Best Quarterbacks in the NFL Today 2026

The best quarterbacks in the NFL today are the passers projected to create the most offensive value entering the 2026-27 season. Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Matthew Stafford and Lamar Jackson sit in Tier 1 because each one can drive an offense even when the situation around him is not perfect.

This is a 2026-27 projection tier list, not a strict 1-through-45 ranking. The tier is the ranking. Quarterbacks inside the same tier are grouped by projected impact, not separated by tiny differences that can flip after one hot month.

The focus is real quarterback value: passing production, decision-making, arm talent, mobility, pocket management, third-down answers, turnover control, durability, offensive environment and late-game trust. The projected stat lines are SOG Sports adjusted projections based on consensus projection baselines, expected role, team context, rushing value and this tier ranking.

That is why this list is not just a passing-yards table. Jared Goff and Dak Prescott can project for huge volume, but Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes and Jayden Daniels bring extra value through rushing, creation and how much they stress a defense before the snap.

For all-time context, this list connects naturally to our best quarterbacks of all-time, and the main SOG Sports NFL page.

How We Ranked the Best Quarterbacks in the NFL Today

This ranking is based on a 2026-27 season projection. It is not only a career ranking, and it is not only a last-season stat ranking. The goal is to project which quarterbacks should create the most value entering the upcoming season.

Quarterback value is bigger than passing yards and touchdowns. The ranking weighs accuracy, arm strength, processing, pocket movement, rushing value, sack avoidance, turnover control, third-down performance, red-zone efficiency, playoff trust and how much responsibility the quarterback carries within the offense.

Team context matters too. A quarterback with elite weapons and protection can look different than a quarterback carrying a weaker supporting cast. A young quarterback in a stable offense can take a big leap. A veteran in a new system can rebound, but he can also fall off quickly.

The projected stats table near the bottom is there for context. It is not the entire ranking. A quarterback can rank higher than another player with similar numbers because of playoff trust, rushing value, creation outside structure or how much he changes the offense’s ceiling.

Team labels were checked against current 2026 quarterback depth-chart context, including Ourlads’ 2026 NFL quarterback depth charts. The ranking still follows the provided tier order.

Last updated: 2026 offseason. Team names follow the 2026-27 projection context.

Tier 1: MVP and Super Bowl-Level Quarterbacks

Tier 1 of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today 2026 ranking, featuring Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Matthew Stafford, and Lamar Jackson.

Tier 1 is for quarterbacks projected to play at an MVP or Super Bowl-winning level entering the 2026-27 season. These are the quarterbacks who can carry an offense, win shootouts, survive pressure and change the entire identity of a team.

Reminder: players inside the same tier are not ordered. Everyone in Tier 1 belongs in the highest projected quarterback class entering the season.

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

2026-27 projected stats: 4,150 passing yards, 31 passing TDs, 12 INT, 620 rushing yards, 10 rushing TDs.

Josh Allen belongs in Tier 1 because he gives Buffalo answers that almost no other quarterback can provide. He can throw through tight windows, attack deep, run through contact and turn a broken third down into a drive-saving play.

The turnovers will always be part of the conversation because Allen plays aggressively. That is the tradeoff. Buffalo lives with the chaos because the upside is enormous, especially when he becomes a red-zone runner.

In a 2026-27 projection, Allen has the cleanest blend of passing production, rushing value and real NFL impact. He can win from the pocket, win with his legs and drag an offense through games where the spacing is not perfect.

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

2026-27 projected stats: 4,280 passing yards, 32 passing TDs, 10 INT, 340 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs.

Patrick Mahomes remains the quarterback nobody wants to see with the game on the line. The regular-season numbers may not always separate him from every other top passer, but the trust level still does.

Mahomes solves problems that should wreck normal offenses: free rushers, broken routes, bad spacing, third-and-long and late-game pressure. He has made a career out of turning those situations into survivable football.

The reason he stays in Tier 1 is simple. If the Chiefs are close in January, Mahomes still feels like the best answer in the sport. Projection rankings have to respect that.

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

2026-27 projected stats: 4,460 passing yards, 34 passing TDs, 9 INT, 135 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs.

