What happened: The model evaluates all 32 projected starting quarterbacks across six categories—offensive impact, accuracy, explosive plays, scoring, lack of turnovers, and clutch performance—using a baseline score of five as the league average and incorporating plus-minus tilt points based on career body of work. Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams finished third overall and joined Allen and Maye in Tier 1 with a total score of 52, driven by a 10 in offensive impact and a 10 in scoring. Tier 2 comprises nine quarterbacks scoring between 42 and 47, led by Jared Goff at 47 and featuring Jordan Love and Patrick Mahomes tied at 46.

Why it matters: As NFL training camps open across late July, the analytical tiers highlight significant divergence from traditional polling methods, most notably by elevating Maye alongside Allen over established veterans. The evaluation relies heavily on 2025 performance metrics, which penalizes less-experienced starters such as Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans (ranked 27th with 30 points) and Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants (ranked 26th with 31 points) due to their limited sample size. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals sit near the bottom of the evaluation with Brissett holding a 33 rating in Tier 4, underlining the quarterback uncertainty facing several franchises.

What to watch: Quarterback evaluations will undergo real-world testing when mandatory training camp practices commence in late July. Team staffs will monitor how players across all five analytical tiers perform during August preseason matchups leading into the 2026 regular season.