Roethlisberger just keeps getting better. Sure, having the best receiver in the game (Antonio Brown) and the league’s most versatile running back (Le’Veon Bell) makes things easier, but let’s not sell Big Ben short. He’s grown into a cerebral quarterback over the past few years. Roethlisberger doesn’t rely on those sandlot plays to get the Steelers offense going anymore, but he’s still capable of pulling off those impossible escapes when it looks like the pass rush has him corralled.
Can we take a moment to appreciate what Brees did last year? This is a guy a lot of people were writing off at this time last year, and he goes out and throws for nearly 5,000 yards while throwing to Brandin Cooks and little else. He’s still the most accurate quarterback in the league. His height has never been an issue thanks to deft pocket movement. And Brees is computer-like in his ability to diagnose and exploit defenses.
Missing Jordy Nelson clearly hurt Rodgers in 2015. His receivers couldn’t get open quickly, and Rodgers didn’t look very comfortable in the pocket. His pocket presence grade took a bit of hit because of that, which is the biggest reason he’s not No. 1 on this list for the second year in a row. Rodgers still boasts the most impressive combination of physical tools and mental acumen in the league. He should be the favorite to win league MVP in 2016.
Brady’s 2015 season defied all logic. At 39, he somehow got better. The four-time Super bowl champ is more mobile than he was in his “prime,” which has only enhanced his mental abilities. The guy had no problem reading a defense and going through his progressions in a matter of seconds, but now he can buy extra time in the pocket and give his receivers second and third opportunities to get open. It’s almost unfair.