Early Quarterback Power Rankings for the 2025 NFL Season
These rankings reflect a blend of recent production, off-season context, team fit, and league-wide projections. This is not a fantasy list — it’s a quarterback hierarchy based on how these QBs are expected to perform as real-life starters or contributors going into the 2025-26 NFL season. These are the best Quarterbacks in the NFL today ranked in tiers.
Table of Contents
Tier 6
Dillon Gabriel – Cleveland Browns
Gabriel was drafted as a developmental backup, and that’s exactly how the Browns are treating him. The former Oklahoma and UCF standout has flashed accuracy in shorts-and-helmet drills but lacks the arm strength and processing speed to push for meaningful snaps in 2025.
Kenny Pickett – Cleveland Browns
Pickett was traded to Cleveland in the offseason, joining one of the most crowded QB rooms in the league. He’s looked serviceable in minicamp, but nothing about his play screams breakout. He lacks elite traits and has struggled under pressure since entering the league. But now he can call himself a Super Bowl winning Quarterback.
Shedeur Sanders – Cleveland Browns
The Browns took the falling star Shedeur Sanders late in the draft. His poise, timing, and confidence — likely inherited from his years under Coach Prime — have impressed coaches, but his attitude and work ethic remain in question. He’s raw but charismatic — classic boom-or-bust prospect.
Will Levis – Tennessee Titans
Levis enters the season on the hottest seat imaginable. After a rough 2024 where he was outplayed by a carousel of backups, the Titans used another pick on a QB (Cam Ward) and added veteran insurance. Levis still has a cannon arm and looks great in practice, but his processing and accuracy continue to haunt him. The leash is short, and local media already sees him as a bust. He could be out of the league this time next year.
Jalen Milroe – Seattle Seahawks
Milroe may be the most physically gifted athlete in this tier — his speed and strength are real — but he’s still learning how to play quarterback at the NFL level. Drafted by Seattle as a developmental project, Milroe has looked overwhelmed at times in camp. His mechanics and decision-making need major work, but there’s no denying the traits. If Sam Darnold isn’t the answer, Milroe could get a shot late in the season.
Andy Dalton – Carolina Panthers
Dalton is the NFL’s equivalent of a safety blanket. Now back in Carolina, he provides veteran leadership behind Bryce Young. He’s not pushing for a starting job, nor is he expected to — he’s there to help install the offense and offer a steady hand in emergencies. At this point in his career, he’s a Tier 6 by default — he can still throw it, but he’s strictly break-glass-in-case-of-injury material.
Mason Rudolph – Pittsburgh Steelers
Rudolph has played surprisingly well in relief, but relief should be his only role. He’s a capable backup, but the highs have never been that high, and the lows are painful. His value is in experience and scheme familiarity, not upside. A solid No. 2 or No. 3, but nothing more.
Tyler Shough – New Orleans Saints
Shough enters the league with intriguing physical tools but a long injury history and questionable consistency. The Saints took a flyer on him late in the draft, hoping to mold something out of his size and arm strength. So far, he’s looked fine in rookie camp — nothing great, nothing disastrous — but this Saints team is looking disastrous. Expect some low lows this upcoming season.
Tier 5
Kirk Cousins – Atlanta Falcons
Kirk Cousins was paid a massive contract last season and dethroned for the starting job before the season could even finish. He’s been a steady stat producer throughout his career, but at 37 years old his best days are behind him. Do not be shocked to see a Quarterback needy team to trade for Cousins at any point this year.
Jaxson Dart – New York Giants
The Giants took a swing on Dart as a developmental QB out of Ole Miss, and while his athleticism and deep-ball flashes caught attention in rookie camp, the overall polish isn’t there yet. With Russell Wilson also in the room, Dart is likely redshirting this year. That said, he has a live arm and moxie — things the Giants have lacked under center. If this QB carousel implodes, don’t be shocked if Dart gets thrown into the fire late in the year.
Anthony Richardson – Indianapolis Colts
Richardson’s talent remains sky-high, but durability is becoming a concern after missing significant time with a shoulder injury. He’s now in a full quarterback competition with Daniel Jones, and lacks the reps due to a flare up in the shoulder injury that plagued him a season ago. The Colts still believe in Richardson’s upside, but he needs to stay on the field and develop as a passer. Right now, he’s an unfinished product on a team trying to win.
