Who is the best quarterback in the NFL? Patrick Mahomes is the popular answer, and considering he’s won two of the last three Super Bowls, that’s a fair answer. Yet, we’re living in a golden era of quarterback play where others like reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen and two-time MVP Lamar Jackson deserve consideration too.
We also can’t forget about last year’s MVP runner-up Joe Burrow either. Ultimately, there are several options who can be considered among the best NFL quarterbacks.
Let’s dive into our list of the best NFL quarterbacks right now as we approach the 2025 season.
1. Lamar Jackson
best NFL quarterbacks
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He didn’t win the MVP last year, but the Baltimore Ravens quarterback still had an excellent season, producing an NFL-high 8.8 yards per passing attempt while having the league’s best touchdown ratio. Simply put, Jackson was the most dangerous quarterback to defend. As incredible as is with his feet, Jackson has become arguably more potent with his arm.
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2. Josh Allen
Josh Allen
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The first-time NFL MVP winner not only had a career low in interceptions last year, he remained extremely productive despite losing top receiver Stefon Diggs via trade. Allen wasn’t bothered and didn’t overly rely on his legs like other quarterbacks may do after being forced to change. Others arguably have a No. 1 receiving weapon, but Allen has to do most of the work himself and that gives him a slight boost here.
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3. Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow
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The former No. 1 overall pick returned from a torn wrist ligament in 2023 with a vengeance in 2024. Burrow played like his hair was on fire, leading the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns. At times, it felt like Burrow would nearly single-handedly lead the Bengals to the playoffs, but his effort just wasn’t enough when combined with a horrific defense in Cincinnati. Still, Burrow is undoubtedly one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today.
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4. Patrick Mahomes
NFL: AFC Championship-Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs
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His raw stats may no longer rival the numbers he was putting up earlier in his career with Tyreek Hill, but Patrick Mahomes’ postseason results cannot be ignored after leading his team to five of the past seven Super Bowls. Mahomes changed the game with his unique release points, even if it means throwing behind his back or flipping hands if needed. His uncanny ability to make plays on the run makes him one of the toughest players to defend in NFL history, not just today.
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5. Jayden Daniels
NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders
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What Jayden Daniels did as a rookie was nothing short of incredible, leading the Commanders to the NFC Conference Championship when the team entered the season as a group that won four games the previous season. Now, Daniels has a chance to build upon his numbers, but he could just as easily go the way of C.J. Stroud and disappear from this list altogether heading into the following season.
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6. Baker Mayfield
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants
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While the former No. 1 overall pick had to play for a total of four different teams before establishing himself as a franchise quarterback, Baker Mayfield is here to stay now. Still just 30 years old, Mayfield is in his prime and coming off his second consecutive 4,000-yard year. Armed with an even stronger receiver trio led by Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and incoming rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka, the sky is the limit for Mayfield this season.
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7. Jared Goff
Syndication: USA TODAY
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As a former No. 1 overall pick who led his team to a Super Bowl appearance in his third NFL season, yet was traded just two years later, Jared Goff has experienced the crazy highs and lows of playing in the pros. Yet, Goff has proven to be a tough cookie, and now he’s back on top of the mountaintop, leading an extremely potent and efficient offense while having a strong chance to return to the promised land and ideally win this time.
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8. Matthew Stafford
NFL: Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals
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At 37, Matthew Stafford is the oldest player on this list, but he hasn’t lost his fastball playing in Sean McVay’s brilliant offense. If anything Stafford’s 16 years of NFL experience has made him an even better quarterback, learning how to get rid of the ball before defenders have a chance to touch him.
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9. Jalen Hurts
NFL: Super Bowl LIX-Kansas City Chiefs at Philadelphia Eagles
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Yes, Jalen Hurts just led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl, but he was asked to do farr less as a passer than anyone else on this list. However, his strengths as a rusher who can constantly put the Eagles in advantageous situations cannot be ignored either, now does his extremely efficient playoff run that produced five passing and five rushing touchdowns compared to just one interception.
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10. Justin Herbert
NFL: Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots
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If he returns to peak form iwtht he Pittsburgh Steelers, then Aaron Rodgers deserves consideration here too. Yet, we’re going off what players have done lately, and there’s no denying Justin Herbert merits a spot in a list of the best NFL quarterbacks for 2025. Herbert is coming off a season where he had the NFL’s best interception ratio, and he was in the first year of Jim Harbaugh’s system. We expect Herbert to take another step this year thanks to a stronger infrastructure in LA.
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Sports fan since birth. I am also passionate about cars, music, and anything funny. Minnesotan, born and raised. Maybe ... More about Andrew Buller-Russ