Ranking AFC North quarterbacks in 2026
The AFC North was the front and centre of one of the most dramatic endings to a season that the NFL has seen over the past 10 years during the end of the 2025 regular season.
In Week 18, the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers faced off, a game that was chosen for the season concluding matchup on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.
With the chance to win the game through a walk off field goal, rookie Tyler Loop was off target, allowing the Steelers to advance to the playoffs and subsequently win the AFC North in the process.
It was the ending that any neutral NFL fan would dream of, perhaps not the same feeling that Ravens fans had. The AFC North has always been a hard-fought division, but the quarterback quality feels very top heavy.
You have two of the five best quarterbacks in the NFL, a veteran way past their prime and one quarterback room that does little to inspire.
Here is a ranking of each starting quarterback in the NFL from fourth to first.
4th – Shedeur Sanders/Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns)
Whoever starts under centre for the Cleveland Browns in 2026, they are a clear last place in this list.
Deshaun Watson has struggled immensely since the Browns traded away three first rounders and offered over $200 million guaranteed to acquire his services.
He spent 2025 on the sidelines due to injury, allowing rookie Shedeur Sanders to taste life as an NFL starter. Whilst the son of NFL legend Deion showed promise, this was sparse despite his Pro Bowl selection.
Watson is the starter if you believe former NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco.
"Deshaun Watson is the starting QB for the Cleveland Browns," said the former Cincinnati Bengals wideout on the Nightcap Podcast.
“It is his job to lose. He has six weeks. I guarantee you.”
ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Rizzo thinks Sanders may even be traded.
"There are talks... ongoing calls about the availability of Shedeur Sanders.
"The Browns, for whatever reason, don't think that he is the guy, that's my opinion.
"I'm going to say it now, for the record, I don't think the four quarterbacks are going to camp on July 28. Nothing is imminent, but the calls are being made,"
Meanwhile, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon thinks Sanders will win the starting spot.
"It's just going to be too hard for Watson to suddenly revive his career after so much time off the pedestal, and Sanders has the tools to become something awesome in this league.
“I'm not convinced he'll put it all together, but I believe he'll make it impossible this summer for the Browns to turn away from his high ceiling."
The future of the QB1 spot in Cleveland is far from clear.
3rd- Aaron Rodgers (Pittsburgh Steelers)
A four-time MVP, Aaron Rodgers is easily the most likely player in this article to reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
However, it is clear that his powers have diminished. Whilst his 3,322 passing yards in 2025 was the lowest in any of his 21 seasons in the NFL where he played 10 games or more, he had single digit interceptions (seven).
Rodgers might be far from the player he once was, he is still a very serviceable quarterback in the NFL, especially at the age of 42. He is a victim of his previous success.
If a rookie or sophomore quarterback put up these numbers, he would be plauded. Rodgers is just not an MVP candidate anymore.
Having said that, he is nowhere near the level of the two quarterbacks higher than him.
2nd – Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)
On his day, Joe Burrow could arguably be number one. However, his injury record is his downfall.
Since being drafted first overall in 2020 , Burrow has taken the Bengals to two AFC Championships, winning one and losing one.
He came within three points of taking the Bengals to overtime in their Super Bowl LVI loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Despite this, he has only lasted the full season in three of those six campaigns.
The Bengals front office have failed to protect their QB1, even after signing him to a five-year $275 million extension. Additions to the defense suggest they are starting to listen to him, but the offensive line is still a concern.
It will be the first time since Burrow was drafted that all five starting offensive linemen return for the following season. With the AFC seemingly in transition with no clear favourite to win the conference, the Bengals should certainly be seen as a team that could content if everyone stays healthy. This is not withstanding the limitations of head coach Zac Taylor.
Burrow will be key and centre of any Bengals success in 2026, with an ability to create magic out of nowhere. He has proven that he knows how to beat Patrick Mahomes, has the best wide receiver tandem in the league, and has a brilliant throwing technique.
1st- Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens)
Burrow is an exceptional talent, but Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson might be even more special.
A two-time MVP, Jackson is electric on his day. He and the Ravens had a down year in 2025, with a heart-wrenching way to end their season. His talent should not be ignored, with a whole array of highlights to choose from.
Jackson can make any play happen and has the ability to wow the crowd with his arm as well as his feet. He could very well end his career as the greatest rushing quarterback of all-time.
He will go into the 2026 season with a new head coach, after the departure of John Harbaugh. Jesse Minter comes in with a great defensive reputation and could be the man to fix the issues that have plagued Jackson’s time at the Ravens.
Their defense has often allowed over 30+ points when Jackson has also put up 30+ points. This could be the key for Jackson to silence the critics and finally make the Super Bowl for the first time in his NFL career.
One of the best quarterbacks of his era, a very deserving first place.
Andy Davies