Comments:
1.) There's no way to answer the question as the OP framed it. Ages, Contract Sizes, Team Situations, Personnel, and etc.. are HUGE variables and must be considered. For example, would we be better than 8-4 with Tom Brady playing all 12 games? I think so, but do I want Brady and his 25M salary? Would we have been able to add Henry/Smith or Algholor/Bourne or Judon to this team with Brady taking up a significant chunk of the cap? Another example, Russell Wilson...would he work in this offense predicated on the short passing game?
2.) I think this question should be framed as WHERE does Mac rank vs. all 32 starting QB's right now....in a vacuum....ignoring personnel, salary, age, and etc... like if planet earth had to play a football game against an invading alien race...and we assemble the perfect football team...and now make a list of QB's we want to save the planet. Here's my list:
Tom Brady - Nobody has played in more BIG games nor won as much.
Patrick Mahomes - Most talented QB in the league, IMO. Doesn't need his legs to move the ball, but can use them.
Aaron Rodgers - Same as above...could be #2 on my list as well.
Russell Wilson - Not as much of a "quarterback" as the QB's above, but he does affect games and make something out of nothing.
Dak Prescott - I thought he was a MVP candidate early in the season myself.
DeShaun Watson - If he were playing, he would probably be ranked higher here.
Justin Herbert - Clutch plays and very advanced for a 2nd year guy.
Kyler Murray - Possibly more talented than some above, but we need to see more.
Lamar Jackson - Best running QB the league has ever seen....really affects the game and stretches defenses sideline to sideline.
Josh Allen - Not as good of a runner as above, but a better passer.
Joe Burrow - He's the original Mac Jones with better receivers, IMO.
Mac Jones - Joe Burrow/Chad Pennington 2.0 is what I see right now....maybe better some day.
Derek Carr - He's been very solid this year despite the turmoil on the team.
Kirk Cousins - Consistently good, but MVP/All Pro caliber?
Matthew Stafford - Shaky performances, but has the talent.
Matt Ryan - Shaky performances, but has the talent.
Tyler Heinicke - I like the kid....should have been the starter week 1 over Fitzy.
Jimmy Garopollo - He is what I was hoping Mac Jones would be...
Trevor Lawrence - He will start putting it together and move up the list.
Tua Tagovailoa - See above...I think Tua is playing A LOT better lately.
Ryan Tannehill - A lot like Kirk Cousins & Jimmy G above...consistently good and can manage things.
Ben Roethlisberger - Used to be a lot better...not so much right now. Maybe with a good line/better weapons.
Baker Mayfield - Shaky performances and I am not sure how much it is him or the personnel he has at his disposal.
Carson Wentz - Shaky....I think he's an one trick RPO pony QB.
Justin Fields - Will rise...I think we started to see glimpses of it against the Steelers a few weeks back.
Teddy Bridgewater - Just doesn't move the needle.
Zac Wilson - Needs to be more conservative and better personnel...but has the tools.
Jalen Hurts - I don't think he even looks beyond his first option before running with the ball.
Daniel Jones - Doesn't move the needle.
Cam Newton - Used to be good, but still an effective runner at the goal line. Hard one to figure out...looked good in pre-season here.
Taysom Hill - Dunno why he didn't win the job over Winston. We will find out.
Jared Goff - I think he's the worst starting QB in the league right now.