Ranking the top 10 NFL quarterbacks in 2026 – Justin Herbert has huge drop but NFC North QB climbs to top

Patrick Mahomes is ready to reclaim his No. 1 ranking.

Tyler Shough, Jaxson Dart and Brock Purdy all impressed in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.

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But there's only one quarterback who can claim the top spot in talkSPORT's weekly top 10 ranking.

Aaron Rodgers is one of the greatest QBs in NFL history but the 42-year-old Pittsburgh Steeler isn't good enough for this current list.

Sam Darnold proved the worth of a trusted, veteran quarterback last season, leading Seattle to a Super Bowl trophy.

But an injured Darnold barely played in the Seahawks' season-opening 13-10 win over New England, while Drake Maye threw three costly interceptions.

In 2026, Jayden Daniels, Cam Ward and Daniel Jones will try to move into the elite tier of NFL quarterbacks.

C.J. Stroud, Jordan Love, Jacoby Brissett, Justin Herbert and Carson Wentz received honorable mention nods this week.

Like Herbert, Matthew Stafford fell out of the top 10 after a tough game down under.

Here's a look at the best QBs in the NFL after Week 1 has been completed.

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10. Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints

Shough led the NFL in passing attempts (56) and yards (410), while averaging 7.3 yards per pass and almost knocking off the Detroit Lions on the road in overtime.

Drew Brees doesn't need to come out of retirement to help the Saints at QB right now.

9. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

It was a bad loss for the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

It was another Dallas defeat that saw Prescott put up solid numbers (84.8 rating, two touchdowns).

8. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Purdy got the cool Week 1 win in Australia vs Matthew Stafford.

He also earned a little more of his $265 million contract.

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7. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Hurts' game is always about the big picture.

He passed for 203 yards and three touchdowns, ran for 46 yards and started 1-0 with an NFC East win.

6. Jaxson Dart, New York Giants

Dart is one of the most exciting young QBs in the NFL.

Now he's backed by a veteran head coach in John Harbaugh who's brought a Super Bowl mentality back to New York.

5. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

Lawrence looked like a No. 1 overall pick in Week 1.

With four touchdowns and a near-perfect 150.6 rating, he also performed like the Jaguars' franchise QB.

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4. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Simply being healthy was a huge step forward for Mahomes.

Adding a Super Bowl MVP into the Chiefs' backfield resulted in a 31-10 stomping of the division-rival Denver Broncos.

3. Lamar Jackson, Chicago Bears

Jackson totaled 364 yards and two TDs while the Ravens thrashed the Colts.

He's back in the MVP conversation, while Derrick Henry is dreaming of his first Super Bowl.

2. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

The new Iceman was one of the best offensive players in the NFL in Week 1.

Williams passed for 269 yards, ran for 65, accounted for four TDs and led the Bears to a 59-point offensive explosion.

Ranking the top 10......

Quarterbacks of all-time - Can anyone better Tom Brady?

Wide receivers of all-time - Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?

Running backs of all-time - Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and more

Tight ends of all-time - How does Travis Kelce compare?

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

The Bills hold the No. 1 spot in talkSPORT's Super Bowl contender power rankings.

They also have the best QB in the NFL right now.

Join talkSPORT's dedicated US Sports YouTube channel The S* Word every Tuesday and Thursday for our brand new NFL shows.
On Tuesdays Will Gavin and US senior reporter Brian T. Smith will debate the biggest talking points from the NFL weekend, while on Thursdays Efe Obada joins the crew to talk with players past and present and break down what to look for across the league.