The 2026 NFL season is only four weeks old, but Week 4 brought plenty of movement at quarterback. Some passers made big jumps after impressive wins, while others slipped following costly mistakes or disappointing performances.

With the season still in its early stages, the latest rankings continue to balance recent form with what each quarterback has already shown in the league.

32. Jalon Daniels, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jalon Daniels made his first NFL start after Baker Mayfield’s absence and became the first rookie quarterback to start a game for the Buccaneers this season. The Packers put plenty of pressure on him, but Daniels kept competing until the final play and helped Tampa Bay stay within reach.

“He had some guts out there, even to the last play of the game,” analyst Sayre Bedinger wrote on nflspinzone on October 5.

Daniels finished with one touchdown and two interceptions while dealing with heavy pressure throughout the game.

On fourth down late in the contest, he was wrapped up around the legs but managed to stay upright long enough to attempt a final pass. The throw fell incomplete, but his debut gives him something to build on.

31. Athan Kaliakmanis, Washington Commanders

Athan Kaliakmanis was suddenly thrown into his first NFL action after Marcus Mariota aggravated his knee injury in London. The rookie showed some encouraging moments, including a deep touchdown pass to Treylon Burks, although Washington eventually lost control of the game against Indianapolis.

“It was good to see how Kaliakmanis, the rookie out of Minnesota, was able to come in and respond when his number was called,” Bedinger wrote.

Kaliakmanis stepped in after Mariota attempted only four passes and gave Washington a spark through the air. Mariota is expected to miss time, while Jayden Daniels is set to return in Week 5 and play through his latest elbow injury.

30. Tyson Bagent, Chicago Bears

Chicago has now used three different starting quarterbacks over the first four weeks, and all three have been part of wins. Tyson Bagent got the latest opportunity and benefited from a strong running game and a defense that shut down the New York Jets.

“Ben Johnson isn’t a puppetteer, but as far as offensive play-callers go, he may make the biggest difference in the NFL right now,” Bedinger wrote.

Bagent attempted 34 passes despite Chicago controlling the game on the ground. There were some shaky throws, including an interception, but he helped the Bears secure another victory and gave Johnson another option to work with.

29. Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins

Malik Willis continues to have a difficult time finding consistency in Miami’s offense. Against a Minnesota defense that has given quarterbacks problems all season, Willis managed only 85 passing yards and lost a fumble.

“The more time goes by, the more it looks like Malik Willis is revealing himself as just a high-end backup quarterback,” Bedinger wrote.

The Dolphins managed only eight first downs, while Willis completed nine passes and has just one touchdown throw through four games. He is completing fewer than 60% of his passes, leaving Miami with questions about its long-term quarterback plans.

28. Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings

Kyler Murray moved slightly up the rankings as Minnesota remained unbeaten at 4-0. The Vikings are still working to find their rhythm offensively, but Murray showed more of what the team hoped to see during the final two drives against Miami.

“We are still very much in the discovery phase with Kyler Murray as the quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings,” Bedinger wrote.

Murray completed 13 of 14 passes for 120 yards across those final two drives. With Minnesota’s defense playing at a high level, the quarterback has some room to settle into Kevin O’Connell’s offense and build confidence.

27. Geno Smith, New York Jets

Geno Smith endured a rough outing against the Chicago Bears, completing just eight of 15 passes. The Jets had the ball for only 17:15 compared with Chicago’s 42:45, making it difficult for their offense to find any rhythm.

“You have to win in spite of Smith being your QB most of the time these days, not because of him,” Bedinger wrote.

New York went 0-for-7 on third down and struggled to stay on the field. Smith had been ranked 15th the previous week, but the latest performance sent him tumbling down the list.

26. Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans

Cam Ward showed some encouraging signs alongside rookie receiver Carnell Tate despite another difficult day for Tennessee. The pair connected nine times for 145 yards, offering Titans fans a glimpse of what their young offense could eventually become.

“His talent is obvious, but either he makes a mistake or two that leaves you scratching your head after a game, or his teammates let him down like that,” Bedinger wrote.

Ward threw an interception on Tennessee’s opening drive while trying to make a play, and Tate later fumbled after a major reception. Ward’s flashes remain encouraging, but the Titans quarterback continues to deal with mistakes and inconsistent support.

