A team's success largely depends on how the quarterback makes plays, delivers throws, and carves out opportunities. So, before the 2026 season kicks off in roughly three months, let's dive deep into who had the lowest passer rating last season, per StatMuse.

15. Spencer Rattler

Spencer Rattler, the New Orleans Saints QB, had the best rating in this group at 86.5. He completed 67.7% of his passes but scored only eight touchdowns. Ultimately, his 1-7 record got him benched for the then-rookie Tyler Shough.

14. Marcus Mariota

Marcus Mariota, the Washington Commanders QB, posted an 86.1 rating in eight starts. The veteran got to play last season because the team's starting QB, Jayden Daniels, was injured but ended with a 2-6 record.

13. Carson Wentz

The Vikings quarterback, Carson Wentz, had a passer rating of 85.8, where he was sacked 19 times in five game appearances due to his injury in the Week 5 victory against the Cleveland Browns.

12. Kirk Cousins

The Raiders' starting QB for the upcoming season, Kirk Cousins, finished at 84.8 last season with the Atlanta Falcons. His performance dropped from 2024, when he had a rating of 88.6 and 103.8 in the 2023 season.

11. Geno Smith

Geno Smith, former Raiders QB, recorded an 84.7 rating with strong yardage totals. He had a tough year with a league-high 17 interceptions and heavy pressure from defenders. Now, he starts fresh with the New York Jets.

10. Davis Mills

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills posted an 81.6 passer rating in the limited action he saw on the field. Across his three starts, he led the team to a perfect 3-0 record while completing 57.2% of his passes.

9. Dillon Gabriel

The Cleveland Browns QB Dillon Gabriel finished his rookie season with an 80.8 passer rating, operating primarily on safe, short-area throws rather than attacking deep downfield.

8. Cam Ward

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward recorded an 80.2 rating, finishing with 3,169 yards and 15 touchdowns. The 2025 NFL Draft first overall pick was sacked a league high 55 times, and his season ended with a 3-14 record.

7. Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco, who played with two teams last season, finished with a cumulative 79.2 passer rating in 10 starts. He started four games for the Browns before getting traded and the six for the Cincinnati Bengals.

6. Russell Wilson

10-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson appeared in six games last season and had a 77.4 rating. He lost his starting job to rookie Jaxson Dart after opening the season with three consecutive defeats.

5. Tyrod Taylor

In the 2023 season, Tyrod Taylor recorded a passer rating of 89.1 in five starts for the Giants, which fell to 72.9 in four starts last season with the Jets. This offseason, he signed a one-year deal with the Packers.

4. J.J. McCarthy

J.J. McCarthy, the quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, has appeared in 10 games and recorded a rating of 72.6 due to his inability to stay on the field, and has suffered three separate injuries during the last season.

3. Jake Browning

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback played for the Cincinnati Bengals last season and had a passer rating of 71.1. In 2023, he had a passer rating of 98.3.

He suited up in place of Joe Burrow last season, but the Bengals lost three games back-to-back and eventually had to trade for Joe Flacco.

2. Shedeur Sanders

The Cleveland Browns quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, finished his rookie season with a 68.1 passer rating. He started the year on the bench as a backup and then was named the permanent starter from week 12.

However, Sanders struggles with pocket presence and holds the ball too long, a major reason he was sacked 23 times in just eight games.

1. Brady Cook

The New York Jets QB Brady Cook had the lowest passer rating at 55.4. He finished the season with 739 passing yards and two touchdowns. The then-rookie QB was sacked 19 times in just five games.

Who do you think deserves to be in this list? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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Written by

Shreya Mishra

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore