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Quincy's NFL QB power rankings for Week 16 of the 2025 season. He ranks all 32 starting NFL quarterbacks before Week 16, from Josh Allen to Brady Cook.
Week 16 was solid for NFL quarterback play. Unfortunately, one of the crown jewels at the position, Patrick Mahomes, went down with a torn ACL. Mahomes has become a villain around the league because of the Chiefs' winning ways, but we can all agree that the league is less entertaining when one of its stars, much less Mahomes, is out of the lineup.
With Mahomes out and the Chiefs eliminated, we are witnessing a stretch run where many other quarterbacks around the league will have a chance to make their stamp on the postseason. This is analogous to Michael Jordan's absence from the NBA in the 1990s. It will be exciting to see who can take advantage of this opportunity.
With three games left, quarterback play should tighten up as teams make their final push for the playoffs. The stars will need to show out, and lesser players will also need to ensure that they take steps to surprise the league. With that said, let's dive in and see where each signal caller stands as we head into Week 16.
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No. 32: Brady Cook - New York Jets
It sounds like the Jets will get a look at quarterback Brady Cook for the rest of the season, assuming he stays healthy. He has not provided much of a spark to this point, but maybe he can demonstrate enough talent to earn a backup job in his career.
No. 31: Cameron Ward - Tennessee Titans
Patience with Cameron Ward is beginning to pay off. The rookie quarterback has hit a bit of a stride over the last few weeks, and the Titans have managed to put up points against quality defenses. The talent is apparent; now Ward must go out and continue to progress.
Gunnar with the stretch for six! @cameron7ward ➡️ @gunnar_helm
📺: #TENvsSF on @NFLonFOX & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/1eRuBye2Vk
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 14, 2025
No. 30: Geno Smith - Las Vegas Raiders
Geno Smith did not play in Week 15, but it sounds like he has a chance to play in Week 16. Still, Smith has been one of the NFL's worst quarterbacks this season. His numbers are down across the board. The deal to land Smith does not look great for the Raiders at this point.
No. 29: Shedeur Sanders - Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders followed up the best game of his young career with the worst. The Browns were dominated by the Bears this week, and Sanders looked lost. However, this is part of being a rookie quarterback in the NFL. The question is, has Sanders demonstrated enough to earn another crack at the starting gig in Cleveland in 2026?
No. 28: Quinn Ewers - Miami Dolphins
The Tua Tagovailoa era in Miami appears to be over. Despite a recent Dolphins' winning streak, Tagovailoa was not playing well. A bludgeoning by the Steelers in Week 15 in another cold game was enough for head coach Mike McDaniel to finally pull the plug. Quinn Ewers will take Tagovailoa's place for the time being.
No. 27: Gardner Minshew II - Kansas City Chiefs
Gardner Minshew II will steer the ship for the Chiefs to end the season with Patrick Mahomes done for the year. Minshew replaced Mahomes late in the fourth quarter and squandered the Chiefs' chances at coming back to win the game with an untimely interception.
No. 26: Kirk Cousins - Atlanta Falcons
Kirk Cousins has delivered solid games for the Falcons over the past few games. In Week 16, he targeted tight end Kyle Pitts over and over en route to a win over the Buccaneers. Cousins may have earned himself a backup job in 2026, and he may have earned Pitts a massive contract in the process.
No. 25: Jaxson Dart - New York Giants
Jaxson Dart and the Giants were manhandled for the most part by the Washington Commanders in Week 15. Dart managed to get a little offense going later in the game once the score was already out of hand.
No. 24: Philip Rivers - Indianapolis Colts
Philip Rivers looked old, but not terrible, in Week 15. The game plan was clear: snap the ball and get rid of it. The Colts nearly beat the Seahawks with Rivers leading the way, but the 44-year-old has his work cut out for him over the last three games of the season now.
No. 23: J.J. McCarthy - Minnesota Vikings
J.J. McCarthy marched into Dallas and delivered another great game in Week 15. The second-year quarterback is finding the confidence that made him the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Patience will continue to be a virtue with this kid. There is a lot of potential here.
Griddying for a touchdown.
You.
Love.
To.
See.
📺: @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/pKkcz7rYi2
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 15, 2025
No. 22: Jacoby Brissett - Arizona Cardinals
Jacoby Brissett continues to do what he can in an offense that is broken and is not receiving a lot of help from the defense. As we have preached throughout the season, Brissett may very well be playing his way into the Cardinals' starting job in 2026.
No. 21: Marcus Mariota - Washington Commanders
Marcus Mariota played well in Week 15. He will continue to receive a chance to display that he has what it takes to remain in this league, with second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels shut down for the remainder of the year.
No. 20: Tyler Shough - New Orleans Saints
Tyler Shough is playing his way into the Saints' starting quarterback job in 2026. Shough is gritty, smart, and the team is rallying behind him. With the Saints continuing to win on the back of solid play from Shough, they are playing out of the top picks in the draft, which may force them to build around Shough instead.