Joe Burrow is the cleanest pocket-passing projection in the league. The ball comes out on time, the accuracy travels to every level and he rarely looks overwhelmed by the moment.

The issue is never whether Burrow can play. It is whether Cincinnati can keep him upright and avoid asking him to survive too much pressure. When the protection is competent, he can carve up defenses with timing and anticipation.

Burrow does not need rushing volume to belong in Tier 1. His value comes from precision, toughness and the kind of passing rhythm that can carry a playoff offense.

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

2026-27 projected stats: 4,180 passing yards, 29 passing TDs, 12 INT, 60 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD.

Matthew Stafford is the oldest quarterback in this tier, which makes the ranking more aggressive. The reason he stays here is that his best throws still look different.

Stafford can attack tight windows with timing and power, and he does not need a perfect pocket to stay aggressive. Some quarterbacks produce clean numbers only when everything is easy. Stafford can still create offense when the picture is messy.

The risk is durability. If the Rams protect him well, he can play like a top-tier passer for another season. If the body starts to break down, this tier will look too high fast.

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

2026-27 projected stats: 3,620 passing yards, 25 passing TDs, 8 INT, 815 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs.

Lamar Jackson changes the math of every defensive call. His rushing threat opens lanes, freezes linebackers and turns ordinary option looks into stress tests.

The passing side has matured. Lamar does not have to play hero ball every snap anymore, and that makes the rushing even more dangerous. Defenses cannot sell out for one thing without giving him access to another.

The raw passing yardage may not match the volume monsters, but that misses the point. Lamar’s total offensive gravity is why he belongs in Tier 1.

Tier 2: Franchise Quarterbacks with Elite Upside

Tier 2 of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today 2026 ranking, featuring Drake Maye, Justin Herbert, Dak Prescott, Jordan Love, and Jayden Daniels.

Tier 2 is loaded with franchise quarterbacks. Some are already proven regular-season stars, while others are younger players projected to keep climbing quickly.

Drake Maye, New England Patriots

2026-27 projected stats: 4,390 passing yards, 31 passing TDs, 14 INT, 480 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs.

Drake Maye is one of the boldest placements on the board. The ranking is betting on the arm talent, size, mobility and development curve that can turn a talented young quarterback into a weekly problem.

Maye can push the ball vertically without needing to be perfectly set, and he has enough athleticism to punish defenses when the pocket opens. That combination gives him a higher ceiling than a safer but more limited starter.

The concern is still support. New England needs to give him cleaner protection and more reliable separators. If that happens, Maye can make this tier look conservative.

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

2026-27 projected stats: 4,320 passing yards, 30 passing TDs, 10 INT, 315 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs.

Justin Herbert has the tools every team wants: big arm, size, mobility, toughness and the ability to make throws that most quarterbacks have to turn down.

The frustration is that Herbert’s talent has often been better than the situation around him. At some point, the projection has to ask whether the production and team results can fully match the traits.

He still belongs high because the ceiling is obvious. If the Chargers give him structure and protection, Herbert has enough talent to play like a Tier 1 quarterback.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

2026-27 projected stats: 4,350 passing yards, 32 passing TDs, 11 INT, 235 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs.

Dak Prescott is one of the safest high-volume passing projections in football. He can run the offense, identify matchups, throw with timing and pile up production when Dallas protects well.

The debate with Dak is not whether he is good. He is clearly a franchise quarterback. The debate is whether the top-end playoff trust matches the regular-season command.

That puts him in Tier 2. Strong enough to win a ton of games, productive enough to carry a passing offense, but still chasing the postseason answer that would move him into a different conversation.

Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

2026-27 projected stats: 4,040 passing yards, 29 passing TDs, 12 INT, 270 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs.

Jordan Love is one of the more volatile high-end quarterbacks because the aggression is both the selling point and the risk. He is willing to attack windows, extend plays and hunt explosives.

That mentality gives Green Bay a real ceiling. The Packers can win with structure, but Love’s willingness to create bigger plays is what makes the offense dangerous.

The next step is trimming the unstable stretches. If the decision-making catches up to the arm talent every week, Love can push closer to Tier 1.

