Most NFL teams know who their Week 1 starter will be, but there are still a handful of QB1 jobs up for grabs, plus the ever-important backup quarterback positions.
With training camp approaching, let’s rank all 32 NFL quarterback situations for 2025 from worst to first.
Which teams had the best and worst quarterback situations entering the 2025 NFL season?
32. New Orleans Saints
With Derek Carr unexpectedly retiring, the Saints’ quarterback battle is down to unproven rookie and second-round pick Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler. You know, the guy who lost all six starts as a rookie with only four touchdown passes against five interceptions?
The only reason Saints fans should be happy about having the league’s worst quarterback room is that it means they’re already in prime shape to get one of the top passers in the deep 2026 NFL draft class!
31. Tennessee Titans
We’d like to put the Titans higher, but we obviously can’t project how No. 1 pick Cam Ward will fare as a rookie. We’re also not super high on his supporting cast outside of Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard.
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Ward is the starter here. But if he gets hurt or isn’t ready for the big show, Tennessee’s backups are draft bust Will Levis — a potential trade/cut candidate — Brandon Allen, or Tim Boyle. Not ideal, folks.
30. Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders’ arrival means there will be non-stop media coverage and attention on the Browns’ QB1 competition. Take the Shedeur hype train out of the equation…and the Browns’ situation here is very worrisome.
40-year-old Joe Flacco? Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett, who has 15 touchdown passes in 30 NFL Game appearances? Sanders and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel?!
Hey, at least this quarterback room will make some fascinating offseason headlines…
29. Pittsburgh Steelers
If Aaron Rodgers ever makes up his mind and if he signs with the Steelers, then they’ll move up on this list. But for now, it’s hard to get excited about a depth chart of Mason Rudolph, rookie Will Howard, and journeyman Skylar Thompson.
Rudolph returns to Pittsburgh after a one-year stint with the Tennessee Titans, so at least there’s familiarity in Mike Tomlin’s offense. Don’t forget he went 3-0 as the starter in the 2023 NFL season to lead them to a playoff appearance, and he’s never thrown to a receiver as talented as newcomer DK Metcalf.
But yeah, the Steelers need Rodgers to come aboard if they’re gonna be relevant this year.
28. New York Jets
The Jets released Aaron Rodgers after a miserable 2024 season and replaced him with Justin Fields, who flashed his potential with a stellar six-game audition in Pittsburgh.
But the Jets are a renowned quarterback graveyard, and we need an extended look at Fields to buy him as a long-term starter in this league. If he flops or gets injured, Tyrod Taylor doesn’t inspire a whole lot of confidence as an insurance policy.
27. Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, has had an awfully underwhelming start to his career: A 50.6 completion percentage, 11 touchdowns, and 13 picks in 15 games.
This is a make-or-break year for Richardson. If he’s not up for the challenge, the Colts will lean on…Daniel Jones! AKA…arguably the worst starting quarterback from 2019 to 2024. Not sure if rookie Riley Leonard will see any snaps, but it’s certainly a possibility if both Richardson and Jones flop.
26. New England Patriots
We’re bullish on a breakout year from Drake Maye, who impressed with 15 touchdown passes against 10 interceptions on a lousy Patriots team.
New weapons Stefon Diggs, Kyle Williams, and TreVeyon Henderson will help Maye sling it out there, and the o-line added Morgan Moses, Garrett Bradbury, and promising rookie Will Campbell.
Again, we still gotta see Maye to believe it. And the Pats rank lower here because Josh Dobbs and Ben Wooldridge don’t excite as us backup options.
25. Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young finished his sophomore year in the NFL on a heater, throwing seven touchdowns and zero picks in the final three games. So there is SOME hope for the No. 1 pick of 2023.
Panthers fans can only hope that Young will finally put it all together in year three, which should be easier with the presence of promising rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan. If not, Carolina will have to go back to veteran Andy Dalton, who was also inconsistent in the six games he played last season.
24. New York Giants
Russell Wilson isn’t in his prime anymore, but he’s not washed up, either. This guy has 42 touchdown passes and only 13 interceptions over his last two seasons in 26 starts. That’s no joke.
If Wilson can’t be the short-term band-aid for the G-Men, they can throw in Jameis Winston. And if Winston’s “no risk, it, no biscuit” style doesn’t work, they can go to rookie Jaxson Dart.
23. Minnesota Vikings
We want to put the Vikings higher, but we gotta see what they have in JJ McCarthy first. The reason they crack the top-23, though, is thanks to Kevin O’Connell’s successful track record working with QBs.
