Ranking All 66 QBs in 2023

[NorthCoast]

Was checking out this list for possible QB2s. Fields is the highest rank QB that is available (#20 just in front of Wilson). Then comes Dobbs at #31 and Tyrod Taylor at #32.

Rank
21

Russell Wilson (https://www.nfl.com/players/russell-wilson/)
Denver Broncos ? Year 12

2023 stats: 15 games | 66.4 pct | 3,070 pass yds | 6.9 ypa | 26 pass TD | 8 INT | 341 rush yds | 3 rush TD | 10 fumbles

2022 final ranking: 30 | 2021: 11 | 2020: 6 | 2019: 3 | 2018: 6 | 2017: 5 | 2016: 9 | 2015: 4 | 2014: 8 | 2013: 6

Well, this sure got complicated quickly. First things first: Wilson was better under Sean Payton than he was under Nathaniel Hackett. He improved enough to make Broncos fans believe their big-ticket acquisition was salvageable. But a late-season run of first-half struggles sapped Payton of patience, and with Wilson?s bloated contract (https://www.nfl.com/videos/russell-wilson-after-signing-broncos-contract-extension-my-goal-is-to-finish-my-) playing an important role in Denver?s decision-making process, it abruptly benched (https://www.nfl.com/news/examining-factors-that-led-to-broncos-benching-russell-wilson-and-what-s-potenti) him for Jarrett Stidham (https://www.nfl.com/players/jarrett-stidham/), feeding the media populous suggestions it was football-related more than anything. That?s not entirely off-base; Wilson wasn?t playing at a level that granted him immunity from being benched. But this was certainly about the money (https://www.nfl.com/news/russell-wilson-reveals-broncos-approached-him-about-contract-during-bye-week), too. It will be interesting to see if Denver has concluded he?s not worth the money it handed him after acquiring him via trade, or if it?ll give him another go under an adjusted contract. Either way, we know two truths about Wilson: He?s not the star he once was, but he can still sling it on occasion.


Rank
28

Mason Rudolph (https://www.nfl.com/players/mason-rudolph/)
Pittsburgh Steelers ? Year 5

2023 stats: 4 games | 68.1 pct | 948 pass yds | 8.4 ypa | 5 pass TD | 1 INT | 24 rush yds | 50 rush TD | 3 fumbles

2022 final ranking: N/A | 2021: 53 | 2020: 44 | 2019: T-48 | 2018: N/A

Steelers fans are probably still wondering why it took their team so long to turn to Rudolph in 2023. The former third-stringer capitalized on his unexpected opportunity to start again, helping them to three straight wins to close the season and secure a previously unlikely playoff berth. He was so impressive, Mike Tomlin made sure to note that he wants Rudolph -- who is headed for free agency -- back in 2024 (https://steelersdepot.com/2024/01/mike-tomlin-steelers-want-qb-mason-rudolph-back/), when he can serve as both insurance for Kenny Pickett (https://nfl.com/players/kenny-pickett) and as legitimate competition to push the younger signal-caller. That's a remarkable achievement, especially considering how the Steelers left Rudolph in the dark basement that is the bottom of the depth chart until they had no choice. Way to stay ready.

Rank 35

Kenny Pickett (https://www.nfl.com/players/kenny-pickett/)
Pittsburgh Steelers ? Year 2

2023 stats: 12 games | 62.0 pct | 2,070 pass yds | 6.4 ypa | 6 pass TD | 4 INT | 54 rush yds | 1 rush TD | 2 fumbles

2022 final ranking: 25

This was not how the Steelers envisioned 2023 going for their promising young quarterback. Matt Canada was fired (https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-fire-offensive-coordinator-matt-canada-amid-fourth-season-with-team) after the offense's dreadful start to the season, but even after that, Mike Tomlin's decision to proceed with Mason Rudolph (https://www.nfl.com/players/mason-rudolph/) over a healthy Pickett (https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-qb-mason-rudolph-to-start-over-healthy-kenny-pickett-vs-ravens) sure was discouraging, if not damning. Suddenly, the pressure is very much on Pickett to produce in Year 3, which may begin with a camp battle with Rudolph for the starting job. Pickett never seemed to get comfortable in his second campaign before the injuries and offensive deficiencies started to mount, setting his progress back significantly. The city of Pittsburgh no longer carries a rosy outlook regarding Pickett, and the team now needs him to prove he can be the guy. That's a lot to ask of a quarterback with limited experience and a new offense to learn.


https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-qb-inde...023-nfl-season

[Shawn]

32 starting QBs in the NFL and KP is 35th lol.

[WindyCitySteel]

Wilson at 21. How far can he move up in Smith's O?

[Shawn]

Wilson at 21. How far can he move up in Smith's O?

Who knows. We shall see. What I know is a little better QB play next season will make the Steelers far more competitive. If he can actually find some of that early career magic then this is a SB caliber team.

[Northern_Blitz]

Wilson at 21. How far can he move up in Smith's O?

Even if he just stays where he is, it's a meaningful improvement at QB IMO. Especially since the big separations probably come before these guys.

Interestingly, Fields was 20 on this list.

So...basically the same but Wilson essentially cost us nothing.

My guess is that Fields has a higher upside (younger, more athletic) and Wilson has a lower floor.

[NorthCoast]

Even if he just stays where he is, it's a meaningful improvement at QB IMO. Especially since the big separations probably come before these guys.

Interestingly, Fields was 20 on this list.

So...basically the same but Wilson essentially cost us nothing.

My guess is that Fields has a higher upside (younger, more athletic) and Wilson has a lower floor.

Rank
20
Justin Fields (https://www.nfl.com/players/justin-fields/)
Chicago Bears ? Year 3

2023 stats: 13 games | 61.4 pct | 2,562 pass yds | 6.9 ypa | 16 pass TD | 9 INT | 657 rush yds | 4 rush TD | 10 fumbles

2022 final ranking: 13 | 2021: 28

Football fans ? Bears loyalists and NFL enthusiasts alike ? subjected Fields to microscopic levels of scrutiny so often in 2023, he?s likely still needing some aloe vera to soothe the burns. Fields did not have an easy go in his third NFL season, operating behind a leaky offensive line in an uninspired offense featuring receivers who frequently struggled to get open. Chicago?s backfield suffered so many injuries that it turned to former practice squad ballcarriers to handle the load for multiple weeks. This formula is how you waste legitimate talent at quarterback. When Fields had time to work and his receivers were able to create some separation, he was remarkably excellent. He?s still a fantastic runner but needs to be more than that. Admittedly, he sometimes holds onto the ball too long -- a frequent criticism -- but we?re trying to evaluate a quarterback without giving him a fair shot, at least in my opinion. The good news is Chicago has replaced (https://www.nfl.com/news/bears-to-hire-shane-waldron-as-new-offensive-coordinator) offensive coordinator Luke Getsy with Shane Waldron, providing new hope for Fields? prospects ? if he?s even there. There?s no telling what 2024 holds for Fields. Chicago could be lured into selecting a top quarterback at No. 1 and jettisoning him elsewhere for pennies on the dollar, or it could trust the glimpses of excellence are proof he can become the standard. I just worry the Bears are going to make a shortsighted mistake because they have their first pick of a highly anticipated QB class (https://www.nfl.com/news/bucky-brooks-top-five-2024-nfl-draft-prospects-by-position-1-0). But only time will tell.