You’ve heard it a thousand times before… But the NFL is a quarterback-driven league. Without a legitimate franchise QB it is EXTREMELY hard to succeed.
So, let’s take a look the upcoming season—and beyond—and rank every NFL team’s franchise quarterback, based on both their current ability and their long-term promise!
32. Washington Commanders – Sam Howell
Sam Howell did win his lone start in 2022, albeit in a rather underwhelming fashion, completing just 11 of 19 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown, while also tossing one pick.
The former UNC quarterback is going to have an opportunity to play in yet another transitional season for Washington—and who knows?! Maybe he will prove himself to be a competent starter…
But until we see it on the field, Mr. Howell’s gotta remain at the bottom of our rankings.
31. Atlanta Falcons – Desmond Ridder
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Desmond Ridder put up slightly better numbers than Howell, posting a two and two record, completing 63.5-percent of his passes, but for just 708 total yards and two touchdowns—and no interceptions… But at the same time, he didn’t have the kind of showing that would scream—“This is our guy!”
He only has to hold off Taylor Heinicke to keep the starting job in Atlanta this year, but he’s still a long ways off from being a true franchise quarterback.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Baker Mayfield
The former number one overall pick showed so much promise during those early days in Cleveland, but it really seems like it has all come unraveled at this point.
He’s now with his fourth team and it is put up or shut up time for the former Heisman trophy winner. He needs to find a way to win games—and perform consistently in Tampa, otherwise, he is going to run out of rope.
29. Los Angeles Rams – Matt Stafford
We are now firmly in the twilight period of Matt Stafford’s career—and the daylight is fading fast.
At 35-years-old, with his injury history… his days of being considered a true franchise quarterback are over.
28 Green Bay Packers – Jordan Love
Well, if there is one thing that the Green Bay Packers have done well over the past few decades it is find themselves a franchise quarterback.
Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers… now to Jordan Love.
We still have doubts about what Love will look like under center at the pro level, but he’ll have his chance to prove us wrong this year.
27. Las Vegas Raiders – Jimmy Garoppolo
Jimmy Garoppolo is many things… A former second-round pick, a Super Bowl champion—at least as a backup… He’s even a solid starter in the NFL.
But what he is unequivocally not – is a franchise quarterback. San Fran had one of the most quarterback friendly systems imaginable and he still was extremely inconsistent.
Now—Vegas has decided to roll the dice on the swarthy signal caller. My gut check says that they are the latest in a long line of hearts broken by Jimmy G.
26. Denver Broncos – Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson is one of the rare entries on this list that was a franchise quarterback—before seemingly getting “Space Jammed” somewhere along his journey from Seattle to Denver.
It is always possible that he turns it around… especially with Sean Payton calling the shots now.
But until he becomes Russ again—he’s not going anywhere on this list.
25. Tennessee Titans – Will Levis
Will Levis has the dubious distinction of being the big name in the 2023 draft to tumble into Round 2….
But he will have a great opportunity to show what he can do in Tennessee this year—where the quarterback job is wide open.
That said—he wasn’t lighting the world on fire at Kentucky either, so we’ll have to see him prove it at the NFL level.
24. Seattle Seahawks – Geno Smith
Geno Smith went from nearly being cast out of the league, to now, Seattle rubbing its eyes and wondering if a new franchise quarterback has landed in its lap.
It is hard to argue with over 4200 yards and 30 touchdowns to just 11 picks, but with his track record, we need to see a little more..
23. San Francisco 49ers – Brock Purdy
Speaking of guys who still have more to prove… Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, who to his credit, looked electric before getting injured last year, still has to show us some more.
An eight-game sample size isn’t going to cut it… But we’ll give him an edge over Geno, who admittedly did slightly more with less, because he is much younger.
22. New England Patriots – Mac Jones
Man, if you told me Mac Jones would’ve been back here in the 20s after making the Pro Bowl during his rookie year playing for Bill Belichick, I’d have said you were crazy.
