Throughout the season, theScore’s Josh Tolentino will offer regular updates on his quarterback tier rankings, based on performance from the 32 starters and what he’s hearing from league evaluators.
September: Preseason edition
Tier 1: Early MVP race
Brock Purdy, 49ers
Mr. Irrelevant continues to deliver, and he’s debunking narratives about his success while doing so. Purdy’s been criticized throughout his young career for being supported by an All-Star cast that terrorized defenses with tremendous yards-after-catch ability. Well, Purdy has been without last year’s offensive player of the year, Christian McCaffrey, all season, and wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle also missed time. Yet Purdy’s still producing at an impressive clip: 26% of his 1,130 passing yards – second most in the league – have occurred after the catch, the lowest YAC mark for any QB since 2016, according to Next Gen Stats. Purdy’s 9.3 yards per attempt leads the NFL.
Josh Allen, Bills
Allen’s weathered the departures of receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis smoothly with Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Dalton Kincaid all seeing increased usage. Allen’s impressively thrown zero interceptions although he’s credited with six turnover-worthy plays. His 10 big-time throws – a pass with excellent ball location and timing generally thrown further down the field and/or into a tighter window – lead all QBs, according to Pro Football Focus. Allen’s also recorded 106 rushing yards on 22 attempts with two rushing touchdowns.
Lamar Jackson, Ravens
Jackson and running back Derrick Henry helped the Ravens rebound from an 0-2 start, and the duo’s explosiveness will continue to cause headaches for opposing defensive coordinators. Henry’s scored a rushing TD in every game this season, while Jackson’s being pressured at the lowest rate of his career (25.6%). Jackson’s averaging a career-high 7.5 yards per carry as a rusher; he has 308 yards on 41 attempts with two rushing TDs.
Sam Darnold, Vikings
Minnesota sits atop the NFC at 4-0 and Darnold’s a big reason why. Darnold made the most significant leap in these rankings, from Tier 7 all the way to Tier 1, thanks to his improved pocket presence and veteran leadership. Yes, the Vikings’ defense is wreaking havoc, but Darnold’s also been steady in finding the end zone for a league-high 11 passing TDs.
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Mahomes is experiencing one of the slowest starts of his career, but the three-time Super Bowl MVP has still willed his team to a perfect record entering Week 5. Injuries to key offensive personnel have decimated the Chiefs, so it’ll be up to Mahomes to quickly develop chemistry with younger, inexperienced weapons, like speedy rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who has nine catches, 154 receiving yards, and two TDs.
Tier 2: Hot rookie
Jayden Daniels, Commanders
Daniels’ sizzling start is helping revive a Washington franchise that’s longed for quality QB play. Last season’s Heisman Trophy winner is thriving under coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Daniels’ 82.1% completion rate marks a new NFL high through a rookie’s first four games. When he isn’t dicing secondaries, Daniels is a threat to run. He’s added 218 rushing yards on 46 carries with four rushing TDs.
Tier 3: Upper echelon
C.J. Stroud, Texans
Stroud’s carried over his success from his rookie season, aside from an offensive dud against Minnesota’s Brian Flores-coached defense. Stroud’s favoring rising receiver Nico Collins, who has a team-high 30 catches, a league-high 489 receiving yards, and four TDs. Stroud will need to continue to put up big numbers, especially if the running game isn’t able to find its stride soon.
Joe Burrow, Bengals
Burrow’s experienced his share of hiccups, but the team’s 1-3 start isn’t due to lack of offensive firepower. Cincinnati’s defense will need to drastically improve for the Bengals to dig themselves out of this hole.
Aaron Rodgers, Jets
The 10-time Pro Bowler’s shown he’s still got it in his return from a torn Achilles. Most of Rodgers’ success this season has occurred within the structure of the scheme, while most of his struggles have happened outside the pocket on rushed decisions. Rodgers has attempted a quick pass (under 2.5 seconds) at the third-highest rate in the league this season (57.8%), according to Next Gen Stats.
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers
The NFC South is sizzling with improved passers in a league desperate for more explosiveness. Mayfield continues to rely on top receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin; the duo’s combined for 55 catches, 662 yards, and eight TDs.
Geno Smith, Seahawks
It’s a shame Seattle’s unable to field a quality offensive line. Smith’s been a pocket magician, but the line’s inefficiencies are bound to catch up with the Seahawks eventually.
Tier 4: Staying afloat
Kirk Cousins, Falcons
Who could’ve predicted prime-time Cousins would rise to the occasion in 2024? Cousins tossed a career-high 509 passing yards and four TDs as the Falcons came back to win in overtime Thursday vs. the Bucs, giving him marquee victories over Philadelphia and Tampa Bay this season.
Matthew Stafford, Rams
Stafford’s been temporarily stripped of top weapons Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp due to injuries. The Rams will need to continue to rely on running back Kyren Williams, who’s tied with Henry and Alvin Kamara for most rushing TDs (five). When the run game’s on, Stafford can cook off play-action; he has 318 yards off play-action, fourth most in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats.
Derek Carr, Saints
Carr owns PFF’s top passing grade (89.1), thanks mainly to a hot two-game start. However, the Saints are reeling following back-to-back losses to Philadelphia and Atlanta, and Carr will need to manage the chaos as New Orleans deals with injuries to its O-line.
Justin Fields, Steelers
If Fields has Pittsburgh staying afloat, he’ll maintain his starter role over 35-year-old Russell Wilson. The former Bears QB has been extremely composed under coordinator Arthur Smith.
Dak Prescott, Cowboys
Based on the defense’s early lapses and overall concerns around the run game, Prescott will likely need to play lights out this season to give Dallas a fighting chance. Prescott’s thrown into tight windows at the highest rate (27.5%) among qualified passers, which raises serious concerns about his turnover ceiling.
Jordan Love, Packers
Love missed two games after suffering an MCL sprain injury in the season opener. His seesaw-type return (four TDs, three INTs) against the Vikings in Week 4 had some wondering if he came back too soon.
Jared Goff, Lions
Goff completed all 18 of his passes for 292 yards and two TDs during Detroit’s 42-29 win over the Seahawks in Week 4. More performances like that will earn him a jump in November’s tiers.
Tier 5: Lingering issues
Jalen Hurts, Eagles
Will the Eagles ever get out of their rut dating back to the end of last season? It feels too often like Philadelphia boasts Super Bowl-contending talent but carries too much baggage. Hurts has committed at least one turnover in nine consecutive games, and the Eagles are the only team that hasn’t scored in the first quarter this season. Hurts also owns an NFL-worst 11 turnover-worthy plays, according to PFF.
Kyler Murray, Cardinals
Murray’s displayed flashes, but the Cardinals combined for only 27 points against Detroit and Washington the past two weeks. Despite offensive inconsistencies, Murray’s proven he’s still elite when he needs to create outside the structure. He’s 9-for-12 on passes where his time to throw exceeds four seconds, for 156 yards and an NFL-high three TDs, per Next Gen Stats. Murray’s 104.6 passer rating ranks seventh in the NFL.
Justin Herbert, Chargers
The Chargers have turned into a run machine under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh after the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Tailback J.K. Dobbins has averaged 6.1 yards per carry with 342 rushing yards and two TDs. Herbert’s leading receiver, Ladd McConkey, has only 15 catches, 176 receiving yards, and three TDs.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
Tagovailoa remains on injured reserve after suffering another concussion in Week 2. Miami’s offense wasn’t particularly crisp with him to begin the season and now the Dolphins look completely lost bouncing between backups Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley.
Tier 6: Rest of 2024 draft class
Caleb Williams, Bears
The first four weeks have been a roller coaster for this year’s No. 1 pick; Williams didn’t throw his first TD until Week 3. Chicago’s defense has been dominant, but the O-line continues to lack competency – an overarching theme in Chicago for the past decade – and running back D’Andre Swift (3.04 yards per carry) is off to a sluggish start. Williams has endured 62 pressures and 16 sacks, which both rank second in the league.
Bo Nix, Broncos
Nix finally connected with wide receiver Courtland Sutton for his first career passing TD during the team’s 10-9 win over the Jets in Week 4. The 24-year-old rookie threw for only 60 yards against New York and continues to struggle to pose any type of downfield threat. He’s recorded only two completions of 30 or more yards.
Jacoby Brissett, Patriots
RookieDrake Mayecontinues to wait his turn behind veteran Brissett. Maye went 4-for-8 for 22 yards during garbage time in Week 3’s loss to the Jets. Coach Jerod Mayo reiterated this week that Brissett will remain the starter, but things may get even more bleak in New England. Brissett’s suffered from the highest pressure rate (47.4%) in the NFL and the Patriots just lost their best offensive lineman, center David Andrews, to season-ending shoulder surgery.
Tier 7: Serious concern
Andy Dalton, Panthers
Dalton helped deliver the team’s first win over the Raiders in Week 3 after first-year coach Dave Canales benched 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young. While Dalton’s a more composed presence under center, Carolina’s offensive ceiling is clearly limited with its current personnel.
Gardner Minshew, Raiders
Las Vegas never seems to have a shortage of storylines. It feels like only a matter of time before top receiver Davante Adams is traded.
Anthony Richardson, Colts
Richardson’s processing skills need to be fine-tuned. The second-year QB is tied with Will Levis for most INTs in the league. Only Young has a worse standard passer rating than Richardson’s 60.2. Richardson’s total QB ranking via ESPN is less ugly, ranking him 21st.
Daniel Jones, Giants
The Giants’ overall woes continue, but the franchise appears to have struck gold in top draft pick Malik Nabers. The rookie wide receiver from LSU has totaled 386 receiving yards and three TDs on a league-high 35 receptions.
Deshaun Watson, Browns
It’s been ages since 2020, when Watson finished as the league’s passing leader. No QB’s been sacked (19) or pressured (73) more this season than Watson, who continues to struggle to prove his worth in Cleveland.
Will Levis, Titans
Levis is a certified turnover machine so far, much to the detriment of first-year coach Brian Callahan. Coincidentally, Tennessee won its first game against Miami this past week, as Levis injured his right throwing shoulder in the first quarter and was replaced by backup Mason Rudolph.
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
The Jaguars are a complete mess, and Lawrence has failed to fulfill his role as franchise-saving QB following his massive payday this offseason. Lawrence is completing a career-low 53.3% of his passes, and the Jaguars rank 26th in red-zone scoring.
