NFL Quarterback Tiers: The Complete 2024 Breakdown
Every season, the quarterback position determines playoff fates before a single snap is played. Front offices know it. Coaches scheme around it. And fantasy managers obsess over it. So let's cut through the noise and put every starting quarterback exactly where they belong.
Tier 1: The Untouchables
These are the quarterbacks who give their teams a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl on talent alone. You build everything else around them.
- Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) — Still the standard. The ability to manufacture touchdowns from nothing is unmatched in the modern era. Until someone dethrones him, he stays at the top.
- Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) — The most physically gifted quarterback in football. Combine elite arm talent with elite rushing ability and you have a weekly nightmare for any defense.
- Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) — Back-to-back MVP winner and arguably the most dangerous player in the NFL when healthy. The Ravens are built to keep him fresh, and that's a scary thought for everyone else.
Tier 2: The Franchise Cornerstones
These quarterbacks win divisions, make deep playoff runs, and command top-of-market contracts — but they still have a question or two hanging over them.
- Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) — Elite when healthy. The wrist injury is the only thing keeping him out of Tier 1. When locked in, he's as precise as anyone in the league.
- Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) — His 2022 season was a revelation. His 2023 showed some inconsistency in big moments. The Eagles need him at his best to make a Super Bowl run.
- C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans) — The most impressive rookie-to-sophomore trajectory in recent memory. Houston is building something real around him.
- Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) — Statistically excellent. Postseason results remain the persistent question mark.
Tier 3: The Solid Starters
These are quarterbacks who keep their teams competitive but aren't carrying anyone anywhere on their own. Good, not great.
- Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers)
- Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins)
- Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis Colts)
- Sam Darnold (Minnesota Vikings)
Tier 4: Show-Me Situations
These quarterbacks have something to prove in 2024 — whether it's staying healthy, proving a breakout wasn't a fluke, or simply holding off a challenger on their own roster.
- Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears) — The most hyped prospect since Andrew Luck. The Bears rebuilt their supporting cast specifically for him. Expectations are enormous.
- Drake Maye (New England Patriots) — Stepping into a very difficult situation with a roster that needs significant work around him.
- Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders)
- Bo Nix (Denver Broncos)
What the Tiers Tell Us
Look at the NFC and AFC playoff picture through the lens of these tiers and the picture becomes clear quickly. Teams in Tier 1 and 2 own the conference standings until proven otherwise. Everyone else is fighting for the scraps — a wild card berth, a division title in a weak division, or a first-year miracle from a rookie.
The gap between Tier 1 and everyone else is still significant. Until someone rises up to consistently challenge Mahomes, Allen, and Jackson in January, the AFC will remain their playground.
Check back throughout the season as these tiers get updated based on performance.