Where Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith ranks among NFC QBs
By Lee Vowell
While the AFC is loaded with young, highly-skilled quarterbacks, the NFC has more of the good-veteran types. Few NFC quarterbacks could move to a good AFC team and start right away. Although, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith might try to give even Patrick Mahomes a challenge.
Because of the lack of multiple great quarterbacks in the conference, this makes the NFC a bit more wide open than the AFC. And then, whichever NFC team makes the Super Bowl has a punchers chance against the AFC representative.
Heck, the Seattle Seahawks could make the Super Bowl this year, if they can first make it to the playoffs. That's the challenge. NFC teams have to face mostly better AFC teams in the regualr season. But which NFC has the best quarterback? Here's how they rank.
Seahawks QB Geno Smith among the best in the NFC
Quarterbacks 16 through 13 (No Seahawks QB yet)
16: Colt McCoy/Clayton Tune - Arizona Cardinals
Even if Kyler Murray were healthy, I wouldn't have him in the top of the conference. He has special skills where he can run, but he is far too inconsistent and seems to put a bit. I also worry about his work ethic. But as it is, Murray is hurt and could miss most, if not all, of the season and Arizona can't even decide who will start so far.
15: Kyle Trask/Baker Mayfield - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Again, this is a team that can't yet decide on a quarterback. What does it say about Mayfield that he wanted the Browns to sign him to a big deal in the 2022 offseason and then he couldn't find a home for a bit last year. Now he might not even beat out Kyle Trask (who has one NFL start) to be the starter in Tampa Bay. At least whoever the quarterback ends up being will have some decent receivers to throw to (better than Arizona).
14: Desmond Ridder - Atlanta Falcons
Ridder started the last four games of 2022 for the Falcons and kept them in each one. Atlanta won its final two games of the season. The Falcons aren't ready to make the playoffs, but they are improving. Plus, I think Ridder can be a strong leader, and as he proved in college at Cincinnati, he just seems to know how to win.
13: Sam Howell - Washington Commanders
I'm going to assume Howell wins the start job with the Commanders. He will probably also be a bit better this year than he showed in limited action in 2022. Howell doesn't have a cannon for an arm, but with the right pieces around him, he can find a way to make them better. This is what he did in college at North Carolina. While he will never be an All-Pro QB, I do think he can be a serviceable NFL starter.