A power ranking of NFL quarterbacks could look like a list of MVP candidates, but this season has added a few non-passing contenders to the mix like running backs Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry.
Our adaptation takes how close a particular player is to winning the championship or the award because, frankly, the two are rarely set on the same scale. Being that injuries are what they are and some quarterbacks aren’t as good as the team they play on (the Brock Purdy syndrome), not everything is perfect.
So let’s adopt some of First Things First’s Kevin Wildes’ MVP award philosophy of the title being a championship belt being passed around from player to player.
Here’s our current QB NFL Power Rankings as the 2024 regular season draws to a close.
1. Josh Allen
The Bills have participated in the two highest-scoring games of this season. Josh Allen has made few (if any) mistakes in those games and this season. The quarterback may have won the MVP with a receiving touchdown in a loss, but his succeeding performance blew the world away by stepping foot on Ford Field, refusing to flinch, and figuring out the Detroit Lions. Despite the two losses, Allen has massive performances, particularly against the league’s elite teams.
2. Jared Goff
Jared Goff may be the only player in history to win a game with five interceptions and lose a game with five touchdowns (and nearly 500 passing yards). The full elimination of his Rams reputation and the subtraction of every Detroit defender puts Goff and OC Ben Johnson have been forced to keep this team afloat and appearing elite. Honestly, his legend may end when the playoffs pull up here in a few weeks
3. Lamar Jackson
The NFL’s truest unicorn had another five-touchdown performance buried in RedZone. If the Ravens hadn’t lost so many games in the division, his MVP consideration would reach unprecedented levels with a third trophy potentially being added to his shelf. Jackson, with his trusty power back by his side, will put up crazy numbers for the rest of the season, but his true test is in the playoffs.
4. Patrick Mahomes
The Star’s Sam McDowell reported on Tuesday that Mahomes is responding “better quicker” than the 2022 ankle injury against Jacksonville in the quarterback’s own words. As shown in that run, the guy is an absolute gamer by turning up his performance. The stakes were higher and Kansas City can lock up the #1 seed with Wentz under center, but if we have learned anything, Patrick Mahomes loves this game.
5. Jalen Hurts
I love swagger. Jalen Hurts is probably the quarterback in the league with the most of it. When you get to be a little snotty with the media despite no one stirring problems in your camp other than your own, you’re pretty cool. The Eagles are in a spot similar to 2022 but Jalen has so much less on his shoulders and it may pay off in the playoffs. The Eagles still may attain the top seed, so the Linc could be dangerous.
6. Baker Mayfield
Go with me on this one. Baker is the most “hell, yeah!” quarterback in the NFL. Whenever he plays well, I can’t help but shout the exclamation even if I sat between the Pope and my grandmother at a mute’s funeral. The long-term storytelling of his career makes me so happy and he beat the Chargers. Screw ’em.
7. Sam Darnold
The Vikings might be the top overall seed in the NFC if certain dominoes tumble in the final three weeks of the season. Darnold’s bank account is almost assuredly expected to grow this offseason because of this year. O’Connell, Jefferson, and Flores have made it so much easier, but Sam deserves the credit for the sustainability through the back half of the season.
8. Jordan Love
The Packers have restrained Love’s passing attempts to limit the turnovers because Love resembled his Green Bay grandpa a little too much. Love and the Packers are placed just behind the elite NFC teams because they have lost only to those teams. He flipped a switch around this time last year and could be dangerous with the year of experience.
9. Matthew Stafford
Stafford’s high ranking may seem odd being that the Rams just dropped a heaping 12 points on Thursday night, but his situation may be particularly perfect. Just like they did last year, the Rams are surging toward the end of the year with superb weapons for the quarterback. This time, LA might come away with the division and host a playoff game, potentially against a fallen Lions team they have faced before. What else could the old guy ask for?
10. Russell Wilson
I could have copied and pasted my Matthew Stafford entry for Mr. Wilson. The Pittsburgh culture has been enhanced by airing it out. Against Philly, the absence of George Pickens handicapped Wilson, but the Steelers are a real squad largely because of Wilson waltzing through the door.
