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By Tyler Erzberger
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The NFC South is a division that often gets overlooked in the NFL's public eye, but that might be changing in the coming years, with a few quarterbacks possibly emerging as franchise guys.
But who is the king of the South?
Here's my current rankings of the starting quarterbacks in the NFC South.
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1. Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
It's never simple with Mayfield, who, a few years ago, looked to be on his way out of the league following a tragic ending in Cleveland before almost drowning with the Carolina Panthers.
But after a stint in Los Angeles with Sean McVay, he rediscovered himself in Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers. He might never have the consistency to win an MVP or be regarded as a top-five QB in football, but he's established himself as a franchise QB.
2. Bryce Young (Carolina Panthers)
If this were last year, Young might be at the very bottom of the list. Like Mayfield, it felt as if the former No. 1 overall pick was moving closer to being ousted from Carolina and possibly the NFL entirely.
Yet, Young rebounded as the 2025 season went along and peaked at the perfect time, impressing in the winter months and then putting up a valiant effort in the playoffs against the deeper Los Angeles Rams.
If he can keep up this trajectory with both Young and Mayfield playing at the level they finished last season, then the Panthers QB has a case to be the top of the division.
3. Tyler Shough (New Orleans Saints)
Shough had a good first season after being installed as the team's starter midway through the campaign. Year two, though, will be where we figure out if New Orleans has a cornerstone in their locker room or if they'll be hunting for another signal-caller in a deep 2027 NFL Draft class.
4. Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons)
Is it Penix Jr. still? Have they moved on to Tua Tagovailoa? Can Bijan Robinson play QB?
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