RADIO
The 2023 NFL season was wrapped up just under a week ago with an exhilarating overtime Super Bowl that saw Patrick Mahomes throw a walk-off touchdown to Mecole Hardman to bring the Kansas City Chiefs their second straight NFL title.
There is no debate. Mahomes is the clear-cut best quarterback in the league until proven otherwise and is now chasing all-time status at just 28-years-old. But behind him? A whole lot of debate.
The 2024 quarterback landscape still has a multitude of leaves to fall into place before we really know where certain signal callers will reside, but that isn't stopping us from churning out a way-too-early look at the NFL's top 32 quarterbacks for 2024. Dive in and enjoy.
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1. Patrick Mahomes - Kansas City Chiefs
The back-to-back Super Bowl champ is easy to slot in at the top of the quarterback hierarchy heading into the 2024 season. In what was considered a “down year” offensively for the Chiefs, who lacked a true WR1, Patrick Mahomes still found a way to bring the title home to Kansas City. Throwing for 333 yards and two touchdowns in the big game, the back-to-back Super Bowl MVP is set for an even bigger 2024 with the receiving corps likely to be upgraded this offseason.
2. Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens
The nearly unanimous 2023 NFL MVP threw for a career-high 3,678 passing yards in Todd Monken’s offense, surrounded by potentially the best group of pass-catchers he has seen in his career. Lamar Jackson will have Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely all back in 2024 and will likely see a running back upgrade to allow for more open running lanes. Jackson has not rushed for 1,000 yards since 2020, but that could change with a more dynamic playmaker added to the backfield.
3. Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills
Despite his lack of postseason winning, everybody knows that Josh Allen is talented. The gunslinger is coming off of his third QB1 fantasy season, this time headlined by a career-high 15 rushing touchdowns. Buffalo’s offense could look different in 2024, with Stefon Diggs’ future with the team up in the air and with Gabe Davis set to be an impending free agent. Many mock drafts have Buffalo selecting a wide receiver at pick 28, and it seems as if the upcoming season could see Allen’s arsenal shift.
4. C.J. Stroud - Houston Texans
The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year had one of the most outstanding rookie quarterback seasons in league history. C.J. Stroud led the league in passing yards per game (min.15 games) and topped his season off by reaching the Divisional Round after an explosive 274-yard, three-touchdown performance against the typically stifling Cleveland Browns defense in the Wild Card. There are a million reasons to be optimistic about Stroud going into 2024 and the young quarterback should be set for another fun season ahead.
5. Joe Burrow - Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow suffered his second season-ending injury in four seasons, but has since undergone surgery to successfully repair the torn ligament in his wrist. Burrow’s playoff resume is impressive, having gone to the Super Bowl with a win over Patrick Mahomes in just his second season, but his regular seasons have been marked by inconsistencies. That being said, Burrow will be back in 2024 with a vengeance. He has the uncommon type of winning DNA and mentality that teams covet in their quarterback, and the NFL is a better league with him under center.
6. Justin Herbert - Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert is routinely considered an elite franchise quarterback, but the 25-year-old has no accolades to show. He has made the playoffs once in his four-year career, and the game resulted in a blown 27-point lead. The excuses are no longer allowed with national championship-winning Jim Harbaugh coming to town. The Los Angeles Chargers have improved expectations for the 2024 season and Herbert’s status as a star will be put to the test.
7. Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford had a resurgent 2023 season, and the Super Bowl LVI champ will look for more of the same in 2024. The 36-year-old veteran is one of the most dependable, underrated quarterbacks in the league and with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp both back in 2024 he should be set to continue to torch defenses.
8. Dak Prescott - Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott played at a near MVP level in 2023 as the Cowboys won the NFC East, but crumbled along with the rest of the team come playoff time in typical Dallas fashion. Prescott will be back under center for Dallas in 2024 and Mike McCarthy will be back on the sidelines as this squad will attempt to “run it back” after what was a very successful regular season.
9. Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts’ play deteriorated over the back end of the season, as did the play of the entire team around him. The fourth-year signal caller went 1-6 over the last seven games, leading Philadelphia to fire both coordinators. Kellen Moore is stepping into the offensive coordinator role for 2024 with hopes to fix Hurts and the Eagles’ stalling offense.
10. Jordan Love - Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love ended his first campaign as a starting quarterback with an absolute bang. After what was an inconsistent season, Love played a near perfect game in a blowout Wild Card win over Dallas. He completed 16-of-21 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns. Love had Green Bay in position to defeat San Francisco in the Divisional Round as well, but threw a costly interception at the end of the game. His receiving corps is all young and will all be back in the fold next season, making the Packers a suddenly dangerous foe.
