-destructed in key moments late in games to one who
aggressively buries opponents with his athletic abilities and arm
talent. His ascendance has been so rapid and so noticeable that some of
his recent performances have been compared to those of Brett Favre and
Aaron Rodgers. Love’s late-season hot streak propelled the Packers into
the playoffs, while also putting his name firmly on the map as one of
the bright stars of the future. He’s flinging back-foot touchdown
passes, and scrambling and diving for touchdowns with zero fear. He’s
simply a joy to watch. I think you have your permanent replacement for
Rodgers, Packers fans.
Rank
12
Joe Flacco
Joe Flacco
Cleveland Browns
2023 stats: 5 games | 60.3 pct | 1,616 pass yds | 7.9 ypa | 13 pass TD |
8 INT | 2 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 4 fumbles
Deciding which QB to pick for the Browns was the most complicated
decision of this entire exercise. Deshaun Watson started the most
games for Cleveland (six) this season, but he’s been out for so long
(and wasn’t particularly effective even when he was available) that he’s
become a mere memory in this 2023 tale. Flacco Fever is all the rage in
Cleveland now, so we’ll proceed with the team’s starter entering the
postseason. Seems only fair considering the Browns might have missed the
playoffs entirely if not for the ageless wonder from Delaware. Since
making his Browns debut in Week 13, Flacco leads the NFL with 323.2
passing yards per game. He also led the league in passing yards (1,616),
passing touchdowns (13) and – because he’s seemingly playing without a
care in the world – interceptions (eight) in December. Although he's
likely not long for Cleveland, he’s made one hell of a comeback, so much
so that he might win NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Next up: His first
playoff start in nine years.
Josh Cribbs shares his reaction to Joe Flacco leading Browns to the
postseason
Rank
13
Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts
Philadelphia Eagles · Year 4
2023 stats: 17 games | 65.4 pct | 3,858 pass yds | 7.2 ypa | 23 pass TD
| 15 INT | 605 rush yds | 15 rush TD | 9 fumbles
Philadelphia hasn’t played a complete game all season, and their
late-season skid suggests they could be set for a quick postseason exit.
As the quarterback, Hurts will instantly draw the most blame and
criticism for the Eagles' struggles, but much of the team's problems
hasn’t been his fault exclusively. He’s done some incredible things
throughout the season. Those might be going overlooked, though, because
he’s no longer driving a wildly successful offense. The 15 interceptions
are a problem. His knee has caused issues with his mobility. And lately,
he’s looked both indecisive and a little slow in the pocket. There’s no
quick fix to what’s going on in Philadelphia, but Hurts hasn’t suddenly
fallen off a cliff, folks.
Rank
14
Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield
Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Year 6
2023 stats: 17 games | 64.3 pct | 4,044 pass yds | 7.1 ypa | 28 pass TD
| 10 INT | 163 rush yds | 1 rush TD | 8 fumbles
Mayfield has enjoyed a career renaissance in Tampa this offseason,
leading some Bucs fans to pencil in the former castaway QB as their
starter for years to come. He played some of the best football of his
six-year career in 2023, navigating a new offense with a new coordinator
and clawing his way through the NFC South to a division title. He broke
4,000 passing yards for the first time and has partnered with OC Dave
Canales so well that Canales is now attracting interest for
head-coaching gigs. Mayfield's turnaround required him to eat some
humble pie, but the 2018 No. 1 pick is better for it. The future is
bright for him in the Sunshine State.
Rank
15
Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence
Jacksonville Jaguars · Year 3
2023 stats: 16 games | 65.6 pct | 4,016 pass yds | 7.1 ypa | 21 pass TD
| 14 INT | 339 rush yds | 4 rush TD | 12 fumbles
Some advanced metrics and analysts might suggest Lawrence had a great
season, but here's my take: good, but not good enough. The 2023 campaign
was full of near misses for Lawrence, who threw for 4,016 yards and
completed 65.6 percent of his passes, but could have been so much better
had he succeeded on the margins. Close calls and unfortunate outcomes
were sprinkled throughout his campaign; those don't show up in his final
stat line, but they were visible on the tape. Folks will blame
Jacksonville’s collapse on Lawrence’s health, as he battled knee, ankle
and shoulder issues at various points during the season. But that he
missed only one start, despite all of those ailments, says a lot about
his toughness. I know there’s more potential in Lawrence than what we
saw in 2023.
Rank
16
Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow
Cincinnati Bengals · Year 4
2023 stats: 10 games | 66.8 pct | 2,309 pass yds | 6.3 ypa | 15 pass TD
| 6 INT | 88 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 2 fumbles
Burrow wasn't the same MVP-caliber player we've come to expect during
the first month of the season, when a lingering calf injury sustained
during training camp reduced the athletic quarterback with otherworldly
arm talent into a statuesque, uncertain passer. As a result, the Bengals
struggled. But as his health improved, so did Cincinnati's offense, with
the team ripping off four straight wins, including games against the
Seahawks, 49ers and the Bills. But Burrow was beset by injury again,
with a torn ligament in his wrist ultimately ending his season in Week
11. Because of his injury issues, we’ll never know the true potential of
the 2023 Bengals -- a sad reality that's true for the many NFL teams
that lost their starting QBs this season.
Rank
17
Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert
Los Angeles Chargers · Year 4
2023 stats: 13 games | 65.1 pct | 3,134 pass yds | 6.9 ypa | 20 pass TD
| 7 INT | 228 rush yds | 3 rush TD | 4 fumbles
Generally speaking, Herbert is a better quarterback than his 17th-place
position on this list. But he had a middling 2023 season, struggling
through two separate finger injuries, with the latter of the two – a
fractured index finger – ending his season prematurely. When he was able
to play, Herbert was uncharacteristically inconsistent in the accuracy
department, and the Chargers’ offense never connected well enough to
establish a rhythm. It was the worst campaign in an otherwise stellar
start of a career for Herbert, who will return under a new regime in
2024. Hopefully, he can stay healthy this time around.
Rank
18
Geno Smith
Geno Smith
Seattle Seahawks · Year 11
2023 stats: 15 games | 64.7 pct | 3,624 pass yds | 7.3 ypa | 20 pass TD
| 9 INT | 155 rush yds | 1 rush TD | 5 fumbles
A fireworks show of a 2022 season saw Smith paid handsomely in the
offseason. But after throwing for 4,282 yards and a 30-11 TD-INT ratio
in 2022, Smith couldn’t replicate such production a year later. He
wasn’t bad, but he wasn’t great, often occupying the median range of the
QB Index with a number of performances that were good enough but far
from scintillating. We’ll fondly remember his performances in shootouts
with Dallas and Detroit but point to games like Seattle’s Week 6 loss to
Cincinnati as an example of what 2023 was for Smith.
