As the 2026 NFL playoffs approach, the spotlight intensifies on the quarterbacks who could lead their teams to the Super Bowl. These players represent the most crucial element in their franchises’ aspirations for championship glory. The upcoming postseason will see discussions centered around the legacies of 14 starting quarterbacks. This analysis ranks these quarterbacks based on their current capabilities to drive their teams toward a potential Super Bowl run.
Assessing the Quarterbacks
Starting at the bottom of the list, the ranking begins with Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers. The 2025 NFC South champions head into the playoffs with a troubling point differential of -69, one of the worst for a division winner since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Young’s performance saw him complete just 3,011 passing yards this season, the lowest for any quarterback making 16 or more starts since Christian Ponder in 2012. His passer rating of 87.78 is the lowest among the playoff quarterbacks. Despite this, Young showed flashes of promise in a critical win against the Rams, where he achieved a rare 75% completion rate.
Next in the rankings is Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos. Nix stands out for having over 3,900 passing yards (3,931, eighth in the NFL) yet maintaining a low yards-per-attempt average of 6.4, ranking 28th among qualified quarterbacks. His inconsistency is concerning, particularly as the Broncos, despite a strong defense, only managed to win games by narrow margins. Nix’s passer rating of 87.81 places him just above Young, highlighting the challenges facing the Broncos in the playoffs.
Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles ranks 12th. Hurts has struggled recently, with three consecutive games under 200 passing yards and a concerning three-and-out rate leading the NFC. With the Eagles’ defense ranked fifth in scoring, they may need their running back, Saquon Barkley, to step up significantly if Hurts does not regain his form from his Super Bowl MVP performance.
At number 11, Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears led his team to the NFC North title and set a franchise record with 3,942 passing yards. However, he also exhibited volatility, leading the league with 12 games of below 60% completion. His playoff debut against the Packers will reveal whether he can maintain consistency.
Moving on to Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks, he leads the NFC as the No. 1 seed but has seen a decline in form, recording more turnovers than touchdowns recently. His playoff history raises concerns after he faced a record nine sacks in his postseason debut last year.
C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans comes in at 9th. After recovering from a concussion, he showed promising form, leading the Texans to the top wild-card spot. However, he has yet to throw a touchdown in two playoff road starts, limiting his potential impact.
At 8th, Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history. He enters the playoffs with impressive postseason statistics but faces limitations at age 42. Surviving an opening-round matchup against a formidable defensive line will be crucial for his team’s success.
The 7th position is claimed by Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers. Purdy has led the team to a six-game winning streak, boasting impressive completion rates and total touchdowns. However, injury concerns within the offensive line could impact his performance as the playoffs unfold.
In 6th place, Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers has overcome significant injuries on his offensive line to emerge as a top quarterback. Despite being the most-hit quarterback in the league, he has still managed to throw for over 3,700 yards and run effectively, but his ability to perform under pressure is a concern.
Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers ranks 5th. After a recent concussion, he enters the playoffs healthy and has performed notably well this season. With a favorable playoff path, Love could lead his team deep into the postseason.
Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars is 4th, entering the playoffs on an eight-game winning streak. He leads the NFL in total touchdowns since Week 11 and will face a tough challenge against the Buffalo Bills’ top-ranked pass defense.
At 3rd, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills has a crucial opportunity this postseason. With key rivals absent from the playoffs, Allen must overcome historical playoff struggles, especially in road games, to lead the Bills past the first round.
The second spot is taken by Drake Maye of the New England Patriots, who led the NFL in several key quarterback metrics this season. His performance has been pivotal for the Patriots, who are positioned for a strong playoff run against a vulnerable Chargers defense.
Finally, at the top, Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams enters the playoffs with exceptional momentum. After throwing for 46 touchdowns and maintaining a low interception rate, Stafford is primed to lead his team toward Super Bowl contention. His track record in high-pressure situations adds to his credentials as the quarterback most equipped to carry a team to the championship.
As the playoffs commence, each of these quarterbacks will be under intense scrutiny, tasked with the immense pressure of delivering their teams to the ultimate goal: the Super Bowl.
