Russo’s ranking came in response to a list published by ESPN+ which left the First Take star scratching his head.

5

First Take star Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo took issue with ESPN’s top 10 NFL quarterback rankingCredit: X/FirstTake

5

Russo believed New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers should be third in the listCredit: Getty

5

Both ESPN and Russo’s lists had Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs topCredit: Getty
ESPN’s list, which was ranked based on a “poll of executives, coaches, and scouts,” had three-time Super Bowl Champion and game MVP Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs leading the way.

Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow followed on in second, with Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills in third.

Reigning two-time MVP Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens ranked fourth, with Super Bowl LVI winner Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams in fifth.

Sticking with Tinseltown, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert clocked in at six, with 2023 rookie record breaker CJ Stroud of the Houston Texans seventh.

Four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets ranked eighth, with Detroit Lions star Jared Goff ninth, and Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys rounding out the list.

After the list was revealed on Tuesday’s show, Russo called out the scouts and executives involved in its creation by pointing out some notable draft misses over the years.

As for his list, he agreed with Mahomes and Burrow at first and second but opted to place Rodgers in third.

This comes after the 40-year-old missed all but one drive of the 2023 season after he suffered a brutal Achilles tear in New York’s first game.

Despite Rodgers’ age and the severity of his latest injury, Russo said he was “going to bet on his guts, he’s going to bounce back off that Achilles.”

Allen dropped to four, with Stafford remaining at five, and Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Hurts coming in at six.

Russo had Jackson down in seventh, citing his Playoff struggles over the years as his reason, commenting, “I could even put him lower than this if I wanted to.”

Jackson was followed by Goff at eight and Stroud at nine, with Herbert tenth.

Noting Prescott’s absence from his list, Russo added that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins would also place ahead of the 2023 passing touchdowns leader.

Viewers were largely far from impressed by Russo’s revised ranking, flocking to X to give their two cents.

“Rodgers at #3…[Brock] Purdy (San Francisco 49ers) is missing? Makes no sense,” one fan claimed.

“Aaron Rodgers at 3 is absurd at this point in his career,” commented a second.

“Stroud over Stafford, Allen, and Hurts. He’s top 5 going into year 2 [in my opinion],” said another.

While a fourth added simply, “Lamar too low, Rodgers too high.”

And fans weren’t the only ones questioning Russo, with fellow guests Booger McFarland and Dan Orlovsky also critiquing his picks.

McFarland didn’t believe Rodgers should have been on the list at all, with Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa his choice as a replacement.

Meanwhile, Orlovsky told Russo he was out of his “freaking mind if you’re coming off of last season and you’re putting Lamar behind Jalen Hurts.”

Now, with the first preseason game just over two weeks away, quarterbacks around the league won’t have long to prove Russo, McFarland, and Orlovsky right or wrong.

5

Russo had reigning MVP Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens in seventhCredit: Getty

5

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts made Russo’s list after being left out by ESPNCredit: Getty