But he took a HUGE step back last year… And while it seems like a nagging back injury was a significant factor in this—as, reportedly, was their “committee” of offensive coordinators—Mac needs to get the train back on the tracks and prove he is the quarterback of the future..
21. New Orleans Saints – Derek Carr
Derek Carr has production was solid with the Raiders, but to many, those numbers seemed hollow—in part because the team was just 63 and 79 during his nine season, with no playoff victories to show for it.
He’ll have to prove he can be a difference-maker in terms of winning games, for the Saints.
20. Minnesota Vikings – Kirk Cousins
Cousins gets a slight edge over Carr for at least being able to coast to a couple of playoff victories. Sure, he’s not able to elevate his team over the hump… but at least he gets there!
That said—he still clearly isn’t the straw that stirs the drink in Minnesota—and those he’s been serviceable since breaking into the league with Washington, the buck stops there… and at his age—it is extremely unlikely that he takes that next step.
19. New York Giants – Daniel Jones
The Giants made big headlines this offseason by inking Daniel Jones to a four-year “$160 million” dollar deal… But with a closer look—it appears that New York is just about as sure that Danny Dimes is a franchise quarterback as we are… 50/50!
Because just the first two years of the deal are fully guaranteed, meaning that the Giants have a financially viable out in year 3 if he doesn’t continue to progress under the tutelage of Brian Daboll.
That said, the Giants did cater their system to his skillset last season and the real-time results were good and the upside looked promising… So perhaps Jones will take that next step and validate New York taking him sixth overall.
18. Cleveland Browns – Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson he did not look good in his return from suspension last year. The Browns went three and three during his starts and he totaled just 1102 yards and seven TDs to five interceptions. And, really, he looked like a shell of himself.
With a player as talented as Deshaun, maybe it is just a matter of getting more live reps—or recovering psychologically from ruining his public reputation with his behavior.
It feels like at this point—this one could go either way.
17. Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Richardson
It is obviously early—but there is reason for Colts fans to be excited about their 2023 first-round pick.
Anthony Richardson is one of the most physically gifted prospects we’ve seen in some time… and Indianapolis has a solid reputation for developing the quarterbacks it has taken in the first round.
He could very well end up “their guy” for the next decade.
16. Houston Texans – CJ Stroud
CJ Stroud is another young quarterback with a lot to prove, but a world of potential.
We gave him a slight edge over Richardson—because he seems to be slightly less raw… Though this assessment wasn’t without consternation because the young quarterback has the deck stacked against him with the whole playing for the Texans thing…
15. Detroit Lions – Jared Goff
With the early success he had in LA under Sean McVay—and the revitalized performance we saw out of him last season, it is hard to deny that Jared Goff is a solid quarterback to build around. Even with an albatross 0 and seven rookie year—and a tough first, three-win season in Detroit—his career record is still well over .500, he’s a three-time Pro Bowler, and he’s made it to a Super Bowl.
That’s a heck of a lot more than you can say about most guys!
14. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kenny Pickett
While Pickett had more than his fair share of detractors come out of the draft—and early into his rookie season… He played really well down the stretch of the year, during the Steelers shocking near-playoff run.
Should be an exciting time to come in the Steel City with Pickett as the focal point of the organization.
13. Arizona Cardinals – Kyler Murray
We are still somewhat bullish on the Cardinals’ former first-overall pick… But between the recent injury and the growing maturity concerns, his stock is definitely lower than it was a couple of years ago.
That said, he has shown enough at the NFL level—and has the pedigree and skillset—to be given the benefit of the doubt.
But he is on notice!
12. New York Jets – Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers may be coming off a rather meh 2022 season, but he is still more than capable of leading a team to Super Bowl contention and being one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
The only reason he’s not higher on this list—is that he still has Father Time to contend with and the 40-year-old can’t really be viewed as the ‘long-term’ plan for the Jets.
