Ranking the Top 10 Quarterbacks I’d Build My Franchise Around for the Next 5 Years

As the 2025 NFL season enters the stretch run, it has felt like a true changing of the guard. Perennial playoff staples suddenly look vulnerable, and quarterbacks we’ve grown accustomed to seeing in January might soon be on the outside looking in. That has raised a question to me... Which quarterbacks around the league would you want to build a franchise around for the next five years?

Below is a quick breakdown, complete with reasoning, concerns, and long-term projections, of the top 10 quarterbacks to build around going forward, based on performance, age, upside, and durability.

Note: This isn’t a ranking of the top 10 quarterbacks right now, it’s a ranking of the quarterbacks I’d choose to build a franchise around for the next five years.

10. Baker Mayfield (Age 30) — Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield lands at number 10, and while 30 isn’t “old” in QB years, there is some concern about how he will age, especially as a physical, fiery player who has battled injuries. His recent struggles likely tie into playing banged up, but he has shown he can carry a team and succeed in multiple environments. That stability and experience earn him the final spot.

9. Jayden Daniels (Age 24) — Washington Commanders

A year ago, it would’ve been shocking to rank Jayden Daniels this low. He’s one of the most accurate passers in the league, but the concern is longevity. His frame is extremely lean, and he’s been taking a beating all season. The talent is undeniable, but like Baker, the durability questions drop him in the rankings. If he stays healthy, he has elite upside, there’s just no guarantee he will stay healthy.

8. Caleb Williams (Age 24) — Chicago Bears

The numbers don’t fully show it yet, but Caleb Williams has taken a meaningful leap. His arm strength and velocity are already elite, I'd even say maybe top 5 in the league, and he’s one of the NFL’s best natural scramblers. The memes and draft-day jokes aside, he’s clearly growing more comfortable in Ben Johnson’s system. As he continues developing, he has the potential to become one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks going forward.

7. Lamar Jackson (Age 28) — Baltimore Ravens

Some will argue he should be higher, but long-term concerns push Lamar to number 7. He remains an underrated passer and is still electric, but his game is built on speed, and that speed is naturally declining year by year. Add in the lack of postseason success, and there are legitimate questions about how he will age over the next five seasons. The talent is undeniable, but the durability and playoff resume hold him back.

6. Jordan Love (Age 27) — Green Bay Packers

Some will say this is too high, but Jordan Love’s natural arm talent might already be among the best in the NFL. He’s produced in the postseason, he’s cut down on turnovers since his early starting days, and he’s done it with a receiving group that’s deep but lacks a true star. As he continues to refine his accuracy and decision-making, he profiles as a quarterback who will only improve with age.

5. Justin Herbert (Age 27) — Los Angeles Chargers

Despite the "criticism" around him, Justin Herbert remains one of the toughest and most gifted quarterbacks in football. Playing, and winning, with a broken left hand shows his toughness, mobility, and leadership ability. His arm talent is elite, and his partnership with Jim Harbaugh could unlock something special in Los Angeles. I'd even go as far as saying if the Chargers offensive line was healthy, I think they'd be my pick to win the AFC this year based on what we've seen across the conference this season. While he does need postseason success, Herbert remains a top-five franchise cornerstone.

4. Joe Burrow (Age 28) — Cincinnati Bengals

Yes, the injury history is concerning. But Joe Burrow is simply too good to drop outside the top four. Even after two months away, he returned looking like the second-best quarterback in football. He’s poised, precise, and surgical, arguably the most accurate passer in the league. His pocket movement is reminiscent of Tom Brady, with modern mobility added in. If the Bengals protect him, Burrow remains one of the best long-term options in the NFL.

3. Drake Maye (Age 23) — New England Patriots

Too soon? I don't think so. Drake Maye has that level of upside and there's a reason he's a top MVP candidate in just his second year. At just 23 years old, standing 6'4", and possessing one of the best deep balls in football, he’s already thriving despite mediocre receivers and an inconsistent offensive line. He’s athletic, mobile, getting better at avoiding big hits, and capable of making every throw on the field. While he occasionally makes a questionable decision or two each game, his ceiling is sky-high, and high enough for the number 3 spot.

2. Josh Allen (Age 29) — Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen is arguably playing like the best quarterback in football right now. His arm power is unmatched and he gets better every year as a passer. But two concerns keep him from the top spot:

1. He still hasn’t won a Super Bowl.

2. He takes an alarming number of big hits, raising questions about aging.

He’s a more complete, more powerful version of Lamar Jackson, and if he eventually wins a ring, the conversation changes. For now, he’s a firm number 2.

1. Patrick Mahomes (Age 30) — Kansas City Chiefs

Even in a season where the Chiefs might miss the playoffs, Patrick Mahomes remains the number-one quarterback to build around. Not all the struggles are his fault, his supporting cast has heavily regressed, but postseason performance matters, and Mahomes is the one quarterback you’d want if everything came down to a single game. His track record of winning big moments secures his spot at the top.