Jared Goff vs Justin Herbert: NFL QB Rankings Compared

Goff vs Herbert are both highly accomplished NFL quarterbacks, but they win in different ways. Goff has the advantage in experience, career production, and proven playoff success, while Herbert offers superior mobility, arm talent, and athletic ability.

Table of Contents

Jared Goff vs Justin Herbert at a Glance

The easiest way to understand this matchup is to look at what each quarterback brings to an offense.

Category	Jared Goff	Justin Herbert
NFL debut	2016	2020
Playing style	Pocket passer	Pocket passer with mobility
Arm strength	Very good	Elite
Mobility	Limited	Strong
Career experience	More	Less
Super Bowl experience	Yes	No
Career passing production	Higher	Lower due to fewer seasons
Overall physical tools	Very good	Elite

Goff has spent more time in the NFL, so his career totals naturally benefit from having played more seasons. Herbert, despite entering the league later, has quickly established himself as one of the league’s most talented quarterbacks.

Jared Goff: Career Overview

Goff entered the NFL as the first overall pick in the 2016 draft and developed into an experienced starting quarterback.

His career has included a major transition from the Los Angeles Rams to the Detroit Lions. With the Rams, Goff helped lead the team to Super Bowl LIII, giving him valuable postseason experience at the highest level.

His best qualities are accuracy, timing, pocket awareness, and the ability to distribute the ball effectively within a well designed passing offense.

Goff is particularly effective when he has good protection and can operate from the pocket without constant pressure.

Justin Herbert: Career Overview

Herbert entered the NFL in 2020 with the Los Angeles Chargers and immediately made an impact.

He quickly became known for his elite arm strength, size, mobility, and ability to make difficult throws. His physical skill set gives him the ability to attack the defense in several different ways.

Unlike Goff, Herbert can also create plays with his legs when a passing play breaks down. That mobility adds another dimension to his game.

Herbert has not yet reached a Super Bowl, but his individual production has made him one of the most highly regarded quarterbacks of his generation.

Career Statistics Comparison about Goff vs Herbert

Career statistics provide useful context, although they should not be viewed in isolation.

Through the 2025 regular season, Goff had accumulated 39,622 passing yards, 256 touchdown passes, and 102 interceptions. Herbert had recorded 24,820 passing yards, 163 touchdowns, and 58 interceptions.

Goff’s larger numbers are partly explained by his six additional NFL seasons.

Statistic	Goff	Herbert
Passing yards	39,622	24,820
Passing TDs	256	163
Interceptions	102	58
Completion rate	65.8%	66.5%
Passer rating	96.8	96.3
Rushing yards	596	1,715

The numbers show an interesting contrast. Goff has accumulated considerably more career production, while Herbert has produced similar efficiency numbers in substantially fewer games.

Passing Ability about Goff vs Herbert

Passing is where both quarterbacks are at their best, but their approaches are somewhat different.

Goff relies heavily on timing, anticipation, accuracy, and rhythm. When the offensive structure is working properly, he can move the ball efficiently and consistently.

Herbert has a more aggressive physical profile. His arm strength allows him to make deep throws and difficult passes from unusual positions.

Herbert therefore has the advantage in raw arm talent, while Goff’s strengths are more closely connected to timing and execution within an offensive system.

Mobility and Playmaking about Goff vs Herbert

This is one of the clearest advantages for Herbert.

Goff is primarily a traditional pocket quarterback. He can move when necessary, but running is not a major part of his game.

Herbert is much more capable of extending plays outside the pocket and gaining yards as a runner. Through the 2025 regular season, Herbert had accumulated 1,715 rushing yards, compared with 596 for Goff.

That additional mobility can become particularly valuable when an offensive line breaks down or a passing play does not develop as planned.

Who Has the Better Arm?

Herbert has the edge in pure arm strength.

He can generate considerable velocity and throw the ball deep without needing a perfect platform. This gives him more freedom to attack different areas of the field.

Goff has a strong enough arm to make all the throws required in a modern NFL offense, but his game does not depend on extraordinary arm strength to the same extent.

If the question is strictly about physical throwing ability, Herbert is the stronger choice.

Who Has More Experience?

Goff clearly has the advantage here.

He entered the NFL four years before Herbert and has played in more regular season and playoff games. His experience includes a Super Bowl appearance and several seasons as the starter in different offensive environments.

That experience can be especially valuable in pressure situations.

Herbert has already accumulated substantial NFL experience himself, but Goff’s longer résumé gives him the advantage in proven postseason experience.

Goff vs Herbert: Who Has the Edge in 2025?

The 2025 season gave Jared Goff the statistical advantage, but Justin Herbert remained the more versatile quarterback because of his mobility and ability to create outside the pocket. Goff finished the regular season with better passing numbers and a higher passer rating, making the 2025 comparison closer than a simple talent debate suggests.

