The NFL season is almost here, and everyone seems to have their own opinion on which quarterbacks belong among the league’s elite. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has now revealed his personal top 10 heading into the 2026-27 season, and there are some notable surprises. His list features established stars, recent MVP contenders, and several young quarterbacks who are quickly climbing the NFL hierarchy. MORE: NFL top 5 richest teams in 2026 Portnoy’s top 10 quarterbacks Jan 4, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) warms up prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images According to the rankings, Matthew Stafford sits at No. 1. The Los Angeles Rams quarterback is coming off an incredible 2025 season in which he won MVP after throwing for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns. Drake Maye comes in at No. 2, ahead of Buffalo Bills superstar Josh Allen, who is ranked third. Maye is coming off a breakout season in which he earned second-team All-Pro honors and finished second to Stafford in the MVP voting. Here is Portnoy’s complete list:
Matthew Stafford — Rams Drake Maye — Patriots Josh Allen — Bills Patrick Mahomes — Chiefs Caleb Williams — Bears Jayden Daniels — Commanders Joe Burrow — Bengals Jalen Hurts — Eagles Sam Darnold — Seahawks Jordan Love — Packers
MORE: Rating every NFL game on the Monday Night Football schedule in 2026 Some surprising names Jan 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) warms up before the game between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images Perhaps the biggest talking point is how high Caleb Williams lands. The Bears quarterback comes in at No. 5, putting him ahead of established stars such as Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts. Mahomes, meanwhile, is ranked fourth despite being widely considered one of the best quarterbacks in football. Allen’s third-place ranking may also generate some debate, particularly considering his résumé and MVP season. At the bottom of the list, Sam Darnold and Jordan Love round out Portnoy’s top 10. Whether fans agree with the rankings or not, there is no shortage of debate here. With the 2026-27 season approaching, Portnoy’s list gives NFL fans another quarterback ranking to argue about before the games actually begin. — Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —