Around the United States, no sporting union captivates an audience quite like the NFL. Of course, the maestro for this raucous environment is none other than the quarterback – our modern day Captain America.
Every August to February, gridiron football takes over the airwaves. Naturally, the most beloved figures of this fan frenzy are usually the signal-callers. After all, the “QB” tends to be the most marketable and personable – receiving rampant media coverage – while getting to touch the ball on essentially every single play.
Playing quarterback in the NFL is often a fantastic catapult to further stardom in business, politics, film, coaching or broadcasting. However, there are levels to this schtick.
Before the 2024-25 NFL season commences, let’s survey the five current brightest stars at the quarterback position. Skills, stats and accolades are absolutely important here, but off-field aspects like marketability, intangible cool and overall swagger will also be regarded.
5. Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams being selected first overall by the Chicago Bears was inevitable. Sure, it created a domino effect that jettisoned quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Williams is considered to be a generational talent.
As Lincoln Riley’s latest protégé, Williams spent a season at Oklahoma before transferring to USC where he won the 2022 Heisman Trophy. Over three seasons in Division I football, Williams averaged 10.3 adjusted yards per passing attempt. In terms of scoring, he tossed 93 touchdowns compared to just 14 interceptions.
Williams – who isn’t exactly a dual-threat player – uses his legs advantageously. He consistently extends plays while looking to make the highlight throw downfield, still, he managed to rush for 21 total touchdowns over the past two years at Southern Cal.
Standing at 6-foot-1, Williams is built a little more like the modern, more athletic quarterback compared to the pocket passers of yesteryear. Still, Williams possesses a booming arm, giving him the ability to make any throw on the field. From there, the Bears did well to revitalize their receiver room. Veteran Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze will add juice to a struggling unit while giving Williams a couple big-bodied targets.
Having played his final two collegiate campaigns in Los Angeles, Williams is undoubtedly a high-profile character. Of course, going first at the most-recent NFL draft has further fueled his stardom.
Prior to any preseason action, the betting markets have Williams labeled as a steep favorite to win the 2024 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Simply, all eyes will be on the rook from USC – can Williams be the one to finally right Chicago’s long line of quarterbacking woes?
4. C.J. Stroud
Helping orchestrate one of top organizational turnarounds in recent memory, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud appears to have an extremely bright future on the horizon.
Immediately prior to Stroud’s arrival in H-Town, the Texans produced a dismal 3-13-1 record. Still, changing head coaches and quarterbacks will certainly shake things up.
Houston has come out on top with Stroud and HC DeMeco Ryans. After one season together, the Texans improved to 10-7, winning their division and a playoff game for the first time since 2019. Seemingly, the team, fan base and overall brand have been reinvigorated overnight.
Individually, Stroud was stellar as a rookie. Including the postseason, the former Ohio State Buckeye sported a razor-sharp 26:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio last year. Despite a record-setting campaign from Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, Stroud was a runaway for the 2023 OROY award.
Not yet 23-years old, Stroud is officially the youngest starting quarterback to win an NFL playoff game. Be that as it may, his youth and calm charisma makes him brilliantly marketable, especially at a time when many of the game’s long-established stars are phasing out. With Stroud’s frequent appearances on The Edge with Micah Parsons, he’s painted himself as fun and friendly, yet fiercely competitive.
In terms of the league MVP award, second-year signal-callers are often viewed favorably. As it is now, there will be those looking at Stroud to have similar success in 2024. Of course, if you were wondering, DraftKings Sportsbook currently has Stroud labeled with +850 odds to win MVP (tied for second best).
3. Joe Burrow
Cincinnati Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow may not have any Super Bowls or NFL MVP awards under his belt yet, but make no mistake – Burrow is one of the coldest men the league has to offer.
Whether he is slinging touchdowns to wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase or lounging in the Hamptons with Stroud and Tom Brady, everything Burrow does looks pristine. His cool and collected demeanor translates dynamically, whether on the gridiron and at a social gathering.
Throughout his NFL career, Burrow and Cincinnati have reached the Super Bowl just once (2021), losing a close contest to Matthew Stafford and the Rams. Still, having won the 2019 CFP National Championship and Heisman Trophy at LSU, “Joe Shiesty” knows all about success on the big stage.
Per Pro Football Focus, Burrow received a 77.9 overall grade in 2023, which is not his best, but also respectable considering he played only 10 games before undergoing season-ending wrist injury; the Bengals played to a 4-4 record and missed the playoffs in his absence.
For 2024, Burrow’s wrist should be sturdy. Additionally, wideout Tee Higgins is set to rejoin the All-Pro Chase in Cincy’s receiving corps on a franchise tag. However, with skill players Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon recently departing, more will be asked of Burrow – hopefully an improved offensive line can pay dividends in Southwest Ohio.
2. Lamar Jackson
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is certifiably that dude. Confidently, “Big Truss” is one of the most dynamic players this game has ever seen.
As noted, Jackson was designated as the 2023-24 NFL MVP behind a 64.7 QBR (fourth-best). On the ground, he led all signal-callers with 821 rushing yards – or 5.5 yards per carry – en route to another AFC North championship. For those counting, that makes two MVP awards brought back by Lamar.
“Action” Jackson is arguably the top dual-threat quarterback in NFL history. At the ripe age of 27, Lamar is as relevant as any athlete both on and off the field. His show-stopping highlights, jovial personality and unique quips all resonate favorably with fans of any team. Moreover, he is an easy guy to root for.
Shining on the big stage is nothing new to Jackson. While starring for the Louisville Cardinals, he earned college football’s highest individual honor, which makes him just the seventh player ever to hoist both a Heisman Trophy (2016) and league NFL MVP award.
Notably, Jackson has endured playoff struggles throughout his career, showing a 57.4% completion clip throughout six postseason contests. Still, he managed to guide Baltimore to the AFC title game last year wherein they lost to the eventual-champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Further out, the Ravens have twice grabbed the postseason’s top seed under Jackson’s tenure, however, show no Super Bowl trips in that span.
1. Patrick Mahomes
Undeniably, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has already shaped a football career of historic proportions. In 2023, he tossed the pigskin for 4,183 passing yards and 27 touchdowns prior to winning the big game for a third time.
Approaching his eighth professional campaign, the 2023 ESPY Best Male Athlete has produced two league MVP awards. Even more impressive, Mahomes – who is heading into his seventh season as the starter in K.C. – has pushed the Chiefs to the Super Bowl on four separate occasions all before turning 30.
At his present rate of success, Mahomes has a genuine shot to eventually supplant Brady as the greatest NFL player of all time. With the Chiefs having won back-to-back Lombardi Trophies, the Kansas City signal-caller is in search of the league’s first title three-peat of the modern era.
When it pertains to the 2024-25 campaign, DraftKings has Mahomes listed as a +475 MVP favorite. To up the positive energy, he and his wife Brittany Mahomes – team owner of the NWSL’s Kansas City Current – recently informed the public that the couple is expecting their third child.
Mahomes will maintain the luxury of playing alongside All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce. From there, the Chiefs elected speed at the 2024 draft, taking receiver Xavier Worthy out of Texas. If you’re unfamiliar, Worthy recently set an all-time NFL combine record by running a 4.21-second 40-yard dash.
Behind a consistently stout offensive line, Mahomes’ stock appears to be as high as ever.
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