Daniel Jones – Indianapolis Colts
Jones was cast aside by the Giants and now lands in Indy with one last shot to prove he can be a viable starter. He’s looked average in early practices — not bad, not good. With a strong run game and new weapons, the Colts could mask some of his issues, but the leash is short. This is a coin-flip situation: he could start Week 1 or be a nothing by week 8.
Justin Fields – New York Jets
Justin Fields looked good in Pittsburgh last season which has led the to the lowly New York Jets giving him another chance. The change of scenery has helped him in early OTAs; he looks looser and more confident. Still, his inconsistencies as a passer linger. The Jets won’t be patient if he’s forced to play, and this feels like his last real chance to stick in the league as a starter.
Cam Ward – Tennessee Titans
Ward is the Titans’ new wildcard — an electric playmaker who was inconsistent in college but has the tools to thrive in the NFL if developed properly. His ability to make throws on the move and stretch the field gives him much more upside than Levis. Expect him to be the starting Quarterback for the foreseeable future.
Joe Flacco – Cleveland Browns
Flacco is getting another chance for the familiar Cleveland Browns He’s 40, but the arm is still live — and he’s got the far superior IQ to anyone in this Quarterback room. Flacco gives the Browns a reliable vet with real big-game experience, and coaches trust him. Still, he’s not mobile, and the margin for error is razor-thin. AT the very least, he’s an amazing mentor to the crowded and inexperienced QB room he finds himself in.
J.J. McCarthy – Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have made it clear they view McCarthy as a gamebreaker and the QB of the future. If their words weren’t enough, they let Sam Darnold walk this off-season. Now healthy from injuries, reports from camp say McCarthy is showing flashes — sharp touch, composure under pressure — but needs time adjusting to the NFL speed. He could find himself struggling, but expect QB whispering Kevin O’Connell to get him on track.
Tier 4
Sam Darnold – Seattle Seahawks
Darnold is back in a starting role — at least for now. The Seahawks are hoping he can hold down the fort while rookie Jalen Milroe develops and until they find a long-term answer. He’s reportedly looked sharp in practice, and the coaching staff loves his arm talent and athleticism. But we’ve seen this before: flashes of promise followed by game-day meltdowns. He’s a placeholder with upside.
Drake Maye – New England Patriots
Drake Maye has already shown massive upside in his first season as the Patriots starting Quarterback. The footwork and pressure recognition need work, but the arm talent is real. The Patriots made it their mission to add some offensive firepower and that will only benefit the rising star Maye.
Bryce Young – Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young has already had a sporadic up and down first two seasons in the NFL. But can you really blame him with that roster? With a revamped O-line and more consistency in the coaching staff, 2025 is a reset year. So far in camp, he’s looked more decisive and confident, and his quick processing is translating better in Year 2. But he’s still not scaring defenses. Until he puts it together over a full season, Tier 4 is where he lives.
Michael Penix – Atlanta Falcons
Penix won the battle against Kirk Cousins, now it’s up to him to prove that late last season wasn’t just a fluke. He’s flashed the big-time arm and downfield accuracy that made him a college star, but the consistency needs to be there. He’s raw, but explosive. High risk, high reward.
Russell Wilson – New York Giants
Wilson is on his third team in four seasons, and the vibes are… mixed. He’s saying all the right things, but his performance in camp has been erratic. He’s competing with Jaxson Dart, and while he brings leadership and experience, his mobility and arm strength have clearly regressed. He’s no longer dangerous — just dependable. He falls squarely into Tier 4 as a once-great QB on the decline.
Geno Smith – Las Vegas Raiders
Geno’s comeback story hit a wall in 2024, and now he finds himself fighting for a job in Vegas. The arm is still solid, and his leadership is well-respected, but he’s not a long-term answer. With a new coaching staff evaluating every snap, Geno is on borrowed time unless he starts hot. He’s in that weird middle tier of being “good enough,” but not quite great. This ranking reflects his standing in a transitional phase.
