Which NFL quarterbacks have the best surroundings?

In the NFL, the quarterback is king – but even kings need a court. No matter how gifted a signal-caller is, he cannot win by himself. A quarterback’s success is only as good as the environment around him.

That’s why so much of smart roster-building hinges on what we might call “surroundings”: the offensive line that keeps him upright, the pass catchers who turn targets into gains, the run game that keeps defenses honest and the quality of play calling that weaves it all together.

The higher the standard in all four of those areas, the more comfortable – and dangerous – the QB becomes.

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Consider Joe Burrow. He unquestionably has elite weapons in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, two of the most feared receivers in the league. But Cincinnati’s offensive line has been among the weaker units in pass protection and their run game has lacked consistency. Thus, Burrow often operates under duress, limiting the full explosion of his talent.

In Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes runs in a system blessed with a Hall of Fame coach in Andy Reid and creative play calling, but his protection has had soft spots in recent seasons and the Chiefs rarely boast a truly dominant running game or a receiver corps deep beyond an aging Travis Kelce. So, even for the greats, surroundings matter.

With that in mind, here are six quarterbacks whose environments currently stack up among the best, combining strength across those four dimensions.

Josh Allen

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Buffalo’s been quietly upgrading in many areas. Allen’s dual-threat ability gives the run game inherent threat and running back James Cook has popped as a dynamic complement. The Bills’ offensive line – headlined by Dion Dawkins, one of the league’s most robust left tackles – offers top protection. Buffalo’s pass-catching corps isn’t overwhelming, but it’s solid – made up of Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, Josh Palmer and Keon Coleman. Allen also has the advantage of strong play design from offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who will surely be in line for a head coaching job in the near future.

Jalen Hurts

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Hurts remains in an enviable position. With AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, he has two premium wideouts. That gives his passing game a rooted foundation. The Eagles’ offensive line is consistently rated among the best units in the NFL, anchoring both pass and run success. Saquon Barkley, although he has struggled to match last year’s performance levels so far in 2025, gives him a thunderous running back who keeps defenses honest. And while there is change atop the play-calling – Kevin Patullo takes over as offensive coordinator in 2025 after Kellen Moore’s departure to become head coach of the New Orleans Saints – Hurts is experienced enough that scheme transitions should hurt less. All told, his surroundings are elite.

Jared Goff

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In Detroit, Goff enjoys a strong pocket thanks to a highly regarded line. The Lions’ O-line ranks among the best in the league, with right tackle Penei Sewell the top player in his position. The backfield features the one-two punch of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, who provide speed and muscle respectively. On the receiving end, Amon-Ra St. Brown is elite, while Jameson Williams is explosive and tight end Sam LaPorta offers dependability. Despite turnover at offensive coordinator, with Ben Johnson departing to take charge of the Chicago Bears, the offense has shown few signs of slowing. Goff doesn’t look like he’s taking a step backward, either. For a veteran QB, this is a fine set-up.

Baker Mayfield

Tampa Bay's offensive cast is intriguing. Emeka Edgbuka is a rising rookie and veteran wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin remain proven options. Jalen McMillan adds depth and upside, too. That receiver depth is perhaps among the league’s more versatile corps. On the ground, Bucky Irving is emerging as an elite running back in his second year and offers a complementary dimension to Mayfield’s game. The line, however, has taken hits in 2025; injuries have dented its consistency. Even so, the presence of Tristan Wirfs at left tackle – widely regarded as one of the best in the league – helps anchor the unit. Mayfield still has enough around him to make explosive plays possible.

Matthew Stafford

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Super Bowl winner Stafford gets one of the most supportive blueprints in football. Under Sean McVay, Stafford has one of the most imaginative play-callers in the league. His WR1, Puka Nacua, is legitimately elite and Davante Adams, entering a rejuvenated stage, gives a strong second option. The Rams’ line is solid, not perfect, but consistent enough to allow Stafford time to work. And their rushing attack, led by Kyren Williams, adds extra leverage. The combination of elite coaching, top-tier receivers and a dependable infrastructure gives Stafford one of the safer surroundings in football.

Justin Herbert

NFL

Herbert’s situation is a bit more rugged, but with flashes of elite potential in the framework. He has been battered behind an injury-hit offensive line in 2025, absorbing many hits and pressures. But when Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are fully healthy, that left-right tackle pairing ranks among the NFL’s best duos. At running back, Omarion Hampton has shown early flashes as a future feature back. Herbert’s receivers – impressive second-year star Ladd McConkey, the returning Kenan Allen and the much-improved Quentin Johnston — give him weapons with speed, experience and upside. And the wild card: Greg Roman at offensive coordinator, long known for run-first attacks, appears more willing in 2025 to let Herbert’s arm fly. If the O-line stabilises, Herbert’s surroundings may shift into top-tier status.

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