Rank
19
Justin Fields
Justin Fields
Chicago Bears · Year 3
2023 stats: 13 games | 61.4 pct | 2,562 pass yds | 6.9 ypa | 16 pass TD
| 9 INT | 657 rush yds | 4 rush TD | 10 fumbles
2023 was quite a roller coaster for Fields and the Bears, who failed to
protect him adequately early in the season and left him to fend for
himself while receivers struggled to get open. The broadcast copies of
these games depicted a quarterback hanging onto the football for too
long and being forced to run for his life as his only chance of success,
but it was more complicated than that. Fields quickly (and temporarily)
shifted his narrative with a fantastic showing in a win over Washington
in Week 5, tossing four touchdown passes and shredding one of the NFL’s
worst defenses, but a dislocated right thumb interrupted his sudden good
mojo. He returned in time to finish strong, leading the Bears to four
wins in their final six games and delivering a strong counterargument to
those who wanted to ship him out of town in 2024, but it remains to be
seen whether that was enough to sell the Bears on keeping him. I know
this: Fields is incredibly talented and will thrive in the right
situation. I guarantee it. I just can’t promise that situation will be
in Chicago.
Justin Fields on time with Bears: 'I gave it my all'
Rank
20
Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson
Denver Broncos · Year 12
2023 stats: 15 games | 66.4 pct | 3,070 pass yds | 6.9 ypa | 26 pass TD
| 8 INT | 341 rush yds | 3 rush TD | 10 fumbles
A rough start sent everyone in the Mile High City into crisis-management
mode. Wilson was taking fire from every direction, but clues of a
prosperous future existed in the Broncos’ early-season defeats. He threw
for 308 yards and three touchdowns in a shocking Week 2 loss to
Washington, then found himself beneath a Miami Dolphins scoring
avalanche in Week 3, but never wavered. When the Broncos suddenly turned
things around, Wilson was the steady captain of the ship, guiding them
to five straight wins, including four over eventual playoff teams. But
when Denver encountered choppy waters, it sent the captain overboard,
benching Wilson for Jarrett Stidham for the final two weeks and throwing
Wilson’s future into uncertain territory. Look, Wilson wasn’t the star
he once was in Seattle, not even close. There’s no guaranteeing he’ll
ever find that version of himself again, as he rarely put together four
quarters of quality football this season. But he wasn’t terrible,
either. That argument likely won’t win over Denver this offseason,
unfortunately.
Rank
21
Derek Carr
Derek Carr
New Orleans Saints · Year 10
2023 stats: 17 games | 68.4 pct | 3,878 pass yds | 7.1 ypa | 25 pass TD
| 8 INT | 40 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 7 fumbles
This season couldn’t possibly fit Carr better. He spent most of it
trying to find solid footing behind an offensive line that struggled to
protect him and had just as much of a tough time connecting with top
target Chris Olave during this stretch. The savior narrative that
followed Carr to New Orleans was hanging on by a thread with a team that
couldn’t decide on an identity until the final month of the season.
Conveniently, that’s precisely when Carr and the Saints played their
best football of the season, racking up four wins in their final five
games. Carr threw for 1,117 yards and a 14-2 TD-INT ratio in that span,
bringing in positive reinforcements to the debate over his long-term
viability as Saints starter. Hey, even Dennis Allen kept his job. It’s
all about what they can do in 2024, which brings limitless
possibilities, but will probably produce similar results, at least at
quarterback.
Rank
22
Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray
Arizona Cardinals · Year 5
2023 stats: 8 games | 65.7 pct | 1,799 pass yds | 6.7 ypa | 10 pass TD |
5 INT | 244 rush yds | 3 rush TD | 7 fumbles
The Cardinals were a surprisingly fun team to follow, not because they
won a lot of games, but because of the vibes, man. Arizona knew it was
going to struggle under center until Murray returned, which worked out
well for Murray, who instantly provided a permanent boost in both
production and potential for the Cardinals, a team that learned
firsthand how difficult it is to replace a quarterback. Arizona was a
significantly better team with Murray, who was facing a prove-it year
and appears to have secured his future with Jonathan Gannon’s squad, all
while winning just three of his eight starts.
Rank
23
Gardner Minshew
Gardner Minshew
Indianapolis Colts · Year 5
2023 stats: 16 games | 62.2 pct | 3,305 pass yds | 6.7 ypa | 15 pass TD
| 9 INT | 100 rush yds | 3 rush TD | 8 fumbles
The incredible optimism that oozed from Anthony Richardson evaporated
when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury at the end of the
season’s first month. In stepped Minshew, who held the keys to the
offense for the rest of the season solely out of desperation. He did a
very solid job as a veteran backup, nearly leading the Colts to the
playoffs while completing 62.2 percent of his passes for 3,305 yards, 15
touchdowns and nine interceptions. That’s about where Minshew lives in
the NFL at this point: a veteran backup who can keep a team competitive,
but won’t singlehandedly win you a ton of games. That was fine for 2023.
He’ll keep finding employment as a backup.
Rank
24
Sam Howell
Sam Howell
Washington Commanders · Year 2
2023 stats: 17 games | 63.4 pct | 3,946 pass yds | 6.4 ypa | 21 pass TD
| 21 INT | 263 rush yds | 5 rush TD | 5 fumbles
I was stunned to see Ron Rivera hand the entire offensive operation to
Howell, a quarterback who’d played in just one game prior to 2023. I
criticized this decision as being too hopeful, and while that ultimately
proved to be true, it certainly wasn’t that simple. Howell was rather
excellent for a good portion of the season, making a ton of plays out of
structure and seemingly cementing his place as Washington’s starter for
the rest of the season, if not longer. Unfortunately for Howell, though,
the turnover goblins didn’t forget to pay him a visit, plaguing him so
much down the stretch that Rivera was ready to bench him for Jacoby
Brissett. A hamstring injury suffered in practice kept Brissett from
replacing Howell, though, buying the youngster two more starts. His stat
line from those games: 36-of-55, 322 yards, two touchdowns and four
soul-crushing interceptions. I still see the potential in Howell, but
I’m not sure where he continues his career as a starter – or if such an
avenue exists at this point.
