AFC West and East Quarterback Power Rankings: A Newsweek Commentary

Newsweek’s offseason series ranks every starting quarterback in the NFL’s eight divisions. The latest installments focus on the AFC West and AFC East, offering subjective evaluations of each player’s recent performance, supporting cast, and projected future output. Because the pieces are opinion-driven rankings, the analysis reflects the author’s perspective rather than established fact.

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• AFC West – The author places Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) at No. 1, citing his consistency and lower turnover rate (23 interceptions versus Patrick Mahomes’ 36). Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) is ranked No. 2 despite an ACL injury and uncertainty surrounding his receiving corps. Bo Nix (Denver Broncos) occupies No. 3, with the writer predicting a potential 4,000-yard, 30-touchdown season under new head coach Sean Payton. Kirk Cousins (Las Vegas Raiders) is listed at No. 4, noting his health and contract history as factors.

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• AFC East – Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) holds the top spot, grouped with Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson as the league’s elite. Drake Maye (New England Patriots) follows, praised for a 4,394-yard, 31-touchdown season but deemed not yet ready to surpass Allen. Malik Willis (Miami Dolphins) is critiqued for a costly $67.5 million contract and limited talent surrounding him. Geno Smith (New York Jets) rounds out the list, described as heading a second-worst offense after a 17-interception season.

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The commentary questions several team strategies: the Raiders’ reported plan to start Cousins for the entire 2026 season while benching No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza; the Dolphins’ wide-receiver corps being labeled “the worst in the league,” which could hinder Willis’s success; and the Jets’ pattern of “questionable quarterback decisions,” highlighted by the transition from Zach Wilson to Justin Fields to Geno Smith.

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• “If Kansas City gives him some more help (the team has been linked to free-agent WRs Tyreek Hill and Deebo Samuel), Mahomes could return to playing like an MVP — and no one would be surprised.” — Newsweek author

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• “With Sean Payton calling the shots, the Broncos offense should be even more explosive next year, and Nix could have his first 4,000-yard, 30-touchdown season.” — Newsweek author

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• “Read More on NFL 1- Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills Josh Allen is at a point in his career where the only quarterbacks even mentioned as being in his league are Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson — that’s how good that group of four is.” — Newsweek author

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• “Willis likely won’t have the same success throwing to Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, TuTu Atwell, Jalen Reagor, and Chris Bell.” — Newsweek author

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Training camps open in the coming weeks, and the rankings will be tested as teams finalize rosters and schemes ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

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