Top List List

nfl qb tier list 2021-2022

NFL quarterback rankings 2021: How all 32 teams' QBs stack up and big takeaways

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.

QBFinal
rankPrev.
weekTrend2021
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.