Top Five Quarterbacks Heading into 2016
There is no more demanding position in sports than the quarterback position. Quarterbacks are the faces of the majority of NFL franchises. Mixed in with that pressure comes the daunting physical and cerebral tasks that turn quarterbacking into a year-round job.
A narrative is being driven that the NFL lacks quality quarterbacks. To that I say HUMBUG! There are plenty of quality NFL starting quarterbacks, but who are the crème de la crème?
Here are the five quarterbacks who tickle my fancy the most. Remember, this is my opinion, which is based on objective truth, so good luck finding a way to poke holes in my list…because it’s not possible.
Honorable Mentions: Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger, Arizona QB Carson Palmer, Indianapolis QB Andrew Luck, Dallas QB Tony Romo, San Diego QB Phillip Rivers
5. Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals)
The Red Rifle doesn’t receive the credit he deserves. Yes, “his” playoff record is 0–4. Yes, until last season, his numbers were normally in the range of above average to solid. However, there are only four franchises who’ve made the postseason every year since 2011: New England, Denver, Green Bay, and…you guessed it…Cincinnati. This isn’t an accident, folks.
Plus, Dalton was performing at an elite level before injuring his thumb in a Week 14 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Up to that point, Dalton had thrown 25 touchdowns to eight interceptions. As a result, Dalton placed fifth overall in QBR. Losing Hue Jackson to the Cleveland Browns is a major loss for Cincinnati. His coaching certainly played an integral role in Dalton’s development with confidence, leadership, decision-making, and downfield throws, but if Dalton can retain all that he learned, the Red Rifle may end up being a dark horse MVP candidate.
4. Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers)
Here is the classic case of how the MVP isn’t always the best at his respective position. There is no denying that Newton deserved the MVP last season after throwing 35 touchdowns while leading a mediocre Carolina Panther offense to an NFL-best 15–1 record. The Super Bowl didn’t go as expected for Newton, but his progression as a pocket passer last season cannot be ignored. While he isn’t the most conventional or accurate thrower, Newton did orchestrate the NFL’s highest-scoring offense despite playing with an inconsistent receiving core.
Of course, when Newton is mentioned, so is his ability to run. While it is a tad concerning that Newton has been on the receiving end of so many hits after only five seasons in the league, he’s built to take that punishment. As long as he’s healthy, Newton is in for a yuge 2016. Be prepared to witness those slick dance moves along with that million-dollar smile on numerous occasions next season.
3. Tom Brady (New England Patriots)
If the absolutely absurd, unfair, and blasphemous DeflateGate never existed — along with the fact that Roger Goodell is as incompetent as they come — then the game’s greatest quarterback EVER wouldn’t be on the receiving end of a bogus four-game suspension, thus catapulting him easily to the top of this list. Yes, Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. is the victim of a tyranny unseen since Euro…I won’t go there.
But in all seriousness, Brady is without question the game’s greatest quarterback EVER. From his production to his leadership to his ability to work with any combination of receivers and still thrive to his bonafide clutch guts on the biggest stages, Brady is the embodiment of a perfect NFL quarterback. Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me if Brady returned from his egregious suspension and went on a savage tear akin to the Genghis Khan-led Mongols over Asia. Remember, this is a quarterback coming off a season where he threw 36 touchdowns to only seven interceptions despite playing behind an offensive line that couldn’t block Cenk Uygur from The Young Turks. NFL defenses BEWARE.
2. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)
This is how great Aaron Rodgers is: Last season, he collected nearly 4,000 yards through the air, converted two miraculous Hail Mary’s, and threw 31 touchdowns to only eight interceptions. It was by far the worst season of his career. Most of that had to do with the absence of Jordy Nelson, which resulted in his receiving core transforming into a #squad of brain-dead mongrels. Just to provide a bit of context, in a mid-season 29–10 loss to the Denver Broncos, Rodgers threw for only 77 yards…and still managed to post a QBR of 64.6.
Rogers spent the brunt of last season placed in one frustrating situation after another, often struggling to find even a sliver of open space to throw into. With Nelson expected to return this season, Rodgers is poised to replicate his 2014 MVP campaign and show off his silky smooth delivery that is the quarterback equivalent of poetry in motion.
1. Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks)
No team is more talented and better built for the future than the Seattle Seahawks. And it all starts with Russell Wilson. After nine games last season, Wilson was playing at a fairly pedestrian level. As a result, the Seahawks were struggling at 4–5. Then, all of the sudden, Wilson flipped the switch and went on a historic second-half crusade, throwing 24 touchdowns to only a single interception in the final seven games. More importantly, the Seahawks went 6–1 in that stretch and made the postseason.
Wilson tops the list for a number of reasons. Based on his overall career trajectory and last season’s explosion, 2016 might very well be the Year of Russell. That explosion resulted in the rise of Doug Baldwin, who established himself as a legitimate No. 1 receiving threat. Throw in a solid No. 2 target in Jermaine Kearse and a Jimmy Graham who now possesses a year of experience in a new system under his belt, the Seahawks now feature a formidable receiving core.
Yes, Wilson does benefit from a Seattle defense that has led the league in fewest points allowed four years running, but what he doesn’t benefit from is a stable offensive line. The Seahawks have invested very little into their offensive line, but luckily for them, Wilson is the league’s savviest scrambler. He’s the league’s Houdini in the pocket and best of all, knows when to slide (take some notes RG3 and Andrew Luck).
Wilson simply has everything going for him. He’s young, versatile, coming off an MVP-caliber season, has proven he can excel behind a patchwork offensive line, and knows he can take risks because of the defense he plays with.