When the conversation arises about who the best quarterback in the NFL is today, there’s only a handful of names that come up. Patrick Mahomes owns three Super Bowl rings. Lamar Jackson has a pair of Associated Press NFL MVP awards. Josh Allen reigns with that very distinction. However, future Pro Football Hall of Famer Tom Brady believes someone else might be the best signal-caller the league has to offer.
Who Did Tom Brady Pick As His Best Quarterback in the NFL?
Brady has a strong case for being the best passer of all time. The list of his accomplishments are long, including seven Super Bowl titles, five Super Bowl MVP nods, and NFL career records in games started (333), completions (7,753), attempts (12,050), passing yards (89,214), and 649 passing touchdowns (649).
However, after retiring with 23 pro seasons under his belt, someone else was going to have to take the torch. Brady named who he thinks is the best in the game right now, with one caveat.
“If they protect Justin Herbert, he’s the best passer in the league,” Brady said on Fox. “Get him help with quick plays and screens, and support him with the run game to avoid unnecessary hits.”
Later in the day, Herbert, a sixth-year pro, went 22 of 29 for 166 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also rushed for 60 yards on four carries, but the Bolts lost 27-10.
After being selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Herbert threw for at least 4,300 yards during the first three seasons of his career. That included 2021, when he passed for a career-best 5,014 yards and 38 touchdowns.
Entering Sunday, Herbert had put up 22,156 passing yards, 144 touchdowns, and 48 interceptions in his career. In PFSN’s QB Impact metrics, Herbert received a score of 77.7, earning him a C+ grade.
After Sunday’s loss, Herbert is 44-40 as a starter. Before the season, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was complimentary of Herbert’s talents.
“This is the truth, Justin Herbert’s biggest weakness is all of those that he’s counting on on offense – coaches, offensive line, playmakers, receivers, running backs – to get up to his level,” Harbaugh said. “I wake up every day to try to get to his level.”
No quarterback had ever thrown for more yards (21,093) over their first five seasons than Herbert. For that distinction, he surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (20,618).
Herbert’s Chargers are 3-2 after five games. Brady will be watching the young quarterback as he aims to fight for an AFC West crown. He’ll have to get past Mahomes to do so.