Nothing ignites a good NFL discussion quite like quarterbacks. They're the most important ingredient in a championship recipe, after all. All signal-callers are at least partially a product of their situations, but that also means their current standing can be a good barometer for a team's Super Bowl hopes.
With that in mind, this is how we'd sort today's starting quarterbacks right now (with some short-term projection baked in). These rankings change as the season unfolds, as they're based more on current standing than the bigger picture, built to tell the story of each quarterback's respective rise and fall.
Without further ado, the Week 17 pecking order:
2024 NFL QB Power Rankings
| 1 | 
Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens QB
|
| Setting the Ravens record for single-season passing scores (37) is one thing; doing it in a pivotal rematch with the rival Steelers is another. This man is a walking highlight reel, effortlessly electric as both a tight-window thrower and play-extending speedster. His magical physical gifts are fully paired with smart, efficient and authoritative play. He's back in the MVP conversation (again). (+1) | |
| 2 | 
Joe Burrow
Cincinnati Bengals QB
|
| If the Bengals sneak into the playoffs after an ugly start to the season, it will be almost exclusively thanks to his unbreakable downfield connection with Ja'Marr Chase, a touchdown machine. (+1) | |
| 3 | 
Josh Allen
Buffalo Bills QB
|
| Allen gets the job done however he can. The one worry about his Superman tendencies is durability; he's now banged up both arms/hands during his otherwise dynamic MVP bid. (-2) | |
| 4 | 
Jared Goff
Detroit Lions QB
|
| The battle-tested vet has seen his touchdown total increase in each of his seasons with Detroit. The talent around him is immense, but he's grown with it, not only in efficiency but comfortability. | |
| 5 | 
Jordan Love
Green Bay Packers QB
|
| Josh Jacobs' bruising run game may be the top ingredient for Matt LaFleur's January attack, but it's Love's live-wire arm that truly keeps defenses on their heels. He's just such a gifted thrower. | |
| 6 | 
Jayden Daniels
Washington Commanders QB
|
| A last-minute upset of the Eagles has Rookie of the Year odds back on his side. Besides his silky-smooth mobility (700+ rush yards), his laser arm means Washington always has a chance. (+1) | |
| 7 | 
Sam Darnold
Minnesota Vikings QB
|
| Not even the biggest optimists in Minnesota could've foreseen 32 touchdown strikes from 2024 Darnold, who's exhibiting a fearless eye for downfield shots even in the face of pressure. (+1) | |
| 8 | 
Baker Mayfield
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB
|
| If Todd Bowles' Buccaneers defense had its typical fortitude, Mayfield might be among the NFC elite in the playoff picture. The guy's a warrior, now up to 60 touchdown throws since 2023. (+1) | |
| 9 | 
Justin Herbert
Los Angeles Chargers QB
|
| While most of his first year under Jim Harbaugh has been methodical rather than splashy, he stepped up to stave off the rival Broncos in a recent must-win outing. Can he ascend again? (+1) | |
| 10 | 
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs QB
|
| Maybe "high ankle sprain" just means Mahomes is ready to find a new gear? Iffy to close the Chiefs' last one-score win, he was spry on his trademark scrambles to extend K.C.'s streak. (+1) | |
| 11 | 
Matthew Stafford
Los Angeles Rams QB
|
| His approaching the top 10 speaks more to the middling nature of this year's second tier of passers. He's been scrappy when it counts; the challenge has been finding a high-scoring rhythm. (+3) | |
| 12 | 
Brock Purdy
San Francisco 49ers QB
|
| Generally immune to the surrounding bumps and bruises of the 49ers early in 2024, Purdy's still scrappy and capable of elite efficiency. But he's repeatedly stalled when backed into a corner. | |
| 13 | 
Bo Nix
Denver Broncos QB
|
| He isn't giving Denver the same volume of impact plays as fellow rookie Jayden Daniels in Washington, but his fluid legs and comfort with NFL speed has kept the Broncos relevant. (+3) | |
| 14 | 
Russell Wilson
Pittsburgh Steelers QB
|
| The luster of his surprisingly sturdy takeover has faded a bit; it's probably not a coincidence he's lost the ball more trying to create something out of nothing without deep threat George Pickens. (-1) | |
| 15 | 
C.J. Stroud
Houston Texans QB
|