2025 Regular Season Performance

The latest completed season provides the clearest current snapshot of both quarterbacks.

Goff completed 393 of 578 passes for 4,564 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, finishing with a 105.5 passer rating. Herbert completed 340 of 512 attempts for 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, with a 94.1 passer rating.

2025 Statistic	Jared Goff	Justin Herbert
Passing yards	4,564	3,727
Completion %	68.0%	66.4%
Touchdowns	34	26
Interceptions	8	13
Yards per attempt	7.9	7.3
Passer rating	105.5	94.1

On pure 2025 passing production, Goff clearly had the better statistical season.

Accuracy and Decision Making

Accuracy is one of Goff’s strongest qualities and was particularly evident in his 2025 numbers.

His 68.0% completion rate was higher than Herbert’s 66.4%, while his eight interceptions were five fewer than Herbert’s 13. Goff also averaged 7.9 yards per attempt, compared with 7.3 for Herbert.

Those numbers suggest that Goff was particularly effective at making efficient decisions and limiting costly mistakes during the regular season.

Herbert was still productive, but his statistical profile was less efficient than Goff’s in 2025.

Playoff Experience and Pressure about Goff vs Herbert

Postseason experience is another area where Goff has a significant advantage.

Goff has already played in a Super Bowl and has experienced multiple playoff runs during his NFL career. That gives him a larger sample of high pressure games than Herbert.

Herbert’s postseason résumé is much smaller. After the 2025 regular season, his Chargers entered the playoffs but lost 16–3 to the New England Patriots in the Wild Card round. Herbert completed 19 of 31 passes for 159 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in that game.

That result does not define Herbert’s ability, but it does show why Goff currently has the stronger résumé when playoff experience is part of the discussion.

Who Is Better Under Pressure?

This category is difficult to measure with one statistic because quarterback performance depends heavily on the offensive line, play calling, defense, and quality of opponents.

Still, Goff has a stronger argument based on experience in deep playoff runs. His Super Bowl appearance and multiple postseason campaigns give him more evidence of performing in high stakes environments.

Herbert has shown the physical ability to make difficult throws under pressure, but his postseason résumé has not yet reached Goff’s level.

For now, Goff gets the edge in proven playoff experience.

Arm Talent and Big Play Ability

Herbert takes the advantage when the focus shifts from production to physical ability.

His combination of size, arm strength, and athleticism allows him to make throws from different platforms and attack deep areas of the field. He can also turn broken plays into positive gains with his legs.

Goff can make deep throws and has enough arm strength to operate an NFL passing attack, but he is more dependent on timing, structure, anticipation, and pocket execution.

For pure physical talent, Herbert remains the more impressive quarterback.

Mobility and Scrambling Ability

Herbert also has a clear advantage as a runner.

Goff is primarily a pocket passer. His value comes from what he can accomplish before and during the passing play rather than from creating significant yardage as a runner.

Herbert has the athleticism to escape pressure, extend plays, and pick up meaningful rushing yards. That ability can change how a defense approaches him because the quarterback himself becomes an additional running threat.

This makes Herbert the more dynamic playmaker outside the pocket.

Goff’s Biggest Advantage

Goff’s biggest advantage is not one spectacular physical trait. It is his ability to operate efficiently within a structured offense.

When his protection is strong and his receivers are creating separation, Goff can distribute the ball accurately and maintain offensive rhythm.

His 2025 numbers reinforce that strength: 34 touchdowns, only 8 interceptions, 4,564 passing yards, and a 105.5 passer rating.

That level of efficiency makes Goff particularly valuable to an offense built around timing and execution.

Herbert’s Biggest Advantage

Herbert’s biggest advantage is the number of ways he can create a play.

He can win from the pocket with his arm, extend plays with his mobility, and make difficult throws when the original design breaks down.

That versatility gives him a higher physical ceiling than Goff. Herbert’s combination of arm strength and mobility is difficult to match.

The question is not if Herbert has the tools. He clearly does. The bigger question is how consistently those tools translate into team and postseason success.

Frequently Asked Questions About Goff and Herbert

These questions help put Goff and Herbert into the wider NFL quarterback conversation, rather than comparing them only with each other.

Is Herbert a Top 10 QB?

Yes. As of 2026, Justin Herbert is reasonably considered a top 10 NFL quarterback, although his exact ranking depends on the evaluator.

NFL.com’s 2025 quarterback rankings placed Herbert No. 5, while ESPN’s 2026 quarterback rankings placed him No. 10. NFL.com’s ranking highlighted his 2025 production of 3,886 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

His combination of arm strength, mobility, accuracy and playmaking ability gives him a strong top 10 case. The biggest weakness in his résumé remains postseason success.

Who Is Better, Justin Herbert or Bo Nix?

