The 2025 NFL season may seem far away, but it’s actually right around the corner. The race for the league’s best QB might be tougher than ever. Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star, finds his grip on the top spot loosening slightly as emerging talents challenge his reign. Now at a mere 29 years old, Mahomes and Josh Allen are at an important inflection point in their careers. Their performances have the power to change the future of football. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow continue to solidify their positions among the elite, showcasing their skills through impressive statistics and playoff appearances.
It’s all reflected in the rankings of the top quarterbacks, highlighting their statistical accomplishments. Beyond that, they show that both team performance and offensive strategies are ever-changing. Coaches, general managers, and scouts from all over the league have contributed to these conversations, picking apart the pros and cons of the top prospects. With a combination of overwatch know-how and fresh-legged optimism, the NFL quarterbacking outlook has never been brighter.
Patrick Mahomes and his Challengers
Mahomes has widely been considered the best quarterback in the league for some time now. His ability to make plays in the clutch has garnered him praise and earned him respect throughout the league. This year, he won all but 40% of the first place votes. It’s a sign that he remains formidable, but perhaps his dominance is beginning to wane.
At 29 years old, Mahomes is still making plays that have never been seen before. Now, teams are beginning to find ways to exploit weaknesses in his game. Nevertheless, scouts understand that he’s still capable of producing jaw dropping magic between the lines. They are of the opinion that consistency will be key for him to stay elite.
“If we’re talking about playing the quarterback position, nobody is playing it better than him.” – a veteran AFC scout
Josh Allen is just 29 years old and has shown flashes of genius and a lack of brilliance. Over the past three seasons, he’s accumulated 47 career INTs and 18 career fumbles (7 lost). This concerning development has led to quite a few skeptics questioning his ball security. Even so, Allen is claiming an off-target rate of only 11.0%, the best mark by any starting QB. His combination of athleticism, explosiveness and passing ability is what continues to firmly cement him at the top of the discussion.
The Rise of Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson
Joe Burrow has quickly developed into one of the league’s most dynamic QBs. In 2024, he completely took over the NFL, throwing for 4918 yards and 43 touchdowns. That astonishing revival dominoed into his second Comeback Player of the Year award. It’s his knack for showing up in the clutch moments that has made him a favorite among coaches and analysts.
The full evaluation of Burrow is that we have a true quarterback who feels defenses, is in complete command and is demonstrably accurate. He’s done enough to assure scouts he’s the kind of steady passer that can dictate a victory on his own.
“The kid can read coverages, throw with accuracy and touch to all levels of the field… has a clutch factor to him because his team already believes that if he has the ball with a chance to win, he’s going to find a way.” – an NFL coordinator
He might not be the Lamar Jackson of the first month of the season, but he hasn’t fallen far. He’s finished in the top five for QBR in each of the last two seasons. In the process, he’s racked up a comically low 7,850 passing yards. His playoff record at 0-2 is a black mark he can’t escape. Jackson is continuing to evolve into a more proficient passer. With his dual-threat capabilities, he is a threat to go off on any given Sunday.
“He’s developed into one of the game’s best pure passers.” – a veteran NFC defensive coach
Emerging Talents and Consistent Performers
As an example, Mahomes, Jackson, Allen and Burrow largely hog the headlines in discussions of elite quarterbacks. A host of other players are rapidly establishing themselves in this increasingly crowded ecosystem. Justin Herbert 27 Justin Herbert, entering his third year still, has one of the strongest arms in the game. Coaches have raved about his poise and ability to make plays while on the run.
Jones has developed into a legitimate dual threat. During his 2021 rookie campaign, he finished second in yards per carry among all running backs (6.0) and in yards gained on scrambles. Creating an exciting odds battle environment, coaches see the quickly emerging quarterback – praising his versatility as he turns into a more developed QB.
Baker Mayfield’s production against blitz packages is equally hard to dismiss. He led all quarterbacks with a blistering 72.3% completion percentage. Further, he was superb in passing touchdowns when the defense rushed five or more. His poise under fire is indicative of his evolution as a quarterback able to deliver on backbreaking plays.
“He’s always been a top-5-8 QB — accurate to all levels, athletic, sound decision-maker.” – an AFC executive
At least one other quarterback has kept himself in the conversation, and it’s Jared Goff. His inclusion on 82% of top-10 submissions from the league’s executives and coaches speaks to his consistency and effectiveness across the past several seasons.
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