NFL fans call out Peyton Manning's top 5 QB list ranking Justin Herbert over Lamar Jackson: "Everyone has stupid opinions"

On the final day of the Fanatics Fest in New York City, Peyton Manning and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smtih did a panel together, where they spoke about a slew of topics—including the current crop of quarterbacks.

The Hall of Famer was asked to rank the league's top-five signal-callers and he explained that it's difficult because a quarterback is a product of the system they are in. He also admitted that he didn't want to answer that question as he'd be scrutinized regardless of who he ranks where.

"Quarterbacks need to be coached hard. Andy Reid coaches Patrick Mahomes hard and that's good for Patrick. That's bad for NFL defenses. So Patrick's number one overall. But rankings are so hard. You get in so much trouble and [people] get mad about that," Manning said.

When Smith pressed Manning to name his top five, he budged and named Mahomes, Joe Burrow from the Cincinnati Bengals, Justin Herbert from the Los Angeles Chargers, reigning MVP Lamar Jackson from the Baltimore Ravens, and Josh Allen from the Buffalo Bills.

As the two-time Super Bowl winner predicted, fans weren't too pleased about his rankings. They were especially miffed about him not only picking Herbert as one of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL but also putting him above Jackson and Allen. Some fans questioned Manning's list, while others straight up dismissed it.

"This proves everyone has stupid opinions. Justin Herbert? Ehhhh," @yvettemlaboy said on X (formerly Twitter).

"Why is everybody putting Justin Herbert and top-five? Am I missing something?," @RoyalRecess asked.

"Herbert up there is insane," @CleBrownsMuse claimed.

"Manning is a casual," @BarkleysBurner_ wrote.

"Hurts better then Herbert," @jonnyitz13 remarked.

"Herbert is at #3 because he's a regular season QB like Peyton was," @FF_Know_It_Alls opined.

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Is Justin Herbert a top-five QB?

Herbert's passing ability is undeniable. The 2020 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has racked up 17,223 passing yards and 114 touchdown passes with 42 interceptions in his first four seasons in the league.

The number would've been higher had he not missed four games last year due to injury. He has led the Chargers to only one playoff appearance in four years: a wildcard round match against the Jacksonville Jaguars where his team blew a 27-point lead.

While Herbert isn't solely responsible for his team's underwhelming record with him as their signal caller, it doesn't reflect well on him either. The 26-year-old star has the tools to be a top five quarterback or perhaps even higher in the coming years. However, not many would rate him as one of the five best quarterbacks in the NFL ahead of the 2024 season.