3x Super Bowl champ sounds off over Justin Herbert, Jayden Daniels being ranked as top 6 QB

If you’re putting Justin Herbert and Jayden Daniels in your top six quarterbacks for 2025, Mark Schlereth has questions, big questions.

The three-time Super Bowl champion and FS1 analyst didn’t shy away from skepticism on Breakfast Ball, calling out the rankings and making it clear he’s not ready to crown either quarterback just yet.

“I’m with you on Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, Lamar, Stafford,” Schlereth said. “Herbert is where I come in and have my first question. Herbert, Jayden Daniels, I have another question. And Baker Mayfield would have another question.”

Schlereth didn’t deny the talent of either player, but his issue, especially with Daniels, centred on sample size.

“One of those guys would fall out,” he said. “Whether that’s Jayden, do it back-to-back years. I’d like to see that. He went to an NFC Championship last year. But come on, I mean, Brock Purdy’s been to a Super Bowl.”

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Schlereth questions hype surrounding Justin Herbert and Jayden Daniels, cites lack of proven playoff pedigrees

Jayden Daniels had a breakout rookie season in 2024, leading the Washington Commanders to a surprise NFC Championship appearance. He also earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, throwing for over 3,800 yards and rushing for more than 600 yards, with a combined 31 total touchdowns. His poise, mobility and leadership turned the Commanders from afterthoughts into contenders.

Meanwhile, Herbert posted another statistically strong campaign for the Chargers in 2024, throwing for 4,045 yards and 26 touchdowns despite a rotating cast of receivers. But the Chargers finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs, marking yet another year where Herbert’s regular-season performance wasn’t matched by postseason success.

That’s the rub for Schlereth, who believes consistent playoff production should weigh heavily in rankings.

“Baker (Mayfield) hasn’t been to either. But I’d probably move one of those (Herbert or Daniels) out," he said.

While Schlereth didn’t deny Daniels’ potential, he emphasized the need for sustained excellence. One magical rookie season, he argued, isn’t enough to anoint anyone a top-six quarterback.

Both Herbert and Daniels enter 2025 with high expectations and pressure. Herbert will operate under new coach Jim Harbaugh, who was brought in to toughen the Chargers and fix their inconsistency. Daniels, meanwhile, is now the undisputed face of the Commanders and will look to prove that 2024 wasn’t a fluke.

Whether they belong in the top six or not will likely depend on what happens this season. Schlereth’s skepticism echoes a common sentiment across the NFL that flash is great, but playoff wins and sustained leadership separate the good from the great.