The final week of the 2024 NFL Season is approaching. Let's power rank all 32 starting QBs ahead of the final regular season week. There have been a handful of truly elite QBs this year, but there has also been a ton of flat-out awful QB play.
And the 2025 NFL Draft class is not projected to be very deep at QB, so for the teams that need one, they could be in huge trouble. The QB carousel could be active yet again. And for teams that took an encouraging rookie QB in 2024, they have to be relieved that they don't need one in 2025.
There have been way more than 32 QBs who have started games this year. Let's make one final power rankings of the current starting QBs approaching the final week of the regular season
NFL Power Rankings: Final starting quarterback rankings of the 2024 season
32. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Cleveland Browns
I am not sure if Dorian Thompson-Robinson even belongs on an NFL roster, but here we are. He's the latest Browns' QB to start a game for the team, and I kind of understand why the team sent Jameis Winston to the bench. Winston wasn't playing well, so the team had an 'out' to send him to the bench in favor of a worse QB who is just helping them acquire a higher NFL Draft pick in the first round in 2025.
DTR probably won't be on their roster in 2025, and he should not be. He's just not an NFL-caliber QB.
31. Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints
You have to feel bad for Spencer Rattler, as he got drafted to one of the most lifeless and inept franchises in the NFL. Ever since Sean Payton and Drew Brees left town, the New Orleans Saints have taken a nosedive into incompetency. They need to blow everything up, and Rattler could actually be in line to start for the team in 2025.
30. Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
Can we stop with the Anthony Richardson agenda, please? Why do people still think he can develop into a franchise QB? Is it the more interceptions than touchdowns that do it for you? Richardson was a bad college QB and is an even worse NFL quarterback, but the Indianapolis Colts may not have a choice but to run it back with AR one last time in the 2025 NFL Season.
I feel bad for Colts' fans for having to go through this.
29. Mason Rudolph, Tennessee Titans
An average backup, Mason Rudolph has gotten starts this year due to Will Levis being terrible. Rudolph will have a backup job with some team in 2025, and there isn't much more to say about the QB; he's fine when he needs to start for a game or two, but that's about it.
28. Michael Penix Jr, Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr probably had no idea he was going to be backing up Kirk Cousins on the Atlanta Falcons in 2024. It was a shock that the Falcons not only signed Cousins, but drafted Penix. Based on how the season has gone for them, it would have just made way more sense to pass up on Cousins, sign a veteran backup, and then draft Penix.
Anyway, Penix was inserted as the starter recently, and, like most rookie QBs getting their first chance in the NFL, have shown some good and not-so-good. Heading into 2025, Penix is going to be the center of attention, but there isn't enough to rank him much higher on this list.
27. Drew Lock, New York Giants
About once or twice a season, Drew Lock plays like Patrick Mahomes on steriods, and it's actually hilarious. Lock and the New York Giants embarrassed the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17, and that win may have ruined their first-round position in the 2025 NFL Draft. Lock is what he is at this point; he's a former second-round pick and a decent backup option.
He's got a wicked right arm and is kind of like Jameis Winston in that he has never been afraid to throw an interception. He'll continue finding QB2 jobs for the next five years.
26. Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Mac Jones was traded for by the Jacksonville Jaguars and has since been in the starting role due to Trevor Lawrence's shoulder injury. After an encouraging rookie season, questionable coaching decisions ruined Jones' career with the New England Patriots. He was then traded to the AFC South and is a pretty ho-hum backup QB.
He comes in at no. 26 in our QB power rankings to close out the 2024 NFL regular season.
25. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young has definitely shown some good things in recent weeks, and it doesn't appear that the Carolina Panthers will be trying to take a QB in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Young has probably earned one more season for better or for worse. We'll see what kind of players the Carolina Panthers can put in place on offense for Young in 2025.
He'll end the season at no. 25 in our power rankings but could easily rise when next season begins.
24. Aidan O'Connell, Las Vegas Raiders
Aidan O'Connell probably has a nice, long career in the NFL as a backup QB, but that's about it. He lost the QB battle last offseason to Gardner Minshew II. O'Connell's status with the Raiders in 2025 is up in the air if you ask me, as he is not a franchise-caliber QB, but him being in the QB room in 2025 with a rookie would make sense.
Every once in a while, O'Connell will have spurts of looking pretty competent, so the Raiders could have a good backup QB on their hands. That isn't insignificant.
23. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
The Aaron Rodgers experience in the NFL may be coming to an end, and oddly enough, I think we see Rodgers play out of his mind in Week 18 against the Miami Dolphins, as I do believe this could be the last year of his career. The on-field product has been declining for a few years now, but Rodgers has strung together some efficient play over the last month or so.
