NFC West quarterback power rankings: Where does Matthew Stafford fall?

The NFC West could turn into one of the best divisions in football in 2024. Much of that could be due to the talented QB play. Don't look now, but the Rams may find themselves right in the mix for the divisional crown, which would guarantee them a top four seed and at least one home playoff game.

The Rams are no strangers to the postseason and were just there in 2023. Much of their success is due to the maybe-future-Hall of Famer, Matthew Stafford, who is 36 years old and entering his 16th year in the NFL. Stafford stands as one of the best QBs in the NFL, even as he ages into his 30s.

However, is he a foregone conclusion as the best QB in the NFC West?

NFC West quarterback power rankings: Where does Matthew Stafford fall?
4. Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams

You cannot tell me that Jimmy Garoppolo is not one of the four best quarterbacks in the NFC West. You might be wondering why Geno Smith would not be in this slot, but it's pretty easy to explain; Geno Smith is not as good as Garoppolo.

Jimmy G will be serving a two-game suspension, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a better backup QB than Garoppolo, who has played in a ton of playoff games and has won at a very high rate in the NFL.

3. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray is going to ball out this year, but he's not in the top two yet. Perhaps when Matthew Stafford retires, Murray can get to No. 2 or even No. 1, but time will only tell there. He's one of the few dual-threat passers in the NFL. And he's not particularly weak in any aspect of playing QB. Sure, the size has always been a concern, but even his torn ACL was a non-contact injury.

Look for Kyler Murray and the Cardinals to bounce-back in 2024.

2. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Sorry folks, I just cannot put Matthew Stafford at the top of the NFC West QB hierarchy. Stafford is excellent, no doubt, but Brock Purdy is also quite good. If the two QBs were the same age, you could perhaps argue that Stafford should be No. 1, but what Purdy has done in his youth and in just two years in the NFL is astounding.

Stafford might end up retiring within the next few years, which would mark the end of a legendary era at QB in the NFL.

1. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Brock Purdy is just out of this world. Some people seem to think that he's just a product of the system that he plays in, but why can't be both be that and also very good at playing QB? I mean, where is the weakness in Purdy's game? Sure, if he isn't playing in Kyle Shanahan's offense, he might regress a bit, but he's got elite numbers everywhere.

Purdy is still in his early 20s and may have over a decade of efficient football ahead of him. From Mr. Irrelevant to Mr. Relevant, Brock Purdy has to be the best QB in the NFC West, and I do not think it's an argument right now.