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

2026-27 projected stats: 3,850 passing yards, 25 passing TDs, 9 INT, 760 rushing yards, 7 rushing TDs.

Jayden Daniels gives Washington a modern quarterback profile: accurate enough to win from structure, fast enough to punish man coverage and calm enough to avoid looking rushed by the moment.

The rushing value raises the floor immediately. Even on days when the passing game is not explosive, Daniels can create first downs and red-zone problems with his legs.

The projection is aggressive because the growth curve is exciting. If he keeps improving as a pocket passer, Daniels can become one of the hardest quarterbacks in the league to defend.

Tier 3: High-End Starters and Dangerous Playoff QBs

Tier 3 of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today 2026 ranking, featuring Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff, Jalen Hurts, and Brock Purdy.

Tier 3 includes quarterbacks who can play winning football and threaten defenses in different ways. Some are proven veterans, some are system fits and some are still projection-based upside plays.

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

2026-27 projected stats: 3,920 passing yards, 25 passing TDs, 12 INT, 320 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs.

Trevor Lawrence still has the physical profile of a top-tier quarterback. The arm, size and movement skills are all there, and his best stretches show why the expectations have never fully disappeared.

The problem is that the flashes have not always turned into week-to-week control. Jacksonville needs the offense to become cleaner around him, but Lawrence also has to cut down the empty possessions that keep him from moving higher.

Tier 3 is the right compromise. The talent says he can rise. The consistency says he still has to prove it.

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

2026-27 projected stats: 3,950 passing yards, 27 passing TDs, 12 INT, 420 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs.

Caleb Williams is still one of the most talented young quarterbacks in football. He can create outside structure, throw from odd platforms and turn a play that looks dead into a highlight.

The next step is learning when not to chase the highlight. NFL defenses punish hesitation, drifting pockets and unnecessary negative plays much faster than college defenses do.

Chicago has the kind of offensive upside that can help him climb quickly if the operation becomes cleaner. If Williams plays faster from the pocket while keeping the off-script magic, he can become one of the biggest risers in the entire ranking.

Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks

2026-27 projected stats: 3,850 passing yards, 25 passing TDs, 13 INT, 180 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs.

Sam Darnold’s placement is one of the more interesting calls in the article. His career has taken enough turns that people are naturally skeptical, but the recent version has looked more confident and more functional.

The arm talent was never fake. The issue was always decision-making, pressure response and whether he could stay out of the bad mistake cycle.

Seattle gives him a chance to keep the rebound going. If the cleaner version of Darnold holds up, Tier 3 is not crazy.

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2026-27 projected stats: 3,940 passing yards, 28 passing TDs, 12 INT, 170 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs.

Baker Mayfield rebuilt his value by getting back to the parts of his game that work: decisive throws, play-action rhythm, toughness and enough aggression to challenge defenses.

He is not the smoothest quarterback in the league, and there will always be a little chaos in the profile. Tampa Bay has made that work by leaning into his confidence instead of trying to turn him into someone else.

Baker belongs in Tier 3 because he can win with the right structure. He is not a passenger when the offense is rolling.

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

2026-27 projected stats: 4,420 passing yards, 30 passing TDs, 10 INT, 80 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD.

Jared Goff is one of the best structure quarterbacks in football. Give him protection, timing and answers in the play design, and he can carve up a defense all afternoon.

The Lions know exactly what he does well. That is why the projection is strong. Detroit’s offense lets Goff play on time, attack the middle of the field and get the ball to playmakers without asking him to improvise every snap.

The limitation is pressure. If the pocket gets muddy fast, the ceiling drops. In the right environment, though, Goff can absolutely play like a top-10 quarterback.

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

2026-27 projected stats: 3,520 passing yards, 24 passing TDs, 10 INT, 660 rushing yards, 12 rushing TDs.

Jalen Hurts brings value that a normal passing stat line will not fully capture. His rushing power changes short-yardage football, red-zone play-calling and how defenses have to fit the run.

The reason he is in Tier 3 instead of higher is the passing consistency. When Hurts is decisive and on schedule, Philadelphia’s offense can look impossible to defend. When the passing game gets choppy, the offense can feel harder than it should.