Rank
25
Will Levis
Will Levis
Tennessee Titans · Rookie
2023 stats: 9 games | 58.4 pct | 1,808 pass yds | 7.1 ypa | 8 pass TD |
4 INT | 57 rush yds | 1 rush TD | 7 fumbles
I’m riding with Levis because the since-fired Mike Vrabel told us
everything we needed to know when he chose to proceed with the rookie
over healthy veteran Ryan Tannehill in the back half of the 2023 season.
Levis might not be the future, but he provided us with enough proof to
think the Titans should give him another go in 2024. Levis is a gamer, a
quarterback filled with competitive fire, grit and a stubbornness that
drives his desire to prove his doubters (a group that included me)
wrong. He has plenty of room for growth, but I was remarkably impressed
by how unflappable he was in the face of pressure for much of 2023.
Sure, in some instances, he and the Titans had little chance of success
against defenses sending relentless blitzes at him, but that comeback
win over Miami will linger in my memory for a while. The kid’s got guts;
perhaps we’ll learn in 2024 whether he has the talent necessary to
become a consistently productive quarterback.
Will Levis' top plays | 2023 season
Rank
26
Aidan O'Connell
Aidan O'Connell
Las Vegas Raiders · Rookie
2023 stats: 11 games | 62.1 pct | 2,218 pass yds | 6.5 ypa | 12 pass TD
| 7 INT | 11 rush yds | 1 rush TD | 4 fumbles
Well, I did not have “O’Connell promoted to permanent starter” on my
2023 bingo card, but sure enough, Antonio Pierce made it a reality
shortly after replacing Josh McDaniels as interim coach. The decision
proved to be a good one, as O’Connell gave the Raiders a better chance
of success than Jimmy Garoppolo, completing 62.1 percent of his passes
for 2,218 yards and a 12-7 TD-INT ratio. The Raiders were competitive
with O’Connell, going .500 with him as the starter with a record of 5-5,
and he handled the responsibility of being an NFL starter better than
some other rookies (or second-year quarterbacks). Is he the long-term
answer? Probably not. But the Raiders will cross that bridge when they
get to it. They have bigger decisions to make in the meantime.
Rank
27
Kenny Pickett
Kenny Pickett
Pittsburgh Steelers · Year 2
2023 stats: 12 games | 62.0 pct | 2,070 pass yds | 6.4 ypa | 6 pass TD |
4 INT | 54 rush yds | 1 rush TD | 2 fumbles
This was not the sophomore season most expected from Pickett. He’s not
solely to blame – Matt Canada’s dreadful offense deserves a lot of it –
but it’s telling that Mike Tomlin went with Mason Rudolph over Pickett
in must-win games in the final month of the season. Pickett’s future
isn’t over in Pittsburgh because the sample size is too small and the
circumstances weren’t exactly ideal. But the pressure is officially on,
which might include a camp battle for the starting job next summer. If
he wins it, he’ll need to produce, because he’s just about out of excuses.
Rank
28
Desmond Ridder
Desmond Ridder
Atlanta Falcons · Year 2
2023 stats: 15 games | 64.2 pct | 2,836 pass yds | 7.3 ypa | 12 pass TD
| 12 INT | 193 rush yds | 5 rush TD | 12 fumbles
One cannot simply pin Arthur Smith’s firing on Ridder, but the
second-year quarterback had a lot to do with it. Smith expected Ridder
to grow as an entrenched starter, but what he instead received was an
inconsistent quarterback who showed flashes of his potential, yet too
often made crushing mistakes that doomed the Falcons. Smith’s patience
with the second-year quarterback eventually ran out, prompting him to
bench Ridder for Taylor Heinicke. When Heinicke predictably failed to
provide the reliability Smith so desperately sought, the coach
ping-ponged between players for the rest of the season, giving Ridder
the exact opposite of what he needed: stability. Atlanta will be
expected to seek another option at the position, and after yet another
7-10 season, it’s tough to blame them.
Rank
29
Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones
New York Giants · Year 5
2023 stats: 6 games | 67.5 pct | 909 pass yds | 5.7 ypa | 2 pass TD | 6
INT | 206 rush yds | 1 rush TD | 4 fumbles
Jones hasn’t played in months, and when he did play, it wasn’t pretty.
New York failed to protect him, and his health betrayed him, costing him
three starts before returning and suffering a season-ending injury. It’s
tough to take away anything positive from Jones’ abbreviated 2023
campaign because the Giants’ offense was terrible early in the season.
It felt as if he was playing with less than a full deck. We’ll always
have that comeback win in Arizona, though, in which Jones threw for 321
yards and two touchdowns, ran for another score and looked like a
quarterback a general manager might consider handing $40 million per
year. He needs to be that guy in 2024.
Rank
30
Bailey Zappe
Bailey Zappe
New England Patriots · Year 2
2023 stats: 10 games | 59.9 pct | 1,272 pass yds | 6.0 ypa | 6 pass TD |
9 INT | 83 rush yds | 1 rush TD | 2 fumbles
Significant change is on the horizon for the Patriots, who are parting
ways with Bill Belichick after 24 seasons. The Patriots gave up Mac
Jones project shortly after Thanksgiving and handed the keys to Zappe
for the remainder of an otherwise lost season. Zappe had bright moments,
like when he threw three first-half touchdown passes in an upset win
over the Steelers in Week 14. He also had a lot of Sam Howell-like
moments, turning the ball over in reckless fashion while trying to carry
the Patriots out of the deep hole in which they were mired for most of
2023. Zappe isn’t a viable long-term starter, nor is Jones. With a new
person in charge of personnel, expect the Patriots to look elsewhere in
2024.
Top 10 Patriots plays | 2023 season
Rank
31
Bryce Young
Bryce Young
Carolina Panthers · Rookie
2023 stats: 16 games | 59.8 pct | 2,877 pass yds | 5.5 ypa | 11 pass TD
| 10 INT | 253 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 11 fumbles
I knew it’d be tough sledding for Young in Charlotte this season, but I
had no idea it would be this bad. Simply, the Panthers failed Young,
from GM Scott Fitterer to Frank Reich on down. Carolina didn’t supply
him with quality weapons outside of Adam Thielen, put him behind a very
leaky offensive line, and didn’t design an offense capable of helping
him out or playing to his strengths. Young looked overwhelmed for most
of 2023, and when he tried to make an instinctive hero play, the
negative results ended up burying him. He had one great day in his
rookie season, completing 22 of 31 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown
in a narrow win over Houston, and threw three touchdown passes in a loss
to Detroit. Otherwise, it was pretty ugly.
