Across the landscape of quarterbacks, everyone’s looking up at Patrick Mahomes.
That’s the only logical takeaway following a season in which the Kansas City Chiefs star took home a Super Bowl title and won NFL MVP honors. And he did it all with a rebuilt receiving corps that no longer featured Tyreek Hill.
That places him on a level unto himself when it comes to 2023’s presumptive starting quarterbacks, but there are contenders to his throne. This fall will be the backdrop to Aaron Rodgers’ attempt to emulate Tom Brady’s late career success, potential revivals from broken veterans once traded for king’s ransoms and vital steps forward for young, emerging passers.
We know who rules that kingdom. We also know who is firmly among the serf class (hello, Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterbacks). But the ground between them is fertile with possibilities. So, with more than three months to go until the start of the 2023 NFL season, let’s take a too-early attempt to break each of these starters into proper tiers.
Tiers below are weighed on a player’s age, past performance and 2022 output. Once separated into a tier, they’re listed in no particular order.