As NFL teams prepare for the 2026 season, The Sports Cast contributor and former Minnesota Vikings player Byron Jones has released his quarterback rankings for every division, along with his overall top 32 quarterbacks in the league.
The rankings highlight established superstars like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson while also showing confidence in several young quarterbacks expected to take major steps forward in 2026.
Byron Jones’ Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks for 2026
According to Jones, these are the top quarterbacks entering the 2026 NFL season:
Rank
Quarterback
Team
1
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs
2
Josh Allen
Buffalo Bills
3
Matthew Stafford
Los Angeles Rams
4
Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens
5
Dak Prescott
Dallas Cowboys
6
Joe Burrow
Cincinnati Bengals
7
Jalen Hurts
Philadelphia Eagles
8
Jared Goff
Detroit Lions
9
Baker Mayfield
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10
Caleb Williams
Chicago Bears
Mahomes once again claims the No. 1 spot after continuing to establish himself as the NFL’s premier quarterback, followed closely by Allen. Veteran Matthew Stafford ranks third, while reigning stars Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott round out the top five.
Several interesting storylines emerge from Byron Jones’ rankings:
Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen remain the clear top two quarterbacks in the NFL.
Matthew Stafford earns a surprising No. 3 overall ranking after continuing to lead the Rams’ offense at a high level.
Caleb Williams cracks the top 10 entering his second NFL season.
Drake Maye ranks as the AFC East’s second-best quarterback behind Allen.
Jayden Daniels already ranks ahead of several established veterans.
Rookie quarterbacks Cam Ward, Tyler Shough, and Jaxson Dart all appear in the overall top 32, reflecting confidence in their long-term potential.
Final Thoughts
Byron Jones’ quarterback rankings combine proven veterans with emerging stars heading into the 2026 NFL season. While established names such as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow continue to headline the league, Jones also projects significant growth for younger quarterbacks like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels.
As training camps approach, these rankings provide an intriguing snapshot of how one former NFL player evaluates the quarterback landscape entering what promises to be another highly competitive season.