Aaron Rodgers – Pittsburgh Steelers
It just seems like a perfect fit. If healthy, he can elevate Pittsburgh’s offense, but that’s a big “if.” Until we see him moving well and taking hits, he can’t be ranked any higher than Tier 4. I can never count out Aaron Rodgers, but until he plays some meaningful football, I’m keeping him firmly planted in tier 4.
Kyler Murray – Arizona Cardinals
Murray returned in 2024 and showed flashes of his old self — elusive, creative, tough to gameplan for. But questions still remain about whether he can stay healthy and evolve as a pocket passer. With Marvin Harrison Jr. in town, he’s got weapons — and early reports say the chemistry is real. Still, Arizona is in a partial rebuild, and Kyler hasn’t yet proven he can carry a team for a full season.
Tier 3
Bo Nix – Denver Broncos
Nix may have been seen as a reach in the 2024 Draft, but Sean Payton clearly saw something. The footwork is crisp, the accuracy is there on short to intermediate throws which is exactly the fit needed for Sean Payton’s offensive scheme. If he can improve on an already impressive rookie season, Nix can rise into the tier 2 ranks.
Caleb Williams – Chicago Bears
It’s officially the Caleb Williams era in Chicago. While he didn’t live up to the hype in his rookie season, I saw enough flashes to buy into his future impact. The talent is undeniable, and if he can keep the turnovers down, he’ll climb fast.
Brock Purdy – San Francisco 49ers
Purdy keeps defying the skeptics. He doesn’t have elite tools, but he fits Kyle Shanahan’s system like a glove and continues to deliver in high-leverage moments. There are still doubts about whether he can consistently carry the team in shootouts, but he’s still the ultimate system QB — in a damn good system.
Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys
As expected with a Dallas Cowboys starting Quarterback, Dak gets a lot of hate from the fans and media alike. The Cowboys didn’t make major changes to the offense, which means the pressure is squarely on Prescott’s shoulders again. I consider him one of the most talented Quarterbacks in the NFL, with the playoff demons still lingering.
Tua Tagovailoa – Miami Dolphins
Tua’s production and the Dolphins hype took a faceplant last season. A team which was once feared for their speed has turned one-dimensional. That was especially apparent when Tua got injured. This is not a system QB, it’s a QB that makes the system. The timing and anticipation in Miami’s quick-strike offense are perfect for his skillset. Tua is what he is — a sharp distributor who needs a clean pocket.
Jordan Love – Green Bay Packers
Love was one of the biggest surprises after taking the throne from Rodgers. If the trajectory continues, he’ll jump a tier — but we need to see it sustained over another full season. With the Green Bay Packers drafting him a weapon at Wide Receiver in seemingly forever, expect those passing numbers to be on the rise.
Trevor Lawrence – Jacksonville Jaguars
Once viewed as the most hyped prospects of this generation, Trevor Lawrence has seen a massive downswing in production. Add the injuries and Jaguars inconsistencies and many are questioning his ability to be the guy. I’m higher than Lawrence than most. If he can stay healthy, I’m telling you he can be that guy. With weapons like Brian Thomas and the newly acquired Travis Hunter, Trevor Lawrence might be due for a career year.
Tier 2
Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles
Hurts enters 2025 as a Super Bowl winner which could be more pressure than ever. Hurts still has elite tools — top-tier mobility, strength, and leadership — but decision-making and deep accuracy have been sporadic. But if he’s only as good as his last game, this ranking for him can be viewed as disrespectful. He lit it up in the playoffs and showed that he’s not just a rushing Quarterback.
Baker Mayfield – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker balled out and rightfully earned a long-term deal. He’s embraced the Bucs’ underdog mentality, and his connection with Mike Evans remains one of the best in the league. He’s not elite, but he’s reliable, fiery, and still elevating those around him. It’s just hard for me to not imagine that what we just his best season ever.
Jayden Daniels – Washington Commanders
Every offseason report is glowing. Daniels is showing elite poise, deep-ball touch, and command of the huddle in OTAs. His rookie year was historic — and the Commanders are betting big that he’ll level up fast. He’s on the rise, and this Commanders team have a legitimate shot at winning the NFC East in seemingly forever.
