NFL Execs, Coaches Eschew Russell Wilson from Top QB Rankings

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently surveyed more than 80 voters to form a consensus ranking of the NFL's top-ten quarterbacks. The group included league executives, coaches, scouts, and players.

The Denver Broncos' Russell Wilson — he of 40,583 career passing yards, nine Pro Bowl trips, and a Super Bowl title — was noticeably absent from the list. Eighteen QBs received votes, none of which went to Wilson, whose reputation remains at an all-time low following his first season in the Mile High City.

The top ten, in order: Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Trevor Lawrence, Dak Prescott, and Matthew Stafford.

Honorable mentions: Deshaun Watson, Kirk Cousins, Jared Goff, Derek Carr, Tua Tagovailoa, Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones, Justin Fields, and Geno Smith.

The $245 million Wilson, though? Eschewed entirely.

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Although disheartening, that Wilson was slighted by his peers is not shocking. It's the ultimate results-based business, and the 35-year-old simply wasn't up to snuff in 2022, posting personal worsts in completion percentage (60.5), touchdown passes (16), and QB rating (84.4). His poor play, in part, led to the dismissal of rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett just 15 games into Hackett's tenure.

Wisely, the Broncos replaced Hackett with former longtime Saints coach Sean Payton, who's among the greatest offensive minds to ever don a headset. Payton immediately buttressed Wilson's expected revival by upgrading his supporting cast — from the offensive line (Mike McGlinchey, Ben Powers), to the backfield (Samaje Perine, Tony Jones), to the receiving corps (Marvin Mims, Marquez Callaway).

Emphasis on "revival." Wilson is projected to rebound statistically under Payton's watch, with one media outlet even predicting he sets a new career-high in passing yards, besting his 4,219-yard 2016 campaign.

If a "leaner, meaner" Wilson lands anywhere close to that mark, it's a certainty at least one of the aforementioned voters utters his name during next year's survey.

Russ' revenge tour loading...pic.twitter.com/0rV1gJ8TDg
— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) July 18, 2023

Follow Zack on Twitter @KelbermanNFL

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