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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NFL Draft
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports)

2023 NFL Season: Ranking the 32 starting quarterbacks
No. 17 – No. 13

17. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

I think we have to look at Brock Purdy as potentially being another Jimmy Garoppolo, enjoying the offensive riches of the 49ers, but the magical run he orchestrated during the 2022 NFL season was… magical.  Purdy can easily be ranked higher with a strong 2023 NFL season, but let’s not get too excited here.

16. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks

I am not ready to say Geno Smith is anything special after one good season in the NFL.  He’s got to put together something more than one campaign, I think, to be considered higher.  There are many examples across recent NFL history of backup-caliber QBs having an outlier season, only to return down to their normal ways in the next season.

15. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints

Perhaps the most average player in professional sports today, Derek Carr must feel great being dumped by his old team for an inferior quarterback.  He lands with the Saints, a team that does have a complete roster.  Could they win the NFC South in 2023?

14. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel unleashed Touchdown Tua in 2022, but injuries but a grey cloud over his campaign and even his future in the NFL.  With another offseason with McDaniel and his teammates, Tagovailoa could launch himself up the QB ranking charts in the 2023 NFL season.

13. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray may not even play in the 2023 NFL season, but I think he’s an elite talent that was at a huge disadvantage playing for Kliff Kingsbury.  Perhaps the new regime in AZ will eventually be able to turn Murray into the kind of QB that he can be.  He’s one of the few dual-threat QBs in the NFL.