2023 NFL Season: Ranking the 32 starting quarterbacks

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 14: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers on a pass play during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on January 14, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars defeated the Chargers 31 to 30. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 14: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers on a pass play during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on January 14, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars defeated the Chargers 31 to 30. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
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The 2023 NFL season is slowly but surely approaching. Let’s rank all 32 projected starting quarterbacks in the league heading into the season.  A daunting task, sure, but one that needs done.  When building these rankings, I noticed how little top-end talent there was at QB and noticed how much “middle of the road” talent there was.

In all honesty, unless you have a truly elite quarterback, you won’t win the Super Bowl.  Sure, a team who has a decent enough quarterback can win some games, but that’s about it.  When rubber meets the road, teams with elite signal callers are the true contenders.

There may only be about seven truly elite QBs in the entire NFL.  Where does each projected starting quarterback fall among their peers?  Let’s dive into this ranking!

Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson on stage after being selected by the Indianapolis Colts fourth overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson on stage after being selected by the Indianapolis Colts fourth overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

2023 NFL Season: Ranking the 32 starting quarterbacks
No. 32 – No. 28

32. Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts

Through the years, I’ve seen countless QB power rankings where the author ranks rookie QBs, who haven’t even taken a snap in the NFL, over QBs who have already been in the league.  It makes no sense to me.  Of the three 2023 NFL Draft quarterback draftees, I think three end up starting week one, and to me, Richardson will perform the worst of those three.

31. CJ Stroud, Houston Texans

I like the Texans to shock people a bit this year and win more games than what has largely been predicted for them.  However, this team is still multiple years away from being a legitimate contender.

30. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers are winning the NFC South, in my opinion, and I think it’ll come with Young playing the game manager role early in his career; doing minimal damage as a passer but limiting turnovers.

29. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

I think what we have seen from Jordan Love in the NFL simply isn’t good.  He could very well end up as a top-12 QB at the end of the 2023 NFL season, but there is a ton of unknown with him right now.

28. Sam Howell, Washington Commanders

I’m going to make the same argument for Sam Howell.  He’s got a lively arm, but like Love, we just don’t know a ton.  Get back to me about halfway through the 2023 NFL season and I’ll have a more established opinion.