Rank
32
Zach Wilson
Zach Wilson
New York Jets · Year 3
2023 stats: 12 games | 60.1 pct | 2,271 pass yds | 6.2 ypa | 8 pass TD |
7 INT | 211 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 11 fumbles
The Jets are expected to trade Wilson in the offseason, which tells you
everything you need to know about how 2023 went for the former No. 2
overall pick. We had already known enough about Wilson when the Jets
traded for Aaron Rodgers, and when that crumbled due to Rodgers’
Achilles injury, we were thrust into another prove-it year for Wilson.
Spoiler alert: He failed. Wilson had some promising moments within
games, but the total product was overwhelmingly bad, and a familiar
outcome for a player the Jets hoped would improve via osmosis after
spending a year around Rodgers. Predictably, that didn’t work, and the
Jets’ hopes are once again pinned on Rodgers. I do hope Wilson finds
another opportunity elsewhere, a la Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield,
because he has some natural talent. He just needs time – a lot of time –
to figure it out at the pro level.
The Air Index presented by FedEx ranks NFL quarterback performances all
season long. Check out the weekly FedEx Air NFL Players of the Week and
cast your vote after Sunday Night Football.
https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-qb-index-ranking-all-32-teams-primary-starting-quarterbacks-at-the-end-of-th-x3120
NFL QB Index: Ranking all 32 teams' primary starting quarterbacks at the
end of the 2023 regular season
Published: Jan 11, 2024 at 02:47 PM
Headshot_Author_Nick-shook_1400x1000
Nick Shook
Around The NFL Writer
NOTE: This week's rankings feature each team's most prominent starting
quarterback, based solely on play from the 2023 regular season.
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Card Weekend
Rank
1
Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens · Year 6
2023 stats: 16 games | 67.2 pct | 3,678 pass yds | 8.0 ypa | 24 pass TD
| 7 INT | 821 rush yds | 5 rush TD | 11 fumbles
Before another person takes up 90 seconds of your life with an MVP pitch
for Jackson, let’s face reality: Jackson’s season-long performance
wasn’t perfect. In fact, much of it wasn’t MVP-caliber. He didn’t enter
my top five QBs until Week 15. But his finish has been so incredible,
it’s difficult to point to any other quarterback (Dak Prescott,
perhaps) having a better year in total than Jackson, an elite player
with rare talents that powered Baltimore’s run to the AFC’s top seed. No
one in the NFL wants to play Baltimore right now, and it’s primarily
because it would mean dealing with Jackson. We’ll find out in a few
weeks whether he earned MVP honors – possibly just days before his team
plays in the Super Bowl.
Rank
2
Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott
Dallas Cowboys · Year 8
2023 stats: 17 games | 69.5 pct | 4,516 pass yds | 7.7 ypa | 36 pass TD
| 9 INT | 242 rush yds | 2 rush TD | 4 fumbles
If we eliminate two games from Dallas’ schedule (Week 5 at San Francisco
and Week 15 at Buffalo), Prescott is your runaway MVP. He’s been
fantastic for the vast majority of the season, powering a Dallas offense
that has evolved from one that relied heavily on CeeDee Lamb to a
unit that can spread it all over the field and succeed. A year after
leading the NFL in interceptions, Prescott has cut down on risky plays
while using his mobility to navigate the pocket and rip rockets to open
targets. He finished third in passing yards (4,516), posted a 36:9
TD-INT ratio, and even recorded his highest rushing total (242 yards)
since 2019. He’s been in complete command of Mike McCarthy’s offense,
which is what made their face plant in Orchard Park so stunning. I
believe that evening in Western New York could cost him the MVP --
especially when you juxtapose his Week 15 showing with Lamar Jackson's
undeniably strong close to the season. But individual awards won’t
matter if Prescott performs in the playoffs like he did for most of 2023.
Rank
3
Josh Allen
Josh Allen
Buffalo Bills · Year 6
2023 stats: 17 games | 66.5 pct | 4,306 pass yds | 7.4 ypa | 29 pass TD
| 18 INT | 524 rush yds | 15 rush TD | 7 fumbles
Bills fans who have been in my mentions since the midpoint of the season
have been lying to themselves about Allen’s overall ranking. He has not
been one of the two best QBs overall. But there’s beauty in Allen’s 2023
season: Although he wasn’t playing all that well while dealing with some
bumps and bruises, he persisted, and now the Bills are riding a hot
streak into the playoffs. Allen became a bit of a turnover machine
during Buffalo’s rough patch, and it won’t be easy to shake the 18
interceptions listed next to his name. But he’s been able to overcome
many of his miscues by relying on his unique brand of football, throwing
for 4,306 yards -- even while Stefon Diggs battles through his quietest
statistical season since 2019 -- while adding another 524 yards and 15
touchdowns on the ground. He’s still just as much of a nightmare to face
as ever.
Rank
4
Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford
Los Angeles Rams · Year 15
2023 stats: 15 games | 62.6 pct | 3,965 pass yds | 7.6 ypa | 24 pass TD
| 11 INT | 65 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 0 fumbles
Few of us had the Rams headed for the postseason when this year began,
yet here they are. A healthy Stafford, seemingly pushing every ability
to its fullest potential, has truly been a delight to watch play
football in 2023. Few quarterbacks, if any, threw the ball better and
more consistently this season than the 35-year-old -- even if the
numbers don't quite show it. And that's fine. Those of us who have
watched the tape know.
Rank
5
Tua Tagovailoa
Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins · Year 4
2023 stats: 17 games | 69.3 pct | 4,624 pass yds | 8.3 ypa | 29 pass TD
| 14 INT | 74 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 13 fumbles
I suspect TuAnon is ready to tar and feather me for ranking their guy
here, but I’m standing by my decision and dealing with the fallout that
comes. Tagovailoa put up crazy yardage totals in 2023 -- MVP-level
numbers -- leading the league with 4,624 passing yards. But I can’t get
over the fact he faltered in some huge games, especially against
defenses that knew how to throw a wrench into Miami’s machine. His
under-pressure numbers were significantly worse than when he wasn't
pressured (54.1 completion percentage versus 73.5, plus a 25.3-point
drop in passer rating), and in these matchups, he failed to elevate the
Dolphins. He also had a -- cover your ears, Dolphins fans -- turnover
problem, regardless of matchup, which is a big no-no when it comes to
evaluating quarterbacks. When Tua's dealing, it’s a beautiful thing, and
he dealt a lot in 2023. I just need to see him do it in a high-stakes
situation to be convinced.
