Each year, the National Football League (NFL) fans debate over who the top five players are at the most important position in football: the quarterback (QB). Quarterbacks are the players positioned behind the center, who command the offense and throw the ball. Here’s our list of the current top 5 quarterbacks in the NFL, as week 18 has just ended.
#5: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Just two years ago Baker Mayfield had bounced around teams and couldn’t find a job in the NFL. His State Farm ads were canceled and it looked to be the end of his career. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Bucs) decided to take a flyer on Baker and signed him to a one-year contract. Baker went on to win the starting job and put up the best season of his career. Now in year two with the Bucs, Baker is shining again. He has thrown for 4,500 yards and 44 touchdowns, which is the third most in the NFL. While Baker is the lowest on this list, he is still an elite QB in the NFL.
#4: Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Drake Maye is only a rookie, but he has already shined. Maye has been outstanding in a New England offense with no talent. Maye has thrown for over 2,200 yards and 15 touchdowns throughout this season. The third overall pick in the 2024 draft has been the best rookie quarterback this year, especially considering his situation. Maye is surrounded by the worst line in football, a wide receiver room that thinks they are the best but, in reality, can’t catch a cold (outside of Demario Douglas), and an inexperienced coaching staff. Maye’s legs have also impressed as he has the highest yards per carry by a QB in the NFL.
#3: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson has had another MVP-caliber season after already winning the award twice. He has been destroying teams through the air or on his legs. He has led the Ravens to a 12-5 record, and although the team had a bad start to the season, Jackson’s been on a 12-2 run since. He is ranked second in almost every passing stat with only four interceptions in 17 games. He has been dominating with his newly signed teammate Derrick Henry, the second-ranked running back so far this season. He also has second-year wide receiver Zay Flowers who has been a speedy deep threat. The Ravens are tied for the most points scored this year with the Detroit Lions at 518, further proving how good their offense is. However, Jackson’s stats aren’t as good as those of Joe Burrow, who edges him out for the next spot.
#2: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow is the leading passer in the NFL so far this season and has been dominating defenses every week. He has a total of 4,918 yards, which is first in the league through 18 games, along with 45 total touchdowns which is also first, and a third-ranked quarterback rating of 75.0 per game. He also has thrown only nine interceptions throughout the season.. This is a big step up from his rough performance last year not even ranking in ESPN’s top 20 QBs. He has receiver Jamaar Chase but besides that, the duo has absolutely no help. He would be number one on this list if it weren’t for the Bengals barely missing the playoffs with a record of 9-8.
#1: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
The MVP frontrunner Josh Allen deserves to be number one on this list. Allen is putting on a show in Buffalo every week, as a couple of weeks ago he threw, rushed, and caught a touchdown in Buffalo’s 35-10 beatdown over the San Francisco 49ers. Allen has led the untalented Bills to a 13-4 record and earned them first place in the AFC East. The seventh-year QB surged into MVP conversations after beating the undefeated Chiefs and three-time Super Bowl Champion Patrick Mahomes. Allen has also lowered his interception total to six, tied for 62nd in the NFL, along with 28 passing touchdowns and twelve rushing touchdowns. The main criticism of the Bills QB is that his interceptions are high, but he seems to have fixed the issue.
