Ranking all 16 NFC starting Quarterbacks

December 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) passes the football against Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Alex Okafor (57) during the first quarter at Levi

#12 Colin Kaepernick – San Francisco 49ers

Colin Kaepernick has had his fair share of ups and downs in the only regime he knows, Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh is no longer in the picture, but Kaepernick still has a cloud looming above him heading into the 2015 season. Filling in for an injured Alex Smith was the point of entry for Kaepernick, leading his team to the Super Bowl in 2012, in an eventual loss to the Baltimore Ravens. In the last two years Kaepernick has thrown for almost 6,500 yards and 40 touchdowns. What makes him special though is his ability to make plays with his legs. Rushing for almost 1,100 yards in the last two years has created havoc for opposing defenses. Accuracy is an issue for the young quarterback, and a change in coaching may stunt his growth by a year or two. Look for a small regress this year from Kaepernick, but still a handful of highlight reel plays.

Dec 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

#11 Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears

Jay Culer is now entering his 10th season in the NFL. Cutler has eclipsed 3,000 yards passing 6 times, including going for over 4,500 in 2008 with the Denver Broncos. He has struggled at times with the Bears, but has always put up solid numbers. Cutler has thrown for double digit touchdowns every year of his career except one. His passer rating has been over 80 every year except one. Cutler has thrown fewer than 15 interceptions on the year for five of his nine seasons. Then what keeps him in the middle of the pack? His inability to break through to greatness. With all his inflated stats, Cutler has never produced well in the postseason. Injuries and his gunslinger mentality have provided more heartbreak than euphoria for Broncos fans and Bears fans alike. Cutler will start fresh with a new head coach in John Fox in 2015 and look to break through the stigma that may have been unfairly placed upon him.