Rank
6
Jared Goff
Jared Goff
Detroit Lions · Year 8
2023 stats: 17 games | 67.3 pct | 4,575 pass yds | 7.6 ypa | 30 pass TD
| 12 INT | 21 rush yds | 2 rush TD | 6 fumbles
Goff’s 2023 season has been a joyous revelation for Lions fans, who
watched their team win its division for the first time since I was an
infant. Once viewed as a bridge quarterback to make the Rams' trade for
Matthew Stafford work, Goff has shattered that take over the past two
seasons. In addition to his impressive stat line this season, he helped
propel Sam LaPorta to a fantastic rookie year. But for all of his
success in 2023 -- and there was plenty of it -- a glaring vulnerability
exists in Goff's game. When he’s protected, he can execute Ben Johnson’s
offense as well as any top-tier quarterback, and is tough to stop. But
when he’s thrown out of rhythm by pressure, it can get ugly. For most of
this season, the former occurred, which is why the Lions are hosting a
playoff game this weekend.
Warner and Carr's film-breakdown preview of Rams-Lions on Super Wild
Card Weekend
Rank
7
Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy
San Francisco 49ers · Year 2
2023 stats: 16 games | 69.4 pct | 4,280 pass yds | 9.6 ypa | 31 pass TD
| 11 INT | 144 rush yds | 2 rush TD | 6 fumbles
The last 21 months have been an incredible whirlwind for the polarizing
Purdy, a quarterback who calmly executes Kyle Shanahan’s offense with
poise and wisdom beyond his years, yet continues to be discounted due to
his draft status and seeming lack of elite traits. He’s also knocked for
being surrounded by elite talent, which is a hollow take, given he’s far
from the only quarterback playing with a quality supporting cast. I'll
admit that Purdy shocked me with how well he played early in the season,
dominating the likes of two eventual playoff teams (Pittsburgh and
Dallas) in the first five weeks of the season. The second-year
signal-caller ran into some struggles during San Francisco’s three-game
losing streak, forcing me to drop him in the QB Index for a time, but
he’s since bounced back well enough to earn a solid place in the top 10.
I wouldn’t vote for him for MVP, but he’s had a great year and continues
to defy expectations.
Rank
8
C.J. Stroud
C.J. Stroud
Houston Texans · Rookie
2023 stats: 15 games | 63.9 pct | 4,108 pass yds | 8.2 ypa | 23 pass TD
| 5 INT | 167 rush yds | 3 rush TD | 8 fumbles
When Stroud completed his pre-draft process, I felt as if the consensus
opinion -- Bryce Young over Stroud -- was short-sighted.
Stroud’s greatest strength (accuracy) typically makes for the smoothest
transition to the NFL, given a quarterback land in a good situation.
That’s exactly what happened for Stroud, who was selected by a team with
a franchise left tackle and a coordinator willing to design his offense
around his quarterback. The results have been stunning: 4,108 yards, a
23:5 TD-INT ratio, a 100.8 passer rating and a division title for the
formerly cellar-dwelling Texans. Houston doesn't earn a playoff berth
without Stroud, bottom line. He’s been remarkably poised and confident,
relying on his talent and accuracy to put together one of the best
rookie seasons by a quarterback since Cam Newton and Andrew Luck. He’s
the clear front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year, and he deserves
some outside consideration for MVP. And he’s only just getting started.
Rank
9
Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs · Year 7
2023 stats: 16 games | 67.2 pct | 4,183 pass yds | 7.0 ypa | 27 pass TD
| 14 INT | 389 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 5 fumbles
If you asked the average NFL fan to describe Mahomes' 2023 season, my
guess is they'd respond with "Disappointing." And yet, his overall
numbers still rank among the league's best. The two-time MVP was let
down by his teammates on multiple occasions over the course of he
17-game slate -- some in more high-profiled situations than others --
and yet he still threw for 4,183 yards, 27 touchdowns and 14
interceptions. That’s a down year for Mahomes, an otherworldly talent
who is still in the MVP conversation despite Kansas City’s struggles. If
his receivers had caught the ball more consistently this season -- and
if he hadn't pressed the Chiefs into a Christmas Day loss to the Raiders
-- he’d rank higher.
Rank
10
Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins
Minnesota Vikings · QB
2023 stats: 8 games | 69.5 pct | 2,331 pass yds | 7.5 ypa | 18 pass TD |
5 INT | 25 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 7 fumbles
This season was shaping up to be one of the best of Cousins' career when
it suddenly came to a halt due to a season-ending Achilles injury.
Cousins was sharp and composed even while the rest of his teammates
struggled during a rough start to the season, steadily keeping them
afloat almost on his own. He was on pace to throw for more than 4,700
yards and shatter his career-high passing touchdown mark of 35 before he
went down, and the tape was even better than the numbers. We’ll never
know how it may have turned out, but we know one thing for sure: The
Vikings undoubtedly need him in 2024.
Rank
11
Jordan Love
Jordan Love
Green Bay Packers · Year 4
2023 stats: 17 games | 64.2 pct | 4,159 pass yds | 7.2 ypa | 32 pass TD
| 11 INT | 247 rush yds | 4 rush TD | 9 fumbles
If we gave an award for the most improved player over the course of a
season, Love would win it in runaway fashion. He’s grown from a
quarterback who self-destructed in key moments late in games to one who
aggressively buries opponents with his athletic abilities and arm
talent. His ascendance has been so rapid and so noticeable that some of
his recent performances have been compared to those of Brett Favre and
Aaron Rodgers. Love’s late-season hot streak propelled the Packers into
the playoffs, while also putting his name firmly on the map as one of
the bright stars of the future. He’s flinging back-foot touchdown
passes, and scrambling and diving for touchdowns with zero fear. He’s
simply a joy to watch. I think you have your permanent replacement for
Rodgers, Packers fans.
