This year, the writers, editors, and managers of Last Word on NFL have come together to compile quarterback rankings for each of the eight divisions. From the mess that is the NFC South to a pair of MVP candidates in the AFC North, each and every starting quarterback has been weighed against one another for our annual preseason rankings.
Here is our one-stop shop for this year’s quarterback rankings!
Last Word on NFL’s Official 2026 Quarterback Rankings
AFC North
According to Will Koshover
“Quarterback is the most important position in all of professional sports, with the physical and mental demands requiring a special player necessary at the highest levels. The uber-rugged AFC North happens to have some of the finest QBs in the league. Returning this summer is Last Word On the NFL’s top returning series as we examine the best players at their position groups. So, without further ado, let’s rank the best quarterbacks in the division…” READ MORE
AFC South
According to Austin Ambler
“2025 was a good year for the AFC South, with two teams making the playoffs (Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans) and a third (Indianapolis Colts) missing out after a devastating injury to their quarterback. All four starting quarterbacks in the division in 2026 are the same four that started in 2025. Here are the best AFC South Quarterbacks for 2026…” READ MORE
AFC East
According to Mike Zimmelman
“The AFC East quarterbacks felt like a one-man show for some time. Since becoming the full-time starting quarterback, Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen has been on an upward trajectory to succeed longtime New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady as the division’s king. Thus far, he’s lived up to the hype, even capturing the league’s MVP in 2024.
However, on his trail is the incumbent Patriots quarterback, Drake Maye. The 2024 third overall pick shone in his second season, not only leading the Patriots to the AFC Championship but also finishing runner-up for MVP behind Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. With the Patriots’ offseason additions on offense, including acquiring star wide receiver AJ Brown from the Eagles, can Maye surpass Josh Allen as the best AFC East quarterback?
While the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins won’t be in the playoff hunt, the remaining teams in the AFC East made the most significant changes at the position itself. After a disastrous 2025, the Jets hope Geno Smith’s return to the organization provides a young but much-improved offense stability, but more importantly, can air the ball out to New York’s young but more diversified offense. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins are beginning a new chapter. The team moved on from both head coach Mike McDaniel and starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Now, new head coach Jeff Haffley is optimistic that Malik Willis’ breakout in limited action is enough to give Miami an enigmatic dual-threat quarterback this year…” READ MORE
AFC West
According to Alain Pierre
“The AFC West quarterbacks are really an impressive collection of talent. The group has a good argument to be a part of the best quarterback division of all time. NFL analyst Chris Simms discussed this on this podcast. He wondered if the “AFC West Quarterbacks could feature the strongest collection ever assembled.”
It’s a bold statement, but the argument isn’t difficult to make.
The AFC West Quarterbacks feature the NFL’s premier quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, one of the league’s most gifted passers in Justin Herbert, an ascending young star in Bo Nix, and a fascinating quarterback situation in Las Vegas involving veteran Kirk Cousins and first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza.
With that in mind, here is how the AFC West quarterbacks stack up entering the 2026 season…” READ MORE
NFC North
According to David Keech
“Quarterback is the most important position in football, guiding the offense. Just as a baseball catcher makes the calls all game long, the quarterback is both mentally and physically strong in leading the team. The NFC North, labeled the ‘NFC Norris’ division by legendary ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman, has four quarterbacks at the helm who approach the game differently. Big questions: How should we rank the best NFC North Quarterbacks for this season?
We return with Last Word On the NFL’s top returning series as we take a look at the best players at their position groups. Who makes #1 as the best NFC North Quarterback for 2026? Let’s take a look…” READ MORE
NFC South
According to Alain Pierre
“Sadly, the NFC South Quarterbacks are not elite.
What it does have is four quarterbacks who enter 2026 with widely different levels of experience, expectations, and pressure. Depending on which fan base you ask, each one has a case to be the best NFC South Quarterback in the division by the end of the season.
Saints fans believe Tyler Shough is ready to surprise people. Falcons fans spent much of last offseason convinced Michael Penix Jr. was their future. Panthers fans watched Bryce Young finish the year playing his best football as a professional. Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield continues to be the veteran that everyone but Bucs fans seems to overlook.
The reality is that none of these quarterbacks have separated themselves from the pack the way Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, or Cam Newton once did. This is what makes this one the most fascinating quarterback division in football…” READ MORE
NFC East
According to Zach Wolpin
“While 2025 was a down year overall for the NFC East, the division still has plenty of talent, especially at quarterback. The Philadelphia Eagles were the only NFC East team to finish with a winning record at 11-6. All four teams have something to prove entering 2026. To have success, they’ll need exceptional play from their signal callers. Where do the starting NFC East Quarterbacks rank heading into 2026?…” READ MORE
NFC West
According to Grant Potter
“The NFC West quarterbacks are one of the most talented groups of quarterbacks of any division in the NFL heading into next season, so let’s rank the highly talented NFC West quarterbacks for the 2026 NFL season…” READ MORE