If he can get a career year out of Sam Darnold of all people, why can’t McCarthy produce right away? If McCarthy falls flat on his face, the Vikings could always turn to Sam Howell as an insurance policy. Not the worst, considering he threw for 21 TDs on a lousy Washington Commanders team in 2023.
22. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are moving forward with Michael Penix Jr., who flashed lots of potential in the three games he started after replacing Kirk Cousins.
We’ll see what Penix can do with one NFL season under his belt. If the Falcons can’t find a trade partner for Cousins before Week 1, they at least have a steady insurance policy in case Penix isn’t ready for prime time.
21. Las Vegas Raiders
We know Geno Smith still has his critics, but it should be a smooth transition since he’s reuniting with Pete Carroll, the man who revived his NFL career in Seattle. Plus, yanno, Smith has three explosive playmakers in Brock Bowers, Jakobi Meyers, and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty as his weapons.
Aidan O’Connell is a trade slash cut candidate, though. If he goes, the backups consist of rookie Cam Miller and Carter Bradley.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars
Four seasons in, and Trevor Lawrence still hasn’t looked anything like the “generational” QB prospect who went first overall in 2021. He’s now on his third head coach, and the Jags just traded up for two-way phenom Travis Hunter. So no more excuses for T-Law.
This HAS to be a career year with Hunter, Brian Thomas, and Travis Etienne at his disposal. If Lawrence gets hurt, good luck to Nick Mullens or John Wolford on saving the day.
19. Seattle Seahawks
A lot of people are hating on the Sam Darnold contract. But if the Seahawks could turn journeyman backup Geno Smith into a Pro Bowler, we’re sure they can help Darnold build off his career year in Minny.
The nice thing is they have a familiar backup in Drew Lock as an insurance policy, and Alabama product Jalen Milroe as the No. 3 QB. So if Darnold doesn’t come as advertised, they at least have two intriguing backup options.
18. Arizona Cardinals
We’re still waiting for Kyler Murray to put together a strong season from START to FINISH. His stats are solid, but in a results-oriented business, it feels like he’s running out of time to show he’s “the guy” in Arizona.
Here’s hoping Murray stays healthy and can finally show consistency over a full season. If not, it’s not a stretch to wonder if Jacoby Brissett may get playing time. He is one of the NFL’s best backup options, after all.
17. Miami Dolphins
Miami would be higher on this list if Tua Tagovailoa didn’t have such a worrisome injury history, particularly concussions. He missed four games in 2022 and six games last year. And as we saw in those games he missed, the Dolphins’ offense without Tua is downright unwatchable.
All we can say is that Tua has to be healthy, because Zach Wilson and rookie Quinn Ewers aren’t going to save the day. Just saying!
16. Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams had a superb rookie year despite playing behind a horrible offensive line. The Bears added three new starters up front, hired a brilliant offensive mind in Ben Johnson as head coach, and drafted Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III to complete the unit.
The pieces are there for Williams to have a monster second year. And we firmly believe he’ll do it, even in football’s toughest division.
15. Denver Broncos
Bo Nix’s surprising rookie year propelled Denver to its first NFL playoff berth in nine years. He was everything Denver could have asked for, and there’s good reason to think he’ll take it to another level in 2025.
Some Broncos fans may think this is a ranking that is too low. We only don’t have them higher because Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger are a very lackluster pair of backup QBs behind Nix.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last year, we expressed doubt that Baker Mayfield would build off a career year. Then he followed it up with another career year, throwing 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns en route to another NFC South division crown.
A healthy Chris Godwin and the arrival of rookie Emeka Egbuka mean that Mayfield will continue to produce in Tampa. And his health is pivotal since the inexperienced Kyle Trask is the understudy.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Shanahan has a reputation as a quarterback guru, but we can’t forget how much the 49ers unraveled when starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo suffered season-ending injuries in 2018 and 2020. And Brock Purdy had an uneven 2024 NFL season campaign in a year marred by injuries to key players.
At any rate, hard to complain about a 23-13 regular-season record in games started by Purdy. And newcomer Mac Jones is a relatively safe backup option, in case the ex-Patriot has to play meaningful snaps.
12. Los Angeles Rams
After exploring trade options, the Rams and Matthew Stafford decided to keep the marriage going — and rightfully so. He still plays at a high level, and the arrival of Davante Adams should only bolster his production in 2025.
Even though it was a meaningless Week 18 game, don’t forget that backup Jimmy Garoppolo had a 300-yard day against the Seattle Seahawks. A more than serviceable backup for Stafford, who’s 37 and does carry some injury concerns.
