Fernando Mendoza has a long way to go before he can even dream of making this top 10 list.But Matthew Stafford, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen all made the cut in talkSPORT’s new ranking of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in 2026.Matthew Stafford is an elite QB and the NFL’s reigning MVPGettyAaron Rodgers is one of the greatest QBs in NFL history but the 42-year-old Pittsburgh Steeler isn’t good enough for this current top 10 list. Sam Darnold proved the worth of a trusted, veteran quarterback last season, leading Seattle to a Super Bowl trophy.Darnold and his Seahawks will begin defending their world championship with a season-opening rematch vs Drake Maye’s New England Patriots on Wednesday at Lumen Field. In 2026, Bryce Young, Cam Ward, C.J. Stroud and Baker Mayfield will try to move into the elite tier of NFL quarterbacks. NFL Weekly Newsletter - SIGN UP!talkSPORT is your home for NFL in the UK as we launch our biggest year of coverage yet!2026 promises to be an epic year for NFL on talkSPORT – and we want you to join us for the ride.MORE INFO & SIGN-UP HERE!This season will be our biggest ever with live commentary of 90+ games, including behind-the-scenes access to international games and all three London fixtures, plus bumper coverage of Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium.Exclusive interviews, hard-hitting opinion, latest front-office drama and top breaking news – all delivered straight to your inbox each week.Here’s a look at the top 10 QBs in the NFL entering Week 1 of a new season. 10. Sam Darnold, Seattle SeahawksThe 29-year-old Darnold is a Super Bowl bargain.He’s made back-to-back Pro Bowls while throwing for 60 touchdowns in the last two years.Darnold is also a proven leader who can inspire an entire team to a big game victory.“Some people called me crazy throughout my career for believing in myself so much and having so much confidence,” said Darnold, in response to a question from talkSPORT. “But it was because of my parents, because of the way that they believed in me throughout my entire career, and it allowed me to go out there and play free and have a ton of confidence.”Darnold proved that a veteran QB and strong defense can still win the Super BowlGetty9. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles ChargersThere’s no doubt that Herbert is a top 10 QB in the NFL.But he hasn’t thrown for more than 4,000 yards since 2022, while the Chargers are still waiting for Herbert’s first playoff victory.This is a big year for Jim Harbaugh, Herbert and Los Angeles’ second-best NFL team. 8. Drake Maye, New England PatriotsMaye drew eyes as a rookie, then exceeded expectations during his second year.He finished second in NFL MVP voting and fifth in Offensive Player of the Year honors.A frustrating loss to Seattle in Super Bowl LX should inspire further improvement from the former No. 3 overall pick.7. Caleb Williams, Chicago BearsWilliams is the new ‘Iceman’ and embracing Super Bowl expectations in Chicago.There have been times when the 24-year-old QB has appeared overwhelmed by all the pressure.But Williams’ fourth-and-8 ‘silhouette pass’ to Rome Odunze in a thrilling 31-27 playoff win over the Green Bay Packers last season was proof of the young QB’s clutch talent.“Belief. That’s all you need,” Williams said. “You got belief in the coaches that they’re going to call the right play at the right time. You got belief in the players on the field that you’re going to make the right play at the right time.”The new Iceman is hoping for a breakthrough year with the BearsGetty6. Jared Goff, Detroit LionsGoff ranked third in the NFL in passer rating (105.5) last season.But Detroit’s 9-8 record was disappointing for the Lions, who finished in a tie for last place in the NFC North.Goff must be better than Caleb Williams, Jordan Love and Kyler Murray this season, and he still needs to add a couple big playoff wins to his résumé.5. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City ChiefsThere’s no doubt that Mahomes is the most popular quarterback in the NFL.But his top 10 ranking right now is based more on past experience than current reality.Showtime is shooting for Week 1 as he recovers from major knee injuries.“Pretty good chance Patrick will go ahead and start, unless something were to come up here in the next couple days,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. “But, most likely, he’ll be the guy that’s out there.”If Mahomes stays healthy in 2026, a comeback season could lead to a third MVP award.Matthew Stafford, Patrick Mahomes and Caleb Williams want to be No. 1getty4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati BengalsBurrow needs to start fast and stay healthy.If he accomplishes both of those goals this season, Joe Cool will be just fine.But the biggest question, again, is how good the Bengals will be while being led by a $275 million QB. If Cincy falters, could Burrow push for a midseason trade? “(Zac Taylor) finally this year appears to be getting Joe Burrow to do what he wants to do with the offense, rather than just doing what Joe Burrow wants to do,” talkSPORT’s Will Gavin said on Inside the NFL. “Burrow appears to have bought into it. There’s been no offseason drama.3. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles RamsStafford is the NFL’s reigning MVP at 38-years-old and getting closer to a Hall of Fame jacket.He also has Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald on the Rams’ defense, and has spent the last two seasons barely falling short in the playoffs.With 64,516 career passing yards and 423 TDs, Stafford is an all-time elite NFL QB who’s only improving with age. Donald won’t play vs the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, but Stafford should outplay Brock Purdy. NFL's Greatest......Ranking the top 10......Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and moreTight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?2. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens Jackson was ranked No. 69 overall among NFL players by some of his peers.That was absurd, and the 2026 season should be another breakthrough for Action Jackson.With a new head coach in Jesse Minter and veteran Derrick Henry in Baltimore’s backfield, Jackson will enter the year eyeing his third MVP award and his first Super Bowl trophy. “I want to win a Super Bowl. That’s a big motivation,” Henry said on The Lounge podcast. “I just want to be able to feel that feeling. I’m tired of watching. Every year, I’m tired of being at home on the couch watching. I want to be a part of it.”So does Jackson, who is teasing big things from the new-look Ravens offense. 1. Josh Allen, Buffalo BillsThe Winter Soldier is the heart and soul of the Bills Mafia.But Allen, like Jackson and Burrow, is still searching for his first Super Bowl ring.The 2024 NFL MVP is also on a Hall of Fame path with 30,102 career passing yards, 220 TDs via the air, 4,721 rushing yards and 79 TDs on the ground.In a league loaded with superb franchise QBs, Allen is the best through the first week of the preseason. But there’s so much talent near the top he could lose his spot by Week 2.Join talkSPORT’s dedicated US Sports YouTube channel The S* Word every Tuesday and Thursday for our brand new NFL shows.On Tuesdays Will Gavin and US senior reporter Brian T. Smith will debate the biggest talking points from the NFL weekend, while on Thursdays Efe Obada joins the crew to talk with players past and present and break down what to look for across the league.