The 2025 season has certainly been chaotic for quarterbacks, no doubt about it. This year, six players managed to pass for over 4,000 yards, which is the same as in 2024. However, the number of players throwing for 3,500 yards or more fell from 17 to just 12. We’ve really seen touchdown-to-interception ratios take a nosedive, scores become lower, and even some of the usually reliable passers struggle at times.
Now, we’re at a critical point. There are eight quarterbacks still in the NFL playoffs, and while it’s easy to focus on just the QBs in football discussions, I mean, when the stakes are this high, the contrast between a stellar passer and a mediocre one really becomes evident. Here’s a look at our rankings of the top quarterbacks remaining in the playoffs.
1. Matthew Stafford — Los Angeles Rams
Stafford stands out as the only player this year with the playoff experience essential for managing the mental challenges of these games, combined with the performance to deliver results. This season saw him carving out a new role with Sean McVay’s offense alongside talents like Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
It’s quite likely Stafford could clinch the MVP award this year, and it makes sense. This season has been stellar for him, and the influence he has on his team clearly highlights that even a single turnover from him can shift a close game dramatically.
2nd place: Josh Allen — Buffalo Bills
Sure, 2025 hasn’t been Josh Allen’s greatest season. Although he has faced challenges with inconsistent support and a dip in performance, he’s still the only player left in the playoffs that most fans would trust for those critical game-winning moments.
His ability to make plays on the run adds a significant dimension to the Bills’ offense. The Bills’ “push-push” strategy outperformed the Eagles’ this year, largely thanks to Allen’s physicality. He’s among the top passers left, capable of accurate throws and making those necessary rushing yards that pressure defenses.
3rd place: Drake Maye — New England Patriots
Drake Maye’s first playoff outing wasn’t quite the showcase many anticipated, but he held his own. It’s still unclear if he was overwhelmed by the intensity or if his performance against the Chargers was a sign of nerves, but he showed enough skill during the regular season to earn a spot on this list.
Maye’s potential is impressive, as he balances high-risk throws with informed decisions, resulting in explosive plays while mostly avoiding turnovers. This is something to keep an eye on as Treveyon Henderson is expected to step into a more significant role next season.
4th place: Sam Darnold — Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold’s comeback story has been one of the highlights in the NFL this year. The only real issue holding him back from ranking higher is his playoff performance and some inconsistent ends to the season. Still, these are relatively minor concerns, particularly as the Seahawks are proving skeptics wrong regarding Darnold’s viability.
With Darnold at the helm, Jackson Smith-Njigba has emerged as a top receiver, forming a significant connection that’s tough to overlook. While Cooper Kupp is effective as a second option, Seattle should proceed with caution in developing their other receivers and tight ends.
5th place: Caleb Williams — Chicago Bears
When it comes to this list, it’s clear that few compare to Caleb Williams on the field. There’s an unpredictability there, I suppose—sometimes he seems flat, like during parts of the game against the Packers, but he can also explode in crucial moments, as we’ve seen in the fourth quarter.
We are still witnessing Williams grow and adapt his game with Ben Johnson. It feels like there’s potential in their partnership, though he lacks the consistency to climb higher in these rankings. He’s still young, but you can sense he’s on the verge of really coming into his own.
6th: Brock Purdy — San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy’s situation this season has been a bit of a mixed bag. It’s tough to hold him entirely responsible for the 49ers’ struggles, yet there’s room for improvement on his end. The offense certainly faced challenges without key players like Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle this year.
Purdy is a quarterback who can follow his coach’s game plan well and keep things moving, but he doesn’t often create explosive plays that are crucial in the playoffs. He effectively positions his receivers to succeed but needs to step up and make big plays in tight situations. It’s not that he lacks talent; he just struggles to shine independently.
7th place: Bo Nix — Denver Broncos
I can see why Broncos fans might be disappointed to see Bo Nix ranked this low. He and Sean Payton have developed a close working dynamic in Denver, but there’s quite a bit he still struggles to execute, especially until late in games.
Currently, Nix has a completion percentage of 63.4%, which is on the lower side, and the touchdown count isn’t impressive either. The Broncos lean heavily on their defense, and despite some clutch moments from Nix, he trails behind the other quarterbacks here regarding individual skills.
No. 8: CJ Stroud — Houston Texans
When it comes to CJ Stroud, it’s clear the Texans’ offensive line isn’t doing him any favors. After a stellar rookie year, he’s slipped into a regression for the second straight season, placing him at the bottom of this list for playoff quarterbacks. Like the Broncos, the Texans owe their success largely to their defense, and this rings even truer in Houston. If the defense falters, it’s questionable whether Stroud can get the team back on track.
Something seems off—whether it’s an injury or struggles with the offensive system, it’s unclear. A quarterback like Stroud should be able to throw for 3,000 yards and keep touchdown numbers down with the talent around him, so it’s concerning to see the current situation.
