NFL Playoffs 2025: Rating all 14 quarterbacks from worst to greatest

The NFL playoffs are right here and that could be a fantastic factor.

The NFL playoffs are right here and that’s additionally a harmful factor.

Why is that this harmful, you ask? You see, what occurs over the course of the subsequent month (ish) goes to dramatically alter the best way that we view the panorama of issues and sure folks. Clearly the playoffs are crucial factor relative to any given NFL season, however we frequently dilute something and every part that occurs into EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS HERE as a result of the video games are so huge. I get it, however the course of additionally weeds out vital context.

Whether or not you agree with that or not it’s secure to say that subsequent month (once more, ish) goes to outline particularly how we view sure folks… aka some quarterbacks. Whoever does or doesn’t get it finished within the greatest moments goes to be celebrated or need to reply for that.

Fortunately I’m right here to supply the solutions earlier than the check itself begins.

Rating all 12 quarterbacks within the NFL playoffs

Let me first say that attempting to rank something is inherently troublesome and actually unattainable. I believe that strawberry is the perfect ice cream taste and that Tom Holland is the perfect Spider-Man. I think about you might have points with one among if not each of these statements.

However let me inform you, if that bothered you then we’re in for a bumpy journey over the subsequent little bit right here.

There are 12 groups enjoying within the playoffs which implies that there are 12 quarterbacks enjoying within the playoffs. I’m about to rank them. It’s okay. These are simply phrases. They can not damage you.

Finally to rank these signal-callers I believe it’s truthful to interrupt them down into some tiers. We are going to go in ascending order as a result of I nonetheless can’t cease watching Depraved and that taught me a very long time in the past that you really want the drama to construct.

Tier 1: Congrats on being right here, however we have to see it to belief you

It’s right here that I’m going to go very chalk and supply the newbies to the playoff panorama. I believe that it’s positively chalk (clearly, I mentioned that) in that these are usually probably the most inexperienced gamers, but it surely additionally works relative to the place they stack up in opposition to each other.

Picture by Gregory Shamus/Getty Pictures

14: Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers

13: Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

12: Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings

11: Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

I lied! Russell is actually not a playoff beginner, however this is his first playoff sport with a workforce aside from the Seattle Seahawks. This week will supply the primary little bit of playoff motion for Sam Darnold, Field Nix and Jayden Daniels although, clearly.

Of those 4 I believe that I believe Russell is the one one who can’t dangle in the identical method. This isn’t a slight in opposition to Russell, however we haven’t seen him make as many performs throughout this season to assist his workforce as we have now the others within the group. Truthful is truthful.

All of that being mentioned… I believe the participant with probably the most to lose right here is Sam Darnold. If Russell is dangerous folks will simply shrug it off primarily based on what the previous couple of years have been. If Nix and/or Daniels don’t get it finished, properly, hey, they’re younger and have lengthy futures forward of them.

If Darnold delivers a stinker it would revive all the speak concerning the Vikings being entrance runners the best way that individuals mentioned in 2022 (which was unfair!) and observe him in free company this 12 months whether or not he returns to Minnesota or goes elsewhere.

Tier 2: You may have my belief, and you’ve got the change to raise your self

For me this playoff group comes right down to quarterbacks who we all know can ship within the NFL as a result of we have now seen them do it time and time once more. Most of them have even finished so in some unspecified time in the future within the playoffs.

However the group is exclusive in that they’re all additionally a playoff win or two from actually distancing themself from the pack. Ought to they win this week and possibly subsequent week on high of it… we’re speaking a few completely different stratosphere.

Picture by Wesley Hitt/Getty Pictures

10: Jordan Love, Inexperienced Bay Packers

9: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

8: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

7: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

I believe these are vital playoffs for each Love and Stroud. In the event that they underwhelm then the great will they constructed up final 12 months will actually fizzle and fade away. This sounds unfair, but when Herbert stinks it up folks will simply proceed to pour on. He has already crossed the road of the web to the place logic and cause escape folks. That’s what separates him from the others right here, they will possibly be a part of him in that wilderness.

Baker Mayfield is exclusive in that no person actually hates him or thinks he sucks or hypes him up past what’s sensible and/or truthful. If he wins on Sunday evening and helps the Buccaneers have again to again seasons with playoff victories… I believe his narrative adjustments a bit.

Tier 3: Critical dudes, however it’s time to stack some extra

For me this tier is about quarterbacks who we all know and imagine are respectable and that we belief with most of every part, however we’re able to see extra. Greater than that, we’re able to see it once more.

Picture by Ronald Martinez/Getty Pictures

6: Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

5: Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

4: Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

Every of those quarterbacks has reached the NFC Championship Sport in some unspecified time in the future within the final three years, clearly Stafford even went properly past that and gained the Tremendous Bowl.

Outdoors of these runs although, with their present groups, we have now not seen a lot of the rest within the playoffs particularly. 2022 was magical for Jalen Hurts and clearly final season was wonderful for the Lions at massive. This 12 months is about doing it once more for one among these 3 and proving that their wonderful 12 months (Goff could be in the course of his) was not a one off in order that they will be a part of the ultimate group.

Tier 4: Ballers, Shot-Callers

Let’s be adults right here and admit that you may order this nevertheless you need and never be unsuitable in any possible way. Deal? Deal.

Right here is how I’m ordering it.

3: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs

2: Josh Allen, Buffalo Payments

1: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Picture by Michael Owens/Getty Pictures

I like all three of those quarterbacks and most groups can be past lucky to have them. This could all be true!

It may also be true that Mahomes is clearly on a GOAT path and that his “down” 12 months slotting him third shouldn’t be some huge signal of disrespect. We will contextualize the place he and his workforce are at and acknowledge the distinctiveness with how they’re enjoying and successful.

For a lot of this season I used to be of the assumption that Josh Allen was MVP and to be clear he has a rightful case. He has been very good.

However Lamar Jackson presents a unique sort of “that dude is an issue” vitality proper now and is seemingly on the peak of his powers that we have now come to know from him which is actually saying one thing on condition that he has gained MVP twice already.

I’ve spoken.