Pro Football Reference Blog

Top 10 Quarterbacks of 2022

Posted by Darin Hayes on March 14, 2023

The 2022 NFL season gave fans one of the most spectacular varieties of a season where offenses found schemes to put points on the scoreboard. The talent at the quarterback position and the varied skillsets of the signal-caller talent is at an unprecedented level. Below are the top 10 NFL quarterbacks in 2022. Their stats from the Pro-Football-Reference database will support the selections, so be prepared to have your jaw drop a few times. We dialed in the Stathead football settings to look at QBs with a minimum of 250 snaps. We will pull the best NFL quarterbacks during the 2022 season in various statistical categories to help. To make it as fair of a comparison as possible, only the 2022 regular season numbers will be considered.


Top NFL QBs in Completion Percentage for 2022

The first metric we will consider is who got the most completions per pass thrown in the League. The efficiency of the QB has much to do with the target selections, ball placement accuracy, and how good his teammates are at hanging on to the football.

Photo of Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert

Justin Patrick Herbert

Position: QB Throws: Right

6-6237lb (198cm, 107kg)

Team: Los Angeles Chargers

Born: March 10, 1998 in Eugene, OR (Age: 25-004d)

College: Oregon  (College Stats)

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…): 43 (2253rd overall since 1960)

High School: Sheldon (OR)

Draft: Los Angeles Chargers in the 1st round (6th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Instagram: justinherbert

SUMMARY

2022

Career

G

17

49

AV

14

45

QBrec

10-7-0

25-24-0

Cmp%

68.2

66.9

Yds

4739

14089

Y/A

6.8

7.2

TD

25

94

Int

10

35

FantPt

279.3

992.9

The LA Chargers indeed had a very potent passing offense, and their young quarterback had much to do with it. Herbert was in the top three for passing percentage, with 68.2% of his throws connecting with a receiver. This was one of Justin Herbert’s best seasons in this stat, more than a percentage point better than his career average. Getting the pigskin to the pass catchers aided in Herbert accumulating 4739 total yards of passing for the 2022 season.

Photo of Geno Smith

Geno Smith

Eugene Cyril Smith III

Position: QB Throws: Right

6-3221lb (190cm, 100kg)

Team: Seattle Seahawks

Born: October 10, 1990 in Miramar, FL (Age: 32-155d)

College: West Virginia  (College Stats)

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…): 31 (3625th overall since 1960)

High School: Miramar (FL)

Draft: New York Jets in the 2nd round (39th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Relatives: Cousin Mel Bratton

SUMMARY

2022

Career

G

17

62

AV

15

33

QBrec

9-8-0

22-29-0

Cmp%

69.8

62.8

Yds

4282

11199

Y/A

7.5

7.1

TD

30

64

Int

11

48

FantPt

303.9

739.9

If you want to talk about a quarterback that drastically improved his passing percentage in 2022, you need to look under center in Seattle. Geno Smith resurrected his career in 2022, earning the starting spot after the departure of Russell Wilson. Geno increased his completion percentage by seven points, for a 2022 NFL high of 69.2 percent. This success helped the veteran QB earn a spot on the Pro Bowl team for the first time in his nine-year career with the Seattle Seahawks.


Passing Yards

Next up are the yardage leaders in the NFL passing game. This stat has a couple of flavors to examine to help the cream rise to the top.

Photo of Tom Brady

Tom Brady

Thomas Edward Patrick Brady  (TB12, Tom Terrific, Touchdown Tom, GOAT, The Pharaoh, Comeback Kid or Sir)

Position: QB Throws: Right

6-4225lb (193cm, 102kg)

Born: August 3, 1977 in San Mateo, CA (Age: 45-223d)

College: Michigan  (College Stats)

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…): 184 (1st overall since 1960)

High School: Junipero Serra (CA)

Draft: New England Patriots in the 6th round (199th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft.

Instagram: tombrady

SUMMARY

2022

Career

G

17

335

AV

10

326

QBrec

8-9-0

251-82-0

Cmp%

66.8

64.3

Yds

4694

89214

Y/A

6.4

7.4

TD

25

649

Int

9

212

FantPt

271.7

5943.4

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have had a different season than they had hoped for, but it certainly was not from the lack of production at the quarterback position. Tom Brady was in his 23rd and final season of playing NFL football and had 4694 total yards of passing (6th best of his career) to be in the top three in this statistical category—unbelievable production from the seasoned 45-year-old.

