The Great Divide: Ranking the NFL's Signal-Callers Ahead of 2026
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
As the league enters a new campaign, the gap between the elite tier and the field has widened, leaving the rest of the league fighting to survive the 17-game gauntlet.
In the high-stakes world of NFL quarterbacking, the 2026 landscape reveals a stark divide between the untouchables and the merely competent. As first reported by Sportsnet, the league is currently split into distinct tiers that highlight the widening gap between the elite and the rest of the field.
**The Elite Tier** Sportsnet ranks Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills at number one, calling him a lock for 40 total touchdowns and the second-best overall player in the NFL. He is followed by the Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson, the premier dual-threat quarterback since Michael Vick and a multi-time MVP.
Rounding out the top five are Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, who remains in the MVP conversation despite a late-season knee injury; Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, who led the league in 2024 with 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns; and the Los Angeles Rams' Matthew Stafford, who won his first MVP last season after leading the league in passing yards (4,707) and touchdowns (46).
**The Field** The "Great Starters" tier includes Dak Prescott (6) and Justin Herbert (7), while Drake Maye (8) of the Patriots follows a breakout season that saw him lead New England to the Super Bowl. Caleb Williams (9) and Jared Goff (10) round out the second group.
Lower tiers feature high-quality starters like Jayden Daniels (11), Trevor Lawrence (12), and Jordan Love (13). Bo Nix (14) has excelled early, tying for the most wins (24) over his first two seasons, while Jalen Hurts (15), the Super Bowl LIX MVP, and Brock Purdy (16) remain key threats. Sam Darnold (17) and Baker Mayfield (18) provide veteran stability.
The "solid starter" group concludes with C.J. Stroud (19), Daniel Jones (20), Aaron Rodgers (21), and Bryce Young (22).