The quarterback position sits at the heart of every NFL team’s success. It’s the most demanding role in team sports, requiring elite technical skill and mental preparation to perform at the highest level.
Right now, five quarterbacks stand out as the best in the league, all earning spots inside the top 30 of PFSN’s list of the NFL’s top 100 players heading into 2025. Here’s a look at who made the cut and which player was ranked as the league’s top quarterback.
Who Are The Top 5 QBs in the NFL?
To open the top five, there was no better pick than Jalen Hurts, the reigning Super Bowl LIX MVP. Hurts has become one of the most mentally strong quarterbacks in the NFL, showing a remarkable level of confidence in his words that translates directly onto the field through his presence and ability to elevate the players around him.
The idea that Hurts is simply a system quarterback is absurd. His decision-making has steadily improved over the years, clearly reflected in another outstanding Super Bowl performance that secured the second title in Philadelphia Eagles history.
Jalen Hurts senses pressure and takes off!
📺: #SBLIX on FOX
📱: Tubi + NFL app pic.twitter.com/LC3MQeVLtt— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025
At No. 4 and 21st overall is Joe Burrow, who led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns in 2024, even though his team missed the playoffs. Burrow’s style mirrors the classic quarterback prototype but with the modern traits required to thrive in today’s NFL.
“The Bengals quarterback led the NFL in completions (460), passing yards (4,918), and passing touchdowns (43) during the regular season. He ranked third in adjusted completion rate (79.6%) and sixth in EPA per dropback (+0.137), checking every box you could ask for and ranking fifth in QB+,” Brandon Austin wrote in his article.
JOE BURROW AS HE GOES TO THE GROUND.
📺: #CLEvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/Gw4F8vKyUD— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024
Moving up the rankings, Patrick Mahomes is the third-best quarterback in the NFL and appears at No. 6 overall. At this point, Mahomes’ legacy is historic. He’s already among the greatest to ever play with two MVPs, three Super Bowl wins, and an unmatched ability to take over games.
His game has become more measured over the past two years, featuring fewer deep shots and more quick decisions and short passes. But don’t mistake that for regression. Mahomes is still the same magician he was early in his career, only more mature and better adapted.
MAHOMES GIVES THE CHIEFS THE LEAD
📺: #BUFvsKC on CBS
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus and Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/I5E5gJTwGn— NFL (@NFL) January 27, 2025
Who Gets the Top Spot: Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson?
The 2024 MVP race came down to Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, in one of the closest contests in recent years. Jackson earned First-Team All-Pro honors, while Allen was named league MVP. Both delivered MVP-worthy seasons, but in the end, voters felt Allen’s performance stood out more.
The 2024 MVP ranks second among quarterbacks and fourth overall among the NFL’s top 100 players. Allen elevated his game to its highest level, recognizing the need to be more careful with the football and show better command of the offense.
JOSH ALLEN. MACK HOLLINS.@BuffaloBills get a big TD before the half 🙌
📺: #BUFvsKC on CBS
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus and Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/VR8GOkUP3c— NFL (@NFL) January 27, 2025
“Despite lacking an elite group of weapons, Allen consistently moved the ball downfield. His 8.7 average depth of target ranked 13th, and he finished third in EPA per dropback (+0.26). Allen racked up 46 total touchdowns on the year, and his combination of arm strength, mobility, and improved decision-making made him one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the NFL,” Austin wrote.
Allen finished the 2024 season with 41 total touchdowns, including 28 passing, 12 rushing, and one receiving on an improvised trick play that symbolized the creativity of his year. It was the best season of Allen’s career, though not enough to take the top spot.
That honor goes to Jackson, who was ranked No. 1 overall and considered the best player in the NFL by PFSN.
LAMAR JACKSON IS COMING TO TOWN. #NFLonNetflix#BALvsHOU on @Netflix pic.twitter.com/YwqfIlRs3m
— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2024
Right now, there’s no glaring weakness in his game. If his ability to dominate as a passer was once in question, he silenced all doubts with a phenomenal 2024 season.
Jackson threw 41 touchdown passes with just four interceptions, totaled over 5,000 yards from scrimmage, and added three rushing touchdowns. He firmly established himself as the greatest dual-threat quarterback in NFL history and enters 2025 as the most complete and electrifying quarterback in the league.
The only remaining critique is that his playoff performances still need to be more consistent. The early mistakes against the Buffalo Bills are a reminder that falling behind in big moments remains a risk. But if he cleans that up, a championship feels like a matter of time.
