“Who’s the best quarterback in the AFC that’s not named Patrick Mahomes?” Fred Taylor asked Dolphins safety Jevon Holland on The Pivot Podcast. Without hesitation, Holland replied, “Tua.”Little did he know, he’d just lobbed a verbal grenade into the already explosive debate about AFC quarterback rankings, especially when Holland doubled down: “Nobody has outperformed Tua except for Pat in the last two years.”

Ryan Clark, former NFL safety turned analyst, quickly interjected, “That’s not true.” The exchange ignited a firestorm of debate, with names like Joe Burrow and Josh Allen conspicuously absent from Holland’s assessment. When Channing Crowder mentioned the names followed by Lamar Jackson, Holland paused, seemingly reconsidering his stance: “Oh, Lamar, yeah, he went crazy.”

This moment of reflection opens up a crucial comparison between Tua Tagovailoa and Lamar Jackson. Over the past three seasons, Tagovailoa has accumulated 10,825 passing yards, 70 touchdowns, and a 99.2 passer rating. Jackson, meanwhile, has posted 8,802 passing yards, 57 touchdowns, and an impressive 2,352 rushing yards. While Tua’s passing numbers edge out Jackson’s, Lamar’s dual-threat capabilities add a dimension that can’t be ignored.

But Jackson’s impact goes beyond raw stats. He’s led the Ravens to a 28-12 record between 2021-23, proving he’s not just a highlight reel – he’s a bonafide winner. And let’s not forget his hardware: a Pro Bowl nod and an All-Pro selection during this span. Jackson’s not just playing the game; he’s changing it.

Clark’s passionate defense of Jackson highlights a broader issue in the NFL. Quarterbacks like Jackson, who break the mold and redefine the position, often don’t get the respect they deserve. It’s as if being a dual-threat QB somehow diminishes their passing prowess. But as Clark seems to argue, it’s time to give credit where it’s due. This sentiment was echoed in the recent NFL Top 100 list, where Jackson ranked No. 2, behind only Tyreek Hill and ahead of Patrick Mahomes.

All aboard or off the rails in the Tua’s hype train?

While Clark was busy setting the record straight about Jackson, we can’t ignore the Tua-sized elephant in the room. Holland’s staunch defense of his teammate raises eyebrows and questions in equal measure. Critics point to Tua’s injury history and his struggles against top-tier teams. As Damien Woody put it on First Take in June, “We need to see you beat these upper-echelon teams when it counts, when it matters the most.” Woody added, “I think that when you look at Tua… the question that most people are going to ask is okay, you did it last year, can you do it again?”

On the flip side, Jackson’s supporters point to his game-changing abilities. Nick Wright of FOX Sports has consistently ranked Jackson among the top quarterbacks in the league, praising his unique skill set and impact on the game. The recent NFL Top 100 list seems to agree, ranking Jackson at No. 2 overall, ahead of even Patrick Mahomes.

Kimberley A. Martin of ESPN also brought another dimension into the discussion by talking about a different AFC East quarterback. “The answer is Aaron Rodgers,” she said stressing that legacy means more than contract negotiations. This further complicates who is seen as second best among AFC quarterbacks.

At the end of the day, this argument goes beyond numbers and rankings. It has to do with honor, outlook, and the changing state of things for those lining up under center in football games. If you are camp Tua or team Lamar or ride with someone else playing at their position within the AFC, rest assured that it will never stop being spoken about. And while Patrick Mahomes remains solidly atop (despite a shocking fourth-place finish on NFL Top 100), the battle for second has never been hotter. The spotlight will be on these quarterbacks during the 2024 season to discover who indeed becomes king of the AFC mountain