Photo of Joe Burrow

Joe Burrow

Joseph Lee Burrow  (Joe Brrr, Joe Shiesty or Joey Franchise)

Position: QB Throws: Right

6-4221lb (193cm, 100kg)

Team: Cincinnati Bengals

Born: December 10, 1996 in Ames, IA (Age: 26-094d)

College: Ohio St., LSU  (College Stats)

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…): 38 (2756th overall since 1960)

High School: Athens (OH)

Draft: Cincinnati Bengals in the 1st round (1st overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Twitter: @JoeyB  · Instagram: joeyb_9

SUMMARY

2022

Career

G

16

42

AV

17

39

QBrec

12-4-0

24-17-1

Cmp%

68.3

68.2

Yds

4475

11774

Y/A

7.4

7.7

TD

35

82

Int

12

31

FantPt

350.7

838.6

The Cincinnati Bengals have a young arm that is consistently making heads turn. Joe Burrow again showed why he was one of the best NFL quarterbacks in 2022. Burrow established a 279.7-yard average per game passing for the season, placing him in the top 3 in the League for this stat. His 4475 passing yards for the year, along with 35 TD throws, caused opposing defensive coordinators many a sleepless night.

Photo of Patrick Mahomes

Patrick Mahomes

Patrick Lavon Mahomes II  (Grim Reaper, Showtime, Magic Man, The Musician, Fatrick, The Gunslinger or Mahomeboy)

Position: QB Throws: Right

6-3227lb (190cm, 102kg)

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Born: September 17, 1995 in Tyler, TX (Age: 27-178d)

College: Texas Tech  (College Stats)

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…): 85 (334th overall since 1960)

High School: Whitehouse (TX)

Draft: Kansas City Chiefs in the 1st round (10th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Instagram: patrickmahomes

SUMMARY

2022

Career

G

17

80

AV

19

94

QBrec

14-3-0

64-16-0

Cmp%

67.1

66.3

Yds

5250

24241

Y/A

8.1

8.1

TD

41

192

Int

12

49

FantPt

416.4

1867.0

You knew Kansas City’s Number 15 would be a contender. Mahomes threw for a 2022 NFL high of 5250 yards, also a career-high. It is the second time in his six years in the NFL that the KC Chiefs QB has eclipsed the 5000-yard plateau. Pile on an NFL-best 41 TD tosses (and four more on the ground) and the top League average of over 308 yards passing per contest, and it is no wonder why Patrick Mahomes took home all the hardware he did.


Overall Touchdowns from 2022 NFL QBs

The main objective of the game of football is to put points on the board. These are the NFL quarterback who scored the most rushing and passing TDs combined

Photo of Jalen Hurts

Jalen Hurts

Jalen Alexander Hurts

Position: QB Throws: Right

6-1223lb (185cm, 101kg)

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

Born: August 7, 1998 in Houston, TX (Age: 24-219d)

College: Alabama, Oklahoma  (College Stats)

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…): 40 (2549th overall since 1960)

High School: Channelview (TX)

Draft: Philadelphia Eagles in the 2nd round (53rd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Instagram: jalenhurts

SUMMARY

2022

Career

G

15

45

AV

20

41

QBrec

14-1-0

23-11-0

Cmp%

66.5

62.3

Yds

3701

7906

Y/A

8.0

7.6

TD

22

44

Int

6

19

FantPt

378.0

798.3

The third-year pro of the Philadelphia Eagles amassed an eye-popping 35 scores – 22 via the air and 13 on the ground. We must add that Hurts missed a couple of regular season games due to injury, but he is still near the top of the League in many other categories. This Eagle was a potent weapon on offense.

Photo of Josh Allen

Josh Allen

Joshua Patrick Allen  (General, JA17 or The Winter Soldier)

Position: QB Throws: Right

6-5237lb (196cm, 107kg)

Team: Buffalo Bills

Born: May 21, 1996 in Firebaugh, CA (Age: 26-297d)

College: Wyoming  (College Stats)

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…): 68 (727th overall since 1960)

High School: Firebaugh (CA)

Draft: Buffalo Bills in the 1st round (7th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Instagram: joshallenqb

SUMMARY

2022

Career

G

16

77

AV

20

74

QBrec

13-3-0

52-24-0

Cmp%

63.3

62.5

Yds

4283

18397

Y/A

7.6

7.2

TD

35

138

Int

14

60

FantPt

395.5

1689.9

The Buffalo Bills have a star quarterback with a nose for the endzone. Josh Allen 2022 created 42 Touchdown plays combined with seven rushing and 35 passing strikes for the score.


QB Game winning Drives

Who are the best NFL quarterbacks in bringing their teams back at the end of a game? This never-give-up attitude and performance are intangibles that make a great starting leader in the huddle. Their teammates and coaches believe in them and know they will do their best to get the job done. The players under center that had the most game-winning drives in 2022 are…

Photo of Kirk Cousins

Kirk Cousins

Kirk Daniel Cousins  (Captain Kirk or Kirktober)

Position: QB Throws: Right

6-3205lb (190cm, 92kg)

Team: Minnesota Vikings

Born: August 19, 1988 in Barrington, IL (Age: 34-207d)

College: Michigan St.  (College Stats)

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…): 90 (260th overall since 1960)

High School: Holland Christian (MI)

Draft: Washington Redskins in the 4th round (102nd overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Instagram: kirkcousins

SUMMARY

2022

Career

G

17

142

AV

13

109

QBrec

13-4-0

72-63-2

Cmp%

65.9

66.8

Yds

4547

37140

Y/A

7.1

7.6

TD

29

252

Int

14

105

FantPt

291.6

2450.7

With eight game-winning drives, Captain Kirk may have boldly taken the Minnesota Vikings to places they had never been before. Yes, nearly half of the games were last-minute comebacks played by the Vikes in their 13-4 regular season record! 4547 passing yards was the second-best in the eleven-year veteran’s career.


