From Mahomes to Pickett: Ranking the QBs in the ridiculously stacked AFC

A aron Rodgers has joined the New York Jets with high hopes of winning a Super Bowl. But by swapping the NFC for the AFC, he has given himself a tough task. Not since the merger has one conference had such a concentration of quarterback talent as the AFC does heading into the 2023 season. And the conference could add another couple of stars if rookies CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson prove to be hits.

Let’s hop around the AFC and sort the quarterbacks into tiers (the rookies are excluded: we’ll wait to see them in the league before passing judgment).

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs. The reigning MVP continues to lord over the conference. The hardware is enough to close any argument: two Super Bowl titles and two MVP awards in five years as a starter. But that’s not fun. What is fun: Mahomes’ style. The arm angles. The no-look passes. Throwing on the move. He has redefined what is expected from a quarterback. They can’t just execute the scheme; they need to be able to create offense all by themselves.

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals. It’s hard to separate Burrow and Mahomes at this point – a testament to how great Burrow has been in less-than-ideal circumstances in Cincinnati.

There are no holes left in his game. Every time a defense exposes a supposed flaw,Burrow conquers the thing within 12 months. Issues against certain coverages? No problem. Struggles versus the blitz? Easy work. Too eager to hold on to the ball? Watch this: I’ll get rid of it in double time. Burrow doesn’t just beat back issues either, he goes on to be the very best in the league in the areas where he struggled just a year prior. Defenses are left chasing their tails until they realize there is no solution.

Burrow has mastered every element of