The rushing touchdowns give him a massive floor. A cleaner passing season would push him right back toward the top two tiers.

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

2026-27 projected stats: 4,110 passing yards, 28 passing TDs, 11 INT, 110 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs.

Brock Purdy has become a strong NFL starter because he plays with anticipation and timing. He does not have the biggest arm in the league, but he sees windows early and trusts the design of the offense.

The 49ers environment helps, but that does not mean Purdy is fake. Quarterbacks still have to make the throws, manage the spacing and avoid wrecking the play.

The projection keeps him in Tier 3 because the ceiling is tied to structure. When San Francisco is healthy and balanced, Purdy can run one of the most efficient offenses in football.

Tier 4: Starters with Big Projection Questions

Tier 4 of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today 2026 ranking, featuring C.J. Stroud, Bo Nix, Tyler Shough, Jaxson Dart, Bryce Young, Daniel Jones, and Aaron Rodgers.

Tier 4 is one of the most interesting groups on the board. It includes young quarterbacks with upside, veterans in complicated situations and players whose 2026-27 season could change their reputation quickly.

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

2026-27 projected stats: 3,980 passing yards, 24 passing TDs, 11 INT, 180 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs.

C.J. Stroud being in Tier 4 does not mean the long-term belief is gone. It means the projection is more cautious after the offense became harder to trust.

Stroud has already shown he can play with poise, accuracy and control. The issue is whether Houston can give him a cleaner platform and whether he can get back to playing with the same rhythm that made his early rise so impressive.

If the protection and timing improve, Stroud can jump back into Tier 2 quickly. This is one of the easiest placements to regret by November.

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

2026-27 projected stats: 3,820 passing yards, 25 passing TDs, 10 INT, 500 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs.

Bo Nix gives Denver a style that can work if the offense stays organized. He gets the ball out, moves well and generally avoids turning every snap into a rescue mission.

The question is ceiling. Can Nix push the ball downfield enough to scare good defenses, or is he more of a stable rhythm quarterback who needs the structure to win?

Tier 4 fits because the floor is interesting, but the next step still has to show up. More explosive passing would change the conversation.

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints

2026-27 projected stats: 3,350 passing yards, 20 passing TDs, 14 INT, 250 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs.

Tyler Shough is a projection-heavy name because the NFL sample is still forming. The appeal is the size, arm strength and enough movement ability to keep plays alive.

The difficult part is the speed of the league. Young quarterbacks can look comfortable in summer and then get exposed by disguised coverage, pressure looks and third-down windows.

Shough’s ranking is about upside more than proof. If he handles pressure quickly, he can beat this tier. If not, the volatility will show.

Jaxson Dart, New York Giants

2026-27 projected stats: 3,300 passing yards, 20 passing TDs, 13 INT, 440 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs.

Jaxson Dart brings confidence, toughness and movement ability. That gives the Giants a quarterback who can create more than a stationary pocket passer.

The aggressive style is the fun part, but it is also the risk. Dart has to learn when to take the shot, when to check it down and when to live for the next play.

There is real upside here. There is also real young-quarterback turbulence. Tier 4 captures both sides.

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

2026-27 projected stats: 3,520 passing yards, 22 passing TDs, 12 INT, 310 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs.

Bryce Young’s projection is really about whether the environment finally lets him play on time. His processing and touch were the selling points coming out, but bad structure can make any young quarterback look smaller than he is.

The rebound path is still there. Young has to be decisive, trust the pocket and avoid letting early pressure speed up the whole game.

He is not ranked higher because the proof still needs to arrive over a full season. The talent has not disappeared.

Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts

2026-27 projected stats: 3,200 passing yards, 18 passing TDs, 12 INT, 570 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs.

Daniel Jones has enough athleticism to keep an offense functional if the plan is built correctly. Designed runs, boots and quick-game answers can make him more useful than a pure pocket evaluation would suggest.

The limitation is passing ceiling. If the offense needs him to win dropback shootouts every week, that is not the best version of Jones.

As a bridge or structure-dependent starter, he has value. As a franchise elevator, the projection is much harder to buy.

Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers

2026-27 projected stats: 3,600 passing yards, 22 passing TDs, 10 INT, 85 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD.

Aaron Rodgers is the strangest name in this tier because the career résumé is obviously far bigger than the current projection. This list is not ranking careers. It is ranking expected 2026-27 impact.

The release, football IQ and pre-snap control can still win games. The problem is that age, durability and mobility all matter more now than they did in his prime.

If Pittsburgh protects him and the offense stays on schedule, Rodgers can still have sharp stretches. The margin for chaos is just much smaller than it used to be.

Tier 5: Upside Starters, Veterans and Developmental Bets

Tier 5 of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today 2026 ranking, featuring Malik Willis, Kyler Murray, Cam Ward, Jacoby Brissett, Kirk Cousins, F. Mendoza, and Geno Smith.

Tier 5 mixes veterans, new starters, rookies and high-variance projections. These quarterbacks could stabilize an offense, but they also carry real questions entering the season.

Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins

2026-27 projected stats: 3,000 passing yards, 18 passing TDs, 13 INT, 750 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs.

Malik Willis is one of the biggest projection swings in the article. The athletic tools were always there, but the question was whether the passing game could become stable enough to survive weekly NFL defenses.

Miami gives him a fascinating fit because speed and spacing can make life easier. If the offense leans into his legs while giving him defined reads, Willis can be a problem.

The risk is obvious. If the processing and accuracy do not hold up, the rushing value will not be enough. Tier 5 is aggressive, but the upside is real.

Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings

2026-27 projected stats: 3,700 passing yards, 23 passing TDs, 11 INT, 620 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs.

Kyler Murray’s best version is still dangerous. He can escape pressure, throw from odd platforms and make defenses pay when they lose rush-lane discipline.

The fresh-start angle is the reason he stays this high. In the right structure, Murray can look closer to a top-15 quarterback than a Tier 5 player.

The concern is consistency. If the offense becomes too reliant on improvisation, the week-to-week floor gets shaky.

Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans

2026-27 projected stats: 3,600 passing yards, 24 passing TDs, 14 INT, 325 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs.

Cam Ward has the arm talent and creativity to make a bad play look salvageable. That is exciting, especially for a Titans offense that needs more juice.

The challenge is knowing when to take the easy throw. Young quarterbacks with playmaking confidence often have to learn that boring completions are not a loss.

If Ward cuts down sacks and protects the ball better, he can become one of the more interesting risers in this tier.

Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals

2026-27 projected stats: 3,100 passing yards, 18 passing TDs, 9 INT, 215 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs.

Jacoby Brissett is not a flashy quarterback, but there is value in avoiding chaos. He can manage protections, take care of the ball and keep an offense from falling apart.

That matters for a team trying to stabilize around younger pieces. Brissett is not going to create a top-five offense by himself, but he can run a professional operation.

His placement is about floor. The ceiling is limited, but the trust level is higher than several more talented quarterbacks below him.

Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders

2026-27 projected stats: 3,500 passing yards, 22 passing TDs, 10 INT, 50 rushing yards, 0 rushing TDs.

Kirk Cousins can still throw with timing when the pocket is clean. He sees the field well, gets the ball out on schedule and can punish soft coverage.

The issue is mobility. If the protection leaks, Cousins does not have many escape answers left. That makes the team context more important than it is for younger or more athletic passers.

In Las Vegas, the projection is cautious. He can still produce if the structure is right, but the margin is not huge.

Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders

2026-27 projected stats: 2,900 passing yards, 16 passing TDs, 13 INT, 140 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs.

Fernando Mendoza is a future-facing name. The ranking is not built on a long NFL résumé. It is built on draft profile, size, arm talent and possible opportunity.

Rookie quarterbacks usually need time, especially when they are asked to process NFL pressure and coverage rotations immediately. Mendoza’s projection reflects that.

If he plays sooner than expected and handles the speed well, he can move up. For now, the safer view is developmental upside with growing pains.

Geno Smith, New York Jets

2026-27 projected stats: 3,400 passing yards, 20 passing TDs, 11 INT, 180 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs.

