The NFL Only Has 5 True Franchise QBs

An actual franchise quarterback brings elite talent, but not all quarterbacks deemed franchise-caliber are elite.

The dichotomy of such a situation developed for everyone to see during Thursday Night Football when the Buffalo Bills hosted the Miami Dolphins. Both Josh Allen and Tua Tagovailoa have contracts worth over $200 million. It wasn't hard to differentiate between the two based on their play during the contest. One is a legitimate franchise quarterback, while the other isn't.

Currently, 14 different quarterbacks hold contracts with a total value over $200. Three more can be added at $100 million or higher. The market dictates the price. However, the market doesn't determine how quarterbacks should be viewed based on overall talent and level of performance.

The term "franchise quarterback" has always been subjective and used far too liberally. To simplify the term for the purposes of this discussion, a legitime franchise quarterback should be viewed as someone with top-end traits, who can elevate the play of those around them. It's not a large group and nowhere near as many as most NFL fans would try to argue. Due to its importance, the position should be held to a different standard.

Five current quarterbacks have established themselves as franchise-caliber, while the rest simply fall short.

Just Missed the Cut

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts

A handful of individuals are right on the verge of the designation to be called a true franchise quarterback, but they're being held back slightly in one regard or another.

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals: For most, Burrow already finds himself among the top tier. However, he needs to be on the field to truly earn that designation. Multiple injuries throughout the years have blunted his standing despite being one of the game's best and most efficient passers.

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles: Hurts accomplishes exactly what the Eagles need of him to consistently win games. That's the primary goal. When nitpicking over who is actually the best at the game's most important position, it's still difficult to envision Hurts shouldering the entire Eagles offense with a lesser talent around him and still being as successful.

Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers: Love is quietly climbing the ranks, with the potential to enter elite territory by the end of this season. As long as he minimizes turnovers and helps push the young targets found on the Packers roster, the fifth-year quarterback has a chance to be counted among the league's best.

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders: Daniels hasn't been quite as good to start his sophomore campaign and a quarterback shouldn't be anointed after one exquisite rookie campaign. Ask C.J. Stroud. Daniels has every tool to succeed. He just needs to do so on a consistent basis.

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mayfield has been a revelation in Tampa with the Buccaneers. He's thrown for more touchdowns and yards than Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes since the start of the 2023 campaign. His competitiveness and enthusiasm are infectious. Though the 2018 No. 1 overall pick does benefit from an awesome wide receiver corps and a good offensive line (when healthy). He also doesn't quite have the same playmaking capabilities are others who did make the list.

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

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Matthew Stafford is the oldest quarterback on this list at 37. He's had his share of injuries and measures that could have slowed him down by now. Yet he's still one of the league's most dangerous throwers, with an unflappable demeanor and intricate understanding of defenses to shred opponents.

When Stafford left Georgia, he was destined to be the No. 1 overall pick. The ball exploded out of his hand unlike any prospect seen since that point. His gunslinger attitude led him into some difficult situations as part of the Detroit Lions and probably placed him harm's way a little too often.

However, the Rams saw an opportunity to elevate their entire offense by swapping their quarterback Jared Goff, who is an efficient point guard when playing at his best, for someone who could expand Sean McVay's scheme. The move worked beautifully with the Rams winning Super Bowl LVI.

Stafford's raw arm talent has always been special. He was changing arm angles and attempting no-look passes long before the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, etc. entered the league. He was a trendsetter. The 17-year-veteran remains dangerous every time he takes the field.

"I always had a high admiration for him as a competitor, arm talent and playmaker, but always thought he was a gunslinger," a source told The Athletic's Mike Sando. "He still has that in him, but his mind, his ability to process, think and communicate stand out."

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

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Lamar Jackson is the greatest dual threat to ever put on a football uniform. His success has changed the way quarterbacks are viewed.

Three decades ago, the NFL wanted 6'5" pocket passers. The prototype has slowly changed over time, because those making decisions have changed. More than ever, the best athletes on the field, particularly at the lower levels, find themselves behind center.

