Where does NY Jets QB Aaron Rodgers rank among AFC quarterbacks?

Top of the Line

• 6. Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens)
• 5. Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers)
• 4. Aaron Rodgers (New York Jets)
• 3. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)
• 2. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)
• 1. Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)

The final grouping includes the top six quarterbacks in the conference. Lamar Jackson, despite winning an MVP and being the most electric of the group, has to prove he can stay healthy and also prove he can play winning playoff football before moving up the list.

Justin Herbert and Aaron Rodgers can be moved around with each other, but based on Rodgers back to back MVP wins in 2020 and 2021, he gets the nod. After bursting onto the scene, Herbert’s growth has plateaued recently. He needs to elevate the team and cut down on turnovers to move any higher on the list.

The top three AFC quarterbacks can be put into any order with little complaint. I gave the top spot to Mahomes coming off a Super Bowl, but I can understand the argument for Burrow or Allen.

Burrow is as good a complete player as there is in the league. With the Bengals up against the cap and big-time free agents set to hit the market, they need to find a way to win now. Burrow is the biggest piece of that pie.

As a Jets fan, watching Josh Allen is truly remarkable. Despite an uptick in turnovers last year, he manages to be the leading rusher for a team that also is as explosive through the air as anyone. Whereas other runners like Jackson struggle to make the tough throws in the big games, Allen seems to do it all with ease.

Finally, topping the AFC list is reigning champ Mahomes. He had a career year despite losing Tyreek Hill to free agency.

Watching him lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl win on one leg was one of the most impressive football achievements I’ve seen in some time. Until he starts slipping, he will remain at the top for the foreseeable future.