Geno Smith has already proved he can reinvent himself. That matters because his game is built on timing, touch and enough toughness to stand in the pocket.

The Jets fit makes the projection interesting but not automatic. Geno needs rhythm and support. If the offensive line and receiving group help him, he can still play quality starter-level football.

He is not a long-term ceiling bet. He is a veteran who can keep an offense alive if the situation cooperates.

Tier 6: Bridge QBs, Young Starters and Volatile Projections

Tier 6 of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today 2026 ranking, featuring Deshaun Watson, Mac Jones, Joe Flacco, Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy, Justin Fields, and Davis Mills.

Tier 6 is built around volatility. Some players are veterans with experience, some are younger quarterbacks still trying to prove themselves and some are role-dependent starters.

Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

2026-27 projected stats: 2,850 passing yards, 17 passing TDs, 11 INT, 380 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs.

Deshaun Watson’s projection is difficult because the gap between his earlier career peak and recent form is massive. The old version was a dynamic playmaker. The recent version has been far less stable.

The ranking cannot ignore the talent that once existed, but it also cannot pretend the recent tape has looked close to that level. Health, rhythm and confidence all matter here.

Tier 6 is the only honest placement. Watson needs a major rebound to climb.

Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers

2026-27 projected stats: 2,800 passing yards, 16 passing TDs, 10 INT, 70 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD.

Mac Jones can function when the offense is clean and the answers are built into the play. He is at his best throwing on time, working underneath and keeping the ball away from trouble.

The limitation is creation. If the first read is covered or the pocket breaks down, he does not bring the same rescue ability as the higher-tier quarterbacks.

In the right system, Jones can survive. Asking him to elevate a weak offense is a different conversation.

Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals

2026-27 projected stats: 2,600 passing yards, 16 passing TDs, 11 INT, 25 rushing yards, 0 rushing TDs.

Joe Flacco still has the arm to run a real passing game in stretches. That is why teams keep valuing him as a veteran option.

The projection is limited because age and mobility cap the week-to-week ceiling. Flacco needs protection, timing and enough help around him to avoid being asked to play outside structure.

As a short-term starter or backup who can win a few games, he still has value.

Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons

2026-27 projected stats: 3,200 passing yards, 20 passing TDs, 12 INT, 95 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD.

Michael Penix Jr. has the arm to attack downfield and the confidence to let routes develop. When protected, he can throw with pace and challenge defenses vertically.

The question is whether the full NFL game slows down for him. Pressure, second-reaction plays and tight-window decisions will decide how quickly he rises.

There is more upside here than Tier 6 usually suggests. The ranking reflects uncertainty more than lack of talent.

J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

2026-27 projected stats: 3,000 passing yards, 18 passing TDs, 11 INT, 420 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs.

J.J. McCarthy is still more projection than proof. The athleticism, toughness and leadership traits are easy to like, but the passing volume has to translate.

Minnesota can help him with structure and playmakers, which gives him a better developmental environment than many young quarterbacks get.

If McCarthy proves he can handle full-field reads and create without reckless mistakes, he can climb quickly.

Justin Fields, Kansas City Chiefs

2026-27 projected stats: 2,700 passing yards, 16 passing TDs, 11 INT, 800 rushing yards, 6 rushing TDs.

Justin Fields is still one of the most dangerous running quarterbacks in football. His speed changes defensive spacing, and his deep ball can punish teams that overcommit to the run threat.

Kansas City is a fascinating fit because the offensive infrastructure can make life easier, but the passing consistency still has to improve. Fields has to speed up his answers, avoid unnecessary sacks and keep the offense from living in second-and-long.

If that part improves, he can beat this ranking easily. If not, the rushing value will keep him useful but volatile.

Davis Mills, Houston Texans

2026-27 projected stats: 2,700 passing yards, 15 passing TDs, 10 INT, 60 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD.

Davis Mills brings size, experience and enough passing ability to manage an offense in stretches. He is not a high-ceiling projection, but he can function in the right role.

The issue is that “functional” only gets a quarterback so far in a league loaded with playmakers at the position. Mills needs strong structure to keep the offense competitive.

For 2026-27, he profiles more as a depth or bridge option than a true franchise answer.

