One of NFL fans' favorite pastimes is debating quarterback rankings. Who's top ten? Who has an argument to be a part of the elite top four? Does Patrick Mahomes still deserve to be considered #1?
Christopher Kline of FanSided took those debates multiple steps further by ranking every team's QB rooms. So not just the starters are considered, but their backups and even third-stringers as well.
Where does Kline have the Detroit Lions tandem of Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater rank? Just into the top ten at #9.
"The Lions missing the postseason was on nobody's bingo card in 2025, but let's not rush to assign blame. Detroit dealt with copious injuries on defense. Maybe the offense lost some punch without Ben Johnson, but the Lions' talent is overwhelming. They are due to better luck and positive regression in 2026. Goff has become such a complete quarterback. He's a sharp processor, with the ability to deliver pinpoint throws to every area of the field. His floor is higher than most. The man does not make mistakes very often.
Teddy Bridgewater has not started a football game since 2022, but he's a former Pro Bowler turned high school coach. His IQ and experience make him at least an interesting reserve option, if worse comes to worst. "
Even if one considers the general popular opinion that Goff is a top ten QB on his own, this specific ranking also considers backups. Bridgewater is well-liked, to be sure, but not the safety net a backup QB should be for a contender. Notably, former Lions backup QB, Kyle Allen, now backs up Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen in the #1 spot in Kline's rankings.
The Lions QB room being at #9 speaks to Goff's high level of play in recent seasons, where he finished second in passing yards for three consecutive seasons. Goff has also thrown for over 30 touchdowns in each of those seasons, leading all NFL QBs in passing TDs (101) during that span.
For his career, Goff is a five-time Pro Bowler who has had only two losing seasons in his NFL career. With ten wins next season, Goff would become the 21st QB ever to reach 100 regular-season wins, assuming Mahomes (five away), Allen (12 away), or Kirk Cousins (12 away) doesn't get there first.
Overall, Goff has been one of the most efficient QBs in the NFL in recent years, which helped vault him to a fifth-place MVP finish in 2024.
There are plenty of reasons why the Lions QB room isn't higher, such as the lack of a young developmental QB and general concerns about Goff's mobility in an era where mobility is the meta. The first point, at least, could be easily dealt with by using a draft pick or trading it.
Still, a top ten spot is a testament to how good Goff has been and how good the Lions have it at the QB position, even if Goff himself isn't perfect.
Where does the rest of the NFC North QB rooms rank?
You would think a QB room led by a guy who finished in the top five in MVP voting and helped lead the Lions, of all teams, to a conference championship not too long ago, would rank highest in the NFC North, right? Wrong.
Coming in at #7 is the Green Bay Packers, led by Jordan Love, with backups Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord. This ranking comes as their QB room actually got worse this offseason after former backup, Malik Willis, left for a starting job with the tanking Miami Dolphins (ranked #25).
Love played some of the best football of his career last season, but still, seeing the Packers ahead of the Lions in anything has to sting a little.
READ MORE: Teddy Bridgewater shares message Lions fans needed to hear
Just behind the Lions at #10 is the Chicago Bears, who won the NFC North last season despite shaky play and unreal comeback victories out of Caleb Williams. Williams fell short of being the first Bears QB to throw for 4,000 passing yards in a season, which makes the achievement feel all the more inevitable. Behind Williams is Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum, forming a very solid QB room for head coach Ben Johnson.
Bringing up the rear in the NFC North is the Minnesota Vikings at #21. Last season, the Vikings opted to stick with J.J. McCarthy over Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones, and paid a hefty price watching both have fantastic seasons while McCarthy became the poster child for poor QB play.
Vikings have since shored up their QB room by bringing in Kyler Murray, while bringing back veteran backup Carson Wentz. An improved QB room, for sure, but one that still lags far behind the rest of the division.
Still, a top ten spot for Goff and the Lions is a great place to be. But with eight spots ahead, including one taken up by a rival, it shows that there's still room to grow and respect to be earned. For the Lions to rebound from last season, their QB room needs to aim higher than #9.