With NFL training camps just around the corner, it’s as good a time as any to take a look at this year’s starting quarterbacks.
Many of the 32 teams have starters firmly established, but a few are still settling battles for starting jobs. Ten teams are fortunate enough to have the best signal callers in the league.
Here are the top 10.
1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
The league’s unquestioned top quarterback for now, Allen has been a steady MVP-level performer for years. He completed 69.3 percent of his passes for 3,668 yards and 25 touchdowns versus 10 interceptions last year.Allen led the Bills to the playoffs and reached the Divisional Round. His intangibles as a thrower and physical runner are second to none in the league.
2. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Stafford was named the league’s MVP last year, and he had the Rams knocking on the door of a Super Bowl appearance. He completed 65 percent of his passes for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns versus eight interceptions.Expectations are sky-high for Stafford after a career year and the team’s addition of star edge Myles Garrett on the other side of the ball.
3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
No quarterback’s absence has shown more than Burrow’s in recent years. His turf toe injury in 2025 crippled the Bengals’ playoff hopes, but he shined when he played.Burrow completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 1,809 yards and 17 touchdowns versus five interceptions. His last full season in 2024 consisted of a 70.6 percent completion rate for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns versus nine picks.
The Bengals have a reliable leader and clutch player whenever Burrow is healthy and on the field.
4. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
While Mahomes had a relatively down year in an injury-shortened season, he’s expected to be among the best in 2026. Mahomes completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 3,587 yards and 22 touchdowns versus 11 interceptions.He has star tight end Travis Kelce to target for at least one more season, and Mahomes has lots to prove after the Chiefs missed the playoffs in 2025.
5. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Darnold led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl, and he did it in MVP style. He had one of the best seasons of his career with a 67.7 percent completion rate for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns versus 14 picks.Darnold looks to do more in 2026 with much of the same supporting cast on offense. He’s seeking a third consecutive 4,000-yard season with 25 or more touchdowns.
6. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson had a down year in 2025 amid injury, but he’s not far removed from one of the best seasons of his career. Last season, he completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 2,549 yards and 21 touchdowns versus seven picks. His 2024 season consisted of a 66.7 percent completion rate for 4,172 yards and 41 touchdowns versus four interceptions.Jackson is still one of the most dangerous running quarterbacks around, and he has the Ravens in playoff contention annually.
7. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Prescott is one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league in addition to being on one of the league’s highest-profile teams. He completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns versus 10 interceptions last season with a high-octane offense.Prescott could do even more this year, as the Cowboys have made improvements on defense, which could lead to more offensive opportunities and more wins.
8. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Maye broke through in his second season as an MVP candidate with a Super Bowl appearance. He completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns versus eight interceptions.Maye looks poised to do more of the same with a similar roster and the addition of star wide receiver A.J. Brown.
9. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Goff has been leading the Lions to contention in recent years, but he doesn’t get the recognition among the league’s top quarterbacks. His numbers speak for themselves: a 68 percent completion rate for 4,564 yards and 34 touchdowns versus eight picks last year.Goff has actually enjoyed more success overall in Detroit than Stafford did before the Rams-Lions quarterback swap in 2021. The Lions look to get another big season out of Goff in 2026 and return to the postseason.
10. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Herbert is easily one of the best passers in the league, and he has commanding pocket presence. He completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,727 yards and 26 touchdowns versus 13 interceptions last year.Herbert led the Chargers to the playoffs last year, and he could do more this season with a new offensive coordinator in Mike McDaniel.