11. Trevor Lawrence - Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence had a disappointing year three that ultimately resulted in Jacksonville missing the playoffs. That being said, the young quarterback still has a bright future ahead of him. While his play was inconsistent at times and was seemingly a step back from 2022, Lawrence has an offseason to get it figured out heading into 2024.
12. Aaron Rodgers - New York Jets
Aaron Rodgers’ short-lived 2023 campaign has become a meme on the internet and plenty of (rightful) doubters have raised their suspiscions regarding the 40-year-old coming off of an Achilles tear. Rodgers fully dedicated himself to the rehab process and now seems to be in good health and ready for 2024. This is no average 40-year-old quarterback that we are talking about. This is an all-time great. The Jets, again, have plenty to be optimistic about heading into the upcoming season. It will feel weird at first seeing Rodgers back on the football field after a season without him, but it is a sight that New York fans have been longing for.
13. Kirk Cousins - Free Agent
Kirk Cousins is the biggest quarterback domino to fall this free agency cycle. Multiple players, including Justin Jefferson, have lobbied for Minnesota to bring back the veteran but he will have plenty of interest on the open market as a boatload of teams look for their next quarterback. Atlanta is a potential destination that keeps popping up, while Denver could also make sense should Cousins not opt to return to Minnesota.
14. Kyler Murray - Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray returned mid-season from his torn ACL to a team that was already lost in the water. He looked like himself and gave management the boost of confidence needed to know that he is the franchise quarterback in Arizona. Going into the offseason, this is a team that will require an overhaul. One is coming, as the Cardinals have two first round picks (4, 27) and the tenth-highest cap space in the league. Murray should expect to be surrounded by more talent, which could help elevate him back to the top tier of quarterbacks in 2024.
15. Jared Goff - Detroit Lions
Jared Goff is the savior of Detroit. The quarterback led the Lions to the NFC Championship for the first time since 1992, leading a magical season for Detroit. The team is in good position to run it back for 2024 with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson surprisingly returning, but Goff is also in need of a contract extension given that his contract runs out after the 2024 season. Assuming things shake out and the 29-year-old returns to Detroit, he should be in a good spot to continue to succeed.
16. Brock Purdy - San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy’s young career is full of amazing accomplishments, the latest being a Super Bowl appearance in which he played a great game. The jury’s still out on Purdy as a standalone franchise quarterback given the elite talent that he is surrounded by on both sides of the ball, but the 24-year-old has certainly earned a payday when the time comes. San Francisco should be loaded again in 2024 and should enter the season as heavy NFC favorites.
17. Caleb Williams - Prospect
The perceived number-one NFL draft pick will enter the league as one of the most highly-touted quarterbacks in a long time. The Mahomes comparisons will cloud Caleb Williams from day 1 in the league and he will be fun to follow throughout 2024 to see if he can live up to the hype.
18. Tua Tagovailoa - Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa is set for a contract extension, which will be a very interesting scenario to see how Miami approaches. The Dolphins are currently way over the salary cap and have impending free agents that they will likely have to let walk. If they pay Tagovailoa like it is believed they will, more roster cuts will need to happen. 2023 was likely the most loaded we will see this Dolphins team, and it resulted in a Wild Card exit. 2024 will be a pivotal year for Tagovailoa regarding his future and his status as a franchise quarterback.
19. Baker Mayfield - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield’s best season of his career came at a key moment - a contract year. Tampa Bay is likely to secure him as their quarterback of the future after he threw for a career-high 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns and the former number-one overall pick-turned journeyman has finally found a home after leading the Buccaneers to a playoff win in the first season post-Tom Brady. Mayfield will be worth keeping an eye on in 2024 to see if he can continue his heater.
20. Justin Fields - Chicago Bears
Although he is still under contract with the Bears, Justin Fields is the highest coveted non-rookie quarterback this offseason. With the Bears likely to reset their quarterback salary by selecting a quarterback with the top pick in the draft, the unique opportunity to acquire a young, talented quarterback via trade arises. There will be plenty of interest in the market for the young signal caller who has flashed at times for Chicago and played great down the stretch of the 2023 season. If he is dealt, Fields will get the reset he needed for his career.
21. Anthony Richardson - Indianapolis Colts
He may have only played in four career games, but the talent that the 21-year-old quarterback possesses is undeniable. Richardson will need to learn how to protect his body when running, given that he did not finish two of the four games he started in 2023, but the 6-4, 244-pound signal caller is an absolute threat both on the ground and through the air. If he can stay healthy, it will be very fun to see him and Jonathan Taylor operating together out of Indianapolis’ backfield.
