Aug 14, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws during warm ups before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we’ll be ranking all 32 current starting quarterbacks from best to worst. Here’s the breakdown following Week 1.

32. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: It’s hard to believe we’re putting the reigning MVP in this spot, but his 36.8 Week 1 passer rating was nearly twice as low as any other starting quarterback in the league.

31. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons: The 36-year-old averaged just 4.7 yards per attempt in a dud performance at home to start the season.

30. Andy Dalton, Chicago Bears: Just a bridge to Justin Fields, Dalton was quite ineffective in a weak showing on the road to kick off the campaign. It’s only a matter of time.

29. Daniel Jones, New York Giants: A sub-60 completion percentage and another costly fumble for the third-year turnover machine in a Week 1 home loss.

28. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: Despite huge expectations, the reigning MVP runner-up wasn’t himself in a poor Week 1 home showing. For now, he belongs in the bottom five.

27. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans: The usually steady veteran was ineffective while averaging a league-low 1.6 air yards per attempt in a brutal Week 1 loss.

26. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins: The 2020 first-round pick continues to be a work in progress. He had a sub-60 completion rate, one touchdown, and one pick, but it was enough to help the Dolphins win on the road Sunday.

25. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars: There were several highs and lows for the No. 1 overall pick Sunday, but a blowout loss and three interceptions isn’t ideal.

24. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: Big Ben wasn’t a train wreck and the Steelers did walk away with a win Sunday, but the 39-year-old had the second-highest bad throw rate in Week 1 (behind only Rodgers).

23. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns: He threw a pick and failed to find the end zone in a loss, but the fourth-year No. 1 overall pick was extremely accurate outside of that as the Browns put up a fight against the defending AFC champions on the road.

22. Carson Wentz, Indianapolis Colts: It wasn’t a kick-ass debut in Indy for Wentz, but a triple-digit passer rating and no interceptions is the key.

21. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions: With limited support, he threw three touchdown passes and nearly led a magical comeback against a tough opponent. Not bad at all.

20. Zach Wilson, New York Jets: The rookie No. 2 overall pick was by far the most pressured quarterback in the league in Week 1, yet he fought through and rebounded from a rough start for a solid performance on the road.

19. Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers: The former Jet was also under plenty of pressure in his Carolina debut, but he posted a triple-digit passer rating in a victory anyway.

18. Tyrod Taylor, Houston Texans: In place of Deshaun Watson, the veteran journeyman posted a 112.1 passer rating, threw two touchdown passe, and added 40 rushing yards in a win.

17. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers: With Trey Lance breathing down his neck, Jimmy G was extremely efficient in a Week 1 win.

16. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings: So was Cousins, who posted 351 yards and was on target 89.1 percent of the time in a tough road loss.

15. Mac Jones, New England Patriots: The rookie No. 15 overall selection was on target on an AFC-best 89.5 percent of his passes in an extremely promising maiden start.

14. Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees’ successor posted the exact same on-target rate in his season debut for the Saints. Critically, he committed zero turnovers in a convincing victory.

13. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens: Two fumbles in a loss hold Jackson back here, but he was solid with his arm while rushing for 86 yards on the road.

12. Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders: The underrated veteran passed for 435 yards in an impressive overtime victory to wrap up Week 1.

11. Taylor Heinicke, Washington Football Team: In relief of the injured Ryan Fitzpatrick, only three quarterbacks averaged more air yards per attempt than Heinicke in a promising Week 1 performance.

10. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: The numbers (one touchdown, one pick, 85.2 passer rating) don’t do justice to the sophomore’s performance in an impressive road win over a defensively stout opponent.

9. Teddy Bridgewater, Denver Broncos: He has his limitations, but the league’s 10th-highest-rated passer did everything the Broncos needed in a Week 1 road victory.

8. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles: Three touchdowns, no picks, a 77.1 completion percentage and 57 rushing yards in a road victory. Boom.

7. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: It was a promising showing for the veteran in his return from a severe ankle injury, as he completed more than 70 percent of his passes for more than 400 yards in a tough loss.

6. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals: The third-year No. 1 overall pick lit up a strong opponent on the road with five combined passing/rushing touchdowns. This could be his big breakout season.

5. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Four touchdown passes for the 44-year-old in a debut that would have looked a lot better if not for mistakes from his supporting cast.

4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals: The sophomore No. 1 overall pick was again under too much pressure, but he still completed 74.1 percent of his passes and posted the league’s fifth-highest passer rating in an upset road victory.

3. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams: The league’s highest-rated passer averaged a fantastic 7.0 air yards per attempt in his debut. He looks damn comfortable in L.A.

2. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: The magic is back as he completed 75 percent of his passes and posted a 131.4 passer rating, while also rushing for a critical touchdown in a Week 1 victory.

1. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks: The perennial MVP candidate is off to another hot start after throwing four touchdown passes to zero interceptions in a road win. He was on target on a league-best 90.5 percent of his passes, while averaging a tremendous 6.2 air yards per attempt.

About Brad Gagnon

Brad Gagnon has been passionate about both sports and mass media since he was in diapers -- a passion that won't die until he's in them again. Based in Toronto, he's worked as a national NFL blog editor at theScore.com, a producer and writer at theScore Television Network and a host, reporter and play-by-play voice at Rogers TV. His work has also appeared at CBSSports.com, Deadspin, FoxSports.com, The Guardian, The Hockey News and elsewhere at Comeback Media, but his day gig has him covering the NFL nationally for Bleacher Report.