The 2025 NFL season is in the books, and as always, the offseason brings with it the great American tradition of quarterback rankings-and the debates that come with them. This week, ESPN’s Chris Canty dropped his top five NFC quarterbacks on First Take, and let’s just say it didn’t take long for the list to stir up some strong reactions.
One name left off the list entirely? Jared Goff.
And that’s where things get interesting.
Let’s break down Canty’s list and where the conversation around Goff stands heading into a pivotal 2026 season.
The NFC QB Rankings: Canty's Top Five
#1 - Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
No arguments here. Stafford just capped off a career-defining season: Super Bowl champ, MVP, and now firmly on the Hall of Fame track.
He’s been surgical all year and continues to prove that experience and poise still matter in a league dominated by youth and athleticism. At 37, he’s playing the best football of his life, and he’s earned that top spot.
#2 - Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
This one raised some eyebrows. Daniels was electric as a rookie, no doubt-leading Washington to an NFC title game and knocking out Detroit along the way.
But this past season was a different story. Injuries derailed his sophomore campaign, and even when he was on the field, he didn’t look like the same guy.
The talent is undeniable, but putting him at #2 after a limited and underwhelming year feels more like a projection than a reflection of current performance.
#3 - Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Darnold’s resurgence is one of the more surprising storylines of the year. After leading the league in turnovers during the regular season, he flipped the script in the playoffs-zero turnovers, steady play, and a Super Bowl appearance.
He wasn’t flashy, but he was effective when it mattered most. That kind of postseason poise earns you respect, and a spot in the top five is well-deserved.
#4 - Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Hurts is a winner. He’s one of the few QBs to lose a Super Bowl and come back to win one later.
He’s helped turn the Eagles’ infamous tush push into a near-unstoppable force. But Philly’s offense hasn’t quite clicked lately, and there are growing concerns about Hurts’ limitations as a passer.
With a new offensive coordinator in Sean Mannion and pressure mounting, this could be a make-or-break year for Hurts in Philly.
#5 - Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
There’s no denying Williams’ clutch gene. He engineered multiple jaw-dropping comebacks, including in the playoffs, and gave Bears fans a reason to believe again.
But while the highlight reel is impressive, the efficiency numbers are a concern. A sub-60% completion rate in today’s NFL just doesn’t cut it, especially with a strong offensive line and a creative mind like Ben Johnson calling plays.
Williams is on the rise, but a top-five spot might be a bit premature.
So... Where’s Jared Goff?
That’s the question that had Stephen A. Smith fired up-and rightfully so.
Goff was quietly one of the most productive quarterbacks in the league last season. Let’s run it back:
- 2nd in passing yards
- 2nd in passing touchdowns
- 3rd in passer rating
- Tied for 5th in completion percentage
He made the Pro Bowl (as a first alternate), was PFWA’s All-NFC First Team quarterback, and finished fifth in MVP voting the year before. And this was all while dealing with a downgraded offensive line and a change in play-caller. The numbers speak for themselves.
Yet Canty dismissed Goff entirely, saying, “How does Jared Goff get into the chat?” That’s the kind of slight that ends up on bulletin boards in locker rooms.
To be fair, Goff’s 9-8 record last season doesn’t scream elite, and the Lions finished last in the NFC North. But context matters.
He didn’t have the benefit of a healthy roster, and unlike Daniels, he wasn’t battling injuries. Unlike Williams, he didn’t win the division.
And yes, those nationally televised losses to the Eagles and Vikings didn’t help his case-when the lights were brightest, Goff didn’t deliver.
That’s the narrative he has to shake.
Goff’s Crossroads: Time to Leave No Doubt
Goff is heading into his sixth season with the Lions. He’ll turn 32 during the year, and his contract clock is ticking.
The resume is solid: he’s been to a Super Bowl, put up MVP-level numbers, and led deep playoff runs. But in a league that crowns winners and celebrates upside, Goff finds himself in a strange middle ground-he’s not a young phenom, and he hasn’t hoisted a Lombardi Trophy.
Three of the QBs on Canty’s list have rings. The other two-Daniels and Williams-are seen as the future.
Goff? He’s stuck in the “prove-it” tier, even after proving plenty.
But here’s the thing: the tools are all still there. The arm talent.
The accuracy. The command of the offense.
If Goff can string together another big season-and this time, turn those primetime moments into wins-he can force his way back into the conversation. Better yet, he can end it altogether.
The formula is simple, even if the execution isn’t: win more games, win bigger games, and win when the whole country is watching. That’s how Stafford climbed to the top of the NFC QB mountain-by delivering when it mattered most in his 30s.
Goff has that same opportunity. Now it’s up to him to take it.