Happy Wednesday friends, the Top 12 is meant for heavy debate and what is more of a debate then quarterbacks in football. This is my top 12 list of quarterbacks right now. This is meant for a debate so please share on facebook and twitter and respond either below or on the sports stew with drew facebook page or @stewdrew on twitter.
12. Matt Ryan-Falcons
2020 Season: 4,581 yards, 26 TD, 11 Int, 93.3 rtg:
Matt Ryan is certainly not the problem in Atlanta as Ryan is still performing at a high level. Ryan is number 12 on the list because he has proven in his career that he cannot alone carry a franchise. We shall see if new coach Arthur Smith can get Ryan and the Falcons to the level they were at in the 2016-2017 seasons when the dirty birdies were in the Super Bowl Mix.
#11 Kyler Murray-Cardinals
2020 Season 3,971 yards, 26 TD 12 Int, 94.3 Rtg, 819 yards rushing, 11 TD:
Kyler Murray Launched into the scene is 2020 with his electrifying skill set. What brought Kyler down on this list was the Cards fading down the stretch to finish 8-8 and missing the playoffs. If Kyler can continue his dual threat potential with more consistency in key spots the sky is the limit for the former Sooner.
#10 Justin Herbert-Chargers
2020 Season: 4,336 yards, 31 TD 10 Int, 98.3 Rtg, 234 yards rushing 5 TD
To think that Herbert may have not even played if the Chargers team doctor didn’t puncture Tyrod Taylor’s lung makes you wonder what the Bolts coaching staff was evaluating. Herbert soared into the scene with a polish that is usually seen in five year vets is a testament to just how good Herbert could be. Hopefully for the league we can just clone 30 more Josh Allen-Justin Herbert types to have 6-6 QB’s with crazy athleticism across all of football.
#9 Drew Brees-Saints
2020 Season: 2,942 yards, 24 TD 6 Int, 106.4 RTG:
Drew Brees was a tricky one to include but in case of the slim chance he returns let’s include Brees on this list for now. Drew Brees still is maybe the best ball placement passer in the league now. Even though Brees does not throw the ball over the top anymore the numbers speak for themselves. A 106.4 passer rating and a 9-3 regular season record is nothing to scoff at!
#8 Ryan Tannehill-Titans
2020 Season: 3,819 yards, 33 TD 7 Int, 106.5 Rtg: 266 yards rushing 7 TD:
Ryan Tannehill’s resurrection with the Titans is a huge indictment against Adam Gase and the former Dolphins coaching staff of why Tannehill’s time in Miami was so uninspiring. Tannehill has proved that he can play with the big boys in big victories over the Chiefs and Bills over last two seasons. Poor performances against the Packers and Ravens at the end of season brought Tannehill down the list a bit but still a top 10 QB without a doubt as of today.
#7 Lamar Jackson-Ravens
2020 Season 2,757 yards, 26 TD 9 Int 99.3 Rtg, 1,005 yards rushing, 7 TD:
Crazy how one year makes a difference but Lamar Jacksons turnover issues in key losses to the Titans, Steelers and Bills this year takes Lamar out of the top 5. With the dual threat ability of Lamar and his continued improvement in reading defenses the ceiling is still endless for Lamar. It would be foolish to not think Lamar could vault back into the top 5 next season.
#6 Josh Allen-Bills
2020 Season 4,544 yards, 37 TD 10 Int 107.2 Rtg, 421 yards rushing, 8 TD:
I started an awesome twitter question who would you rather have moving forward Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson? I don’t think you can go wrong with either, Josh Allen has the most overall talent of any QB in league (Mahomes included when you go with size, arm strength, speed, athleticism). The question for Allen will be can he continue to improve on his breakout season or was 2020 a mirage. With Allen’s ability you have to think he’s here to stay at the top.
#5 Deshaun Watson-Texans
2020 Season: 4,823 yards, 33 TD 7 Int 112.4 Rtg, 444 yards rushing 3 TD:
Drew but the Texans went 4-12 this season how much difference is Deshaun Watson really making? Do you see those stats (only Aaron Rodgers can say hold my beer to those stats this year)? Watson did not have a coach this season and lost 4 dumb games to the Colts and Titans alone. Those four games show the difference between stable and dysfunctional. We shall see what happens next in this saga as rumor has that Watson may want out.
#4 Russell Wilson-Seahawks
2020 Season: 4,212 yards, 40 TD 13 Int, 105.1 Rtg, 513 yards rushing, 2 TD:
If we had this list about Week 8 Wilson may be number two on this list. Just to show how fickle football can be. The Seahawks offense in the second half was more league average than elite which cost offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer his job. Ask yourself over the last ten years who makes more insane plays happen out of nothing more than Russell Wilson (I know Pat put your beer down why I said last ten years).
#3 Tom Brady-Buccanneers
2020 Season: 4,633 yards, 40 TD 12 Int, 102.2 Rtg:
He’s a 43 year old that just led a team who had made the playoffs only twice in the previous 18 years to the Super Bowl. Brady beat the team with the best defensive line in football, then two legends on their home turf to get there. Brady threw 40 touchdowns!! His production at this age is something we may never see again. It’s like early 2000’s Barry Bonds… Wait bad analogy. Anyways, to the clips.
#2 Aaron Rodgers-Packers
2020 Season: 4,299 yards, 48 TD 5 Int, 121.5 Rtg:
Aaron Rodgers is going to win the MVP this year and deservedly so. Aaron Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks of all time. His efficiency speaks for itself. What keep Rodgers from the top spot is Rodgers is 1-4 in the NFC Championship game. The Packers will likely be the favorites in the NFC going into next year so Rodgers has time to change the narrative in his request to return to the big game.
#1 Patrick Mahomes-Chiefs
2020 Season: 4,740 yards, 38 TD 6 INT, 108.2 Rtg, 308 yards rushing, 2 TD:
This isn’t even a debate, no one can ask to hold their beer (Sorry Aaron and Tom). Mahomes in three years as a starter has hosted the AFC Championship game in every season. Has now made the Super Bowl twice with a chance to win two in a row. The resume of success can be rated alone but the stats and eye test passes as well. I could pick a bevy of plays but the win of the year in the entire league was the Chiefs stomping of the Ravens in Week 3 and was culminated by this ridiculous pass.
What about Big Ben? I argue he makes the list over both Tannehill & Matty Ice. Burrow could be in the mix in future years too if he builds on what he started last year
Good points OSauce, what makes it fun to make a list like these. Both QB’s were in consideration. Big Ben was just left off due to the injury in 2019 and a subpar finish to 2020. That being said it is tough to leave such a marquee big name QB off the list.