Where Aaron Rodgers Ranks Among AFC QBs After Trade to the Jets

It won’t be easy for the former Packers signal-caller in a loaded conference led by Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen and Justin Herbert.

The Jets have their new leading man. Aaron Rodgers, sent over from the Packers in a blockbuster deal Monday, gives New York its best quarterback since Joe Namath was prowling Bachelors III and Toots Shor’s.

At 39 years old, Rodgers gives the Jets a short-term answer. He’ll likely be in New York for at least two seasons, hoping to be a championship mercenary. But it won’t be easy for the four-time league MVP, considering the depth of young AFC quarterbacks all vying for their place among the elite.

To that point, here’s how the top-10 AFC quarterbacks stack up with Rodgers in the fold in 2023:

Rodgers will be up against Mahomes, as well as other elite quarterbacks in the AFC :: Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports

1

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

Nobody else compares. Mahomes has won multiple Super Bowls, Super Bowl MVPs and NFL MVPs. The only other players in history to do that? Joe Montana and Tom Brady. At 27 years old, Mahomes is on a trajectory to become one of the greatest players we’ve ever seen, and he enters 2023 as the Super Bowl favorite.

2

Joe Burrow, Bengals

Burrow has earned this second spot over the past two years. Leading the Bengals to consecutive AFC title games—and one Super Bowl appearance—the former LSU standout has become Mahomes’s main adversary. Last year, Burrow threw for 4,475 yards and 35 touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl berth.

3

Josh Allen, Bills

Allen was much maligned nationally for falling off in 2022 compared to the year before, but his numbers were almost identical (2021: 4,407, 36 TDs, 15 INT; ’22: 4,283-35-14). Nobody runs with power from the quarterback position more than Allen—he gained 762 yards in ’22—and perhaps only Mahomes can match the pure arm talent. A two-time Pro Bowler, Allen can destroy well-constructed defenses. 

4

Justin Herbert, Chargers

Herbert has become polarizing to some, but his talent is undeniable. Despite being tethered to a scheme bordering on cruel and unusual, Herbert led the Chargers to the playoffs while throwing for 4,739 yards and 25 TDs. All this while playing much of the season with a serious rib injury. Herbert needs to start racking up January victories, but he checks in a solid fourth.

5

Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars

Lawrence showed his true talent under first-year coach Doug Pederson in 2022, totaling 4,113 passing yards and 25 TDs. He also led Jacksonville to a wild comeback over the Chargers in the wild-card round before a close loss to the Chiefs in the divisional round. Nobody is a better sleeper bet for MVP than Lawrence.

6

Aaron Rodgers, Jets

Rodgers slides in sixth, behind five quarterbacks all at least a dozen years younger and on teams with better supporting casts. Last year Rodgers didn’t throw for 300 yards in any game and tossed 12 interceptions, the first time he reached double digits since 2010. He’s still good, but is he great while approaching 40 years old?

7

Lamar Jackson, Ravens

This might seem harsh, but consider the following: Jackson has sustained significant injuries each of the past two seasons. He’s also without a top-tier receiver, and the Ravens haven’t shown enough faith to invest long term. Jackson is a special talent, but there are questions about his situation.

8

Deshaun Watson, Browns

Watson was the toughest to rank on this list. He didn’t play all of 2021 for the Texans and then after a trade to Cleveland was suspended 11 games before struggling through six games. Only 27 and a three-time Pro Bowler, the pressure to rebound is enormous. 

9

Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins

Tagovailoa’s biggest problem is health. He had two documented concussions last season and most believe a third. When healthy, the 2020 No. 5 pick was splendid, throwing for 3,548 yards and 25 touchdowns in only 13 games.

10

Mac Jones, Patriots

This is a huge season for Jones, who regressed in Year 2 after being forced to have Matt Patricia as an offensive coordinator. If the Patriots can provide him with better weapons in 2023, he could vault up this list.