Gross quarterback ranks: For the primary time ever, 2 Vikings make the checklist

2026 has been a robust yr for terrible NFL quarterback performances. If Week 10’s depth charts are any indication, we might rise to a brand new plateau on Sunday.

However the worst showings do not come from rookie mid-round draft picks or observe squad call-ups. They arrive from the quarterbacks from whom we have come to anticipate a baseline of competence and a ceiling of greatness. That is what makes an NFL passer actually able to grossness.

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There is not any excellent metric for a quarterback’s impression, however anticipated factors added (EPA) helps measure their capability to swing the end result of a sport by the air, on the bottom and thru avoiding unfavourable performs. Final yr, EPA advised us Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford have been a lower above the remainder of the league’s quarterbacks within the common season, netting 151.3 and 120.3 EPA, respectfully. Nobody else within the league topped triple digits. Unsurprisingly, these two led playoff groups and completed second and first, respectively, in MVP voting.

We will use EPA to assist dissect which quarterbacks underwhelmed the toughest of their debut. By evaluating their Week 8 EPA throughout their early 2026 season averages, we get a greater concept of whose followers ought to be most aggravated. And so, we find yourself with a “worst QBs” checklist that does not embody among the league’s precise worst quarterbacks, just because their begins to the season have been so disappointing we have been reasonably conditioned to not anticipate extra this fall. You need to be not less than respectable in 2026 — or otherworldly terrible on a given week — to wind up within the gross QB rankings.

Nevertheless, I did make an exception this week to speak about Carson Wentz, as a result of my god.

We’ll additionally take a look at completion share over anticipated (CPOE), which supplies you a good suggestion of which quarterbacks are making robust throws (and, in some circumstances, being bailed out by distinctive catches). All information come from NFL Professional.

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We’ll additionally hold a operating tally of the instances every quarterback lands right here. We’ll rating that placement observe meet fashion — 10 factors for first place, then eight, six, 4, two and one — as a way to determine who was actually 2026’s grossest passer.

Honorable point out: Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

• Distinction: 15 factors worse

• Week 9 CPOE: -3.7 p.c

• Distinction: 5.4 factors worse

Goff is partially a sufferer of his personal success. He was restricted largely to quick passes and threw his second interception of the season in opposition to what’s been the league’s worst protection. He nonetheless gave Detroit sufficient for a double-digit win whilst Jahmyr Gibbs struggled. He’ll be high quality.

5. Geno Smith, New York Jets

• Distinction: 15.5 factors worse

• Week 9 CPOE: -10.4 p.c

• Distinction: 16.8 factors worse

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Smith was given a possibility in a sport the Jets solely trailed by two factors at halftime. He failed to guide a single scoring drive after the break and New York misplaced, 35-12. The veteran’s revival hinged on big CPOE numbers, showcasing his downfield accuracy and skill to make throws others couldn’t. However in Kansas Metropolis, he tried to throw his means again into the sport with deep pictures to Adonai Mitchell.

Mitchell was focused seven instances with a mean distance of just below 19 yards downfield. He didn’t catch a single cross. A few of this was as a consequence of Mitchell’s inconsistency. Some was as a consequence of becoming sq. pegs into spherical holes; the Chiefs knew these passes have been coming, had security assistance on the prepared and held the younger wideout to only 1.6 yards of separation per goal — by far his lowest mark of the season.

Because of this, Smith solely accomplished a single cross that traveled greater than eight yards past the road of scrimmage.

4. Drake Maye, New England Patriots

• Distinction: 18.1 factors worse

• Distinction: 2.2 factors worse

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Maye returns to the checklist, as a result of nothing is healthier for a gross quarterback than excessive expectations and relentless inconsistency. The return of Mack Hollins to the lineup led to a right away interception on a miscommunication. From there, the Patriots trailed for greater than 58 minutes of sport time.

Whereas Hollins lower his route quick early, “lobbed cross throughout your physique on the run into protection” was destined to fail regardless. This didn’t cease Maye’s gunslinging however as an alternative amplified it. He tried to battle again from an early three-score deficit with deep throws. Whereas he was capable of make Demario Douglas work in that state of affairs, Kyle Williams was a distinct story.

The Inexperienced Bay protection is peaking proper now, and a gentle weight loss plan of blitzes subjected Maye to a 52 p.c stress price. The participant who’d dealt with crowded pockets with aplomb glitched out, buying and selling off good throws and dangerous on a three-touchdown, three-interception day. Douglas stepped up from his depleted receiving corps, however that was about it. 14 of Maye’s 38 passes traveled not less than 15 yards downfield. He accomplished six of these to his teammates and one other three to Packers safeties.

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• Distinction: 22 factors worse

• Distinction: Two factors higher

Cousins saved his worst for final in Las Vegas. The now-Minnesota Viking (for causes we’ll focus on at No. 1). He accomplished a ton of passes, however the plurality of them have been quick, ineffective throws to his left. That is sensible, as a result of when he threw to the suitable, dangerous issues occurred.

In equity to Cousins, that deep ball interception got here in rubbish time and was, by way of subject place, higher than an incompletion or a throw wanting the sticks.

However that chart truly shorts him an interception, which suggests he accomplished extra passes to the suitable sideline to 49ers defenders than his personal teammates. That features the primary play of the second half which, uh…

Earlier than this, Cousins was good in a means that bought the Raiders out to 3-0 and largely hasn’t mattered since. He ranks seventh within the NFL in EPA per dropback. He is 1-5 since Week 3, because of half to a brutal schedule and the underwhelming receiving corps that makes his job harder (and fumbled twice deep in San Francisco territory with an opportunity to tighten a 28-17 sport).

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Now he goes from Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor as his prime wideouts to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison (and possibly even a Jauan Jennings revival!). He is 38 years outdated, however he is throwing the ball downfield extra usually than he did in any of his seasons after leaving Minnesota. You may see how the Raiders’ lack of receiving depth has affected him; his common separation per goal is a profession low 3.0 yards. His tight window throw price is 20.3 p.c — a profession excessive.

This all suggests we will see a greater model of Cousins within the Twin Cities. Not simply from his Week 9 efficiency, however over the regular play he’d already been giving the Raiders this fall. Which is nice, as a result of the Vikings are already awful with quarterbacks who can play like he did in opposition to the 49ers.

2. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

• Distinction: 22.6 factors worse

• Week 9 CPOE: -3.2 p.c

• Distinction: NIne factors worse

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For the second straight week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers bullied a 2024 first spherical draft choose into 4 interceptions. However whereas Michael Penix Jr. was an indoor quarterback slinging passes on the highway within the rain, Williams was on his dwelling turf of Soldier Area on a brisk however in any other case nice Chicago night time. Extra concerningly, two of these interceptions have been on throwaways!

and:

That ought to be simply correctable, not less than in idea. However after dealing with a blitz-heavy protection and beating the Patriots two weeks earlier, cracks confirmed in opposition to a prime 5 Tampa Bay protection. Luther Burden III bailed him out with large beneficial properties on shorter throws. His seven catches got here a mixed 30 yards downfield. He turned that into 97 yards and a landing, as a result of he’s Chicago’s contingency plan for when a younger quarterback glitches out.

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That is not an important signal once you’re competing with the Vikings for a division title. Minnesota already restricted him earlier than he exited Week 2 with a hamstring harm. Opposing defenses are compiling tape on cease Caleb Williams, however solely a choose few have the personnel to drag it off. Happily for Chicago, as soon as opponents have solutions, head coach Ben Johnson has a beautiful observe file of fixing the questions.

• Distinction: 26 factors worse

• Week 9 CPOE: -23.7 p.c

• Distinction: 15.7 factors worse

Why did the Vikings commerce a prime 100 draft choose for Kirk Cousins? One way or the other, an eight for 25, 83-yard, two interception stat line would not paint a whole image of how dangerous issues have been in opposition to Buffalo.

This helps, although.

You already know what? There is not any quantity of study that is going to sum up Wentz’s efficiency higher than that. Pack it up, we’re completed right here.

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OK, now we have got some respectable information: FTW Gross QB rankings after Week 9

1. Drake Maye, New England Patriots: 22 factors

t-2. Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts: 20

t-2. Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons: 20

4. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers: 19

5. Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals: 15

6. Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers: 14

7. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams: 13

t-8. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles: 12

t-8. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 12

t-8. Bryce Younger, Carolina Panthers: 12

t-8. Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders: 12

t-12. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos: 10

t-12. Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins: 10

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t-12. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: 10

t-12. Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings: 10

t-16. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: 9

t-16. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions: 9

t-18. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns: 8

t-18. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears: 8

t-18. Geno Smith, New York Jets: 8

21. Jordan Love, Inexperienced Bay Packers: 7

t-22. Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans: 4

t-22. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: 4

t-22. Jameis Winston, New York Giants: 4

25. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans: 3

26. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars: 2

t-27. Josh Allen, Buffalo Payments: 1

t-27. Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints: 1

This text initially appeared on For The Win: Gross quarterback ranks: For the primary time ever, 2 Vikings make the checklist