Tier 7: Rookies, Comeback Bets and High-Variance QBs

Tier 7 of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today 2026 ranking, featuring Ty Simpson, Tua Tagovailoa, Marcus Mariota, Shedeur Sanders, Anthony Richardson, Carson Beck, and Jameis Winston.

Tier 7 closes the list with quarterbacks whose 2026-27 projection depends heavily on opportunity, health, development or role. Some have real upside, but the uncertainty is significant.

Ty Simpson, Los Angeles Rams

2026-27 projected stats: 2,600 passing yards, 15 passing TDs, 12 INT, 310 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs.

Ty Simpson is a forward-looking projection. The placement is about tools and possible development, not a finished NFL résumé.

The Rams can give a young quarterback a better runway than most teams because of their offensive structure. Still, rookie and young-quarterback projections need caution.

If Simpson gets real snaps and handles pressure well, he can rise. The early projection should stay measured.

Tua Tagovailoa, Atlanta Falcons

2026-27 projected stats: 3,300 passing yards, 20 passing TDs, 10 INT, 60 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD.

Tua Tagovailoa’s best football is rhythm passing. When the ball comes out fast and the timing is clean, he can be accurate and efficient.

The concern is durability and how much the offense has to protect the environment around him. He is not the kind of quarterback who wants the play to turn into a scramble drill every other snap.

If Atlanta gives him timing, spacing and protection, Tua can beat Tier 7. The risk is why he starts here.

Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders

2026-27 projected stats: 2,300 passing yards, 13 passing TDs, 9 INT, 470 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs.

Marcus Mariota still brings mobility and experience. That makes him useful as a spot starter or bridge option when an offense wants movement concepts and low-chaos football.

The ceiling is not high at this stage. Mariota can help an offense survive, but he is not projected to drive a top passing attack.

His value is role-specific. If a team uses his legs and keeps the passing plan simple, he can still be useful.

Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns

2026-27 projected stats: 2,600 passing yards, 15 passing TDs, 13 INT, 220 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs.

Shedeur Sanders is one of the more interesting young quarterbacks in the final tier. He brings confidence, accuracy flashes and a natural feel for working from the pocket.

The challenge will be pressure. NFL windows close fast, and young quarterbacks who invite contact or hold the ball too long can take some ugly learning-curve hits.

If Sanders adjusts quickly and avoids negative plays, he can become a much bigger part of the quarterback conversation.

Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts

2026-27 projected stats: 2,400 passing yards, 14 passing TDs, 12 INT, 760 rushing yards, 8 rushing TDs.

Anthony Richardson might have the highest raw ceiling in Tier 7. The size, speed and arm strength are rare even by NFL standards.

The issue is whether the passing becomes stable enough to trust. Rushing value can carry a quarterback for stretches, but long-term starting success still requires accuracy, timing and answers against disguised coverage.

If Richardson takes a real passing leap, he can jump multiple tiers. If not, the volatility remains the story.

Carson Beck, Arizona Cardinals

2026-27 projected stats: 2,450 passing yards, 14 passing TDs, 12 INT, 90 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD.

Carson Beck profiles as a quarterback who needs structure, timing and development. The frame and pocket traits are there, but the transition will decide how quickly he earns trust.

Arizona does not need to force him into a finished-product role immediately. If he gets snaps, the best-case path is efficient pocket football without too many rookie mistakes.

The projection stays cautious because there is still a lot to prove.

Jameis Winston, New York Giants

2026-27 projected stats: 2,700 passing yards, 18 passing TDs, 14 INT, 80 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD.

Jameis Winston is still one of the league’s most volatile quarterbacks. He can create explosive plays quickly, but the same aggression can flip field position the wrong way.

That makes him valuable in the right role and terrifying in the wrong one. If a team needs a spark, Winston can provide it. If the game calls for clean, mistake-free football, the risk is obvious.

Tier 7 fits because the arm talent remains, but the volatility keeps the projection capped.

Projected 2026-27 Stats Table: Best Quarterbacks in the NFL Today

Note: This is a 2026-27 season prediction table, not a final result. The numbers are SOG Sports adjusted projections built from consensus projection baselines, expected workload, team context and this tier ranking. Rushing touchdowns are included separately because mobile quarterbacks can create major value beyond passing production.

