QB Ranking You Can Respect

Like it or not, I think they got it right.

(interesting split between GMs and coaches)

Full article: 2026 NFL QB Tiers: Patrick Mahomes’ unanimous run ends, Lamar Jackson slips into loaded Tier 2 - The Athletic

The panel this year consisted of eight general managers, five assistant GMs, five former GMs and three other executives, plus nine head coaches, 10 defensive coordinators, five offensive coordinators, two offensive assistants, one defensive assistant and two coaches specializing in analytics/game management. That’s 21 execs and 29 coaches overall.

Tier 1

• Carries his team each week
• The team wins because of him
• Expertly handles pure-passing situations
• Has no real holes in his game

Tier 2

• Carries his team sometimes
• Handles pure-passing situations in doses
• Or has other dimensions that elevate him above Tier 3
• Has a hole or two in his game

Tier 3

• Legit starter but needs better running game or defense to win
• Lower-volume dropback passing offense suits him best

Tier 4

• Unproven player; not enough information to classify
• Veteran who ideally would not be a full-season starter

Rodgers’ first season in Pittsburgh ended in the wild-card round with Houston scoring two touchdowns on Rodgers’ turnovers and sacking him four times.

“He’s a 3 at best,” a defensive coordinator said. “He can still throw it. I love Aaron. He’s a tough motherf---er, but he holds the ball too long and lacks the same mobility. They come out against Buffalo, one-score game, turnover for a touchdown. He did not get rid of the ball on time. He is not able to make that magic like he used to.”
Rodgers made 10 consecutive appearances in Tier 1, spent one year in Tier 2 and now is in his second season in Tier 3. Maye, Williams, Darnold, Lawrence and Nix passed him this year even though Rodgers’ average tier vote improved slightly (Rodgers passed C.J. Stroud and Kyler Murray, leaving him three spots lower in the rankings).

One voter, a defensive coordinator, kept Rodgers in Tier 1, citing his intelligence and throwing ability. Another scoffed at seeing Rodgers so low.

“Who would you rather have running your offense, Jalen Hurts or Aaron Rodgers?” this second voter asked rhetorically.

Rodgers’ familiarity with new coach Mike McCarthy’s offense from their days together in Green Bay should help.

“The offensive scheme was limiting last year,” a defensive coach said. “His mobility is not great, but as a dropback passer and one of those guys you do not want to face in two-minute, if he has pieces around him, he can still go win.”

Coaches were higher on Rodgers than executives by the largest margin in that direction (0.34 average vote). All eight current GMs polled had Rodgers in Tier 3 or 4.

“He’s a 3 that can go to a 2,” another defensive coach said. “He doesn’t want to get hit. He’s got a little soccer flop in him. But he can still beat you.”

 

and for a good laugh:

Lastly, we go to the bottom, where the Cleveland Browns are simply a mess. Both Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders reside in Tier 4 and exist on this list solely because they both figure to start games this year for the Browns.

How bad is it? A quote and a stat: On Sanders, one executive said: “He’s inaccurate at all three levels. I can’t tell if he is going to get better, but there’s a huge gap between him and competent QB play.” Gah. For Watson, a staggering figure: “Watson is one of 60 quarterbacks to start at least 10 games since the Browns acquired him in 2022. He ranks 59th among them in EPA per pass play (Zach Wilson is 60th).” Gahhhhh.

 

Let's hope that an offensive game plan that has some basic fundamentals and some creativity will help him. And pray that the O-line improves.

 

19? There are NOT 18 QB`s better than Rodgers IMO.

Hard to believe he is that low from what I see out there.

My guesstimate is about 13-14, slightly above the average starter.

Could be higher in right system and hopefully he is now.

 

You could be right. Clearly, there are not 18 QB's with better arm talent and better cerebral talent than Rodgers. BUT... maybe they are better QB's overall if Rodgers' biggest weakness (the rest of his body) makes him a liability. If you're old, fragile and don't want to get hit, I'm not sure you can take the best advantage of your arm and brain, especially without a stellar offensive line.

 

If it helps, he was 2nd in line in Tier 3.

 

A lot of times he had guys in the right place last year but he overthrew or threw in the dirt way too much. The OL was to blame a lot of the time. Plus AR doesn't want to get hit, which is not surprising for a 42 year old. You can improve the OL and WRs with coaching and personnel but changing AR's mindset and fear of getting hit/hurt is likely only going to get worse the older, more fragile, and less mobile he gets. The Rodgers experiment should be over and youth needs to take the reins at QB. McCarthy should get a pass in year one if he plays the young guys and they fall short. Now is the time to do it, not in year 2 or 3 because there will be much higher expectations than year 1. Just my opinion.

 

If you didn't pay to look:

PFR lists Bad Throw %. AR was 10th worst in the NFL. Now, what some might question is whether better receivers would have changed that number significantly. But that drives to the poll opinion; Rodgers needs better players around him to show better. He's not going to make scrubs better.

 

It is tough when you have guys like Josh Allen setting the bar.
I agree though that he is not a top tier. Our offense was sad, it has been sad for a few years. That's not QB.
But even if Rogers plays his best, I don't see him but mid tier 2.

The 'youth movement' is fine as long as you have something.
The draft strategy will straighten up this year, Rogers is gone and I don't think for a minute McCarthy is going to sit still for another old guy or cheap fix.

Rogers is not looking bad at all, looks to be even better in command than last year.
He even looks more in shape.
Still, 43-years old does not bode well.
What I really hope for is that 1 of the young guys catches fire and can lead this team. That's a long shot a long, long, shot.
All I can hope for is that Howard and Allar are taking the best notes possible on everything Rogers does. Howard is in year 2 of that process.