Chargers: Ranking Justin Herbert and all 32 starting quarterbacks from 2021
By Jason Reed
5. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
- Average ranking: 4.75
- Highest ranking: 4
- Preseason ranking: 4
Honestly, if we put these lists together after the Buffalo Bills Wild-Card domination over the Patriots then maybe Josh Allen would have been a spot higher on this list. Allen showed why he can be one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league that game and put on a clinic. However, when it comes to overall numbers and consistency, this is a good spot for him after the 2021 season.
4. Justin Herbert, LA Chargers
- Average ranking: 4.0
- Highest ranking: 3
- Preseason ranking: 8
Justin Herbert proved all of the critics wrong in 2021. Herbert was viewed as a bust by many and then he went out and proved everyone wrong in his rookie year. However, those that doubted Justin Herbert doubled down, saying that he would regress in 2021 and that his production was not sustainable.
That did not happen. Justin Herbert was excellent in 2021. Sure, he had some ugly games, but literally every single QB in NFL history has bad games. Herbert broke several franchise records for passing and proved that he is a bonafide superstar that will occupy a top-five QB spot for years to come.
Heck, an MVP award is most likely in his future and could even come in 2022 depending on how the Chargers do record-wise.
3. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
- Average ranking: 2.75
- Highest ranking: 2
- Preseason ranking: 1
Patrick Mahomes still rightfully ranks in front of Justin Herbert as he has been at this level for longer and has more playoff success than Herbert, not that Herbert is to blame for that. Mahomes was the top quarterback heading into the season and was displaced by two veteran quarterbacks that simply had better seasons than him. Because of his age, Mahomes is still the future of the league at the QB position (for now).
2. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Average ranking: 2.5
- Highest ranking: 2
- Preseason ranking: 6
Tom Brady had one of the best seasons of his career as he led the league in passing yards and led the Bucs to the second seed in the NFC. Does Brady have the crazy athleticism that the guys behind him have? No. Mahomes, Herbert, Allen and a few others arguably have more raw talent in this point of time.
However, you cannot discredit what Brady did this season and if it was not for one stinker in primetime against the Saints he probably would have been the MVP.
1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
- Average ranking: 1
- Highest ranking: 1
- Preseason ranking: 2
Even though Aaron Rodgers won the MVP award last season he was still ranked second in the league in favor of Patrick Mahomes. After a second consecutive MVP award and the Packers being the best team in the league, it is impossible to deny Rodgers as being the best quarterback in the league right now.
He is rightfully going to win the MVP award this season and might end up on a different team in 2022.