Once upon a time, great athletes at the position weren't nurtured. They weren't even considered legitimate options to start for an NFL team (See: Ward, Charlie). Even in Jackson's case, detractors were everywhere when he left Louisville. Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian, who drafted Peyton Manning, famously stated the Heisman Trophy winner should convert to wide receiver—which he later admitted to being wrong.

The Baltimore Ravens deserve significant credit for how they committed and, more importantly, built around his unique skill. Jackson continues to work on his craft and become a complete quarterback.

"I think he had to grow up as a passer," a veteran NFL personnel man told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "He was always more athletic than everyone else, so why not run? But he had to stay in the pocket a little bit more to prolong his career, and he's doing that increasingly well."

At 28 years old, Jackson simultaneously holds the NFL record for best career passing rating (102.6) and rushing yards by a quarterback (6,256). He's a two-time league MVP.

"There was doubt before because it was off-schedule, it was running, it's not sustainable, they have a great defense, they have this, they have that," an anonymous sourced told The Athletic's Mike Sando. "The offense has put the ball in his hands more, to sling the ball around."

Doubters still exists since the Ravens haven't experienced a ton of playoff success during Jackson's tenure at the starting quarterback. But he's proved everyone wrong every step of the way. Why stop now?

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

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Josh Allen serves as the prime example of what patience and consistency can do for a rare physical specimen. Allen now serves as the standard by which evaluators measure what can or cannot be done with a raw but uber-talented prospect.

When the Wyoming product entered the NFL as the seventh overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, everyone knew he had the natural traits to succeed, with cannon strapped to his 6'5", near-240-pound frame. Furthermore, the quarterback moved extremely well despite his size.

Two factors allowed Allen to maximize his immense potential: 1) The Bills' stability as an organization with one head coach and offensive coordinator through his first four years, and 2) a relentless drive to improve his individual throwing mechanics.

Allen reworked his throwing motion from the group up and revolutionized his game.

"Now the arm just whips through and is a guiding system for him," Charlie Hess explained in 2022 after helping Allen tweak his throwing motion through his company Biometrek. "Now, by the speed and control that he has in his pelvis and torso, he can change speed. So, when he has to throw that touch ball where he throws it up over the linebacker but in front of the defensive back, he can do that and doesn't have to shoot everything out with Mach 2. That's a more catchable ball for his receiver, as well.

"Of course, if he needs to let it go, Josh can still sling it with the best of them in the league. But now he's using his body to create that and not just the shoulder."

Allen completed at least 63 percent of his passes in each of the last six seasons. He's thrown for over 4,200 yards and 29 touchdown in four campaigns.

When raw horse power is combined with control, the setup is almost nearly impossible to stop. As anyone who faces Allen can attest, the quarterback fits the bill.

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

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Peak Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback of all time. Yes, you read that previous sentence correctly.

No one else who has ever played the game brought the same combination of super-rare natural arm talent, play-making creativity, productivity and team success. As an audience, we've become desensitized to Mahomes doing things that simply shouldn't be possible.

He can throw from every arm angle. He extends and makes plays when none seem available to infuriate opposing defenses. He's a led a team to Super Bowl championships with and without elite targets or quality offensive linemen.

"He's a one-man army," a veteran coordinator told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "And no NFL coach wants to deal with him. Complete dawg. No one like him."

Mahomes' success has revolutionized how the position is evaluated. It's no longer good enough to just be an efficient passer from the pocket and operate the offensive scheme as its designed. Today's game is built around how a quarterback deals with a muddy pocket, reacts and works off-platform and outside of structure. That's where the real magic happens and Mahomes is a Grandmaster mage.

"Mahomes has the [Tom] Brady seat now, until someone proves otherwise," an offensive coach told The Athletic's Mike Sando. "Last year, I saw a headline saying something to the effect of, 'Mahomes' worst year to date, and the Chiefs are undefeated.' This is when this guy is too good for his own good."