A new quarterback evaluation metric called the Quarterback Index (QBI) has been introduced to provide a more nuanced assessment of quarterback performance in the National Football League. Developed by Austin Mock of The Athletic, QBI aims to offer a forward-looking efficiency measurement that isolates a quarterback’s individual contributions on a per-play basis, adjusting for a wide range of contextual factors.
QBI incorporates data from every play involving the quarterback, including passes, rushes, scrambles, sacks, turnovers, and more. Key to the statistic is its effort to strip away external influences by accounting for the quality of offensive lines and receiving corps, pressure timing, receiver drops, and yards after catch. The model also integrates expected points added (EPA) and success rate to better quantify the value of different plays depending on down and distance situations. Additionally, the metric incorporates film analysis insights through Pro Football Focus grades, acknowledging that some elements of quarterback play elude purely statistical analysis.
Using a scale modeled after baseball’s weighted runs created plus (wRC+), QBI sets 100 as average quarterback play, with scores around 101 representing starter-level performance, 124 indicating Pro Bowl caliber, and 133 or higher viewed as All-Pro quality. The developer constructed this scale using 20 years of historical data to provide context and benchmarks across eras.
The new index has already sparked debate, particularly regarding some surprising rankings. For instance, Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears quarterback and 2027 Madden NFL cover athlete, ranked 23rd for the 2025 season—lower than many expected given his high profile. QBI’s analysis showed that Williams ranked 21st in dropback success rate despite benefiting from elite pass protection, as his team’s offensive line was rated the best in the league for pass blocking in 2025. While Williams demonstrated a strong ability to avoid turnovers and sacks, his overall down-to-down efficiency was below average in the eyes of the metric. However, the model also suggests that Williams has untapped potential, and his lower current ranking may highlight room for future growth rather than a final judgment on his career.
QBI is designed not only to provide retrospective evaluations but also to be predictive, leveraging historical trends and adjusting for the volatility often seen in quarterback performance from year to year. It intentionally moderates the impact of rookie seasons on projections, recognizing that first-year play is not always indicative of long-term ability.
Starting in the 2026 season, updated QBI rankings will be featured weekly in The Athletic’s NFL quarterback stock report. Early-season rankings may appear volatile due to small sample sizes but are expected to normalize as the season progresses. The developer hopes QBI will gain broader acceptance and evolve into an industry standard, welcoming feedback and suggestions for improvement.
As a new tool for analyzing quarterback play, QBI seeks to balance statistical rigor with practical football knowledge, offering fans, analysts, and teams a fresh perspective on evaluating one of the game’s most complex positions.