QB Rankings You Didn’t Ask For: NFC West Edition

The NFC West is always one of the toughest divisions in football to figure out, and this year is no different. Between injuries, question marks, and flashes of brilliance that don’t always last, it’s hard to know where these quarterbacks truly stack up. But here at Bearly Maintaining, we don’t shy away from the tough debates. So, here are the NFC West QB rankings you didn’t ask for.

4. Sam Darnold – Minnesota Vikings

This could change quickly depending on how he performs this season, but for now, Sam Darnold takes the bottom spot. Last year’s success may have been more about his coach’s system than his own growth as a quarterback. In the playoffs, when his offensive line fell apart, we saw flashes of the old Darnold—hesitant, holding the ball too long, and unsure of what to do under pressure. While he has talent, history shows us more of the Jets’ version of Darnold than the polished one we briefly saw last season.

3. Kyler Murray – Arizona Cardinals

Ranking Kyler Murray is tricky. On his good days, he looks like a top-tier quarterback, capable of dazzling plays and jaw-dropping runs. On his bad days, however, he can look lost, indecisive, and inconsistent. Murray has all the tools to climb to the top of this list, but until he shows week-to-week stability, he stays at No. 3. He’s either electric or frustrating, and we never know which version of him we’re going to get.

2. Matthew Stafford – Los Angeles Rams

If not for injury concerns, Stafford might have taken the top spot. The veteran QB has proven time and time again that he can play through pain and still perform at a high level. His toughness is unquestionable, but his back issues raise real concerns for the Rams’ season outlook. If he’s healthy, Stafford is one of the best pure passers in the league, but the uncertainty around his health keeps him at No. 2 for now.

1. Brock Purdy – San Francisco 49ers

At the top of the NFC West QB rankings sits Brock Purdy. Some may label him a “game manager,” but that undersells what he brings to San Francisco. Purdy makes smart decisions, can push the ball deep when needed, and thrives in Kyle Shanahan’s system. Most importantly, he’s consistent—a quality that can’t be overlooked in this division. When healthy, Purdy has elevated himself from “Mr. Irrelevant” to the most reliable QB in the NFC West.

Final Thoughts

This division is filled with potential, but also plenty of question marks. Darnold has to prove last season wasn’t a fluke. Murray needs to show consistency. Stafford’s health will dictate the Rams’ fate. And Purdy, despite his critics, continues to climb and prove he belongs at the top.

The NFC West QB landscape could look very different by midseason, but for now—this is the ranking you didn’t ask for.