Ranking The NFC North Quarterbacks: Who’s Number One?
We’ve ranked the NFC North here at SideLion Report, but we haven’t ranked the most important position in football, the quarterbacks.
Where do Matthew Stafford, Jay Cutler, Aaron Rodgers and Teddy Bridgewater rank in the NFC North?
4. Teddy Bridgewater
Bridgewater technically hasn’t been anointed the starting quarterback for the Vikings, but it sounds like Bridgewater has already made an impression on offensive coordinator Norv Turner:
"One of the things that has been the most impressive to me is, I knew he’d be very accurate, I knew he’d make great decisions, quick decisions, but he’s been outstanding throwing the ball deep, which some people thought that was going to be an issue."
Given that Bridgewater hasn’t played a down in the NFL, he falls into fourth place by default. If Bridgewater’s accuracy and decision making transition to the NFL in year one the Vikings could be a surprisingly competitive team.
3. Jay Cutler
Sorry Bears fans, but Jay Cutler is the third best quarterback in the division. Cutler is coming off of an 11 game season that produced 19 touchdowns to 12 interceptions, despite having Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery on the outside. He’s also playing in a Marc Trestman’s quarterback-friendly offense.
It’s plausable to make the case for Matthew Stafford as the third best quarterback in the division, but Stafford is 26 years old to Cutler’s 31 and contrary to popular belief, he was working with less weapons outside and a weaker coaching staff.
Jay Cutler may still have productive years ahead of him, but he hasn’t shown much progression and he hasn’t had a full season since 2009.
2. Matthew Stafford
In 2011 Matthew Stafford passed for over 5,000 yards, threw 41 touchdowns, 16 interceptions and led his team to a playoff berth. In 2012 and 2013 Stafford combined for just 49 touchdowns, 36 interceptions, and 11 wins. Will the real Matthew Stafford please stand up?
In all seriousness, Stafford is just 26 years old and hasn’t had the benefit of learning from a coaching staff that can teach him how to become the quarterback he has the potential to be. Where would Peyton Manning be without Jim Caldwell and Tony Dungy? Where would Tom Brady be without Bill Belichick? Where would Drew Brees (who didn’t really take off until 2008) be without Sean Peyton?
Stafford has the talent, he has a coaching staff that turned good quarterbacks into elite ones, and now he has a full arsenal at his disposal. His best days should be ahead of him.
1. Aaron Rodgers
League MVP, Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP. Does anything else need to be said to make the case for Rodgers’ status on our list? How about the fact that Green Bay has won the NFC North every year since 2010? Not only would I rank Rodgers ahead of every quarterback in the NFC North, I’d rank him ahead of any quarterback in the NFL.
In 2011, Aaron Rodgers won MVP with 4,600 yards, 45 touchdowns and only six interceptions in leading his team to a 15-1 record.
In 2013 Peyton Manning won MVP with 5,400 yards, 55 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in leading his team to a 13-3 record.
Not to take away from the prolific season Peyton Manning had, but imagine the production Rodgers could have with Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Eric Decker and Wes Welker, compared to Greg Jennings, Randall Cobb, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver, and Jermichael Finley.
I’m not saying Rodgers doesn’t have weapons, it’s just that Peyton had one of the top offenses to work with in years.
Agree or disagree with our rankings? Leave your comments!