At this point, Justin Herbert is the better quarterback.

Herbert has considerably more NFL experience and has already established himself as a high level starter. Through six seasons, he has thrown for 24,820 yards, 163 touchdowns and 58 interceptions.

Bo Nix has made significant progress and had a productive first two seasons. In 2025, he threw for 3,931 yards, 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while also adding 356 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.

Nix has a promising trajectory, but Herbert currently has the stronger combination of proven production and physical ability.

Is Goff a Top 10 QB?

Yes, Goff has a legitimate top 10 argument, particularly after his 2025 season.

He finished 2025 with 4,564 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions, ranking second in the NFL in both passing yards and passing touchdowns.

The main debate is that Goff does not offer the same mobility or improvisational ability as several modern dual threat quarterbacks.

Still, his accuracy, pocket passing, decision making and experience make him a credible top 10 quarterback.

Is Jared Goff a Top 5 QB?

This is much more debatable.

Goff’s 2025 production was top five caliber, but calling him a top five quarterback overall requires more than one excellent statistical season. His 34 touchdowns and eight interceptions were outstanding, but his QBR ranked 18th in 2025.

I’d currently put Goff around the back end of the top 10 rather than firmly in the top five.

His strongest argument for moving into the top five would be continued elite efficiency combined with another deep playoff run.

Who Is the 2nd Best QB Ever?

If we’re talking about NFL history, there is no universally accepted No. 2 quarterback.

Tom Brady is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback ever, while the No. 2 spot is heavily debated between names such as Joe Montana, Peyton Manning and Patrick Mahomes.

My personal ranking would currently put Joe Montana or Peyton Manning in the No. 2 conversation, with Mahomes already having a legitimate case based on his extraordinary postseason success and three Super Bowl victories.

This is a historical question, so statistics alone cannot settle it. Championships, MVP awards, peak performance, longevity and era all matter.

Who Is Better, Joe Burrow or Justin Herbert?

Joe Burrow has the stronger résumé, but Herbert has the stronger argument in some physical categories.

Herbert has the advantage in arm strength, mobility and physical durability, while Burrow has demonstrated exceptional pocket processing, accuracy and playoff performance.

Burrow has already led the Cincinnati Bengals to Super Bowl LVI, giving him a postseason résumé that Herbert has not yet matched. Herbert’s career numbers through 2025 remain excellent, including 24,820 passing yards, 163 touchdowns and a 96.3 passer rating.

Goff vs Herbert: Leadership, Consistency, and Long Term Value

Jared Goff and Justin Herbert have different paths to success. Goff has built his reputation through experience, consistency, and a strong track record in structured offenses, while Herbert has earned praise for his talent, adaptability, and ability to make difficult plays look routine.

Leadership and Command of the Offense

Both quarterbacks have shown the ability to lead an NFL offense, but their styles are noticeably different.

Goff operates with a calm and controlled approach. His experience allows him to recognize defensive looks quickly and distribute the football efficiently. He has also spent several seasons as the central decision maker in high pressure offensive situations.

Herbert brings a different presence. His physical talent gives him the ability to extend plays when the original design breaks down. He can make throws from different platforms and attack defenses outside the normal structure of a play.

Consistency From Game to Game

Consistency is one of the strongest arguments in Goff’s favor.

During the 2025 regular season, Goff produced 4,564 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions, along with a 105.5 passer rating.

Herbert posted 3,727 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, with a 94.1 passer rating in 2025.

Those numbers do not automatically make Goff the more talented quarterback, but they demonstrate how effectively he can operate an offense when the system is working around him.

Who Has the Better Supporting Cast?

The supporting cast matters greatly when comparing quarterbacks.

Goff has benefited from strong offensive infrastructure during his time in Detroit, including a productive passing attack and a system designed around timing, rhythm, and efficient decision making.

Herbert has also played with talented teammates, but his career has frequently required him to create more outside the structure of the offense. His ability to improvise can therefore be more important to Los Angeles than it is to Goff’s style of play.

This makes direct comparisons difficult. A quarterback’s statistics are influenced not only by his talent but also by offensive line play, coaching, receivers, running game efficiency, and play design.

Clutch Performance in Important Games

Goff has the stronger résumé when it comes to reaching major playoff stages.

He helped the Los Angeles Rams reach Super Bowl LIII and later helped Detroit reach the NFC Championship Game during the 2023 season. His experience in high pressure games gives him an advantage in this category.

Herbert’s individual talent is unquestioned, but his playoff résumé has not yet matched Goff’s. That difference is important when evaluating quarterbacks beyond regular season statistics.

Long Term Outlook about Goff vs Herbert

Herbert has the advantage in age and physical upside.

His combination of arm strength, mobility, size, and athleticism gives him the tools to remain an elite quarterback for many years. NFL.com ranked him No. 5 among starting quarterbacks for the 2025 season, showing how highly he is regarded.

