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Ranking starting quarterbacks for each NFL team

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jan 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Minnesota won 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Minnesota won 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Even as the Brees era slowly winds to a close in New Orleans, he remains one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. Brees has shown no signs of slowing down at 37 years old, and once again projects as a top five quarterback in 2016.

Entering his age 37 season, Brees soldiers on as one of the game’s elite quarterbacks. Brees threw for just shy of 5,000 yards and 32 touchdowns, good for a quarterback rating of 101.0, one of the better seasons of his Hall of Fame career. As bad as parts of the Saints’ roster looked in 2015, it’s hard to count the team out completely as long as Brees is at the helm.

The Saints will look a little different next year, as Brees’ longtime favorite target Marques Colston is gone, along with tight end Benjamin Watson, but he has the ability to make any group of wide receivers work. Brees still has the best deep ball accuracy in the NFL, and could top the 5,000 yard mark for the fourth time if he starts all 16 games.

While age will catch up with Brees at some point, he’s the type of quarterback who could last longer than most, and has been rarely injured in his career. Brees tied a career low with an interception rate of 1.8 percent, as his pinpoint accuracy and sharp decision-making is still fully there.

The biggest quarterback problem New Orleans will face this season is regarding Brees’ contract. Brees is set to carry a $30 million cap hit before becoming a free agent in 2017, making a restructure somewhat necessary.

Next: 4. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

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