Week 7 has come and gone. Here are all 32 starting quarterbacks ranked worst to first heading into Week 8.
Week 7 of the NFL season has come and gone and it was a crazy week for the league’s quarterbacks. Some pretty significant changes in the rankings reflect that.
New to the rankings this week is Jameis Winston, who will be filling in for Deshaun Watson after Watson tore his Achilles. Gardner Minshew and Tua Tagovailoa return to the rankings.
32 New Orleans Saints QB Spencer Rattler
Last Week: 25/35, 71.4%, 172 yds, 0 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 47/75, 62.7%, 415 yds, 1 TD / 2 INT, 70.7 passer rating
Rattler is showing flashes, but he’s wildly overwhelmed at this stage. Maybe, given the right hire at head coach this offseason, he can fulfill his potential of being a starting quarterback in the NFL. Right now, he’s far from it.
31. Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson
Last Week: 10/24, 41.7%, 129 yds, 0 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 49/101, 48.5%, 783 yds, 3 TD / 6 INT, 60.0 passer rating
Anthony Richardson is seemingly regressing every time he takes the field. He’s gone from an inconsistent passer capable of creating big plays to one of the least accurate passers in the recent memory. His ability to make plays with his legs help, but he’s below starter level right now
30. Carolina Panthers QB Andy Dalton
Last Week: 11/16, 68.8%, 93 yds, 0 TD / 2 INT
Season Stats: 106/160, 66.3%, 989 yds, 7 TD / 6 INT, 82.0 passer rating
Dalton was simply awful against the Commanders. At this point, he’s not an upgrade over Bryce Young, and it’s time for Young to play again.
29. Tennessee Titans QB Mason Rudolph
Last Week: 25/40, 62.5%, 215 yds, 1 TD / 1 INT
Season Stats: 34/57, 59.6%, 300 yds, 1 TD / 1 INT, 72.3 passer rating
Rudolph and the Titans had a lead at halftime, but ultimately were outplayed significantly by a much more talented Buffalo team. Rudolph is consistently a solid spot starter but isn’t a long-term answer. Still, he remains an upgrade over Will Levis.
28. New York Giants QB Daniel Jones
Last Week: 14/21, 66.7%, 99 yds, 0 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 150/240, 62.5%, 1,442 yds, 6 TD / 4 INT, 80.6 passer rating
Considering that Malik Nabers was back from injury, less than 100 passing yards is flat-out pathetic. Daniel Jones proves time and time again that he is not good enough to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. It’s time the Giants let Drew Lock play and start preparing for the future.
27. Las Vegas Raiders QB Gardner Minshew
Last Week: 15/34, 44.1%, 154 yds, 0 TD / 3 INT
Season Stats: 114/174, 65.5%, 1,168 yds, 4 TD / 8 INT, 73.2 passer rating
Gardner Minshew came in for an injured Aidan O’Connell and played really poorly. He had played at a much better level before getting benched, so we will chalk that up to having to come in off the bench cold. Still, he’s a replacement-level quarterback.
26. Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix
Last Week: 16/26, 61.5%, 164 yds, 0 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 137/224, 61.2%, 1,246 yds, 5 TD / 5 INT, 74.4 passer rating
Nix is starting to take care of the ball, which is what is needed given the great Broncos defense. He’s making plays with his legs and picking up key first downs, and that’s helping to make up for his inability to complete passes down the field.
25. Cleveland Browns QB Jameis Winston
Last Week: 5/11, 45.5%, 67 yds, 1 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 6/12, 50.0%, 83 yds, 1 TD / 0 INT, 100.3 passer rating
It’s finally Jameis Winston time in Cleveland. Will he be good? Probably not. Will he be fun? Yes.
24. New England Patriots QB Drake Maye
Last Week: 26/37, 70.3%, 276 yds, 2 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 50/78, 64.1%, 541 yds, 5 TD / 2 INT, 95.1 passer rating
Two starts into his career, Maye has been pretty darn impressive. Given what we’ve seen, it was coaching malpractice for Jerod Mayo to sit him for the team’s first five games. A few more good games will have him flying up the rankings.