25. Jameis Winston, New York Giants

Jameis Winston delivered exactly the type of unpredictable performance that has become familiar throughout his career. Against Arizona, he threw three touchdown passes and two interceptions, but the Giants still came away with the victory.

“And it’s still so early in the season, but you can’t help but feel like the Giants might be able to actually do a little something with him at quarterback,” Bedinger wrote.

Winston made enough big plays to keep New York in the game, while cornerback Deonte Banks ended Arizona’s final push with a pick-six. The Giants now have some momentum, and Winston has given them a chance to compete.

24. Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. remains a work in progress, but his arrival in Atlanta’s lineup has given the Falcons’ offense a noticeable lift. His presence has also created more opportunities for running back Bijan Robinson and the ground game.

“There is no question that the arrival of Michael Penix Jr. into the lineup for the Atlanta Falcons was a breath of fresh air,” Bedinger wrote.

Penix had another chance to strengthen his case on Monday Night Football against New Orleans. With limited NFL experience, there is still plenty left to learn about what he can become as Atlanta’s potential long-term quarterback.

23. Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals

Jacoby Brissett dropped nine places after a difficult outing against the Giants. Arizona was still in position to potentially take the lead late, but Brissett threw three interceptions, including a pick-six that ended the game.

“Simply put, Jacoby Brissett is not in the top half of the league in quarterback play right now,” Bedinger wrote.

Brissett had opportunities to make a difference but struggled in the biggest moments. Arizona did not enter the season with major expectations, but after signing Brissett to be its starter, the Cardinals need more from him in situations like Sunday’s finish.

22. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts was one of the biggest fallers after Philadelphia’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The Eagles managed only 172 total yards and went 0-for-12 on third down, leaving Hurts with little room to make an impact.

“The luster of the Super Bowl win is wearing off,” Bedinger wrote.

Hurts struggled particularly badly during the final drive, taking two sacks while Philadelphia tried to mount a game-winning possession. After accounting for sack yardage, he finished with only 63 net passing yards.

21. Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts

Daniel Jones has helped Indianapolis recover from an 0-2 start with consecutive victories. The Colts are now 2-2, and Jones played an important role in their win over Washington in London.

“While the Colts as a team are certainly in the ‘TBD’ category this season, there is no question that Daniel Jones is unpredictable week-to-week, which is why he’s down here in our QB Power Rankings,” Bedinger wrote.

Jones threw an interception and lost a fumble against Washington, but he also ran for a touchdown and continued to work effectively with Jonathan Taylor. His play remains inconsistent, but Indianapolis has found a way to win with him.

20. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert moved up two spots despite another difficult performance for the Chargers. Los Angeles fell to Seattle, and Herbert continued to struggle with his accuracy and consistency downfield.

“However, that doesn’t excuse the fact that Herbert has been one of the most erratic passers downfield in the NFL this season,” Bedinger wrote.

The Chargers have dealt with injuries and have not always given Herbert much help, but his own play has also been uneven. He showed some fight during Los Angeles’ second-half comeback against Seattle, although the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

19. CJ Stroud, Houston Texans

C.J. Stroud remains at No. 19 after Houston fell to 0-4. The return of Nico Collins was a major positive, but the Texans still lack balance offensively and have struggled to turn strong individual performances into wins.

“Overcoming an 0-4 start is worse, and there is only so much CJ Stroud is going to be able to do without balance offensively,” Bedinger wrote.

Houston is in a difficult position after another loss at home. Only one team in NFL history has started 0-4 and still reached the playoffs, making the challenge ahead of Stroud and the Texans especially steep.

18. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

Bo Nix dropped seven places after another uneven performance during Denver’s 2-2 start. The quarterback has shown flashes of his late-game ability, but the Broncos have not consistently produced enough offense from the opening whistle.

“Nix has to be better than what we’ve seen during the Broncos’ 2-2 start to the season,” Bedinger wrote.

Denver has faced a difficult schedule and several strong defenses, but the offense has struggled to establish an identity. Nix needs to bring the version of himself that has delivered late comebacks earlier in games as well.

17. Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers

Aaron Rodgers has bounced back over the last two games after a quiet opening stretch. Against Cleveland, he threw three touchdown passes and connected on several vintage deep throws despite being sacked five times.

“The last two games have flipped the script entirely,” Bedinger wrote.