11. Los Angeles Chargers
Since the Chargers have transitioned to a more rush-heavy offense under Jim Harbaugh, the days of Herbert competing for the passing yards and passing TD crowns are over. And that’s for the best, since he doesn’t have to do it alone anymore.
Taylor Heinicke and Trey Lance are also two of the league’s better backup options in case either must step in.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott has consistently been a top-10 QB since his 2016 rookie year. He was having a down year before his season-ending hamstring injury last year, but there’s no reason to think he can’t bounce back in the 2025 NFL season.
Dallas added George Pickens to finally give Prescott a No. 2 receiver behind CeeDee Lamb. With those two at his disposal, expect Dak to return to his 2021-2023 form. Here’s hoping there’s a lot of garbage time, because we’d also love to see backup Joe Milton get some reps.
9. Houston Texans
Stroud’s numbers dipped from his superb rookie year, but that was largely because of a horrific offensive line and season-ending injuries to star wideouts Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell.
The Texans reshaped their o-line and brought in Jaylin Noel, Jayden Higgins, and Christian Kirk to bolster the receiver room. So Stroud should return to superstar form, and the Texans should cruise to a third straight division title.
Also, hello, Davis Mills! Didn’t know you were still on the Texans.
8. Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love missed two games to injury, and the Pack lacked a true No. 1 receiver last season. Good thing backup Malik Willis stepped in to win both his starts, plus the Packers used a first-round pick on Matthew Golden to bolster the offense.
The Packers are contenders as long as Love is healthy. But if Willis has to come on in case of emergency, well, we know he’s capable.
7. Detroit Lions
Jared Goff notched 30-plus passing touchdowns for the second straight year, a feat he had never previously accomplished. A 2023 NFC title game appearance was followed by a franchise-best 15-and-2 season, though injuries led to their early demise in the Divisional Round.
Goff is the real deal, and his durability means you won’t see much from backup Hendon Hooker unless it’s garbage time in an NFL game.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles crushed the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59, and yet Jalen Hurts still has his critics. We’re not here for it.
Maybe he’s a product of the Eagles’ star-studded offense. Maybe not. But the Eagles keep winning with Hurts, whose dazzling dual-threat abilities make this offense practically unstoppable at full strength.
But please stay healthy, Jalen. Tanner McKee and Kyle McCord aren’t the most attractive understudy options on the depth chart…
5. Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels may have had the best rookie season ever, throwing for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns to go along with 891 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Oh, and upsetting the Bucs and Lions en route to a shocking NFC Championship Game appearance wasn’t so bad, either.
We’ll admit we don’t love the backup options of Marcus Mariota and Josh Johnson…but that doesn’t matter if Daniels continues to build off his historically special rookie season.
4. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson narrowly missed out on his second straight NFL MVP award to Josh Allen, but it doesn’t take away his status as a top-four quarterback in the league. Jackson has always been prolific as a runner, but he also set career-highs in 2024 with 4,172 passing yards and 41 touchdowns.
The Ravens usually have safe backup options behind Jackson, too. They brought in ex-Cowboy Cooper Rush to hold the clipboard, a savvy move considering he’s 9-and-5 as a starter with 20 career touchdowns against just 10 interceptions.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
We’d like to think that Joe Burrow would have won MVP honors if the Bengals made the NFL playoffs last season…but we suppose Comeback Player of the Year honors will do…
Burrow led the NFL with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns, while Ja’Marr Chase claimed the “triple crown” of receiving. As long as their defense isn’t useless, the Bengals will return to the postseason.
And yeah, that Jake Browning guy is one of the best backups in the league as well. For the Bengals’ sake, though, let’s hope Browning only appears in garbage time.
2. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen won his first MVP award after throwing for 28 touchdowns and just six interceptions to go along with 12 rushing scores. He took a flawed Bills squad to the AFC title game, where they narrowly fell to their Kryptonite in Kansas City.
Allen is Patrick Mahomes’ greatest challenger to the “best QB in the game” title. The rings just need to follow. And when garbage time inevitably comes, we get to see Mitch “The Truth” Trubisky behind center! Hey, Buffalo could do much worse.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
His stats aren’t as flashy these days, but who cares? Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs always find ways to win.
Five Super Bowl appearances, three rings, and seven AFC title game berths in seven years as the starter. There’s nothing more to say. Mahomes’ all-world abilities and unmatched clutch genes give KC the best QB situation in football, and it’s not up for debate.
The Chiefs even have a safe QB2 option in Gardner Minshew, one of the league’s best backup options, too.
