Mike Sando’s 13th annual quarterback tiers were unveiled this week, and Sam Darnold was one of five guys who moved up to Tier 2.
Darnold ranked 14th overall, tied with fellow career comebacker Baker Mayfield, in the voting by 50 NFL evaluators. That is up six spots from Darnold’s 2025 ranking.
Just four QBs were considered Tier 1: Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford, Joe Burrow. Tier 1 means the quarterback (1) carries his team each week, (2) the team wins because of him, (3) expertly handles pure-passing situations, (4) has no real holes in his game
Tier 2 means the quarterback (1) carries his team sometimes, (2) handles pure-passing situations in doses, (3) has other dimensions that elevate him above Tier 3, (4) has a hole or two in his game.
Tier 2 included, in order, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Dak Prescott, Drake Maye, Jared Goff, Jordan Love, Brock Purdy, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Mayfield, Darnold, Trevor Lawrence and Jalen Hurts.
Darnold’s 20 turnovers in 2025 surely were the main reason he did not rank higher than 14th. Frankly, you could rank almost all of those Tier 2 guys in any order. But Darnold and Hurts are the only ones to win the Super Bowl.
None of this means much, other than perhaps as another data point for Darnold’s extension in 2027.
The Tier 2 quarterbacks – not counting the guys on rookie deals or Mayfield – average about $54 million a year. That is right around the $55 million we think Darnold likely will get on his 2027 extension.
