Does the AFC North have the best quarterbacks following Aaron Rodgers signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers?

On Thursday it was announced that three-time MVP Aaron Rodgers will sign a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rodgers will join an AFC North division with Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and whoever the quarterback will be for the Cleveland Browns. Jackson and Burrow are considered top-five quarterbacks by most of the NFL world, so does adding Rodgers to the mix make the AFC North the division with the best quarterbacks? 

The AFC North quarterbacks have six regular season MVPs between them, four for Rodgers and two for Jackson. AFC North quarterbacks also have two Super Bowl appearances, one for Rodgers and one for Burrow. The AFC North is at the top of the list if accolades and Super Bowl appearances determine which QBs are the best. Burrow and Jackson will likely be two of the top players in the league again this year, but how Rodgers and the QB for the Browns play will most likely be the determining factor in this division. Injuries will be something to watch with a mobile Jackson and a 41-year-old Rodgers.

AFC North quarterbacks with the best NFL MVP odds

A ton of fantasy football drafts will happen over the next few months. And the sportsbooks are already taking bets on the 2025-2026 NFL MVP award. On BetRivers, Jackson is the betting favourite and Burrow is tied for the third-best odds with Patrick Mahomes. Jackson is at +550. Burrow has +700 odds to win MVP. Rodgers has +7000 odds. Jackson and Burrow have some of the shortest odds, and using one of the sportsbook bonuses could enhance the potential payout as the season approaches.

The NFC East and AFC West have the most proven quarterbacks outside of the AFC North. The NFC East has Dak Prescott, Russell Wilson, Jalen Hurts, and Jayden Daniels. The AFC West has Patrick Mahomes, Geno Smith, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix. All of these QBs except Daniels and Nix are veterans that have been in the league for some years and have had success. Hurts is coming off a Super Bowl victory, and many rank him in the top 5 to 10 quarterbacks.

Prescott, Hurts, and Daniels all have the potential to earn a Pro Bowl spot based on talent alone. The same can be said about Mahomes, Smith, Herbert, and Nix. At the moment, Wilson looks like the only QB from those two divisions who won’t have a great shot. Wilson has +12500 odds to win MVP, the lowest of the bunch. The other QBs in these divisions have all had at least one solid season over the last two years. Daniels was one of the best quarterbacks in the league during his rookie season last year.

Divisions with young quarterbacks and seasoned veterans

Some of the other divisions are filled with young talent and a lot of potential at the QB position. The AFC South has CJ Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, Cam Ward, and Anthony Richardson. Ward was the first pick in the NFL Draft this year. Stroud and Lawrence are recognized as two of the best young QBs in the league. There is a lot of young talent at the position in this division. This division has a chance to surprise some people.

Caleb Williams, Jared Goff, J.J. McCarthy, and Jordan Love are in the NFC North. Goff and Love are in the top 10 for best odds to win MVP this season. Williams and McCarthy have a chance to take this division to the top with strong quarterback play as both are in their first couple of seasons in the league.

The AFC East is an honorable mention. This division could be better than most expect with Tua Tagovailoa healthy. Some strong play from Justin Fields and Drake Maye should put them in the mix. The NFC West is another honorable mention with a group of solid veteran QBs in Kyler Murray, Brock Purdy, Matthew Stafford, and Sam Darnold. Most of these quarterbacks are considered seasoned veterans. They might not have the highest ceiling anymore, but these quarterbacks have the ability to perform when it matters.