Shough to Olave - TOUCHDOWN SAINTS!
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/6Aa2rx8BAN
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 15, 2025
No. 19: Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young and the Panthers dropped a heartbreaker to the Saints in Week 15. This team has been about as hot and cold as they come. While Young has played solid football, we are still waiting for him to make a big leap forward.
No. 18: Aaron Rodgers - Pittsburgh Steelers
Aaron Rodgers turned back the clock in Week 15 with a pair of exciting touchdown passes against the Miami Dolphins. The Steelers remain in control of their own destiny. Rodgers has a chance to make a run in a wide-open AFC this season.
No. 17: Baker Mayfield - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The presence of wide receiver Mike Evans in Week 15 was a boost for Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers' offense, but this team could not overcome the Falcons. On the bright side, the offense managed 28 points.
No. 16: Caleb Williams - Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams continues to sling the ball around the yard and get lucky with excellent catches from his receivers. Still, Williams' antics have the Bears sitting atop the NFC North. Time will tell if this style of play will work in the playoffs.
Beautiful throw, beautiful catch 💫#ProBowlVote + @CALEBcsw#ProBowlVote + @idjmoore
pic.twitter.com/qP9CUVtIgT— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 14, 2025
No. 15: C.J. Stroud - Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud is re-cementing himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the league. After suffering a major sophomore slump in 2024, Stroud is finding himself once again. He has the Texans in a great playoff position with the potential to make a deep playoff run.
No. 14: Brock Purdy - San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy and the 49ers continue to roll. Purdy is still not in his usual midseason form quite yet, but he is getting there. He should be a great asset for this team as the playoffs roll around.
No. 13: Jalen Hurts - Philadelphia Eagles
The Raiders' defense is a good way to cure all woes for a struggling quarterback and offense. Hurts and the Eagles did well to bounce back from their three-game losing streak with a massive offensive showing in Las Vegas. This does not mean that Hurts is back in form, but it is a step in the right direction.
No. 12: Trevor Lawrence - Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence continues to play well. However, most importantly, he is playing well consistently, perhaps for the first time in his career. With Lawrence playing as he has been, the Jaguars can realistically beat anyone in the league. This is a scary team as we head into the playoffs.
No. 11: Joe Burrow - Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow played one of the worst games of his career in Week 15. The Bengals were shut out by the Ravens. Burrow has looked relatively dejected over the last couple of weeks with the losses continuing to mount.
No. 10: Justin Herbert - Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert continues to play tough with a broken left wrist. With Herbert in the lineup, the Chargers continue to win. This defense is elite, and once Herbert is fully healthy, the offense should take off once again as well.
No. 9: Sam Darnold - Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold continued to struggle in Week 15. His passing yardage total was fine, but he is struggling to lead the Seahawks on touchdown drives. The Seahawks cannot win at a high level this season with Darnold playing like he is right now.
No. 8: Jordan Love - Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love did not play great against the Broncos in Week 15. He tossed two interceptions as the Packers' divisional lead fell to the Bears. Love will need to remain consistent if the Packers are to compete in a loaded NFC this season.
No. 7: Bo Nix - Denver Broncos
Bo Nix and the Broncos continue to win. Week 15 marked a massive statement win that this team can beat good teams. Until now, the Broncos had been scraping by against bad teams. Nix's performance against an elite Packers' defense in Week 15 was encouraging.
14-yard TD for 14. 🙌#ProBowlVote + @SuttonCourtland#ProBowlVote + @BoNix10 pic.twitter.com/Ll0BYt6HKv
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 14, 2025
No. 6: Jared Goff - Detroit Lions
Jared Goff and the Lions put out solid offensive output in Week 15, but the Rams were ultimately too much to handle. Goff will need to play the best he has ever played in his career to ensure the Lions win out, so they may have hopes of making the playoffs.
No. 5: Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson only had to complete eight passes for the Ravens to secure a victory over the Bengals in Week 15. Jackson continues to do what the Ravens need him to do to win games. He has three games to turn everything on and guide the Ravens into the postseason.
No. 4: Dak Prescott - Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott led the Cowboys' offense to a solid game, but they were unable to overcome a surging Vikings' offense. Still, Prescott remains among the best quarterbacks in the game right now despite the Cowboys' slim playoff chances.
No. 3: Drake Maye - New England Patriots
Drake Maye played an average game in Week 15. His passing output was down, but he did a lot of damage with his legs. However, the Patriots needed more from Maye because they allowed the Bills to stay in the playoff race.
No. 2: Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford continued his MVP-level campaign in Week 15. He lit up the Lions with 368 passing yards and two touchdowns. Stafford's largest test of the year comes in Week 16 in Seattle.
No. 1: Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen put on his Hercules costume and did his best to bring the Bills back from 21-0 to beat the Patriots. The win was impressive, and one that signals the Bills could be starting to peak at the right time.
"New dads play good football."
- @JJWatt
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/FvPacZ2iwc
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 14, 2025
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