Jared Goff’s latest quarterback ranking is one of those backhanded compliments that makes you stop mid-scroll.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler dropped his annual top 10 QB rankings for 2025, and Goff landed at No. 8. On paper, it’s a nod to the year he just had: 4,629 yards, 37 touchdowns, over 72% completion, and 15 wins. That’s not just a good season—that’s arguably the best of his career. He even finished fifth in MVP voting.
But then you look at who’s ranked ahead of him, and that’s when it starts to sting.
Justin Herbert? He’s sitting at No. 7, despite a 0-2 playoff record and a resume built mostly on regular-season flash. Herbert’s arm is elite, sure, but has he actually done more than Goff lately? Not really.
Then comes Matthew Stafford at No. 6—yes, the same Stafford Detroit once traded away to get Goff and a stack of draft picks. Great QB, no doubt. Super Bowl champ. But if we’re talking about right now, today, not three years ago, is he still better than Goff?
This is where the rankings feel more like a popularity contest than a real evaluation.
Even with a veteran NFC defensive coach praising Goff as “one of the game’s best pure passers” and crediting him for evolving into a reliable leader who protects the ball, Goff still doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt that others do. His ranking seems less about his performance and more about old reputations hanging around.
Still, let’s keep it in perspective—No. 8 is nothing to sneeze at. Just a few years ago, folks were saying Goff was a placeholder. Now he’s in the elite tier. Another big season—maybe one with some hardware—and this debate won’t even exist. Goff will be undeniable.
But for now? Yeah, this one feels like a pat on the back with a side of shade.
He’s Got the Stats, the Wins, and the Leadership—So Why is Goff Still Underrated?
