Coaches, Scouts, and Execs Agree: Matthew Stafford and Justin Herbert Are Among NFL’s Best Quarterbacks

Sports fanatics love to debate the best and the worst of everything. But when it comes to football, there’s no hotter debate over the best quarterbacks in the NFL. You can go back in history, and it’s still hard to find a consensus on the best quarterback of all time. Even in Los Angeles, there’s a fair debate about which quarterback is better between Matthew Stafford and Justin Herbert.

Of course, only one has a Super Bowl ring, but the other has yet to reach his ceiling, though we can see the potential of the 26-year-old Herbert. Meanwhile, Stafford is 36. At some point, he’ll start to drop off in talent level, right?

But what about right now? Who’s the best quarterback in 2024? The answer has to be Patrick Mahomes, even if Los Angeles Chargers fans don’t want to hear it. After we get over that fact, who else comes next?

That’s what NFL coaches, scouts, and executives set out to rank, and thanks to ESPN, the results are now in.

Matthew Stafford ranks in top-five among NFL quarterbacks today

To no surprise, Matthew Stafford is still viewed as a top-ranked quarterback. He has one of the strongest arms in the NFL, and Sean McVay’s offense helps put the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback in advantageous situations. Sure, having Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua is beneficial, but how much of their success is thanks to Stafford’s veteran savviness?

But how does Stafford rank compare to his peers? According to a recent ESPN survey , Stafford ranks as the fifth-best quarterback in the NFL today. Here’s their explanation.

“He elevates the play of those around him,” a high-ranking official with an NFL team said. “Puka Nacua is a good player — but he’s not the same guy without Stafford. He helps those guys reach their potential.”
Stafford’s elite status is accentuated by the most basic terms: Wins and losses.

“The arm strength hasn’t left him — he can still make every throw to every part of the field,” an NFC executive said. “He attacks the intermediate windows and the middle of the field with accuracy. Cooper Kupp missed time (five games) and he kept them afloat.”

“At this stage, he needs a quality offensive line,” a head scout of an NFL team said. “They weren’t great up front last year and he still produced. They should be better. Stafford can use his legs on occasion but should be playing comfortably in the pocket at this stage.”

ESPN on ranking Matthew Stafford as fifth-best NFL QB today

Stafford is the only quarterback who’s 28 or older who ranks inside the top seven. Aaron Rodgers ranked eighth despite missing all but four snaps of the 2023 season. For what it’s worth, Stafford ranked 10th last season in ESPN’s survey, yet somehow he continues to defy Father Time, actually rising in the rankings as he gets a year older.

Related: NFL analyst has huge bold prediction for Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Chargers in 2024

NFL evaluators rank Justin Herbert as sixth-best QB today

Matthew Stafford received a respectable ranking from NFL talent evaluators, but how about Justin Herbert? Last year, the Los Angeles Chargers quarterback ranked fifth in the ESPN poll, but after leading his team to a 5-8 record, now Herbert slips to No. 6.

“Herbert critics are quick to point out his pedestrian 30-32 career record as a starter. But most agree that the weight of the Chargers’ struggles doesn’t fall squarely on Herbert, an otherworldly talent who helped that record more than he hurt it.”

“Big, strong, fast, powerful arm,” an AFC personnel evaluator said. “Will stare down some targets and try to make some hero-type plays at times — holding the ball too long and throwing into tight windows — but he has everything you want. Touch, velocity, size, athletic ability.”

“Since he was drafted No. 6 overall in 2020, Herbert has more passing yards (17,223) and completions (1,613) through four seasons than any four-year opening stretch in league history. And when he had time in the pocket, Herbert was still deadly last season, despite a team clearly deflated and depleted. He ranked fifth in QBR when not pressured (75.0) compared to a career-low 27 (ranking 14th) when pressured.”

“This year will mark a new challenge for Herbert, who plays without Keenan Allen and Mike Williams for the first time. Only 8% of his career passing attempts (202 of 2,422) have come with both receivers off the field.”

“I think [head coach Jim] Harbaugh might finally unlock him, with more emphasis on the run to support him,” said an NFL personnel director of Herbert. “Sure, he’s got to play bigger in some big games. But he’s going on, what, his fourth different coordinator? It’s not always his fault they’ve struggled.”

“And then there’s this: He’s on the short list of best pure arm talents, possibly the best when you consider strength and the ability to reach all parts of the field.”

ESPN ranking Justin Herbert sixth

It’s clear that the two LA quarterbacks have one thing in common, the NFL agrees both have two of the strongest arms in the league. While Stafford has had 15 years to figure things out, Herbert is only headed into his fifth season, but he’s dealt with more adversity than most young quarterbacks.

Heading into the 2024 season, Herbert may not have his reliable playmakers anymore, but he will have the advantage of playing in Jim Harbaugh’s system. A more consistent rushing attack should take pressure off Herbert, and finally, having more stability on the coaching staff should only help him settle in, too. He ranks fifth for now, but many agree he has the potential to be so much better.

Related: 2024 NFL QB Rankings: Where do Matthew Stafford and Justin Herbert rank?

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