Due to the shoulder injury of Deshaun Watson and their revolving door at quarterback a year ago, the Cleveland Browns added a top backup on the market in Jameis Winston to their roster.
The starting job is still firmly Watson’s, but the Browns added one of the best insurance premiums they could have at the backup quarterback position. While many wanted the 40-year-old Joe Flacco to return to Cleveland after a magical run that resulted in him winning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023, they ultimately landed on Winston. Flacco has since signed with the Indianapolis Colts.
Where do these two gunslingers rank among the rest of the quarterbacks in the NFL? NBC Sports’ Chris Simms provided his rankings of his top 40 quarterbacks in the NFL.
Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) controls the line of scrimmage against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
2
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates his 81 yard touchdown pass to Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10).
3
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Injured Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) paces the sideline in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 11 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. The Bengals fell to the Ravens, 34-20.
4
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Dec 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during timeout against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
5
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Nov 20, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) makes a throw in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
6
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Dec 10, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws against the Denver Broncos during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
7
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 06: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans runs on the field during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
8
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Nov 19, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) waits for a tight end during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
9
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts after a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
10
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates after running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
11
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Dec 24, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) calls a play at the line against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
12
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
Jun 3, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) shown in action on the field during Falcons OTA at the Falcons Training facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
13
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) makes an adjustment at the life during the first quarter of their game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, December 3, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
14
Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY – JUNE 04: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets throws the ball during New York Jets OTA Offseason Workouts at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on June 04, 2024 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
15
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nov 26, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) looks up at the video board before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
16
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Dec 3, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
17
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) runs to the locker room after the game of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-3. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
18
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks on after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
19
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
Jan 14, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) makes a throw in the second quarter of a wild card game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
20
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Jun 5, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up during the team’s minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
21
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 6: Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass during the Pittsburgh Steelers OTA offseason workout at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 6 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
22
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
Dec 17, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) gestures during the first half against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
23
Daniel Jones, New York Giants
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) walks off the field after a 25-23 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford.
24
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
(Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports)
25
Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 6: Justin Fields #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass during the Pittsburgh Steelers OTA offseason workout at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 6 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
26
Will Levis, Tennessee Titans
Nov 2, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) gestures to the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
27
Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
Jun 3, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr (9) throws the ball during Falcons OTA at the Falcons Training facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
28
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Jun 5, 2024; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes a ball during an OTA workout at Commanders Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
29
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
May 23, 2024; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) during organized team activities at Centura Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
30
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
EAGAN, MINNESOTA – JUNE 04: Quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy #9, Sam Darnold #14 and Nick Mullens #12 of the Minnesota Vikings watch the drill during Minnesota Vikings mandatory minicamp at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center on June 04, 2024 in Eagan, Minnesota.(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
31
Ryan Tannehill, Free Agent
Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) exits the field after their loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023.
32
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
Sep 10, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) hands the ball off to running back Deon Jackson (35) in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
33
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
EAGAN, MINNESOTA – JUNE 04: Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings throws the ball during Minnesota Vikings mandatory minicamp at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center on June 04, 2024 in Eagan, Minnesota.(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
34
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
Dec 17, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
35
Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns
Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) participates in quarterback drills with Tyler Huntley during minicamp, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Berea.
36
Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots
Jun 10, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (14) hands the ball to running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
37
Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts
Colts quarterbacks, Anthony Richardson, from left, Joe Flacco and Kedon Slovis wait for the next drill during Indianapolis Colts minicamp practice Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.
38
Kenny Pickett, Philadelphia Eagles
May 30, 2024; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws the ball in front of quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
39
Gardner Minshew, Las Vegas Raiders
HENDERSON, NEVADA – MAY 29: Quarterback Gardner Minshew #15 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs through a drill during an OTA offseason workout at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on May 29, 2024 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
40
Jarrett Stidham, Denver Broncos
May 23, 2024; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) during organized team activities at Centura Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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