22. Deshaun Watson - Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson struggled with inconsistent play and health in 2023 only to see veteran Joe Flacco step into his spot and lead a decimated Cleveland team to a playoff berth. The surrounding cast is there for Watson. This team is one of the most loaded in the league. He needs two things to fall into place. 1.) Stay healthy. 2.) Return to Houston form. If those two things can happen, Watson will fly up this list in 2024.
23. Jayden Daniels - Prospect
The 2023 Heisman winner will likely find himself coming off the board within the first three picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, landing an immediate starting job. Daniels took a major step forward in 2023 and in return flew up NFL draft boards. The 23-year-old quarterback showcased improved accuracy, improvisation, and elite athleticism - traits that should transfer to the NFL level. Wherever he lands in 2024, he will be appointment television.
24. Drake Maye - Prospect
Drake Maye has long been touted as a top NFL Draft prospect and in 2024, he will finally land in the league. Maye is likely to be one of the top three picks off the board and should find himself in an immediate starting position. The North Carolina prospect’s rocket arm and athleticism have had scouts on his tail throughout his college career, and the beginning of his NFL career will be worth monitoring.
25. Derek Carr - New Orleans Saints
New Orleans is rocking with Derek Carr under center again in 2024 after what was a rocky 2023 campaign. Carr started very slow, but finished the season strong as he threw 3+ touchdowns in three of his last four games after not surpassing three touchdowns once prior. With Klint Kubiak stepping in as offensive coordinator, Carr could be poised to take a step forward in year 2 in New Orleans.
26. Will Levis - Tennessee Titans
Entering his second NFL season, Will Levis’ rookie campaign was filled with both ups and downs. His first ever NFL action was also the best game of his career in which he completed 19-of-29 passes for 238 yards and four touchdowns in a Week 8 win over Atlanta. Tennessee had a rough 2023 campaign, but Levis showed enough intrigue to likely capture the QB1 job for 2024. It will be a pivotal season ahead for him to prove he belongs at the NFL level.
27. Daniel Jones - New York Giants
Daniel Jones was having a disastrous season prior to his Week 9 ACL tear, but his play in 2022 earned him a lucrative extension which all but guarantees him the starting job going into 2024. Can he return to 2022 form? Giants’ decision makers will be judged heavily based on his performance this upcoming season.
28. Michael Penix Jr. - Prospect
NFL scouts are very hit-or-miss with their evaluations of Michael Penix Jr. The former Washington quarterback had a dream season in which he led the nation in passing yards, had an undefeated regular season, and led his team to a National Championship appearance. However, he has major durability concerns as he has suffered four separate season-ending injuries over the course of his college career. Regardless of what round he is drafted in, Penix will likely have a chance to carve out a job as an NFL starter. His rookie campaign will be worth following along.
29. Geno Smith - Seattle Seahawks
As the Pete Carroll era in Seattle abruptly ends, Geno Smith is no longer guaranteed the QB1 role for 2024. After his magical 2022 season, Smith took a step back in 2023 and Seattle missed the playoffs. The 33-year-old journeyman quarterback was a fun story for a season but reality is beginning to settle in and he may not realistically be a starter for much longer in this league.
30. Russell Wilson - Denver Broncos
Russell Wilson was benched for the end of the 2023 campaign, missing the final two games of the season after starting the previous 16. While there is still a possibility that he could remain in Denver for 2024, the much more likely scenario is that he is cut or traded. Wilson will likely hit the open market and could serve as a bridge quarterback for a team that selects a rookie. His prime years are behind him, but Wilson showed in 2023 that he can still be a serviceable quarterback option.
31. Joe Flacco - Free Agent
Speaking of serviceable quarterback options, the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year will be an intriguing player to monitor in 2024 free agency. Joe Flacco is 39-years-old and came off of his couch to lead the Browns to the playoffs late in the season, but his play was more than respectable which could lead to some interest on the open market this offseason. He could return to Cleveland behind Deshaun Watson, or he could opt to head elsewhere to be a bridge for a young quarterback.
32. Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers
The first overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft had as disappointing of a rookie campaign as was possible. Young threw for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and led Carolina to an NFL-worst 2-15 record. The team around him was abysmal and the coaching was less than competent, but all things considered it was a very rough year 1. With Dave Canales in as head coach and a new, eager GM in Dan Morgan, one can only hope that Young is set up for more success in 2024.
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