| A likable leader, Stroud showed in 2023 he can air it out with the best of them. This year has been trying, though, both as a decision-maker and alongside a severely hampered supporting cast. | |
| 16 | 
Geno Smith
Seattle Seahawks QB
|
| You live by the Geno, you die by the Geno. His unceasing appetite for splash throws kept Seattle scrappy against the Vikings ... until it cost his team as well. He's now at 17 scores to 15 picks. (+1) | |
| 17 | 
Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins QB
|
| He did just enough to outlast the 49ers and get Miami back in the win column, and remains one of the game's most accurate (73.7% completion). The challenge: Shining when it really matters. (+3) | |
| 18 | 
Drake Maye
New England Patriots QB
|
| Like most rookie quarterbacks, he's still developing a feel for controlling the ball situationally. But he's got the touch, the legs and the charisma, as evidenced in a valiant effort against the Bills. (+3) | |
| 19 | 
Caleb Williams
Chicago Bears QB
|
| He's now thrown 10 scores and zero picks in his last five, upping his chemistry with Keenan Allen. He's got astounding elusiveness. If only he and the Bears could also start a game in rhythm. (+3) | |
| 20 | 
Bryce Young
Carolina Panthers QB
|
| Few quarterbacks have seen such an uptick in confidence, composure and general feel for the game over the course of the season. His touch in the face of pressure is an asset in Carolina. (+3) | |
| 21 | 
Kyler Murray
Arizona Cardinals QB
|
| Fighting to clear 200 passing yards (again) in a defeat to the Panthers, the former No. 1 pick can extend plays well, but he's now missed the playoffs entirely in five of his six NFL seasons. (-2) | |
| 22 | 
Aaron Rodgers
New York Jets QB
|
| Rodgers has quietly boosted his numbers thanks to a stretch of interception-free outings, but the Jets have remained totally scattershot. Will he run it back for his age-42 season is the question. (-2) | |
| 23 | 
Michael Penix Jr.
Atlanta Falcons QB
|
| The rookie didn't have a debut for the ages on the stat sheet, but his poise in place of Kirk Cousins translated in a blowout victory, giving Falcons fans legitimate hope for a last-gasp playoff push. (+1) | |
| 24 | 
Cooper Rush
Dallas Cowboys QB
|
| The Cowboys defense may have bailed out Mike McCarthy late against the Buccaneers for a Week 16 upset, but Rush started the party by feeding CeeDee Lamb his requisite deep shots. (+1) | |
| 25 | 
Anthony Richardson
Indianapolis Colts QB
|
| The Colts often fare better when Richardson leans almost exclusively into his supersized rushing talents. An indictment of his passing progress? A celebration of his athleticism? Or both? (+1) | |
| 26 | 
Kenny Pickett
Philadelphia Eagles QB
|
| Jalen Hurts is one tough customer, but a concussion has his status in question. Pickett's accuracy was so-so in relief in Week 16, but he's got the wherewithal and offensive help to muster a "W." | |
| 27 | 
Aidan O'Connell
Las Vegas Raiders QB
|
| It wasn't always pretty, but his composure in the pocket against the Jaguars helped the Raiders halt a 10-game skid. At this point, he's probably auditioning to compete for the No. 2 job in 2025. (+2) | |
| 28 | 
Mac Jones
Jacksonville Jaguars QB
|
| With Trevor Lawrence sidelined until 2025, Jones at least didn't throw a pick on Sunday, his fifth straight start. Airing it out to Brian Thomas Jr. helped. Still, he's now 1-4 as the fill-in. (+3) | |
| 29 | 
Spencer Rattler
New Orleans Saints QB
|
| Pressed into action with Derek Carr out indefinitely, the rookie has some flair to his game, making him a solid prospect for the future. The Saints as a whole just badly need a makeover. (-2) | |
| 30 | 
Mason Rudolph
Tennessee Titans QB
|
| When the Titans turned to Rudolph in place of the reckless Will Levis, they probably didn't envision a three-interception performance right out of the gate. It's been that kind of run in Tennessee. (-2) | |
| 31 | 
Drew Lock
New York Giants QB
|
| It's unclear at any given time whether the Giants are actively or unintentionally angling for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. Lock's pair of Week 16 pick sixes certainly aided the cause. | |
| 32 | 
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Cleveland Browns QB
|
| Demoting Jameis Winston made some sense, considering his oft-overzealous intentions. But Thompson-Robinson had precious few answers in his latest start as the Browns' last resort. (-2) | |