Justin Herbert – Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are now a smashmouth offense— but that doesn’t mean Herbert will be handcuffed. He’s healthy, reportedly stronger, and working with a rebuilt offensive line and fresh weapons. He showed tremendous efficiency last season with the highlight plays to back up his claims as one of the best.
C.J. Stroud – Houston Texans
Stroud was electric in his rookie season, but the growing pains were real in 2024. The Texans figured it out late last season, but not without some seriously questionably play by Stroud early in the year. That is to be expected for young QBs and I’m all aboard the Stroud hype train for last season. Not only does he have Nico Collins as his main weapon, but two stud rookies to fill the WR room.
Jared Goff – Detroit Lions
Goff is still disrespected nationally, but he’s now posted back-to-back top-10 seasons and came one drive from a Super Bowl. In Detroit’s rhythm-based scheme, he’s nearly flawless when protected. Critics will always point to arm strength or lack of mobility, but his decision-making and ball placement have been elite. Jared Goff is now a legitimate MVP candidate.
Matthew Stafford – Los Angeles Rams
Stafford played through pain again in 2024 and still produced at a high level. The arm is still there and the connection with Puka Nacua is deadly. If Matthew Stafford can stay healthy, this Rams offense will continue to be dominant under the guidance of offensive guru Sean McVay.
Tier 1
Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills
No Stefon Diggs? No problem. The reigning MVP showed that he can dominate defenses no matter who he has in the receiving room. He’s finally toned down the reckless plays and is starting to look like a superhero. Allen is still one of the toughest QBs to defend in the league and has even more experience with his supporting cast.
Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens
It’s clear that Lamar Jackson can win MVP every single season. He continues to grow as a passer and opens up so much for the offense because of his ability to break the pocket. If he can find playoff success, he expands the argument from one of the best Quarterbacks in the NFL today to one of the best Quarterbacks in NFL history.
Joe Burrow – Cincinnati Bengals
He’s fully healthy and back to running Cincy’s offense with surgical precision. Burrow reportedly ditched the brace, added strength, and is zipping passes in camp. He owns the league’s best passing grade over the last three seasons and now has a revamped O-line and his top weapons intact. If the injuries stay away, he’s a legit MVP favorite.
Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs
Even in a “down year,” Mahomes won another Super Bowl. His 2024 passing grade dipped slightly, but he’s still the most trusted QB in big moments. The Chiefs are expanding their offense with more under-center play action, and Mahomes is reportedly sharper than ever in camp. The margin at the top is narrowing—but Mahomes is still the gold standard. I expect nothing but a bounce back year for Mahomes who’s down year is better than most NFL Quarterback’s best year.
The best quarterbacks in the NFL heading into the 2025 season, ranked in six tiers from elite to fringe starter.
FAQ: 2025 NFL Quarterback Tiers
Q: How are these quarterback tiers ranked?
These tiers are based on a mix of recent performance, projected 2025–26 impact, team situation, and offseason reports. It’s not a fantasy football list — it’s about real-world value heading into this season.
Q: What separates Tier 1 from Tier 2 quarterbacks?
Tier 1 QBs are elite, franchise-defining players with MVP-caliber upside and proven playoff impact. Tier 2 QBs are stars in the right system — but may lack consistency, durability, or the résumé of the Tier 1 guys.
Q: Are rookies and backups included in the rankings?
Yes. This list includes projected starters and key backups who could start meaningful games this season. Think of it as a real-world depth chart snapshot heading into 2025 training camp.
Q: Will these rankings change before Week 1?
Absolutely. Injuries, preseason battles, and roster moves can shake up the tier placements. These rankings reflect where things stand as of late June 2025 — they’ll be updated again before the regular season kicks off.
The 2025 NFL season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive quarterback landscapes in recent memory. From perennial MVP candidates like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson to rising stars like Jayden Daniels and C.J. Stroud, the gap between tiers has never felt tighter.
These rankings aren’t just about arm talent — they factor in leadership, playoff performance, system fit, and how each QB is trending heading into the new season. As training camps kick off and depth charts solidify, expect a few surprises, injuries, and breakout names to shake things up.
Bookmark this post — we’ll be updating it again before Week 1.
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