Rank
12
Joe Flacco
Joe Flacco
Cleveland Browns
2023 stats: 5 games | 60.3 pct | 1,616 pass yds | 7.9 ypa | 13 pass TD |
8 INT | 2 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 4 fumbles
Deciding which QB to pick for the Browns was the most complicated
decision of this entire exercise. Deshaun Watson started the most
games for Cleveland (six) this season, but he’s been out for so long
(and wasn’t particularly effective even when he was available) that he’s
become a mere memory in this 2023 tale. Flacco Fever is all the rage in
Cleveland now, so we’ll proceed with the team’s starter entering the
postseason. Seems only fair considering the Browns might have missed the
playoffs entirely if not for the ageless wonder from Delaware. Since
making his Browns debut in Week 13, Flacco leads the NFL with 323.2
passing yards per game. He also led the league in passing yards (1,616),
passing touchdowns (13) and – because he’s seemingly playing without a
care in the world – interceptions (eight) in December. Although he's
likely not long for Cleveland, he’s made one hell of a comeback, so much
so that he might win NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Next up: His first
playoff start in nine years.
Josh Cribbs shares his reaction to Joe Flacco leading Browns to the
postseason
Rank
13
Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts
Philadelphia Eagles · Year 4
2023 stats: 17 games | 65.4 pct | 3,858 pass yds | 7.2 ypa | 23 pass TD
| 15 INT | 605 rush yds | 15 rush TD | 9 fumbles
Philadelphia hasn’t played a complete game all season, and their
late-season skid suggests they could be set for a quick postseason exit.
As the quarterback, Hurts will instantly draw the most blame and
criticism for the Eagles' struggles, but much of the team's problems
hasn’t been his fault exclusively. He’s done some incredible things
throughout the season. Those might be going overlooked, though, because
he’s no longer driving a wildly successful offense. The 15 interceptions
are a problem. His knee has caused issues with his mobility. And lately,
he’s looked both indecisive and a little slow in the pocket. There’s no
quick fix to what’s going on in Philadelphia, but Hurts hasn’t suddenly
fallen off a cliff, folks.
Rank
14
Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield
Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Year 6
2023 stats: 17 games | 64.3 pct | 4,044 pass yds | 7.1 ypa | 28 pass TD
| 10 INT | 163 rush yds | 1 rush TD | 8 fumbles
Mayfield has enjoyed a career renaissance in Tampa this offseason,
leading some Bucs fans to pencil in the former castaway QB as their
starter for years to come. He played some of the best football of his
six-year career in 2023, navigating a new offense with a new coordinator
and clawing his way through the NFC South to a division title. He broke
4,000 passing yards for the first time and has partnered with OC Dave
Canales so well that Canales is now attracting interest for
head-coaching gigs. Mayfield's turnaround required him to eat some
humble pie, but the 2018 No. 1 pick is better for it. The future is
bright for him in the Sunshine State.
Rank
15
Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence
Jacksonville Jaguars · Year 3
2023 stats: 16 games | 65.6 pct | 4,016 pass yds | 7.1 ypa | 21 pass TD
| 14 INT | 339 rush yds | 4 rush TD | 12 fumbles
Some advanced metrics and analysts might suggest Lawrence had a great
season, but here's my take: good, but not good enough. The 2023 campaign
was full of near misses for Lawrence, who threw for 4,016 yards and
completed 65.6 percent of his passes, but could have been so much better
had he succeeded on the margins. Close calls and unfortunate outcomes
were sprinkled throughout his campaign; those don't show up in his final
stat line, but they were visible on the tape. Folks will blame
Jacksonville’s collapse on Lawrence’s health, as he battled knee, ankle
and shoulder issues at various points during the season. But that he
missed only one start, despite all of those ailments, says a lot about
his toughness. I know there’s more potential in Lawrence than what we
saw in 2023.
Rank
16
Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow
Cincinnati Bengals · Year 4
2023 stats: 10 games | 66.8 pct | 2,309 pass yds | 6.3 ypa | 15 pass TD
| 6 INT | 88 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 2 fumbles
Burrow wasn't the same MVP-caliber player we've come to expect during
the first month of the season, when a lingering calf injury sustained
during training camp reduced the athletic quarterback with otherworldly
arm talent into a statuesque, uncertain passer. As a result, the Bengals
struggled. But as his health improved, so did Cincinnati's offense, with
the team ripping off four straight wins, including games against the
Seahawks, 49ers and the Bills. But Burrow was beset by injury again,
with a torn ligament in his wrist ultimately ending his season in Week
11. Because of his injury issues, we’ll never know the true potential of
the 2023 Bengals -- a sad reality that's true for the many NFL teams
that lost their starting QBs this season.
Rank
17
Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert
Los Angeles Chargers · Year 4
2023 stats: 13 games | 65.1 pct | 3,134 pass yds | 6.9 ypa | 20 pass TD
| 7 INT | 228 rush yds | 3 rush TD | 4 fumbles
Generally speaking, Herbert is a better quarterback than his 17th-place
position on this list. But he had a middling 2023 season, struggling
through two separate finger injuries, with the latter of the two – a
fractured index finger – ending his season prematurely. When he was able
to play, Herbert was uncharacteristically inconsistent in the accuracy
department, and the Chargers’ offense never connected well enough to
establish a rhythm. It was the worst campaign in an otherwise stellar
start of a career for Herbert, who will return under a new regime in
2024. Hopefully, he can stay healthy this time around.
Rank
18
Geno Smith
Geno Smith
Seattle Seahawks · Year 11
2023 stats: 15 games | 64.7 pct | 3,624 pass yds | 7.3 ypa | 20 pass TD
| 9 INT | 155 rush yds | 1 rush TD | 5 fumbles
A fireworks show of a 2022 season saw Smith paid handsomely in the
offseason. But after throwing for 4,282 yards and a 30-11 TD-INT ratio
in 2022, Smith couldn’t replicate such production a year later. He
wasn’t bad, but he wasn’t great, often occupying the median range of the
QB Index with a number of performances that were good enough but far
from scintillating. We’ll fondly remember his performances in shootouts
with Dallas and Detroit but point to games like Seattle’s Week 6 loss to
Cincinnati as an example of what 2023 was for Smith.
Rank
19
Justin Fields
Justin Fields
Chicago Bears · Year 3
2023 stats: 13 games | 61.4 pct | 2,562 pass yds | 6.9 ypa | 16 pass TD
| 9 INT | 657 rush yds | 4 rush TD | 10 fumbles
2023 was quite a roller coaster for Fields and the Bears, who failed to
protect him adequately early in the season and left him to fend for
himself while receivers struggled to get open. The broadcast copies of
these games depicted a quarterback hanging onto the football for too
long and being forced to run for his life as his only chance of success,
but it was more complicated than that. Fields quickly (and temporarily)
shifted his narrative with a fantastic showing in a win over Washington
in Week 5, tossing four touchdown passes and shredding one of the NFL’s
worst defenses, but a dislocated right thumb interrupted his sudden good
mojo. He returned in time to finish strong, leading the Bears to four
wins in their final six games and delivering a strong counterargument to
those who wanted to ship him out of town in 2024, but it remains to be
seen whether that was enough to sell the Bears on keeping him. I know
this: Fields is incredibly talented and will thrive in the right
situation. I guarantee it. I just can’t promise that situation will be
in Chicago.
