Ranking all 32 starting quarterbacks entering Week 16 of the 2022 NFL season

With only a few weeks left in the NFL season, let’s take a moment to rank the 32 starting quarterbacks! Quarterbacks who are currently injured will not be included on this list, only those who started for their teams most recently (hence you won’t see Lamar Jackson, though I would include him in the Top 10 easily).

Without further ado, here we go!

1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

On course to break the NFL record for most passing yards in a season and the current leader in the MVP race, there’s no one else you can put ahead of Mahomes.

2. Jalen Hurts, Eagles

It’s truly incredible that a bad game from Hurts still ends with over 300 passing yards and three rushing touchdowns.

3. Joe Burrow, Bengals

The Bengals offensive line is still a liability more often than not, but the Burrow to Ja’marr Chase connection still goes strong. If Lamar Jackson leaves the Ravens in free agency this year, Burrow will likely be the unquestioned King of the (AFC) North.

Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images

4. Josh Allen, Bills

Some costly, careless turnovers this year have brought Allen down just a bit from his pedestal at the end of last year, but he can still take over a game at a moment’s notice.

5. Justin Herbert, Chargers

Make no mistake, this ‘social media’ quarterback is still one of the very best in the league, and that doesn’t seem likely to change anytime soon.

6. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins

Despite a couple of bad games recently, Tua is still a premier quarterback. Like any third-year quarterback, he has room to improve, and I see no reason to doubt that he will.

7. Dak Prescott, Cowboys

Many people have been hopping off the Prescott hype train in the last year, but not me. He’s still a dangerous passer who can take off and run when needed.

8. Justin Fields, Bears

His time is here, and we’re all just waiting for the offseason so the Chicago Bears can surround Fields with the talented cast he deserves. Expect to see him in the MVP talks at this time next year.

9. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars

Speaking of 2023 MVP candidates, Lawrence is another young quarterback whose time is now. He’s proving exactly why he was a first-overall draft pick and just how atrocious the reign of Urban Meyer was.

10. Geno Smith, Seahawks

The Seahawks have cooled down recently, but Geno Smith’s resurgence is still very much alive. He seems like a shoo-in for ‘Comeback Player of the Year.’

11. Kirk Cousins, Vikings

On Sunday, we saw Cousins at his worst and his best. You never know what you’ll get on a given Sunday, and that’s why he’s just outside the Top 10.

12. Tom Brady, Buccaneers

It’s been said before, but at 45 years old, I think we can finally declare that Father Time is catching up to Tom Brady. A banged-up offensive line doesn’t help things.

13. Aaron Rodgers, Packers

Another future Hall of Fame quarterback in the twilight of his career, Rodgers can still sling the pigskin better than most, but it’s evident he’s lost a step or two.

14. Brock Purdy, 49ers

This may be controversial, and the 49ers may have the most talented roster in the NFL, but we can’t deny how impressive Purdy has been, especially considering that his pedigree includes the title ‘Mr. Irrelevant’.

15. Jared Goff, Lions

Smack dab in the middle is exactly where Goff belongs. He’s a fine quarterback, and with a strong offensive line and an array of weapons like he has in Detroit, he’s a suitable QB1.

16. Derek Carr, Raiders

In a season as disappointing as the Raiders’, the starting quarterback has to take some blame. His supporting cast has arguably improved from last year, but the results are worse.

17. Ryan Tannehill, Titans

With his injury, Tannehill’s season may be over, and the Titans may be inclined to pass the keys to the franchise over to Malik Willis.

18. Andy Dalton, Saints

Dalton’s played surprisingly well considering the chaos in New Orleans, but at this point in his career, he’s limited to a backup or a ‘bridge quarterback’ role.

19. Taylor Heinicke, Commanders

The ‘feel-good’ story from the XFL will always be a fan favorite, but his ceiling is low. He won’t be the guy who will take the Commanders to the promised land.

20. Daniel Jones, Giants

A hot start to the season has cooled considerably, though Jones’ lack of a supporting cast is worth noting. The Giants threw all their support behind Jones before the season, but time will tell if that was mere lip service.

21. Mitch Trubisky, Steelers

The original NVP had himself a nice game last week, but we all know that won’t last for long. Trubisky is a great teammate who could be an ideal backup quarterback anywhere in the league.

22. Mac Jones, Patriots

I never saw Jones as more than a high-floor, low-ceiling quarterback, and I think he’s bearing that out. He’s a fine quarterback and, with the right talent, could find himself back in the Pro Bowl, but he’ll never be the guy you win because of, always the guy you win with.

23. Matt Ryan, Colts

This ranking feels too high until you realize who else is still to rank. What an atrocious season it’s been for Ryan, whose days as a starter may be over.

(Editor’s note: this post was published before Nick Foles was named the Colts’ starter).

24. Deshaun Watson, Browns

We still don’t know what Watson’s long-term outlook in Cleveland will be despite his monster contract. He’s been away from the game for two years and looks inconsistent now.

25. Baker Mayfield, Rams

It’s hard to expect much from a guy in Mayfield’s position. The Rams are a shell of their Super Bowl selves, and Mayfield was never equipped to carry a bad team on his back.

26. Davis Mills, Texans

I’m not sure what the Texans are doing at quarterback, but I’m certain they’re already getting nameplates ready for Bryce Young. Mills is not the future.

27. Sam Darnold, Panthers

I don’t know, I guess. At this point, all these quarterbacks are just plain bad.

28. Zach Wilson, Jets

Hopefully, the humiliation of getting benched knocked some sense into the young man. He still has a long (long!) way to go.

29. Tyler Huntley, Ravens

The Ravens’ offense has been nonexistent in Lamar Jackson’s absence. You have to imagine they’re mentally preparing themselves for the enormous check they’ll have to write to their QB1 next year.

30. Brett Rypien, Broncos

There’s not much to be said about Rypien except that he beat the Arizona Cardinals, who are down to their third-string quarterback. So that’s something.

31. Trace McSorley, Cardinals

I had to Google who he was before last week. He’s a third-stringer for a reason.

32. Desmond Ridder, Falcons

With only one game under his belt on a bad team, there’s nothing to say about him. He wasn’t supposed to be starting this soon, anyway. Ridder has the most upside of the quarterbacks ranked near the bottom of this list.