End of Season QB Power Rankings: Burrow Massive Riser! Where does Brady Finish?

 Since we are officially into the off-season, we thought now would be a good time to release our end of season QB rankings. We made one of these lists going into the season and will now see who moved around and ended where, what they did in the playoffs affects the ranks, but the not the stats we show. This is not only a reflection of 2021, but also sort of where we think the QBs stand going into next year if that makes sense. Everything is taken into account.
(Keep in mind, stats are regular season only, not playoff included)

1. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Previously #5 +
2021 stats: 5,316 yards, 42 TDs, 12 INTs passing

I don't know why we ever doubted Tom Brady even a little bit. Entering his age 44 season, we had Brady as the 5th ranked QB in the NFL. While that's obviously very good, only the best is acceptable for the GOAT. Brady is going out on top, which is pretty much something that has never been done in the NFL at the QB position. Tom threw the most yards and TDs of anyone in the league and would have also been MVP if not for 12 INTs which is many more than Aaron Rodgers did (who won the honor). Tom goes out on top!

2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers | Previously #4 +
2021 stats: 4,115 yards, 37 TDs, 4 INTs passing

The back-to-back MVP Aaron Rodgers may be old as well, but he is showing no signs of slowing down, and may just be heading back to Green Bay for another season for all we know. After a rough off-season for Green Bay in 2021, many thought Rodgers was gearing up for a season of regression. Nope. All he did was post one of the best TD:INT ratios EVER en route to a second straight MVP despite being nearly 40. Rodgers is in the midst of the best stretch of regular season football in his career, who would have seen that coming at this stage of his career. If he didn't choke again in the playoffs, he may have just been no. 1 on these ranks.

3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals | Previously #17 +
2021 stats: 4,611 yards, 34 TDs, 14 INTs passing

Maybe I'm a little TOO high on Joe Burrow, but I don't think so. The way he closed the regular season out along with the post-season for the ages he had, gives me the blessing to rank him in this elite top 3. Going into just his third season, Burrow is already in the best company in football. He was one bad call away from winning a Super Bowl ring in his first full season starting. With the offensive line he played with, his true talent stood for itself. Burrow is already a grown man in a league of men. He may just be my MVP favorite heading into next season.

4. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills | Previously #3 +
2021 stats: 4,407 yards, 36 TDs, 15 INTs passing

Off of pure regular season stats, Allen and Joe Burrow had eerily similar lines. I'm not including rushing stats here, because most QBs aren't worth sharing, but that is what continues to make Josh Allen so special. Not only can he light the world on fire with his massive arm and progressing accuracy, but he is one of the best running QBs in league history already. He's a massive body that is tough to bring down in the middle of the field. Allen would have had a chance to prove himself even further and rise higher than this on this list, if not for a terrible collapse by the Bills' D which sent them suddenly home with the OT loss to the Chiefs in the Divisional round.

5. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers | Previously #7 +
2021 stats: 5,014 yards, 38 TDs, 15 INTs passing

After Herbert's record breaking rookie season, the bar was high. He somehow just increased that bar's height with his sophomore season. Herbert is already a top 5 QB, and he is so good that he is proving it without even being on a playoff team. Burrow is top 3 because of his instant playoff success, if Herbert had that success, he may have been no. 1. The final game against the Raiders was the icing on the cake. His poise and accuracy late in the game, converting on over 4 fourth down tries to keep his team alive, simply magical. His receivers and defense ultimately lost them that game, but Herbert continues to ascend into an elite talent.

6. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs | Previously #1 -
2021 stats: 4,839 yards, 37 TDs, 13 INTs

Mahomes opened the season as our top QB, but has fallen out of the top 5 in our final season rankings. While his play towards the end of the season along with the playoffs helped him, he wasn't as good this year. We fully expect him to find his way back into the top 5 next season, but there were times (like the second half of the AFC championship game) where he just disappeared. His talent is unreal, and so were his stats, but he simply wasn't as magical as the top 5 were this season.

7. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks | Previously #2 -
2021 stats: 3,113 yards, 25 TDs, 6 INTs passing (limited to 14 games)

This was a season of firsts for the winningest QB in NFL history thus far in their career. Wilson missed a game for the first time in his lengthy career (the finger injury that saw him miss a month), his Seahawks also finished with a losing record for the first time in his career. While he started the season off hot and ended hot as well, the mid-section is what was really tough for him. I think he and the Seahawks will be back next season if he stays healthy, you can't forget just how good this guy truly is. They could be the overlooked team no one seems coming, look at their roster around Wilson...

8. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams | Previously #11 +
2021 stats: 4,886 yards, 41 TDs, 17 INTs passing

Although I'm admittedly low on Stafford, you can't deny the big numbers he put up and the fact that *somehow* he was the QB who ended up leading his team to a Super Bowl title. Stafford brought his big arm over to LA and it was an instant match made in heaven. While he started the season off on a real tear, he fell back down to earth towards the end as he threw a lot of bad picks. Even during the playoff run, there was a lot of bad that came with the good. In the end, he led his team on the Super Bowl winning drive that now will have them immortalized in football forever.

9. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals | Previously #9
2021 stats: 3,787 yards, 24 TDs, 10 INTs passing (limited to 15 games)

While obviously for Murray, the passing stats aren't the whole story, he was still pretty darn good in that facet of the game for much of the 2021 season. In the early part of the season, he was run RUNAWAY favorite for league MVP. His Cardinals were rolling and he was playing better than anyone in football. Then an injury and slump that ensued derailed he and the Cardinals' promising season. While there is a bad taste left in everyone's mouth with the terrible performance he had in the Wildcard round, all is not lost. Murray is still getting better and remains one of the top dual-threat QBs in the NFL.

10. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys | Previously #8 -
2021 stats: 4,449 yards, 37 TDs, 10 INTs passing

While I really wanted to rank Derek Carr ahead of him and knock Dak out of the top 10, due to the immense difference in stats, I simply couldn't. I'm not a fan of how Dak finished out the season, I don't think anyone is, yet you can't discount his entire great season because of this. Coming off of the ankle injury, Prescott looked better than ever. He was the same accurate, mobile, TD throwing player we all know and love. I think he has areas of his game to certainly work on, but his stats alone make him a top 10 QB.

11. Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders | Previously #14 +
2021 stats: 4,804 yards, 23 TDs, 14 INTs passing

This was a very important year for Derek Carr in Las Vegas, and saying he delivered would be an understatement. The always overlooked Carr led the Raiders to the playoffs against all odds, and he played like an MVP candidate while doing so. His accuracy and arm strength were on full display all year long, but above that all, the undefined "it" / clutch factor that you either have or you don't. When his team had backs against the wall, that is when he played the best. After Vegas was considering moving on from him, they are now willing to pay him whatever he wants to lock him up for the future. Bravo!

12. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens | Previously #6 -
2021 stats: 2,882 yards, 16 TDs, 13 INTs passing (limited to 12 games)

This is another player where the passing numbers clearly don't tell the full story (as Jackson is considered the best rushing QB in the league), but also for Jackson, he missed a major chunk of what was a lost season for the Ravens. Jackson was a true MVP candidate for much of the early season, but when he and most of the team around him went down with injury, there wasn't much else to be done. With health, he and the Ravens will be right back in the mix next season, and he should be a prime MVP candidate once again.

13. Mac Jones, New England Patriots | Previously #25 +
2021 stats: 3,801 yards, 22 TDs, 13 INTs passing

Not bad for a rookie, eh? The mid-first round rookie delivered one of the better rookie QB seasons we've seen in the past 10 years. There weren't a ton of jaw dropping type of moments or throws from Jones, but his consistency was what New England needed as they returned to the playoffs and briefly looked like a top team in the league at the mid-season. Jones is only going to get better but to be that poised and efficient as a rookie is a great sign, and we already view him as a top 13 NFL QB.

14. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings | Previously #15 +
2021 stats: 4,221 yards, 33 TDs, 7 INTs passing

Kirk Cousins had just about the season we predicted for him, as he stays at nearly the same spot moving from 15 to 14 from the year's start to finish. Cousins was a pretty consistent force for the Purple all year long, but when he and the offense was hitting its best stride, they overcomplicated things which then resulted in Cousins' worst stretch. Captain Kirk had an improved 2021 season, but there is a lot of work to do with new HC Kevin O'Connell.

15. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans | Previously #10 -
2021 stats: 3,734 yards, 21 TDs, 14 INTs passing

Tannehill was a guy I was pretty high on going into the season, ranking him within the top 10, but his up and down season sees him fall 5 spots to 15. If he didn't have such an atrocious playoff game, he likely would have been higher than guys like Cousins and Jones, AND the Titans would have likely hosted KC in the AFC title game. Still, Tannehill is one of the better mobile QBs in the league and boasts good accuracy as well. The Titans are squarely in contention with him under center.

16. Carson Wentz, Indianapolis Colts | Previously #19 +
2021 stats: 3,563 yards, 27 TDs, 7 INTs passing

The stats don't tell the full story with Wentz. With the stats alone, Wentz looks like a top QB. A 27:7 TD to INT ratio is elite. I personally think Wentz is a little overhated as well, given his suspect receiving core this season, but there is also no denying some of the bad games he played. The Colts should have been a playoff team, they really should have, but Wentz happened to have his worst performance of the season against the Jags who knocked them out of the playoff spot they deserved. I think all of the noise about the Colts surely moving on for Wentz may be true, but to me it feels unjust. 

17. Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints | Previously #20 +
2021 stats: 1,170 yards, 14 TDs, 3 INTs passing (limited to 7 games)

In his 7 games of starting football for the Saints before his season ending injury, Jameis Winston was incredible. He looked like a completely different QB than the one we saw fizzle out in Tampa Bay. He was more conservative, made better choices, and contributed to winning. The injury put a lot of what-ifs on the table, including just how good would he and the Saints have finished out the season? Nonetheless, he is going to get paid by someone this off-season to be a starter, whether that remains in New Orleans or not. I think Winston could be on the comeback and no, 17 does not feel too high to me.

18. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles | Previously #18
2021 stats: 3,144 yards, 16 TDs, 9 INTs passing

Hurts started the season at 18, and finishes the season at 18. It really sucks how bad he played in the playoff loss to Tampa, because I would have seriously ranked him a bit higher if he didn't play THAT badly. It was like we saw a lot of progress from him throughout the season, and then he just threw it all away in that game. Again, I'm not including rushing stats above, but that was where Hurts obviously created his name for himself. He ran for over 800 yards and 10 TDs to go along with the middle of the pack throwing stats. The Eagles need to give him another year with more talent around him to see if he can take another leap, I have a ton of confidence in him as a QB.

19. Jimmy Garopollo, San Francisco 49ers | Previously #27 +
2021 stats: 3,810 yards, 20 TDs, 12 INTs passing

Jimmy moves up a bit due to his above average play during the Niners unlikely playoff run. They probably should have won the game against the Rams, and we could have seen Jimmy get another chance to win a Super Bowl, but sadly, the pick was dropped by the Niner D. During the regular season, Jimmy G was pretty average, but that was exactly what the Niners need. I think he definitely elevated his play during the post-season and showed he can be a great facilitator in big games for good teams. He is likely to be traded this off-season, likely to a contending team who could use a more consistent arm. 

20. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons | Previously #12 -
2021 stats: 3,968 yards, 20 TDs, 12 INTs passing

Matt Ryan took a clear step back this year and appears to be in the beginning of his inevitable decline. The Falcons were not a good team, and Ryan definitely had his struggles. He still made due with a suspect WR core, but it is clear that he is starting to lose a step. I expect him back in Atlanta as the week 1 starter of 2022. 

21. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions | Previously #28 +
2021 stats: 3,245 yards, 19 TDs, 8 INTs (limited to 14 games)

In Goff's first season out of LA, he impressed me. As a rookie, we saw Goff go winless and play terribly under HC Jeff Fisher. When Sean McVay came to town the next season, the Rams became instant contenders and Goff improved immensely, so seeing him win a few games in Detroit without McVay was nice to see. Goff seemed to even elevate a bad WR core into one that came up and made some plays for them. I think we will see another year of Goff as the starter in Detroit, though there are no guarantees, either way, his play this season changed my view of him in a positive way.

22. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins | Previously #23 +
2021 stats: 2,653 yards, 16 TDs, 10 INTs passing (limited to 13 games)

While Tua started the season out like his old self, we saw some real and true improvement from the second-year pro. The Fins' went on that crazy mid-season win streak, and Tua was playing some great football in the midst of it. Still, he finished the last few games off playing back down to earth, creating the same concerns we had for him going into last off-season. He just doesn't completely have the feel of a QB you can win big games with right now. However, the Dolphins fired good coach Brian Flores in favor of Niners offensive genius Mike McDaniel, who will try and mold Tua into a star QB. McDaniel feels like he could have the same touch as a McVay or Shannahan, two guys he has worked with for years in the past. Tua could be on the come-up.

23. Davis Mills, Houston Texans | Previously UNRANKED
2021 stats: 2,664 yards, 16 TDs, 10 INTs passing (limited to 13 games)

The shock of the 2021 rookie class quite possibly has been Davis Mills. Mills was the 8th QB off the board in the draft, but finishes the season as the second best. It is still way too early to tell, but a lot of teams may have messed up by passing on Mills. With Tyrod Taylor in and out of the lineup, the Texans turned to their rookie to start for them, and he did just that and more. Playing in 13 games, Mills was a quality starter. His numbers show that as well as the actual film. He looked poised and accurate, and had some amazing individual games. He played so well that the Texans now should feel extremely comfortable moving disgruntled Deshaun Watson for a haul to build around Mills as their potential franchise QB.

24. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers | Previously #29 +
2021 stats: 3,740 yards, 22 TDs, 10 INTs passing

Another legend finishing his career, he doesn't end at the very top like Tom Brady. Ben has been on the decline for a few years now, I wasn't even sure how he was still going to play this year, but he did, and he did well. 22 TDs to just 10 picks for a guy who has lost all mobility and a lot of arm strength. Big Ben was solid in his final year and even led Pittsburgh to a playoff berth. Hall of famer.

25. Teddy Bridgewater, Denver Broncos | Previously #22 -
2021 stats: 3,052 yards, 18 TDs, 7 INTs passing (limited to 14 games)

Just like in Carolina the year prior, the Teddy Bridgewater experiment did not pan out in Denver. The stats weren't awful, but he just simply was not good enough to get his team in the win column. Sure, the defense was a bit inconsistent, but so was the arm strength and accuracy of Teddy B. This could be the end of the line for him as a starter, Bridgewater may be a career backup from here on forth. 

26. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns | Previously #13 -
2021 stats: 3,010 yards, 17 TDs, 13 INTs passing (limited to 14 games)

In what many thought could be a make or break season for the former no. 1 overall pick, he was just inconsistent and underwhelming as normal. We all know the talent he has, but he just hasn't been able to put it all together and succeed. Mayfield was hampered by a chronic shoulder injury all year but toughed it out and played through it. He immediately got surgery on it following the season, and if the Browns have him back, it will truly be his final shot.

27. Taylor Heinicke, Washington Commanders | Previously UNRANKED
2021 stats: 3,419 yards, 20 TDs, 15 INTs passing

Heinicke was not supposed to see the field this year as Washington thought it had its bridge-gap QB in Ryan Fitzpatrick. Sadly, Fitz went down with injury and never really saw the field for them. Heinicke was a magician at times, but also downright awful, as you can see with his 20:15 TD to INT ratio. Heinicke showed that he has potential to be a great spot starter in the future, but likely not a full-time franchise guy. He was really fun to watch and he never gave up in any circumstance, he is the kind of guy you want to lead your locker room at the very least.

28. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears | Previously UNRANKED
2021 stats: 1,870 yards, 7 TDs, 10 INTs passing (limited to 12 games)

When Justin Fields took over as the starter for the Bears, it was pretty much as expected for a rookie QB, INCONSISTENT. It is quite the learning curve coming into the NFL, and with the terrible supporting cast the Bears have on offense, it is even harder. Still, I liked a lot of what I saw from Fields and think he has a bright future in the league. He still has a lot of work with decision making to go, but he mid and deep accuracies are great and he obviously is an elite rushing threat from the QB choice, going into next year, he will be a lot higher.

29. Daniel Jones, New York Giants | Previously #32 +
2021 stats: 2,428 yards, 10 TDs, 7 INTs passing (limited to 11 games)

The oft-injured Daniel Jones had another lame season. Somehow, he will get another chance to prove that he is the franchise guy in New York with a new coaching staff in place. While Jones didn't have much consistency around him, he simply never looked/looks ready to go or like he knows what he is doing. He was obviously better than the carousel of other QBs the Giants rotated around during his injury absence, but he certainly isn't good.

30. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars | Previously #21 -
2021 stats: 3,641 yards, 12 TDs, 17 INTs passing

The generational talent, top pick in the 2021 draft didn't look like much of that in his rookie year. A lot of that cannot be blamed on him, he inherited the worst situation in the league and made due with it, but it still wasn't great to see. It took him 17 weeks to seem to get the hang of things because he was really good in their final game of the year which was the upset win over the Colts. I think the future is bright, but for now, Lawrence is near the bottom. He has to prove us wrong.

31. Zach Wilson, New York Jets | Previously #24 -
2021 stats: 2,334 yards, 9 TDs, 11 INTs passing (limited to 13 games)

Right behind Lawrence in the draft, and right behind him in our final QB ranks of the season. Zach Wilson inherited a pretty bad situation as well, and did the best he really could with it. Similarly to Lawrence, while there was a lot of bad, there were definitely some real flashes of greatness. Wilson has a cannon of an arm and can throw from any position to any place of the field. We didn't see enough of that from him this year. We all know what he has, but hopefully it can be unleashed in a better and more productive way in 2022.

32. Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers | Previously #26 -
2021 stats: 2,527 yards, 9 TDs, 13 INTs passing (limited to 12 games)

And your WORST starting QB in the NFL of 2021 was....SAM DARNOLD! No surprise here, he sucks. To think some believed the Jets were the issue with him. This guy is straight garbage. He throws picks to defenders nowhere near any receivers. He is a turnover machine and can't make a throw to an open guy if his life depended on it. It's almost like the more he plays, the more awful he gets. Darnold singlehandedly made the team turn to a retired QB in Cam Newton to play for them which was almost as much of a disaster as Darnold has been in the NFL.