The Quarterback Rating Leaders for 2022

Passer rating is a point of contention for some, but it attempts to combine all a passer’s stats into one number to evaluate how the NFL quarterbacks for 2022 did on the field. The leaders in this category allowed their teams to win a game or two.

Photo of Tua Tagovailoa

Tua Tagovailoa

Tuanigamanuolepola Tagovailoa

Position: QB Throws: Left

6-1217lb (185cm, 98kg)

Team: Miami Dolphins

Born: March 2, 1998 in Ewa Beach, HI (Age: 25-012d)

College: Alabama  (College Stats)

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…): 23 (4884th overall since 1960)

High School: Saint Louis (HI)

Draft: Miami Dolphins in the 1st round (5th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Pronunciation: \TWO-uh TUNG-oh-vai-LO-uh\

Instagram: tuaman

Relatives: Cousin Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa

SUMMARY

2022

Career

G

13

36

AV

12

24

QBrec

8-5-0

21-13-0

Cmp%

64.8

65.7

Yds

3548

8015

Y/A

8.9

7.4

TD

25

52

Int

8

23

FantPt

230.9

547.3

The youngster for the Miami Dolphins may have been on the field less than he intended due to injuries during the 2022 season, but he made it count in the 13 games he did play in. Tua’s passer rating rating of 105.5 placed him in second place for all quarterbacks, with a minimum of 150 throws during the season. Tagovailoa threw for over 3500 yards and 25 touchdowns in his shortened season.

Photo of Brock Purdy

Brock Purdy

Brock Purdy  (Mr. Relevant)

Position: QB Throws: Right

6-1220lb (185cm, 99kg)

Team: San Francisco 49ers

Born: December 27, 1999 (Age: 23-077d)

College: Iowa St.  (College Stats)

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…): 6 (10099th overall since 1960)

High School: Perry (AZ)

Draft: San Francisco 49ers in the 7th round (262nd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Twitter: @brockpurdy13  · Instagram: brock.purdy13

SUMMARY

2022

Career

G

9

9

AV

6

6

QBrec

5-0-0

5-0-0

Cmp%

67.1

67.1

Yds

1374

1374

Y/A

8.1

8.1

TD

13

13

Int

4

4

FantPt

106.3

106.3

At the start of the season, the best passer rating in the NFL in 2022 belonged to a rookie that was third or fourth on the depth chart for his team, the San Francisco 49ers. Brock Purdy stepped in to lead the Niners’ offense after a rash of injuries decimated the SF Quarterback Room. Purdy registered a 107.3 passer rating in nine games and took the 49ers to the NFC Championship game.


Wild Card Entry

The final candidate on our list is a selection chosen by your author to express a quarterback that showed he has the stuff it takes to be one of the leading QBs in the NFL.

Photo of Trevor Lawrence

Trevor Lawrence

William Trevor Lawrence  (The Prince Who Was Promised)

Position: QB Throws: Right

6-6213lb (198cm, 96kg)

Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

Born: October 6, 1999 in Knoxville, TN (Age: 23-159d)

College: Clemson  (College Stats)

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…): 21 (5285th overall since 1960)

High School: Cartersville (GA)

Draft: Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1st round (1st overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Twitter: @trevorlawrencee

SUMMARY

2022

Career

G

17

34

AV

14

21

QBrec

9-8-0

12-22-0

Cmp%

66.3

62.9

Yds

4113

7754

Y/A

7.0

6.5

TD

25

37

Int

8

25

FantPt

295.6

494.6

Lawrence did not lead the NFL in any category that would jump him to the top of the list, except he led the Jacksonville Jaguars to a playoff spot with 4113 yards and 25 touchdown throws. The Jags had a very pedestrian 9-8 record in 2022, but consider that the season prior, they held a dismal 3-14 mark. Trevor Lawrence has the tools to make him a player on the rise.

Conclusion

This was a list of tough decisions as we left some high-pedigree QBs like Aaron Rogers, Lamar Jackson, and Jared Goff off it. Not that they had terrible seasons, per se. Some up-and-comers like Daniel Jones, Justin Fields, Jimmy Garoppolo, Kenny Pickett, and more could also deserve some consideration for the top 10 QBs of 2022. So how do you rank the top 10 NFL Quarterbacks from the 2022 season? Take your pick, and you won’t be wrong.


FAQs

Who is the best quarterback in 2022 NFL Season?

Brock Purdy led in passer rating, but you could also say that Mahomes and Hurts were the best because they played on the top two teams in the League for 2022. Burrow, Allen, and Tagovailoa also have the measurables that could rate them high on the list. The best, though, is in the eye of the beholder, and the Pro-Football-Reference and Stathead give one all the tools needed to make the determination.


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