Ranking the greatest quarterbacks in NFL right now — Lamar Jackson dethroned and Tua Tagovailoa knocked out

The best quarterback in the NFL is still searching for his first Super Bowl trophy.

And a recent No. 1 overall draft pick barely made this top 20 list.

Quarterback is the most important and powerful position in pro sports, which is why Netflix has devoted two seasons to a behind-the-scenes series featuring Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow and Jared Goff on the big stage.

With Tom Brady making $375 million and having his own rules in the TV broadcast booth, a new collection of young QBs is changing the game and ushering the league into a fascinating era.

Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams and Bo Nix are on the rise, while Cam Ward is the latest face of the Tennessee Titans and Jaxson Dart could soon lead the New York Giants.

Here is talkSPORT’s look at the top 20 quarterbacks in the NFL — right now.

Bo Nix, Drake Maye and Tagovailoa fell out of the list this week.

Check back regularly, because the rankings will keep changing from Week 2 until Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

20. Justin Fields, New York Jets

Fields deserved more than a tough late-game loss to Aaron Rodgers.

The former No. 11 overall pick produced 266 combined offensive yards and three touchdowns.

He was a true dual-threat who just needed a better defense in Week 1.

Getty

19. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

New head coach Ben Johnson will try to get the best out of the young Bear in year two.

But Williams started 0-1 after falling to J.J. McCarthy, and his No. 1 pick status looks more questionable than ever.

Williams’ accuracy and late-game decision making must improve.

18. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

This is a make-or-break year for Lawrence — and the former No. 1 pick almost didn’t make this list.

Lawrence is 23-38 since entering the NFL from Clemson, and his 2024 season was his most frustrating.

The ex-Tiger will lean on new head coach Liam Coen for a rebound in ’25.

A 26-10 blowout of Carolina in Week 1 was an encouraging start.

Getty

17. Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders

Smith was superb for the Raiders in Week 1.

He threw for 362 yards, completed 70.6 percent of his passes, and posted a 102.8 rating.

While Sam Darnold struggled with Seattle, Smith played like he was still at his Seahawks peak.

16. Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers

Welcome back, old man.

The 41-year-old Rodgers outdueled Justin Fields and guided the Steelers to a gritty 34-32 road win over the Jets.

This was why Mike Tomlin insisted that Pittsburgh had to sign the future Hall of Famer.

15. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

Stroud wowed the NFL as a rookie, then returned to earth as a sophomore.

He struggled to get off the ground in Week 1 of his third season.

Stroud and the Texans’ offense must be better — Houston fans are depending on it.

14. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

One of the best-paid QBs in the NFL spent Week 1 reminding football why he was the No. 1 pick in 2019.

Murray was 21-of-29 for two touchdowns and a sharp 108.8 rating.

The Cardinals started 1-0, and Arizona could be a playoff team if Murray stays away from turnovers.

13. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

It’s easy to forget that Prescott finished second in NFL MVP voting just two years ago.

So much has happened to Prescott and the Cowboys — Micah Parsons suddenly being traded to Green Bay was the latest blow — and the highest-paid QB in the league only played eight games last year.

Prescott still has the ability to put up big numbers, and he’ll get to choose between CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens in 2025.

But he started 0-1, and Jalen Carter wasn’t even on the field for the Eagles.

12. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

The status of Stafford’s back was one of the biggest questions of training camp.

Then he cracked 60,000 career passing yards and got closer to the Hall of Fame.

This could be his final run in Los Angeles.

Stafford deserves to go out on a high note.

11. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Mr. Irrelevant is a top 10 quarterback in the NFL.

Purdy threw for 3,864 yards and 20 TD last year, while ranking seventh in QB rating (64.8) and playing without star running back Christian McCaffrey.

A $265 million contract cemented Purdy’s standing in San Francisco.

But will he be able to play in Week 2 against the Saints?

10. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

One of the gutsiest QBs in the NFL keeps winning over critics.

Mayfield was the No. 1 pick in 2018, then watched the Cleveland Browns ditch him for Deshaun Watson.

Back-to-back playoff appearances with Tampa Bay could be followed with a third straight showcase this year.

Mayfield finished 11th in NFL MVP voting last season, and the Bucs play their butts off for him.

That was obvious as Tampa Bay fought back to beat Michael Penix Jr. and the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.

9. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

This is the time for Love to put Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre in the past.

With Micah Parsons leading Green Bay’s defense, Love is now the QB of a Super Bowl contender.

After watching and waiting for three years, the first-rounder from Utah State has a huge platform in 2025.

8. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Herbert should be in the top five.

He has one of the best arms in the league and has twice finished in the top 10 in NFL MVP voting.

The Chargers’ 11-6 record last year was proof that Herbert is heading upward.

So was an impressive season-opening win against the Chiefs in Brazil.

7. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Daniels had an even better rookie season than Stroud, and is the reason that Washington could eclipse the reigning Super Bowl champs in the NFC East.

Washington added veteran experience around Daniels for his second season.

He could be even more efficient in 2025, and the former LSU star has the confidence to carry the Commanders even higher.

6. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Doubt the Super Bowl MVP at your peril.

Hurts was perfect for Philadelphia last season, no matter what a few social media experts say.

He finished fifth in passer rating (103.7) and led an Eagles offense that totaled 145 points in four playoff victories.

If winning is all that matters, Hurts is the easy answer in Philly.

Getty

5. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

Goff was second in passer rating (111.8) and sixth in QB rating (65.4) last season, while guiding an attack that led the NFL with 33.2 points per game.

Now the Lions’ franchise QB must prove that he can do the same with former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson coaching the division rival Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams.

Detroit’s 27-13 loss to Green Bay didn’t ease concerns.

4. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Mahomes has the biggest current name in the NFL.

But he’s not the best QB right now.

Mahomes was tied-for-16th in passer rating (93.5) last year, and he was one of the main reasons that Kansas City lost Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

He’s undoubtedly one of the most talented QBs in NFL history.

But Mahomes’ 2025 revenge tour must produce better numbers — and better QB play.

Herbert was the better QB in Brazil.

3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Speaking of the NFL MVP …

On another planet, Burrow would have captured the league’s most prestigious award.

The LSU national champion completed 70.6 percent of his passes for 4,918 yards, 43 TD and a 108.5 passer rating.

Those are video-game numbers from a two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Burrow deserves a better defense.

Getting a Week 1 win was huge for the Bengals QB.

2. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Jackson is so talented that it will be a shame if he never wins the big game.

He also has to start winning the big games leading to the Super Bowl.

A frustrating finish against Buffalo in Week 1 was another reminder that the Ravens fall short too often.

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Picking the best QB out of the top three was almost impossible.

Allen was the NFL’s MVP last year, and he was so efficient that it was scary.

The No. 7 overall pick from Wyoming can throw and run over you, and he perfectly represents the Bills Mafia.

In the last five years, Allen has finished in the top five of MVP voting four times.

He’s that good.

Allen also turned the first 2025 edition of Sunday Night Football into a reminder why the MVP belongs to him.

Getty

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for news, exclusive interviews and more.