The NFL season kicks off Thursday night in Seattle with the defending champion Seahawks taking on the Green Bay Packers. And we’re dreaming of this year’s crop of handsome quarterbacks — from fresh-faced newcomers to veteran studs — who know how to hike up our heart rates.
Tom Brady, the Golden Boy
New England Patriots
Age: 37
Height: 6-foot-4
Status: Married to supermodel Gisele BÜndchen
Brady — the face of Ugg and owner of three Super Bowl rings — is still the NFL’s reigning golden boy, and is currently on the cover of fashion quarterly Man of the World. Even Giants receiver Victor Cruz gives him props. “I know it’s cliché, but I have to go with Tom Brady,” says Cruz, asked by The Post who the game’s best-looking QB is. “Cam Newton is creeping up the rear, but until someone can wear a suit like TB does, it’s pretty much in his hands.”
Jimmy Garoppolo, the Heir Apparent
New England Patriots
Age: 22
Height: 6-foot-3
Status: Single
Garoppolo had better get fitted for his Tom Ford suits. The rookie out of Eastern Illinois University is Brady’s heir apparent when the elder quarterback packs it in. And let’s just say he is definitely suited to shine Mr. Brady’s Uggs. With dreamy bedroom eyes and a dapper wardrobe, he will certainly be at the top of Boston’s hottest bachelor list. And for now, the Illinois native is sticking to the single life. “I just don’t have time. Too busy,” he has said of dating.
Russell Wilson, Mr. Nice Guy
Seattle Seahawks
Age: 25
Height: 5-foot-11
Status: Linked to Olympian Lolo Jones
Wilson was once drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, but he stuck with the pigskin and has become the darling of the Emerald City after bringing home the Lombardi Trophy in February. Not long after, he and his wife, Ashton Meem, filed for divorce amid rumors she cheated on him with teammate Golden Tate.
Cam Newton, The Southern Gentleman
Carolina Panthers
Age: 25
Height: 6-foot-5
Status: Reportedly dating an ex-“dancer” named Hazel
A true Renaissance man, the Atlanta native has leading-man good looks and a clothing line called MADE Cam Newton. A Heisman winner, he was the 2011 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Colin Kaepernick, the Body
San Francisco 49ers
Age: 26
Height: 6-foot-4
Status: Linked to singer Teyana Taylor and now fitness model Brittany Renner
The tatted-up and rock-hard University of Nevada grad, who was also drafted by the Chicago Cubs, appeared nude in ESPN mag’s 2013 body issue. His pet tortoise, Sammy, has 7,600 followers on Twitter.
Aaron Rodgers, the Bachelor
Green Bay Packers
Age: 30
Height: 6-foot-2
Status: Dating actress Olivia Munn
Rodgers was dogged by gay rumors late last year after his male ex-roommate intimated that the pair had a relationship, prompting him to say, “I’m not gay. I really, really like women.” The blue-eyed treasure of Green Bay has one Super Bowl ring.
Mark Sanchez, the Smoldering Sensation
Philadelphia Eagles
Age: 27
Height: 6-foot-2
Status: Single
As a Jet, Sanchez landed on the cover of GQ. Released last year by New York, he landed in Philadelphia, where he’s now the No. 2 quarterback. But the headband-wearing stud is still No. 1 in the looks department in the City of Brotherly Love. Sanchez has romanced Eva Longoria and Kate Upton.
Andy Dalton, the Ginger
Cincinnati Bengals
Age: 26
Height: 6-foot-2
Status: Married college sweetheart
Nicknamed the Red Rifle, Dalton has reportedly been the object of bigotry due to his fiery hair hue. In 2011, an unnamed coach said he’d hesitate to draft the QB, supposedly saying, “Has there ever been a redheaded quarterback in the NFL who’s really done well?” With his chiseled looks, we say yes.
Blake Bortles, the Rookie
Jacksonville Jaguars
Age: 22
Height: 6-foot-5
Status: Dating college sweetheart and Instagram star Lindsey Duke
When the world learned of Bortles’ gal pal Lindsey Duke via her Instagram bikini snaps last year, the Internet became a soggy mess of man drool. But the strapping quarterback is just as easy on the eyes.
Jay Cutler, the Bro
Chicago Bears
Age: 31
Height: 6-foot-3
Status: Married to reality star Kristin Cavallari
Cutler’s so laid-back he inspired a Tumblr where a cigarette is Photoshopped into his mouth. But the dreamy footballer has said, “I don’t smoke at all, bro. I hate cigarettes.”
Johnny Manziel, the Frat Boy
Cleveland Browns
Age: 21
Height: 6-foot
Status: Reportedly dating Texas Christian student Colleen Crowley
The NFL’s resident frat boy won the Heisman and earned the nickname “Johnny Football” at Texas A&M. Pals with rapper Drake, he recently flipped off the Redskins bench.