Rodgers remains less mobile than he once was, but he showed he can still make enough plays to keep Pittsburgh competitive. The Steelers remain in a difficult division, however, and their ability to sustain that form will be tested.

16. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

Deshaun Watson continues to lead a Cleveland team that has responded strongly after its Week 1 loss. The Browns have been rolling since that defeat, with Watson playing confidently and spreading the ball around to a young group of receivers.

“With that being said, this is some of the best quarterback play we’ve seen for the Browns in years,” Bedinger wrote.

Watson did miss a late opportunity to Harold Fannin Jr. that could have changed the outcome, but Cleveland still got the win. The Browns’ defense has also given Watson some room for error as the team continues to build momentum.

15. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

Jordan Love jumped eight spots despite another uneven performance. Green Bay beat Tampa Bay on the road, but Love was helped by a pair of touchdown passes and a team that found enough plays to escape with the win.

“Then curiously, the Buccaneers – a blitz-happy defense – decided to take it a little easy on him and not blitz,” Bedinger wrote.

Love dealt with several drops from his receivers and also threw an interception late. With the Chicago Bears waiting in Week 5, Green Bay will need a cleaner performance from its quarterback.

14. Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints

Tyler Shough has been one of the more productive young quarterbacks early in the season, although his ranking was still pending the Saints’ Monday Night Football matchup with Atlanta.

“Shough has been one of the most productive passers in the NFL so far this season, and over his first two seasons in the NFL, he’s proven the ability to come up in the clutch,” Bedinger wrote.

Shough entered the matchup averaging more than 300 passing yards per game with eight touchdown passes and one rushing score. His biggest concern has been protecting the ball, with three interceptions and five fumbles already this season.

13. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks

Sam Darnold stayed at No. 13 after Seattle beat the Chargers. The game began with both Darnold and Justin Herbert throwing interceptions within the opening 22 seconds, but Darnold settled down as the afternoon progressed.

“Darnold and the Seattle offense got things figured out as the game went along, but they also benefitted greatly from a number of really ugly mistakes from the Los Angeles Chargers,” Bedinger wrote.

Darnold completed only 13 passes but threw two touchdowns in the win. Seattle’s defense once again helped cover some offensive mistakes, while Darnold continues to work his way back from the injury he suffered in Week 1.

12. Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders

Kirk Cousins continued to make a strong case for himself despite Las Vegas suffering its first loss of the season against Kansas City. The veteran quarterback threw for 365 yards, 19 first downs and two touchdowns against the Chiefs.

“This man’s still got it,” Bedinger wrote.

The Raiders gave Kansas City a tough fight, with turnovers ultimately separating the teams. Cousins has helped Las Vegas make an impressive start and is also providing valuable experience for young quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

11. Drake Maye, New England Patriots

Drake Maye made one of the biggest jumps of the week after leading New England past Buffalo. The second-year quarterback looked much more comfortable and confident while producing three touchdown passes and leading the Patriots’ comeback against Josh Allen.

“This was the Maye we expected to see from the start of the season,” Bedinger wrote.

Maye did throw an interception and lost a fumble, but those mistakes did little to overshadow his overall performance. He also led New England with 54 rushing yards and delivered the key plays during the late go-ahead drive.

10. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young made another huge jump, moving from No. 21 into the top 10 after Carolina defeated Detroit. The quarterback threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers improved to 2-2.

“More performances like the one we saw against the Detroit Lions on Sunday will go a long way toward building a reputation in the right direction,” Bedinger wrote.

Young now leads the NFL in passing yards after four games and is playing with more aggression and confidence. His latest performance adds to the case that this is shaping up to be the best season of his NFL career.

9. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford slipped two spots despite helping the Rams rebound from their loss to Denver with a road victory over Philadelphia. He threw 51 passes and two interceptions but still helped put Los Angeles in position to win late.

“It’s safe to say, at this point, that we’re not seeing the same exact Matthew Stafford out there for the Rams that we saw last year when he won the MVP,” Bedinger wrote.

Puka Nacua’s return provided a major boost for the Rams, although Davante Adams saw fewer opportunities. Stafford has not quite reached last season’s level through four games, but Los Angeles remains in strong shape after the win.

8. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

Jared Goff delivered another huge statistical performance, throwing for 412 yards and a touchdown without an interception against Carolina. However, Detroit still lost 32-28, leaving questions about Goff’s ability to deliver in the biggest moments.

“Goff’s issue at this point is not throwing the ball all around the yard, but stepping up in big moments for the Lions,” Bedinger wrote.

Goff now has the third-most games with 400-plus passing yards and zero interceptions in NFL history. The Lions’ defense also surrendered 32 points, meaning Goff could not carry the entire team himself.

7. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow dropped five spots despite throwing for 428 yards against Jacksonville. Cincinnati leaned heavily on him after Tee Higgins left with a groin injury and Ja’Marr Chase exited with a concussion.

“To say the Cincinnati Bengals put it on Joe Burrow to go out there in Week 4 and beat the Jacksonville Jaguars on his own would be an understatement,” Bedinger wrote.

Burrow attempted 54 passes and threw two interceptions, including a costly red-zone mistake. He nearly led Cincinnati to a late comeback, but Jacksonville made a key defensive play on fourth down to end the threat.

6. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson moved up two spots after another strong performance before leaving Baltimore’s win over Tennessee with an ankle injury. He completed 15 of 20 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns while adding 20 rushing yards.

“Before his injury, Jackson was absolutely shredding the Titans’ defense,” Bedinger wrote.

Jackson left the stadium wearing a protective boot and is considered day-to-day. Baltimore was able to protect its lead with Tyler Huntley, but Jackson’s health remains an important storyline for the Ravens moving forward.

5. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen moved up one spot despite Buffalo’s first loss of the season. The Bills quarterback remains one of the league’s biggest playmakers, but his late interception against New England became the defining moment of the 29-26 defeat.

“But he will put the ball in harm’s way,” Bedinger wrote.

Allen had looked especially sharp during the opening two weeks before struggling more recently. Against New England, he tried to force a deep throw into coverage late in the fourth quarter, and Patriots safety Craig Woodson intercepted it to end Buffalo’s final possession.

4. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott made one of the biggest jumps of the week after leading Dallas past Houston. Prescott threw for 335 yards and delivered a strong performance against a Texans defense that had been expected to make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks.

“You simply cannot convince me that Dak Prescott is not one of the five best quarterbacks in the NFL right now,” Bedinger wrote.

Prescott was particularly effective late in the game, helping Dallas complete the comeback. With three rushing touchdowns from Javonte Williams and Prescott making plays throughout the afternoon, the Cowboys strengthened their position in the NFC East.

3. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes continued to climb after Kansas City defeated the Raiders in Las Vegas. The Chiefs have now won another AFC West matchup, and the addition of Kenneth Walker has given Mahomes another dependable option in the offense.

“Once again, the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes look all the way back this season,” Sayre Bedinger wrote.

Mahomes threw two touchdown passes but completed only a little over half of his attempts. The Chiefs also lost Tyquan Thornton and Rashee Rice to injuries during the game, creating another challenge for the offense despite its continued success.

2. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence climbed two spots after Jacksonville secured a road win over Cincinnati in a matchup featuring two highly regarded quarterbacks. Lawrence avoided the costly mistakes that hurt Joe Burrow and gave the Jaguars another important victory.

“And in Week 4, that quarterback was Trevor Lawrence,” Bedinger wrote.

Lawrence was sacked four times but did not throw an interception or lose a fumble. He also connected with Brian Thomas Jr. for a touchdown and now has eight passing touchdowns through four games, putting him firmly in the early MVP conversation.

1. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Brock Purdy retained the No. 1 spot after another strong performance for the undefeated 49ers. San Francisco faced a tough Denver defense, but Purdy continued to handle pressure, make plays with his legs and deliver when the game was on the line.

“Right now, there’s really nothing Purdy is struggling with,” Sayre Bedinger wrote.

Purdy finished 19-of-30 for two touchdowns and delivered a crucial late screen to George Kittle that helped shut the door on Denver’s comeback attempt.

He has not been sacked through four games and was also named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for September. With the 49ers continuing to win despite injuries around the roster, Purdy remains at the top of the Week 5 quarterback rankings.

Week 4 brought plenty of movement across the NFL quarterback rankings, with several young passers making major jumps while veterans faced tougher questions.

With Week 5 ahead, the race remains wide open as every quarterback looks to build on, or bounce back from, their latest showing.