Goff’s long term value comes from a different foundation. He has extensive starting experience, strong career production, and a proven ability to operate a championship level offense.

Through the 2025 season, Goff had 39,622 career passing yards and 256 touchdowns, while Herbert had 24,820 yards and 163 touchdowns.

Which Quarterback Has More Upside?

Herbert has the higher individual upside because of his physical gifts.

A quarterback who can combine elite arm strength with mobility can change games in ways that are difficult to replicate. Herbert can create explosive plays even when protection breaks down, which gives his offense another dimension.

Goff’s upside is more closely connected to execution. When his offensive environment is functioning well, he can produce excellent numbers while limiting mistakes.

So the distinction is simple: Herbert offers more individual playmaking upside, while Goff offers a more established profile of efficiency and experience.

Goff vs Herbert: Who Offers More Overall Value?

The answer depends on what a team needs.

If the priority is experience, passing production, efficiency, and playoff résumé, Goff has a strong argument.

If the priority is arm talent, mobility, improvisation, and long term physical upside, Herbert is the more attractive choice.

For an immediate, proven offensive operator, Goff remains an excellent option. For a franchise looking for a quarterback with elite physical tools and a potentially higher ceiling, Herbert is difficult to overlook.

Goff vs Herbert: The Final Head to Head Comparison

Jared Goff and Justin Herbert are both established NFL quarterbacks, but their strengths lead to different conclusions. Goff has the stronger résumé and recent statistical production, while Herbert has the superior physical skill set and greater ability to create plays on his own.

Passing Production and Efficiency

The statistical comparison gives Goff a clear advantage in the 2025 regular season.

Goff recorded 4,564 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, finishing with a 105.5 passer rating. Herbert recorded 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, with a 94.1 passer rating.

That makes Goff the stronger choice based strictly on 2025 passing production and ball security.

Athletic Ability and Play Extension

Herbert has the clear advantage as an athlete.

His size, arm strength, speed, and ability to throw accurately while moving allow him to make plays outside the original design. He can escape pressure and turn broken plays into significant gains.

Goff is not known for the same level of mobility. His effectiveness comes primarily from pocket passing, anticipation, timing, and pre snap recognition.

Career Accomplishments about Goff vs Herbert

Goff has a major advantage in experience and postseason accomplishments.

He has played in a Super Bowl, reached multiple conference championship games, and accumulated substantially more career passing production. Through the 2025 season, he had 39,622 passing yards and 256 touchdowns.

Herbert’s career totals through 2025 were 24,820 passing yards and 163 touchdowns.

Herbert has played fewer seasons, so the gap in career totals is partly a product of experience rather than quarterback quality.

Who Is More Reliable?

Goff gets the edge for reliability based on his recent production and lower interception rate.

His 2025 season demonstrated that he can manage an offense efficiently while producing high level passing numbers. Eight interceptions across 17 games was particularly impressive given his volume.

Herbert is also capable of excellent decision making, but his style sometimes involves more difficult throws and off script situations, which can increase both his playmaking potential and his risk.

Who Has the Higher Ceiling?

Herbert has the higher ceiling.

The combination of arm talent, mobility, physical strength, and improvisational ability gives him more ways to influence a game independently.

Goff can reach an elite level within the right offensive structure, but Herbert possesses more tools that can change a game even when the offense is not functioning perfectly.

Who Would You Build a Franchise Around?

For a franchise starting from scratch, Herbert would be the preferred choice for many teams because of his age, physical tools, and long term potential.

Goff would still be an excellent franchise quarterback, especially for a team with a strong offensive system and championship ambitions. His experience makes him particularly valuable for teams that want a proven pocket passer.

Goff vs Herbert: Strengths at a Glance

Category	Edge
Passing production	Goff
Recent efficiency	Goff
Ball security	Goff
Career experience	Goff
Playoff résumé	Goff
Arm strength	Herbert
Mobility	Herbert
Improvisation	Herbert
Athletic ability	Herbert
Long term upside	Herbert

The Overall Winner

There is no huge gap between the two quarterbacks, but Justin Herbert is the better overall quarterback when talent, versatility, and long term upside are combined.

Goff has the better résumé and was statistically superior in 2025. Herbert, however, offers more physical tools and more ways to create offense when a play breaks down.

For career accomplishments and recent production, Goff has the argument. For overall quarterback talent and future potential, Herbert gets the edge.

Final Answer: Goff or Herbert?

Justin Herbert is the slight overall winner, but Jared Goff remains the more accomplished quarterback at this point in their careers.

The debate is ultimately about proven production versus elite physical ability. Goff has already demonstrated that he can lead a high level offense deep into the postseason, while Herbert has the skill set to potentially reach an even higher individual level.