NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms has compiled a list of the 40 best quarterbacks ahead of the 2024 season, including both veterans and rookies.
New England Patriots fans will be happy that Jacoby Brissett made it, but that rookie quarterback Drake Maye was left out entirely is a bit puzzling. The 3rd pick of the 2024 NFL Draft was beat out by other rookies including Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., JJ McCarthy and Bo Nix.
So Maye didn’t have to wait long for bulletin board material during his NFL career.
But as CJ Stroud proved last season, it only takes one opportunity to turn an entire narrative on its head. The Houston Texans quarterback was once surrounded by skeptics and played on one of the worst teams in the NFL, but then became a top-10 quarterback and potential Super Bowl contender.
Here is Simms’ full list of the current 40 best quarterbacks in the NFL:
December 31, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (4) attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
HENDERSON, NEVADA – MAY 29: Quarterback Gardner Minshew #15 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs 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)
September 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) leaves the field after the opening series of the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
January 7, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) throws a pass during warmups before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 29: Jacoby Brissett #14 of the New England Patriots makes a pass during the New England Patriots OTA offseason workout on May 29, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Browns quarterback Jameis Winston throws as quarterback Tyler Huntley looks on during minicamp, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Berea.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 7: Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers attempts to pass in the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
EAGAN, MINNESOTA – JUNE 4: Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings throws the ball during the Minnesota Vikings mandatory minicamp at the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center on June 4, 2024 in Eagan, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
October 1, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) throws a pass during the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans throws a pass in the second quarter during the 2023 NFL London Games game between Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
EAGAN, MINNESOTA – JUNE 4: Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks JJ McCarthy #9, Sam Darnold #14 and Nick Mullens #12 watch practice during the Minnesota Vikings mandatory minicamp at the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center on June 4, 2024 in Eagan, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
May 23, 2024; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) during organized team activities at Centura Health Training Center. Mandatory Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
ASHBURN, VA – MAY 10: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders attempts a pass during the Washington Commanders rookie minicamp at the OrthoVirginia Training Center on May 10, 2024 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
June 3, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr (9) throws the ball during the Falcons’ OTA at the Falcons’ practice facility. Mandatory Photo Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 17: Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans attempts a pass during the first half against the Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 6: Justin Fields #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass during the Pittsburgh Steelers OTA offseason practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 6, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson throws during minicamp on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Berea.
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) rushes as offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and head coach Joe Judge watch during the first half at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford.
December 21, 2023; Inglewood, Calif.; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 6: Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers attempts to pass during the Pittsburgh Steelers OTA offseason workout at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 6, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
March 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams (QB14) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
January 7, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 17: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins reacts during the second half of a game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
December 25, 2023; Santa Clara, Calif.; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
December 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) calls a play at the line of scrimmage against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 21: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs off the field against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 7: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets looks on before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 24: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers shouts orders during the second half of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
FLOWERY BRANCH, GEORGIA – MAY 14: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons runs drills during OTA offseason workouts at the Atlanta Falcons practice facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia on May 14, 2024. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 26: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks on during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
December 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates after running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) scores a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 15: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles plays during the NFC Wild Card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
December 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) attempts a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
December 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud (7) throws the ball during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
December 3, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
December 21, 2023; Inglewood, Calif.; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) drops back to pass against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) leaves the field after a win over the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws a pass during the first quarter of the 56th Super Bowl between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. The Rams came back in the final minutes of the game to win 23-20 on their home field.
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 21: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
February 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in overtime of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