23. New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers
Last Week: 24/39, 61.5%, 276 yds, 1 TD / 2 INT
Season Stats: 158/256, 61.7%, 1,663 yds, 10 TD / 7 INT, 82.2 passer rating
Leadership is one of the most important parts of playing quarterback. Rodgers still has the physical talent and mental processing to be a very good quarterback in the NFL. But, this is not a guy that seems to be particularly interested in being the type of leader that Tom Brady was in Tampa or that Peyton Manning was in Denver. That’s quite the indictment.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence
Getty Image / Vince Mignott
Last Week: 15/20, 75.0%, 193 yds, 1 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 131/211, 62.1%, 1,527 yds, 9 TD / 3 INT, 92.3 passer rating
Lawrence has strung together some good games in a row, and is playing much more like the player who got a big contract this offseason. The Jaguars finally have some momentum, and a lot of it is due to Lawrence.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson
Last Week: 16/29, 55.2%, 264 yds, 2 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 16/29, 55.2%, 264 yds, 2 TD / 0 INT, 109.0 passer rating
Wilson was at risk of getting booed off the field, but he started finding George Pickens down the field. That’s an element the Steelers haven’t had in their offense this year, and Wilson’s ability to throw the deep ball is a huge plus. For now, he’s going to be the guy over Justin Fields.
20. Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa
Season Stats: 40/62, 64.5%, 483 yds, 2 TD / 3 INT, 78.9 passer rating
Tua is likely to return from the brutal concussion he suffered in Week 2. We all will be holding out breath and hoping for the best in terms of his health.
19. San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy
Last Week: 17/31, 54.8%, 212 yds, 0 TD / 3 INT
Season Stats: 138/216, 63.9%, 1,841 yds, 9 TD / 7 INT, 91.2 passer rating
The Brock Purdy fans love to point out his yards per attempt and other stats that make him look good. But, the true measure of a quarterback is what is he like when he has to elevate a team. We found on Sunday. With Christian McCaffrey and JaJuan Jennings already out, Deebo Samuel was limited due to illness and Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL. Without his super group of weapons, Brock Purdy was the emperor with no clothes.
18. Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott
Last Week: Bye
Season Stats: 142/224, 63.4%, 1,602 yds, 8 TD / 6 INT, 85.5 passer rating
Dak has a prime opportunity to change the narrative around his and his team’s season on Sunday Night Football against the 49ers. He needs to take advantage.
17. Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins
Last Week: 24/35, 68.6%, 232 yds, 1 TD / 2 INT
Season Stats: 162/242, 66.9%, 1,830 yds, 10 TD / 7 INT, 91.1 passer rating
Just when the Falcons had it rolling, Kirk Cousins hurt them with costly interceptions in a game they should’ve won at home against the Seahawks. Cousins has been inconsistent this season. That needs to improve if the Falcons are going to contend in the NFC.
16. Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams
Last Week: Bye
Season Stats: 130/199, 65.3%, 1,317 yds, 9 TD / 5 INT, 88.7 passer rating
Assuming that Jayden Daniels plays, we will get to see Williams and Daniels, the top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, square off. That should produce quite a bit of dialogue for the sports talk shows.
15. Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith
Last Week: 18/28, 64.3%, 207 yds, 2 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 191/279, 68.5%, 1,985 yds, 8 TD / 6 INT, 89.4 passer rating
After a few rough weeks for Smith and the Seahawks, he played a much more controlled game right around the above-average level he started the year. That kind of play will lead his team to the playoffs and possibly take Geno Smith to another Pro Bowl.
14. Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts
Last Week: 10/14, 71.4%, 114 yds, 1 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 116/171, 67.8%, 1,308 yds, 7 TD / 4 INT, 94.4 passer rating
The Eagles didn’t need to throw the ball much in their 28-3 win over the Giants. But, when they did, Hurts was efficient. That’s all you can ask for.
13. Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray
Last Week: 14/26, 53.8%, 145 yds, 1 TD / 1 INT
Season Stats: 130/196, 66.3%, 1,331 yds, 9 TD / 3 INT, 94.6 passer rating
The play calling in Arizona is doing Kyler Murray no favors.
12. Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love
Last Week: 24/33, 72.7%, 220 yds, 3 TD / 2 INT
Season Stats: 110/179, 61.5%, 1,351 yds, 15 TD / 8 INT, 94.1 passer rating
The highs are remarkably high for Jordan Love and he’s showing potential to be one of the truly elite quarterbacks in the league. If he can cut down on the turnovers and eliminate just one or two bad decisions a game, he’s got All-Pro potential. f
11. Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford
Last Week: 14/23, 60.9%, 154 yds, 0 TD / 1 INT
Season Stats: 132/198, 66.7%, 1,392 yds, 3 TD / 4 INT, 83.6 passer rating
Stafford is finally going to start getting some weapons back, as Cooper Kupp is set to return this week and Puka Nacua will be back as soon as next week. He’s played well enough in their absence, but will be even better when they’re back.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield
Last Week: 31/45, 68.9%, 370 yds, 3 TD / 2 INT
Season Stats: 165/234, 70.5%, 1,859 yds, 18 TD / 7 INT, 107.1 passer rating
Mayfield had two really bad interceptions against the Ravens. But, those plays weren’t the worst parts of his night. He’s now without Mike Evans (hamstring) for the foreseeable future, and Chris Godwin is out for the season. that’s a big blow for the gunslinger.
9. Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold
Last Week: 22/27, 81.5%, 259 yds, 1 TD / 1 INT
Season Stats: 109/164, 66.5%, 1,370 yds, 12 TD / 5 INT, 104.0 passer rating
Darnold rebounded from a subpar game against the Jets before the bye with another strong effort against the Lions. Is he good enough to win a Super Bowl? Maybe, maybe not. But, that’s a sentence nobody would’ve even entertained two months ago.
8. Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert
Last Week: 27/39, 69.2%, 349 yds, 0 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 107/164, 65.2%, 1,164 yds, 6 TD / 1 INT, 95.7 passer rating
Justin Herbert showed off his awesome arm talent in a loss to the Cardinals. He’s still an All-Pro caliber quarterback. But, offensive coordinator Greg Roman is not the guy that’s going to help him get to that level.
7. Houston Texans QB CJ Stroud
Last Week: 10/21, 47.6%, 86 yds, 0 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 152/229, 66.4%, 1,663 yds, 10 TD / 4 INT, 94.9 passer rating
Stroud has not been the same player since the injury to favorite target Nico Collins. His offensive line has some injuries, as well, and that’s impacting his play. Still, he should’ve been better than he was against Green Bay.
6. Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels
Last Week: 2/2, 100%, 6 yds, 0 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 127/168, 75.6%, 1,410 yds, 6 TD / 2 INT, 107.0 passer rating
Daniels left early on in the team’s blowout win over the Panthers, though the injury doesn’t seem serious. He should play this weekend against Caleb Williams and the Bears. A strong Bears defense will provide a tough test.
5. Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes
Last Week: 16/27, 59.3%, 154 yds, 0 TD / 2 INT
Season Stats: 127/187, 67.9%, 1,389 yds, 6 TD / 8 INT, 82.5 passer rating
Yes, the interceptions were not all his fault, coming on a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage and on a play where the receiver fell down on a well-thrown ball. Yes, his weapons are mostly injured. Yes, they’re still winning. But, Mahomes is not playing up to his lofty standards. He knows that, and I expect it to improve soon. For now, the stats are ugly, though his actual play is much better than the stats.
4. Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow
Last Week: 15/25, 60.0%, 181 yds, 2 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 159/226, 70.4%, 1,759 yds, 14 TD / 2 INT, 110.1 passer rating
The Bengals offense has been slowed down the last two weeks, but much of that is because they haven’t need to score a ton and have better managed the game while the defense has played well. Burrow continues to be a killer from the pocket and is putting together a season that should have him in the MVP talk.
3. Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen
Last Week: 21/33, 63.6%, 323 yds, 2 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 119/189, 63.0%, 1,483 yds, 12 TD / 0 INT, 108.4 passer rating
Remember all the talk about the high number of turnovers for Josh Allen? Through seven weeks, he doesn’t have a single turnover. That’s an absolutely remarkable stat. Yes, he had a clunker in Week 6 against the Texans. But, outside of that, you could make an argument he’s been the MVP of the league. He’s always been a big play threat. Now, he’s willing to take what defenses give him. That makes him nearly unstoppable.
2. Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff
Last Week: 22/25, 88.0%, 280 yds, 2 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 128/174, 73.6%, 1,610 yds, 10 TD / 4 INT, 111.5 passer rating
Goff has been absolutely sensational, leading the Lions to more touchdown drives than he’s thrown incompletions over the last few weeks. The situation in Detroit is great, with an awesome run game, good weapons, the league’s best offensive line, and awesome play calling. But, he’s taking full advantage of it, and he deserves credit for that. If it wasn’t for the guy ahead of him on this list, he’s the MVP.
1. Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson
Last Week: 17/22, 77.3%, 281 yds, 5 TD / 0 INT
Season Stats: 135/198, 68.2%, 1,810 yds, 15 TD / 2 INT, 118.0 passer rating
People used to say Jackson was a glorified running back playing quarterback. That was always an overexaggeration, and it especially is now. Few in the league are dicing defenses up from the pocket as well as Lamar Jackson is. When you add in his all-time great play-making ability from outside the pocket and his ability in the designed run game, you’ve got one of the most unstoppable quarterbacks in league history. That’s the level the MVP through seven weeks is playing at. It’s must-watch television every single wee.