NFC West Quarterback Rankings
The NFC West has long been strong, with four of the last six NFC Championship winners coming from this division, not to forget the prime Larry Fitzgerald years in Arizona and the Legion of Boom in Seattle in years gone by.
The San Francisco 49ers were the most recent winners of the NFC, narrowly losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58.
For the final time this year, let’s rank the division QB1’s from four to one.
4. Geno Smith (Seattle Seahawks)
Geno Smith had a great redemption story for the Seattle Seahawks in 2022, winning the ‘Comeback Player of the Year’ award. However, he took a downturn in form in 2023, being far less effective than he was in that season before.
Smith has his limitations and whilst he may not be a guy to take your franchise to new heights, he is still a serviceable quarterback.
3. Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals)
Kyler Murray has had his critics, whether it is due to his height or the Call of Duty memes. There was talk a year ago of Murray being shipped out for Caleb Williams. However, the Arizona Cardinals showed fight with Josh Dobbs early in the season but when Murray returned from injury, he showed exactly what they and head coach Jonathan Gannon were missing.
It is arguable that he established himself as the Arizona Cardinals QB1 for the future by not even playing, due to the limitations of the quarterbacks that took his place. In the eight games he started in 2023, he threw for almost 2,000 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions along with three rushing touchdowns.
With a brand new weapon in Marvin Harrison Jr, arguably the best player in this year’s draft, Murray has the potential to get back to his best in 2024, something we have not seen for an entire season since the 2020 and 2021 campaigns where he had Deandre Hopkins to throw to.
2. Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers)
“Purdy is a game manager”. “Anyone could do it in that 49ers offense”. “He is Mr irrelevant for a reason”.
There are the sticks thrown at 49ers quarterback Purdy, but he keeps proving to be anything but he has been anything but irrelevant during his two years as an NFL player.
The 49ers came the closest they ever have to reclaiming their first Super Bowl since the 1994 season when they took the Chiefs to overtime back in February and Purdy could not have done much more without winning. He was simply outdone by the magic of Patrick Mahomes.
There are many quarterbacks, such as Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa, Kirk Cousins and Dak Prescott who have had great regular seasons but have failed to deliver in the big moments on a consistent scale. Purdy has led the 49ers to the NFC Championship game in each of his first two seasons as a pro.
The 49ers were down and out against the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round and the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship game, but in both these games, Purdy was instrumental in getting the job done. He was particularly impressive in the Lions win, with some nice scrambling plays.
Purdy may have a great team around him, but he has equally come up with some great moments. He may not have the mobility or arm of some quarterbacks in the NFL, but he is efficient, accurate and it is rare you see him making any big mistakes.
Expect a payout next year.
1. Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams)
Matthew Stafford is an easy choice at the number one selection. He is the only quarterback on this list with a Super Bowl.
In fact, he is one of only three active NFL quarterbacks who have earned a ring as a starter along with Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers.
Stafford had a down year in 2022, but so did the rest of the Los Angeles Rams roster. He took major strides in 2023 and should be seen as a dark horse for the MVP award in 2024 in what could be one last ride for the former Lions QB.
He has a brilliant arm and is capable of making Mahomes-esque throws. He sees the field in ways not many other quarterbacks do and has now got another great weapon to throw to alongside Cooper Kupp in Puka Nacua.