In a recent survey conducted by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, NFL coaches, executives, and scouts have overwhelmingly crowned Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes as the league’s top signal-caller. Mahomes, who boasts three Super Bowl MVPs in the last five years, received all but one of the first-place votes from nearly 80 respondents.
The Top 10 Quarterbacks Ranked
- Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)
- Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)
- Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)
- Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens)
- Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams)
- Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers)
- C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans)
- Aaron Rodgers (New York Jets)
- Jared Goff (Detroit Lions)
- Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys)
Mahomes’ dominance in the league is well-documented. By age 28, he has established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, showing remarkable versatility and growth. Initially known for his ability to dismantle defenses with deep passes, Mahomes adapted his game in 2023, playing a more cerebral style. With the Chiefs’ receiving corps struggling, he relied on underneath and intermediate passes, accumulating 4,183 yards and 27 touchdowns against 14 interceptions.
An NFC executive highlighted Mahomes’ clutch performances: “When it’s late in a meaningful game and Mahomes is playing, you just know he’s going to find a way to win. The game’s slowed down for him in that way.”
Joe Burrow’s ranking at No. 2 is somewhat surprising, given his injury-plagued 2023 season. The Bengals star played only 10 games due to a torn ligament in his right wrist and a calf strain that limited his preseason. Despite these setbacks, Burrow threw for 2,903 yards and 15 touchdowns against six interceptions. Concerns about his injury history and the Bengals’ roster changes, including the departure of running back Joe Mixon and issues with wide receiver Tee Higgins, linger. Nonetheless, an executive praised Burrow’s consistency and toughness: “A pure thrower who’s in complete command of the offense and comes up big in big moments.”
Josh Allen, known for his unmatched physical talents, placed third. However, his consistency remains a point of contention. He led the NFL with 18 interceptions last season, and the departure of wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans adds to his challenges in 2024. One NFL executive criticized Allen, labeling him “one of the more overrated players in the NFL” due to his turnover issues.
Lamar Jackson, the reigning NFL MVP, secured the fourth spot after a stellar season. Jackson threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns against six interceptions, achieving a passer rating above 100 for only the second time in his career. Executives believe his improved pocket passing will extend his prime. An AFC executive noted, “He was better than the numbers say as a pocket passer. Really efficient. May not have had crazy production but always made a lot of plays.”
Conclusion
This top 10 ranking highlights the diverse talents and varying play styles of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. Mahomes’ adaptability, Burrow’s consistency, Allen’s physical prowess, and Jackson’s dual-threat capabilities underscore the dynamic nature of the position. As the 2024 season approaches, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how these quarterbacks continue to shape the league.