Justin Fields on time with Bears: 'I gave it my all'
Rank
20
Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson
Denver Broncos · Year 12
2023 stats: 15 games | 66.4 pct | 3,070 pass yds | 6.9 ypa | 26 pass TD
| 8 INT | 341 rush yds | 3 rush TD | 10 fumbles
A rough start sent everyone in the Mile High City into crisis-management
mode. Wilson was taking fire from every direction, but clues of a
prosperous future existed in the Broncos’ early-season defeats. He threw
for 308 yards and three touchdowns in a shocking Week 2 loss to
Washington, then found himself beneath a Miami Dolphins scoring
avalanche in Week 3, but never wavered. When the Broncos suddenly turned
things around, Wilson was the steady captain of the ship, guiding them
to five straight wins, including four over eventual playoff teams. But
when Denver encountered choppy waters, it sent the captain overboard,
benching Wilson for Jarrett Stidham for the final two weeks and throwing
Wilson’s future into uncertain territory. Look, Wilson wasn’t the star
he once was in Seattle, not even close. There’s no guaranteeing he’ll
ever find that version of himself again, as he rarely put together four
quarters of quality football this season. But he wasn’t terrible,
either. That argument likely won’t win over Denver this offseason,
unfortunately.
Rank
21
Derek Carr
Derek Carr
New Orleans Saints · Year 10
2023 stats: 17 games | 68.4 pct | 3,878 pass yds | 7.1 ypa | 25 pass TD
| 8 INT | 40 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 7 fumbles
This season couldn’t possibly fit Carr better. He spent most of it
trying to find solid footing behind an offensive line that struggled to
protect him and had just as much of a tough time connecting with top
target Chris Olave during this stretch. The savior narrative that
followed Carr to New Orleans was hanging on by a thread with a team that
couldn’t decide on an identity until the final month of the season.
Conveniently, that’s precisely when Carr and the Saints played their
best football of the season, racking up four wins in their final five
games. Carr threw for 1,117 yards and a 14-2 TD-INT ratio in that span,
bringing in positive reinforcements to the debate over his long-term
viability as Saints starter. Hey, even Dennis Allen kept his job. It’s
all about what they can do in 2024, which brings limitless
possibilities, but will probably produce similar results, at least at
quarterback.
Rank
22
Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray
Arizona Cardinals · Year 5
2023 stats: 8 games | 65.7 pct | 1,799 pass yds | 6.7 ypa | 10 pass TD |
5 INT | 244 rush yds | 3 rush TD | 7 fumbles
The Cardinals were a surprisingly fun team to follow, not because they
won a lot of games, but because of the vibes, man. Arizona knew it was
going to struggle under center until Murray returned, which worked out
well for Murray, who instantly provided a permanent boost in both
production and potential for the Cardinals, a team that learned
firsthand how difficult it is to replace a quarterback. Arizona was a
significantly better team with Murray, who was facing a prove-it year
and appears to have secured his future with Jonathan Gannon’s squad, all
while winning just three of his eight starts.
Rank
23
Gardner Minshew
Gardner Minshew
Indianapolis Colts · Year 5
2023 stats: 16 games | 62.2 pct | 3,305 pass yds | 6.7 ypa | 15 pass TD
| 9 INT | 100 rush yds | 3 rush TD | 8 fumbles
The incredible optimism that oozed from Anthony Richardson evaporated
when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury at the end of the
season’s first month. In stepped Minshew, who held the keys to the
offense for the rest of the season solely out of desperation. He did a
very solid job as a veteran backup, nearly leading the Colts to the
playoffs while completing 62.2 percent of his passes for 3,305 yards, 15
touchdowns and nine interceptions. That’s about where Minshew lives in
the NFL at this point: a veteran backup who can keep a team competitive,
but won’t singlehandedly win you a ton of games. That was fine for 2023.
He’ll keep finding employment as a backup.
Rank
24
Sam Howell
Sam Howell
Washington Commanders · Year 2
2023 stats: 17 games | 63.4 pct | 3,946 pass yds | 6.4 ypa | 21 pass TD
| 21 INT | 263 rush yds | 5 rush TD | 5 fumbles
I was stunned to see Ron Rivera hand the entire offensive operation to
Howell, a quarterback who’d played in just one game prior to 2023. I
criticized this decision as being too hopeful, and while that ultimately
proved to be true, it certainly wasn’t that simple. Howell was rather
excellent for a good portion of the season, making a ton of plays out of
structure and seemingly cementing his place as Washington’s starter for
the rest of the season, if not longer. Unfortunately for Howell, though,
the turnover goblins didn’t forget to pay him a visit, plaguing him so
much down the stretch that Rivera was ready to bench him for Jacoby
Brissett. A hamstring injury suffered in practice kept Brissett from
replacing Howell, though, buying the youngster two more starts. His stat
line from those games: 36-of-55, 322 yards, two touchdowns and four
soul-crushing interceptions. I still see the potential in Howell, but
I’m not sure where he continues his career as a starter – or if such an
avenue exists at this point.
Rank
25
Will Levis
Will Levis
Tennessee Titans · Rookie
2023 stats: 9 games | 58.4 pct | 1,808 pass yds | 7.1 ypa | 8 pass TD |
4 INT | 57 rush yds | 1 rush TD | 7 fumbles
I’m riding with Levis because the since-fired Mike Vrabel told us
everything we needed to know when he chose to proceed with the rookie
over healthy veteran Ryan Tannehill in the back half of the 2023 season.
Levis might not be the future, but he provided us with enough proof to
think the Titans should give him another go in 2024. Levis is a gamer, a
quarterback filled with competitive fire, grit and a stubbornness that
drives his desire to prove his doubters (a group that included me)
wrong. He has plenty of room for growth, but I was remarkably impressed
by how unflappable he was in the face of pressure for much of 2023.
Sure, in some instances, he and the Titans had little chance of success
against defenses sending relentless blitzes at him, but that comeback
win over Miami will linger in my memory for a while. The kid’s got guts;
perhaps we’ll learn in 2024 whether he has the talent necessary to
become a consistently productive quarterback.
