by: Daniel Hager 49 minutes ago DanielHagerOn3
Through five weeks of the 2025 NFL season, a crop of quarterbacks has risen above the rest.
This includes a few unexpected names in the absence of household names such as Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow , who have both dealt with injuries this season. Even quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts , who faced off in last year’s Super Bowl, haven’t quite put up the numbers expected of them prior to the season.
Heading into Week 6 of the season, former Super Bowl winning coach Mike McCarthy joined ‘ The Pat McAfee Show ‘ on Thursday to rank his top-five NFL quarterbacks so far this season. His full list is below:
McCarthy tabbed Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen as the best player at his position in the NFL so far this season. Allen, who is the reigning league MVP, has led his team to a 4-1 record this season. He boasts 1,217 passing yards (9th most in NFL), nine passing touchdowns (T-7th most in NFL) and a 72.1 QBR (6th best in NFL). He’s also rushed for 212 yards and three more scores on the ground.
“I just love the way he attacks the position,” McCarthy said. “He can make all the throws, in the pocket and out of the pocket. His patience and confidence and play extension is as good as you can be. How many times have you seen him get to the sideline and gain another 2-3 seconds? There’s never a play that can’t be made when Josh has the ball. I just think he’s playing at an unbelievable rate right now.”
Sep 28, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
While Mayfield wasn’t ranked as the ‘best quarterback’ in the NFL, there’s no doubt he’s been the ‘clutchest quarterback’ in the NFL this season. The former Heisman Trophy winner has led the Buccaneers to a 4-1 record, with all four wins coming right at the end. He boasts 1,283 passing yards (4th most in NFL), 10 passing touchdowns (T-3rd most in NFL) and a 68.8 QBR (8th best in NFL).
“What I love about Baker, which is really where he is where he is, is that four of the give games have come to the end,” McCarthy said. “He’s playing great football at the most important time. Over the course of the regular season, half of your games will come down to a two-minute drill. And he’s already got four under his belt already. He’s playing top notch football right now.”
The resurgence of Dak Prescott as a top-tier quarterback in the NFL this season has been a welcome sight. Prescott, who has dealt with injuries over the past few seasons, is leading the best offense in the NFL through five weeks. He boasts 1,356 passing yards (3rd most in NFL), 10 passing touchdowns (T-3rd most in NFL) and a 76.5 QBR (3rd best in NFL).