Ranking the starting quarterbacks in the AFC North

Make no mistake, if you want to win in the NFL, you need great quarterback play. Every year, as teams narrow themselves down in the playoffs, it is typically the team that is playing the best at the quarterback postiion that comes out on top.

Quarterback has been a problem for the Pittsburgh Steelers ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired and 2025 marks the fourth straight season that Pittsburgh will have a new starting quarterback. This season, it is veteran and future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers had to take a big swing because the quarterbacks in the AFC North are among the very best in the NFL.

Where does Rodgers rank among the starting quarterbacks in the AFC North? Here are our rankings.

Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens

At this point, if you are still criticizing Lamar Jackson, you probably just wish he were your starting quarterback. Jackson’s mobility and athleticism help give him the nod on this list as he’s practically impossible to account for properly on every play.

Joe Burrow – Cincinnati Bengals

In terms of arm talent and traditional quarterback skills, Joe Burrow is top five in the NFL. The Bengals’ offense is loaded, but this does not diminish Burrow’s high football IQ and decision-making.

Aaron Rodgers – Pittsburgh Steelers

Rodgers might not be quite as he good as he was in his prime but he showed last year on an awful Jets team that he can still sling it around. Any drop in physical tools is mitigated but Rodgers’ experience.

Joe Flacco – Cleveland Browns

You want to swap out Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders and this ranking doesn’t change. Flacco is a shell of himself from his time with the Ravens but he can still run an NFL offense.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Ranking the starting quarterbacks in the AFC North