As the 2026 NFL season approaches, quarterback play remains the biggest factor in determining which teams will compete for the Super Bowl. From perennial MVP candidates like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen to rising stars such as Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels, every division features intriguing storylines under center.
Here’s a look at the top quarterbacks in each NFL division, along with the overall top 32 quarterback rankings entering the 2026 campaign.
NFC East Quarterback Rankings
The NFC East continues to feature elite quarterback talent led by Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts, while Jayden Daniels continues his ascent after an impressive start to his NFL career.
- Dallas Cowboys — Dak Prescott
- Philadelphia Eagles — Jalen Hurts
- Washington Commanders — Jayden Daniels
- New York Giants — Jaxson Dart
Outlook
Prescott narrowly edges Hurts atop the division, while Daniels gives Washington one of the league’s brightest young quarterbacks. Rookie Jaxson Dart begins a new era for the Giants.
AFC East Quarterback Rankings
The AFC East remains one of the NFL’s toughest quarterback divisions thanks to reigning superstar Josh Allen and several emerging starters.
- Buffalo Bills — Josh Allen
- New England Patriots — Drake Maye
- New York Jets — Geno Smith
- Miami Dolphins — Malik Willis
Outlook
Allen remains the clear standard in the division, while Drake Maye continues developing into one of the league’s top young signal-callers.
NFC West Quarterback Rankings
Experience leads the way in the NFC West with Matthew Stafford still setting the pace despite strong competition.
- Los Angeles Rams — Matthew Stafford
- San Francisco 49ers — Brock Purdy
- Seattle Seahawks — Sam Darnold
- Arizona Cardinals — Jacoby Brissett / Gardner Minshew / Carson Beck
Outlook
The Rams continue to rely on Stafford’s veteran leadership, while Purdy has firmly established himself among the NFL’s better quarterbacks.
AFC West Quarterback Rankings
The AFC West once again belongs to Patrick Mahomes, with Justin Herbert continuing to challenge as one of football’s elite passers.
- Kansas City Chiefs — Patrick Mahomes
- Los Angeles Chargers — Justin Herbert
- Denver Broncos — Bo Nix
- Las Vegas Raiders — Kirk Cousins / Fernando Mendoza
Outlook
Mahomes remains the benchmark for NFL quarterback play, while Herbert and Bo Nix headline a talented division.
NFC North Quarterback Rankings
The NFC North features a strong mix of veteran production and emerging talent.
- Detroit Lions — Jared Goff
- Chicago Bears — Caleb Williams
- Green Bay Packers — Jordan Love
- Minnesota Vikings — Kyler Murray / J.J. McCarthy
Outlook
Goff leads a loaded division that also includes one of the league’s most exciting young quarterbacks in Caleb Williams.
AFC North Quarterback Rankings
Perhaps no division boasts more star power than the AFC North.
- Baltimore Ravens — Lamar Jackson
- Cincinnati Bengals — Joe Burrow
- Pittsburgh Steelers — Aaron Rodgers
- Cleveland Browns — Deshaun Watson / Shedeur Sanders
Outlook
Jackson and Burrow remain two of the NFL’s premier quarterbacks, while Rodgers adds veteran experience in Pittsburgh.
NFC South Quarterback Rankings
The NFC South continues to evolve with Baker Mayfield leading the division.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Baker Mayfield
- Carolina Panthers — Bryce Young
- Atlanta Falcons — Tua Tagovailoa / Michael Penix Jr.
- New Orleans Saints — Tyler Shough
Outlook
Mayfield enters 2026 as the division’s top quarterback after revitalizing his career in Tampa Bay.
AFC South Quarterback Rankings
The AFC South showcases several young franchise quarterbacks expected to lead their teams for years.
- Jacksonville Jaguars — Trevor Lawrence
- Houston Texans — C.J. Stroud
- Indianapolis Colts — Daniel Jones
- Tennessee Titans — Cam Ward
Outlook
Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Stroud headline one of the NFL’s most promising quarterback divisions.
Top 32 NFL Quarterbacks for 2026
- Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
- Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
- Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
- Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
- Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
- Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
- Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
- Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
- Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Drake Maye, New England Patriots
- Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
- Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
- Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
- Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
- Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
- Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
- C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
- Geno Smith, New York Jets
- Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
- Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
- Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins
- Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans
- Jaxson Dart, New York Giants
- Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
- Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders
- Tua Tagovailoa, Atlanta Falcons
- Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
- Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings
- Arizona Cardinals quarterback situation (Jacoby Brissett / Gardner Minshew)
Biggest Storylines Entering the 2026 NFL Season
Several intriguing quarterback battles and developments could shape the upcoming season:
- Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen continue their rivalry for the title of the NFL’s best quarterback.
- Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels, and Cam Ward represent the next generation of franchise quarterbacks.
- Veterans Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, and Dak Prescott remain among the league’s most trusted signal-callers.
- Multiple teams, including Arizona, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Minnesota, enter the season with quarterback competitions or shared expectations at the position.
Final Thoughts
Quarterback play has never been deeper across the NFL. While Patrick Mahomes remains the consensus No. 1 entering the 2026 season, challengers including Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Matthew Stafford, and Jalen Hurts continue to headline an increasingly competitive league.
With young stars rapidly climbing the rankings and veteran quarterbacks still performing at a high level, the 2026 NFL season promises some of the league’s best quarterback matchups in years.