Where does Lamar Jackson land in a ranking of AFC North quarterbacks
· Yahoo Sports
The AFC North has never lacked quarterback storylines. From Ben Roethlisberger's battles with the Baltimore Ravens and the broken nose he suffered as a result, to Joe Flacco's historic postseason run and 11-0 TD-to-interception ratio on his way to Super Bowl glory. There's Joe Burrow's rise with the Cincinnati Bengals. This division has produced some of the NFL's most memorable moments behind center.
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Kimo von Oelhoffen rolling up on Carson Palmer's leg comes to mind. Even the Cleveland Browns' decades-long search for stability at the position has become part of the AFC North's identity.
As training camp approaches, the division once again features some fascinating quarterback stories and subplots. Here's how the AFC North's signal-callers stack up entering the summer.
1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
As you'd probably expect, the top spot on this list came down to two players. Before reading another word, most fans probably knew Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow would occupy the top two spots. The debate isn't unreasonable. Both are elite talents. Both can carry their offenses. Both have established themselves among the NFL's premier quarterbacks.
Jackson gets the nod here, and it isn't because of some misplaced sense of homerism.
The two-time MVP continues to redefine what is possible at the position. He remains one of the league's most dangerous dual-threat weapons and enters the season surrounded by arguably the division's strongest supporting cast.
The margin between Jackson and Burrow is slim, but it exists. Jackson has the MVP trophies. He has consistently led winning teams. He also owns a 5-1 record against Burrow in head-to-head meetings. All of that makes the decision here an easy one.
2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
If someone wanted Burrow at No. 1, the argument would be understandable. When healthy, he is one of the NFL's most accurate and efficient quarterbacks. He processes defenses quickly, thrives under pressure, and has already proven he can lead a team deep into the postseason.
The concern remains availability. Burrow's talent has never been questioned. His durability has. Still, there is a reason this discussion begins with Jackson and Burrow. The gap between the top two quarterbacks in the division and everyone else remains significant.
3. Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
A few years ago, Rodgers might have topped this list without debate. Time changes everything. The future Hall of Famer still possesses the intelligence, arm talent, and competitive fire that made him one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation.
However, the Rodgers who routinely terrorized defenses during his prime is no longer the one taking the field today. That doesn't mean he should be overlooked. The Ravens know better than that. Rodgers remains capable of winning games and keeping Pittsburgh relevant in a division that rarely offers easy victories. He was also a perfect 2-0 vs. the Ravens last season.
4. Cleveland's quarterback room
This spot belongs to uncertainty. The Browns have options. What they do not appear to have is a clear answer. Deshaun Watson could be the guy the organization is putting its faith in, but Shedeur Sanders and other contenders have no plans to be understudies. In other words, Cleveland enters training camp with more questions than answers at the game's most important position. That reality is difficult to overcome. The Browns may eventually discover a quarterback capable of changing the trajectory of the franchise. Until that happens, however, their quarterback situation remains firmly behind the rest of the division.
Final analysis
For now, the hierarchy feels fairly straightforward. The AFC North remains one of football's toughest divisions. Until someone proves otherwise, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow remain the quarterbacks every rival is trying to catch.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ranking the four starting quarterbacks in the AFC North