Without strong quarterback play and an efficient rushing attack, no team in the NFL is going to sustain any sort of success, and we have seen the run game make a huge comeback in recent years. A total of 17 running backs ran for at least 1,000 yards in the 2025 NFL Season.
A total of 23 had 800 yards or more. Simply put, the run game is now being prioritized more than the passing attack. When defenses across the league figured out how to take away the big play through the air, offenses reverted back to running the rock.
Well, let's take a look at quarterbacks and running backs here. We've power-ranked the best quarterback/running back duos in the NFL for the 2026 season, and there are a ton worthy of being ranked high on our list.
Power-ranking the best quarterback-running back duos as the NFL Offseason rolls on
8. Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Coming in at No. 8 in our power rankings, the duo of Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley makes an appearance. After an insanely successful 2024 season that ended in a Super Bowl and featured Barkley rushing for over 2,000 yards, the Philadelphia Eagles offense came back down to life a bit in 2025.
There were a ton of inconsistencies all over the place. Barkley still broke the 1,000-yard mark, running for 1,140 yards, but he did it on just 4.1 yards per carry, and Jalen Hurts has always been a limited player. Together, though, we have seen this duo do special things.
7. Dak Prescott and Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
A breakout year for Javonte Williams lands this duo in our power rankings. Williams ran for 1,201 yards, which was good for ninth in the NFL. Williams earned a three-year extension for his great season, which also featured a solid 4.8 yards per carry.
Dak Prescott has always been an efficient quarterback, and with Williams only set to play in his age-26 season in 2026, this duo could truly sustain success for years. The Cowboys sported one of the best offenses in the league last year as well.
6. Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy is a very good quarterback, but isn't quite elite. He does have a solid track record of production, but the real star of the show is Christian McCaffrey, who can take on a huge load on the offense and eat up a ton of touches. McCaffrey had 1,202 rushing yards last year and added another 924 receiving yards.
The focal point of the San Francisco 49ers offense, this duo is No. 6 in our rankings.
5. Patrick Mahomes and Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs
With Kenneth Walker III signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in the offseason, this new duo comes in at No. 5 in our power rankings. Patrick Mahomes is consistently a top-3 quarterback, and Walker does present a notable, high-floor upgrade to the running back room. Walker isn't a bell-cow, but he does have 1,000-yard ability, and Mahomes being such a dangerous passer should help Walker's production.
4. Matthew Stafford and Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
The reigning MVP comes in at No. 4 in our power rankings alongside Kyren Williams, who has rushed for at least 1,144 yards in three straight seasons. With Stafford still being at the top of his game, this duo was special in 2025.
Williams isn't necessarily an elite running back, but he does have a track record of production and does help the Los Angeles Rams offense become one of the best in the league.
3. Jared Goff and Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Not only is Jared Goff one of the most prolific passers in the NFL, with 101 touchdown passes the past three seasons, but Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the best, most productive running backs in the NFL. With dual-threat ability, Gibbs is a legitimate weapon, and Goff's high-end production has been present for the Detroit Lions for years now.
This duo is special.
2. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Finishing second in the NFL last year in rushing yards, Derrick Henry is still doing this at a high level. Lamar Jackson didn't have the best season, but we've seen Jackson play like the best quarterback in the NFL for years now, so what we saw in 2025 from the two-time MVP was clearly an outlier.
Jackson and Henry might honestly be the best rushing duo to ever play on a team in the history of the NFL. If the injury luck is just a bit better for this team, Baltimore is going to be a juggernaut in 2026.
1. Josh Allen and James Cook, Buffalo Bills
James Cook was the only running back who hit 1,600 yards in the 2025 season. He led the league in rushing, and along with Josh Allen, come in at No. 1 in our power rankings. This, right here, is the Buffalo Bills identity.
With a top-3 offensive line, a superstar quarterback who can also run the ball, and a bell-cow running back, Buffalo's offense is nearly unstoppable sometimes. Allen and Cook could continue this success in 2026 - there's no reason to believe that things won't still be prolific.