11. Chicago Bears – Justin Fields
The former Ohio State quarterback is a truly elite runner, has all the intangibles, and a talented arm. Fields still needs to develop more as a passer, but with the way the Bears leveraged his athleticism last year, Chicago should feel good about its quarterback situation.
He showed more than enough in 2022 to be viewed as a legitimate franchise quarterback.
10. Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young
I think when a quarterback is taken first overall in the draft, they have to be, by default, be a ‘franchise quarterback.’ At least until proven otherwise…
And to his credit, Bryce Young looks the part. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner is a proven leader and winner—and has phenomenal mechanics that should translate well to the NFL level—and allow him make all the throws needed to be a top contributor for years to come.
9. Miami Dolphins – Tua Taglovailoa
Tua, another former Alabama quarterback, gets a slight edge over Young, because of the highs we’ve seen him reach when healthy.
There are still some question marks around the lefty, but before the concussions last year, he looked like a potential MVP candidate—and we have to give him his credit.
8. Dallas Cowboys – Dak Prescott
Every since Dak Prescott stepped in for Tony Romo in 2016, all he has done is win games for the Dallas Cowboys.
His game isn’t perfect, especially with the I.N.T. bug he caught last year. But this is a guy who has gone 61 and 36 as a starter—and is one year removed from throwing for nearly 4500 yards and 37 touchdowns.
Will he be able to win a Super Bowl? I don’t know… But he is undeniably a franchise quarterback, plain and simple.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence was one of the most highly touted quarterback prospects in recent memory—and now that he’s gotten some of the Urban Meyer stank off him—he’s starting to show exactly why Jacksonville took him 1,1.
It will be exciting to see how he can build on their 2022 late-season playoff push—and insane Wild Card comeback this year.
6. Los Angeles Chargers – Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert has all the talent in the world, now he just needs to try and find a way to put that on display more consistently… And avoid the kind of let down that happened in the second half against Jacksonville in the Wild Card round.
Even so, with all the potential he has, plus the real time output, he deserves the sixth spot on this list.
5. Buffalo Bills – Josh Allen
Although a lot of the insane Josh Allen hype has now died down… that doesn’t make him any less of a star. He’s just not the other worldly superhero that the media tried to make him heading into last year…
And physically—he is one of the most talented guys we have ever seen at the position. No doubt he is still at the top of the list when it comes to “franchise quarterbacks.”
4. Baltimore Ravens – Lamar Jackson
Now that Lamar and the Ravens have finally gotten a contract worked out—it is time for the 2019 league MVP to show all of his critics exactly who he has been since he entered in the NFL.
A freakishly athletic quarterback—that you can build a team around.
With Lamar under center, the Ravens are always in playoff contention. He is that good.
3. Philadelphia Eagles – Jalen Hurts
Philly has a reason to be excited about the Birds for a long time to come… and that reason in Jalen Hurts.
He emerged as a bonafide star in the league this past year, throwing for 3701 yards and 22 touchdowns—and rushing for 760 and 13 touchdowns—in route to a 14 and one record as the starter.As long as he can stay healthy, Hurts will be the guy in the City of Brotherly Love.
2. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow
There are few athlete’s cooler under pressure than Joe Burrow… and he just so happens to do it while playing the most important position in sports.
Cincinnati needs to do everything that it can to keep Joe happy in stripes. After years of ineptitude for the organization, Burrow has made them relevant in a way that we haven’t seen since Ochocinco.
In fact, with two AFC title appearances and one Super Bowl appearance, Burrow has already blown past what 85 and Carson Palmer did way back when.
1. Kansas City Chiefs – Patrick Mahomes
I mean, this is an easy one… Patrick Mahomes is the franchise in Kansas City. And until further notice—wherever he goes—he is the franchise. He’s far and away the best quarterback in the league—and he’s turning just 28 this year.
Kansas City is sitting pretty in this department.
What NFL team do you think has the best franchise quarterback? Who has the worst? What did we get right? What did we get wrong?