Closest Calls and Toughest Debates

Tier 1 vs. Tier 2

The hardest line in this projection is the gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2. Justin Herbert, Drake Maye, Dak Prescott, Jordan Love and Jayden Daniels all have paths to move higher if their 2026-27 season breaks right.

The difference is projection confidence. Tier 1 is built around quarterbacks with the strongest mix of MVP ceiling, proven dominance, playoff trust and weekly offensive control.

Matthew Stafford in Tier 1

Stafford is the most debatable Tier 1 quarterback because age and durability matter. The reason he still belongs there is high-end passing trust.

If healthy, Stafford can still make throws that very few quarterbacks even attempt. The risk is obvious, but the peak remains good enough to justify the placement.

Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels Climbing Quickly

Maye and Daniels are ranked aggressively because this is a projection. Maye brings size, arm talent and mobility. Daniels brings speed, accuracy and explosive dual-threat value.

Both could be ranked higher in future versions of this list if their offensive environments keep improving.

C.J. Stroud as a Rebound Candidate

Stroud being in Tier 4 does not mean the long-term belief is gone. It means the 2026-27 projection carries more uncertainty than it did after his strongest stretches.

If protection improves and the offense stabilizes, Stroud can absolutely return to Tier 2 or Tier 3 quickly.

Veteran Volatility

Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, Geno Smith, Joe Flacco, Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston all bring experience, but their projections depend heavily on role and situation.

Veteran quarterbacks can outperform younger players for stretches. The problem is that age, health and mobility make the full-season projection more fragile.

FAQ: Best Quarterbacks in the NFL Today

Is this quarterback ranking based on current stats or projection?

This is a 2026-27 season projection ranking. It is based on expected upcoming-season impact, not final season results.

Who is in Tier 1 of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today?

Tier 1 includes Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Matthew Stafford and Lamar Jackson.

Why is Josh Allen in Tier 1?

Josh Allen is in Tier 1 because of his rare combination of arm talent, rushing power, playmaking ability and MVP-level projected impact.

Why is Patrick Mahomes still in Tier 1?

Patrick Mahomes remains in Tier 1 because of his creativity, playoff trust, championship experience and ability to solve defensive problems better than almost any quarterback.

Which young quarterbacks could rise in 2026-27?

Young quarterbacks who could rise include Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, C.J. Stroud, Bo Nix, Jaxson Dart, Cam Ward, J.J. McCarthy, Shedeur Sanders and Ty Simpson.

What matters most in this quarterback projection?

The biggest factors are projected passing impact, decision-making, arm talent, mobility, pocket management, durability, offensive situation, playoff trust and how much each quarterback elevates his team.

Conclusion: Best Quarterbacks in the NFL Today Entering 2026-27

Ranking the best quarterbacks in the NFL today is different from ranking the greatest quarterbacks of all-time. This list is about who can shape the 2026-27 season right now.

Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Matthew Stafford and Lamar Jackson headline Tier 1 because they have the strongest mix of proven dominance, elite traits, playoff trust and season-changing upside.

The next tiers show how deep the position is. Drake Maye, Justin Herbert, Dak Prescott, Jordan Love, Jayden Daniels, Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams, Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff, Jalen Hurts and Brock Purdy all have realistic paths to major seasons.

The young projection group could change the board fast. C.J. Stroud, Bo Nix, Tyler Shough, Jaxson Dart, Cam Ward, J.J. McCarthy, Shedeur Sanders, Anthony Richardson, Carson Beck and Ty Simpson all carry enough uncertainty to move multiple tiers depending on opportunity, protection and development.

Stats matter, but command matters too. The best quarterbacks are the ones who make the offense feel dangerous before the ball is even snapped.

More NFL Rankings

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• Best Quarterbacks of All-Time
• Best Wide Receivers of All-Time
• Best Running Backs of All-Time
• Best Pass Rushers in NFL History
• Best Running Backs in the NFL Today
• Best Edge Rushers in the NFL Today
• NFL Team All-Time Player Rankings Hub

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