nfl qb tier list 2021-2022

Mike Tannenbaum's QB rankings

Rankings are updated through the end of the 2021 regular season. They include starting quarterbacks and backups who filled in for QBs dealing with injuries at the end of the year. QBs with long-term injuries are not included.

QB	Final rank	Prev. week	Trend	2021 QBR
Aaron Rodgers		1	1		68.8
Patrick Mahomes		2	2		62.6
Tom Brady		3	3		68.5
Justin Herbert		4	7		66.1
Joe Burrow		5	4		54.4
Josh Allen		6	6		61.0
Dak Prescott		7	9		54.9
Matthew Stafford		8	5		63.5
Kyler Murray		9	8		56.8
Ryan Tannehill		10	11		56.3
Russell Wilson		11	10		53.9
Derek Carr		12	12		52.7
Kirk Cousins		13	14		51.9
Mac Jones		14	15		51.3
Lamar Jackson		15	17		51.0
Jalen Hurts		16	18		48.8
Jimmy Garoppolo		17	20		52.6
Matt Ryan		18	16		46.2
Tua Tagovailoa		19	19		50.6
Zach Wilson		20	21		28.5
Justin Fields		21	22		26.0
Tyler Huntley		22	23		48.3
Taylor Heinicke		23	24		40.3
Trevor Lawrence		24	28		33.6
Carson Wentz		25	13		54.4
Jared Goff		26	32		39.0
Case Keenum		27	33		36.3
Ben Roethlisberger		28	27		35.8
Davis Mills		29	30		35.6
Taysom Hill		30	25		42.6
Trey Lance		31	37		33.6
Baker Mayfield		32	29		35.3
Teddy Bridgewater		33	26		47.7
Cam Newton		34	31		26.7
Sam Darnold		35	34		33.3
Drew Lock		36	35		23.9
Andy Dalton		37	36		33.2

Looking ahead

• This week's list took on more of a season-to-date approach, and ranking the quarterbacks each week was a great reminder of how valuable and consequential the position is for team success in the NFL. There are maybe 16 QBs who can win consistently right now, and that number might actually be high when you consider the durability concerns of Lamar Jackson, the age of Matt Ryan and the inconsistency of Kirk Cousins. The teams that have a top-tier starting quarterback are at a clear advantage over the teams that have varying degrees of question marks at the position.

• Looking ahead to next season, many teams will have some decisions to make at QB. I think the following teams absolutely need to make an upgrade in the offseason: Lions (Jared Goff), Steelers (Ben Roethlisberger), Browns (Baker Mayfield), Broncos (Teddy Bridgewater) and Panthers (Sam Darnold/Cam Newton). And I think the Eagles (Jalen Hurts), Falcons (Ryan), Dolphins (Tua Tagovailoa), Texans (Davis Mills), Giants (Daniel Jones), Saints (Jameis Winston/Taysom Hill) and Washington (Taylor Heinicke) need to bring in some competition. Maybe they find an upgrade, maybe they don't. But they need some competition in the QB room.

play

1:15

Why Finebaum doesn't see Tua as long-term answer in Miami

Paul Finebaum and Keyshawn Johnson break down why the Dolphins will move on from Tua Tagovailoa if a better option at quarterback comes up.

• Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott looked great with five passing touchdowns in Week 18, but remember that he was playing against mostly Philadelphia backups. Even so, credit Dallas for finishing unbeaten against the NFC East, the first such season for the Cowboys since 1998.

• One performance that did stand out in the most competitive environment possible for Week 18 was that of Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. He was tremendous Sunday night against the Raiders, despite the overtime loss. And on fourth down, he went 6-for-6 for 106 yards and a TD, per NFL Next Gen Stats.

• Rams QB Matthew Stafford joined Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as the only players in NFL history with 40-plus passing touchdowns in a single season with multiple teams. But his inconsistency makes him a tough evaluation. I wouldn't be surprised if he leads the Rams to the Super Bowl -- but I also wouldn't be surprised if Los Angeles lost on Monday night in its wild-card game against the Cardinals.

• Coach Bruce Arians, I respectfully see it differently. Tampa Bay's Brady was great this season, but the Packers' Aaron Rodgers was playing behind a patchwork offensive line all year, and he was still the league's best quarterback. Rodgers is the MVP this season.

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your California Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell My Info
• Contact Us
• Disney Ad Sales Site
• Work for ESPN