There could be a starting job open for him in 2025, but it may be with a dysfunctional team that reeks of desperation.
22. Cooper Rush, Dallas Cowboys
One of the better backups in the NFL is Cooper Rush, who has taken over for Dak Prescott in Dallas. Prescott has been out for a while now, but he'll be back in 2025 as their starter, as the Cowboys made him the NFL's first $60 million QB.
21. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Folks, you better jump on the Drake Maye bandwagon now, because if the New England Patriots are able to figure something out offensively, Maye is going to take a huge leap in 2025 and beyond. They have to invest heavily into the offensive line and will need multiple playmakers to give Maye a viable supporting cast.
Maye could be the next great QB in this league. He doesn't have eye-popping numbers this year, and this isn't a 'futures' type of ranking, but Drake Maye has everything you need in a franchise QB. If I were a Patriots' fan, I'd feel very optimistic about the future.
20. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
What am I missing with Geno Smith? He's an aging, below-average QB who throws too many interceptions in the red zone and is not a QB any team needs to build around. Smith, at best, is a bridge QB, but it does feel like the Seattle Seahawks are again going to bring him back in 2025 to be their starter.
He was a fun story in 2022, but since the start of the 2023 NFL Season, Geno Smith has thrown 37 touchdowns and 24 interceptions across 31 games. During that stretch, he's been sacked 79 times. This is who Geno Smith is, and him being ranked at no. 20 feels about right.
19. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Man, I was wrong on Kyler Murray in 2024. I thought he was going to explode this year, but he and the Arizona Cardinals kind of blew it after their 6-4 start. Murray is a good QB, but it is getting harder to defend him. I am not sure he's someone who is going to take the Cardinals where they want to go.
Being a legitimate dual-threat QB, you'd think that Kyler Murray would have more production and success in the NFL to show for. He's just an odd QB to figure out if you ask me.
18. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Russell Wilson is a good-ish QB at this point. The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost three games in a row to three good teams, so that's kind of where this team is at right now. They can't hang with the big guns and won't go anywhere in the postseason as long as Wilson is their starting QB. But the issue here is that the Steelers may not have a choice but to extend Russell Wilson for a few years. Where else would they turn?
The stats do not tell the entire picture with Wilson, and it's almost like that was the exact case in 2023 with the Denver Broncos.
17. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams has been fine this year, but the sacks and the inaccuracy are definitely things to improve on for 2025 and beyond. The right coaching staff is going to stabilize his young career, and I think people are too quick to overreact with Williams.
He'll end up being a very good QB in the NFL, but it just might take some time. He can't help that the dysfunctional Chicago Bears drafted him. Williams has been average this year if you ask me among all 32 starters. There is a lot to like but also a ton to improve on.
16. CJ Stroud, Houston Texans
Now very deep into the QB middle class, CJ Stroud of the Houston Texans looked like the next elite QB in the NFL, but he and the Texans have regressed a ton in 2024, and even if they do win in Week 18 and finish 10-7, this year's 10-7 record feels a lot more flimsy than last year's 10-7 record. Houston needs to invest big-time along their offensive line.
And Stroud has to take some blame as well. His numbers across the board are just not good. This will be a huge offseason for Houston. They have won the AFC South for the second year in a row, but this team is flawed. CJ Stroud comes in at no. 16 in our final QB power rankings.
15. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy is one of those good-not-great QBs that the San Francisco 49ers should worry about paying too much for. Purdy is clearly good enough to be one of the 32 starters in the NFL, but it doesn't appear like he is someone who will ever win a Super Bowl. Purdy has been fine this year, and his production has declined given the circumstances he's had to deal with.
The elite QBs tend to elevate the players around them, but 'good' QBs tend to play based on who is around them. Brock Purdy is the epitome of good, but that's it.
14. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa is cut from the same cloth as Brock Purdy, but Tagovailoa has a huge injury issue, period. It's odd that the Miami Dolphins invested so much money into this QB, as it is clear that they won't win anything of note as long as he is under center.
The Miami Dolphins again lost their QB due to another concussion, and had they not had to deal with that, Miami probably has 10 wins and is in the playoffs. That isn't the case - they need to win in Week 18 and get some help to get it. Even making the playoffs does not change the issues that this team has with Tua Tagovailoa.
13. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts is a fine QB. He's clearly got an elite supporting cast around him, so his lack of passing production is always kind of odd. Hurts is a very good dual-threat QB but doesn't offer a ton of explosion as a passer. The Philadelphia Eagles won't win a Super Bowl with Hurts, but he's fine.
Jalen Hurts comes in at no. 13 in our QB power rankings to close out the 2024 NFL regular season.
12. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
What am I missing here with Bo Nix? Why are people still low on the QB? He's top-10 in the NFL in passing touchdowns, has scored four touchdowns with his legs, and has not fumbled the ball once this year. This dude can ball, folks.
Many people have been way off with Bo Nix and their pre-draft evaluations, but Sean Payton clearly saw something. Nix and the Broncos did go toe-to-toe with Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17, which tells you just how good the QB can be in the future.
I was trying to not let my Broncos-fandom bias get in the way here, but I am not sure the QBs ranked below Nix have been better at all. This is a legitimate QB in year one and a player with top-10 potential at the position.
11. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert has been the same QB for his entire career, but he's good. Herbert doesn't really have anything that stands out besides his size and arm strength. He's been the same "B+" QB since entering the league in 2020, but his avoidance of the interception this year is especially noticeable and impressive. Herbert is no. 11 in our final QB power rankings of the 2024 NFL regular season.
10. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes is surging at the right time, but it's another year where it's been a lot of short, dink-and-dunk completions. The Kansas City Chiefs still need to work on fixing their WR room, and we've also seen Mahomes take a lot of QB hits and sacks this year. Make no mistake about it; the Chiefs' offense is flawed, and Mahomes has not been truly elite this year.
9. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford is slowly approaching 40 years old but is still rippin' the football around with ease. Stafford and the Rams are 10-6 on the year after beginning the season 1-4. They've gotten a lot healthier and are a true force when the NFL playoffs roll around. It's been another top-10 type of season for the veteran QB.
8. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love has definitely taken better care of the football in recent weeks, but he and the Green Bay Packers are not quite there yet if you ask me. They're very good, but not elite, having losing to a ton of good teams in 2024. I do believe the Packers could win a playoff game this year and keep it interesting in the next round.
Love has some insane off-schedule ability and has a whip of a right arm. He's a very good quarterback, period, and he cracks the top-10 in our final QB power rankings.
7. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels might be the closest thing this league could have to Lamar Jackson, who is an alien. Jackson is on his way to a third MVP award, and in year one, Daniels seems to already be a top-tier passer and is also elite as a runner. What's there to dislike about Daniels? Perhaps his slim frame could make him more vulnerable to hits and injuries, but as he grows as a passer, he may not have to rely on his legs as much.
Daniels is well on his way to winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2024 and could be an MVP candidate in 2025 as well.
6. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield is playing out of his mind and has the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the cusp of winning yet another NFC South title and hosting yet another playoff game. The Bucs could win the division for the second year in a row of the Mayfield era, and he's really turned his career around with his new team, signing an extension with them last offseason.
5. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
I think we need to pump the brakes a bit with the Josh Allen-MVP hype. He's been very good this year, but there have clearly been four quarterbacks who have been better and more productive. Allen winning the MVP would kind of be a shame, but we won't know who wins it for a little while yet.
Anyway, he is having the best year of his career, and the Buffalo Bills might just be the best team in the NFL at the moment. Allen and the Bills clearly seek to finally get over the hump and make the Super Bowl. They have not been able to get past Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, but 2024 could be their year.
4. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
Sam Darnold should not only score a long-term deal with the Minnesota Vikings, but he should also receive some MVP votes this year. What he's done for the Vikes in 2024 is outstanding, and it's not some fluke. The Vikes could secure the no. 1 seed with a win over the Detroit Lions in Week 18. That game could be the best of the entire season.
Darnold is no. 4 in our QB power rankings.
3. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Jared Goff is once again playing out of his mind and should get some MVP votes if the voters know what they are doing. Goff and the Detroit Lions have endured a ton of injuries on the defensive side of the ball, so it's put more pressure on the offense to score more points.
And with Goff having played in a Super Bowl before, he's one of the more experienced playoff QBs the league currently has. Even though Goff is a pure pocket passer and does not have a ton of explosiveness, he's still been one of the best QBs in the league this year.
2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow could see his elite season go to waste if the Cincinnati Bengals do not make the postseason this year. If they miss the playoffs, it's because of their defense, which has been a bottom-five unit the entire season.
It's really been Trey Hendrickson and everyone else on that side of the ball. The Bengals need to take a huge step next offseason to fix their defense, as the team could waste away Burrow's prime if they fail to do so. He's been the second-best QB in the NFL this year.
1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Unquestionably the best quarterback in the NFL this year, Lamar Jackson should win his second MVP award in a row and third overall. He's already got the most QB rushing yards in NFL history and would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer if he retired today.
He can do it all and is now turning into a flat-out elite passer. Jackson is putting up insane numbers and could lead the Baltimore Ravens on a deep playoff run this year. He's no. 1 in our final QB power rankings of the 2024 NFL regular season.