Will Levis' top plays | 2023 season
Rank
26
Aidan O'Connell
Aidan O'Connell
Las Vegas Raiders · Rookie
2023 stats: 11 games | 62.1 pct | 2,218 pass yds | 6.5 ypa | 12 pass TD
| 7 INT | 11 rush yds | 1 rush TD | 4 fumbles
Well, I did not have “O’Connell promoted to permanent starter” on my
2023 bingo card, but sure enough, Antonio Pierce made it a reality
shortly after replacing Josh McDaniels as interim coach. The decision
proved to be a good one, as O’Connell gave the Raiders a better chance
of success than Jimmy Garoppolo, completing 62.1 percent of his passes
for 2,218 yards and a 12-7 TD-INT ratio. The Raiders were competitive
with O’Connell, going .500 with him as the starter with a record of 5-5,
and he handled the responsibility of being an NFL starter better than
some other rookies (or second-year quarterbacks). Is he the long-term
answer? Probably not. But the Raiders will cross that bridge when they
get to it. They have bigger decisions to make in the meantime.
Rank
27
Kenny Pickett
Kenny Pickett
Pittsburgh Steelers · Year 2
2023 stats: 12 games | 62.0 pct | 2,070 pass yds | 6.4 ypa | 6 pass TD |
4 INT | 54 rush yds | 1 rush TD | 2 fumbles
This was not the sophomore season most expected from Pickett. He’s not
solely to blame – Matt Canada’s dreadful offense deserves a lot of it –
but it’s telling that Mike Tomlin went with Mason Rudolph over Pickett
in must-win games in the final month of the season. Pickett’s future
isn’t over in Pittsburgh because the sample size is too small and the
circumstances weren’t exactly ideal. But the pressure is officially on,
which might include a camp battle for the starting job next summer. If
he wins it, he’ll need to produce, because he’s just about out of excuses.
Rank
28
Desmond Ridder
Desmond Ridder
Atlanta Falcons · Year 2
2023 stats: 15 games | 64.2 pct | 2,836 pass yds | 7.3 ypa | 12 pass TD
| 12 INT | 193 rush yds | 5 rush TD | 12 fumbles
One cannot simply pin Arthur Smith’s firing on Ridder, but the
second-year quarterback had a lot to do with it. Smith expected Ridder
to grow as an entrenched starter, but what he instead received was an
inconsistent quarterback who showed flashes of his potential, yet too
often made crushing mistakes that doomed the Falcons. Smith’s patience
with the second-year quarterback eventually ran out, prompting him to
bench Ridder for Taylor Heinicke. When Heinicke predictably failed to
provide the reliability Smith so desperately sought, the coach
ping-ponged between players for the rest of the season, giving Ridder
the exact opposite of what he needed: stability. Atlanta will be
expected to seek another option at the position, and after yet another
7-10 season, it’s tough to blame them.
Rank
29
Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones
New York Giants · Year 5
2023 stats: 6 games | 67.5 pct | 909 pass yds | 5.7 ypa | 2 pass TD | 6
INT | 206 rush yds | 1 rush TD | 4 fumbles
Jones hasn’t played in months, and when he did play, it wasn’t pretty.
New York failed to protect him, and his health betrayed him, costing him
three starts before returning and suffering a season-ending injury. It’s
tough to take away anything positive from Jones’ abbreviated 2023
campaign because the Giants’ offense was terrible early in the season.
It felt as if he was playing with less than a full deck. We’ll always
have that comeback win in Arizona, though, in which Jones threw for 321
yards and two touchdowns, ran for another score and looked like a
quarterback a general manager might consider handing $40 million per
year. He needs to be that guy in 2024.
Rank
30
Bailey Zappe
Bailey Zappe
New England Patriots · Year 2
2023 stats: 10 games | 59.9 pct | 1,272 pass yds | 6.0 ypa | 6 pass TD |
9 INT | 83 rush yds | 1 rush TD | 2 fumbles
Significant change is on the horizon for the Patriots, who are parting
ways with Bill Belichick after 24 seasons. The Patriots gave up Mac
Jones project shortly after Thanksgiving and handed the keys to Zappe
for the remainder of an otherwise lost season. Zappe had bright moments,
like when he threw three first-half touchdown passes in an upset win
over the Steelers in Week 14. He also had a lot of Sam Howell-like
moments, turning the ball over in reckless fashion while trying to carry
the Patriots out of the deep hole in which they were mired for most of
2023. Zappe isn’t a viable long-term starter, nor is Jones. With a new
person in charge of personnel, expect the Patriots to look elsewhere in
2024.
Top 10 Patriots plays | 2023 season
Rank
31
Bryce Young
Bryce Young
Carolina Panthers · Rookie
2023 stats: 16 games | 59.8 pct | 2,877 pass yds | 5.5 ypa | 11 pass TD
| 10 INT | 253 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 11 fumbles
I knew it’d be tough sledding for Young in Charlotte this season, but I
had no idea it would be this bad. Simply, the Panthers failed Young,
from GM Scott Fitterer to Frank Reich on down. Carolina didn’t supply
him with quality weapons outside of Adam Thielen, put him behind a very
leaky offensive line, and didn’t design an offense capable of helping
him out or playing to his strengths. Young looked overwhelmed for most
of 2023, and when he tried to make an instinctive hero play, the
negative results ended up burying him. He had one great day in his
rookie season, completing 22 of 31 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown
in a narrow win over Houston, and threw three touchdown passes in a loss
to Detroit. Otherwise, it was pretty ugly.
Rank
32
Zach Wilson
Zach Wilson
New York Jets · Year 3
2023 stats: 12 games | 60.1 pct | 2,271 pass yds | 6.2 ypa | 8 pass TD |
7 INT | 211 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 11 fumbles
The Jets are expected to trade Wilson in the offseason, which tells you
everything you need to know about how 2023 went for the former No. 2
overall pick. We had already known enough about Wilson when the Jets
traded for Aaron Rodgers, and when that crumbled due to Rodgers’
Achilles injury, we were thrust into another prove-it year for Wilson.
Spoiler alert: He failed. Wilson had some promising moments within
games, but the total product was overwhelmingly bad, and a familiar
outcome for a player the Jets hoped would improve via osmosis after
spending a year around Rodgers. Predictably, that didn’t work, and the
Jets’ hopes are once again pinned on Rodgers. I do hope Wilson finds
another opportunity elsewhere, a la Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield,
because he has some natural talent. He just needs time – a lot of time –
to figure it out at the pro level.
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