What sparks more outrage in sports debates than a preseason quarterback ranking? Maybe the Jordan vs. LeBron discussion, but that is about it.
The 2025 NFL season brings no shortage of QB drama. There is elite top-end talent, rising stars trying to break through, and aging veterans fighting to stay relevant. Some teams are all in. Others are hoping their young guys can figure it out on the fly.
Here are the projected starting quarterbacks ranked heading into 2025, broken down into tiers from MVP hopefuls to the hangers-on.
Tier 1: MVP Candidates
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
2024 Stats: 3,928 YDS, 27 TD, 11 INT, 67.5% CMP
Kansas City’s dynasty may be entering its back half, but Mahomes is still holding it together. Despite two straight seasons with fewer than 30 touchdowns and his first sub-4,000 yard campaign, he remains the best quarterback in the world. His creativity, decision-making, and clutch play behind a shaky line and average receivers prove why the numbers do not tell the full story.
2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
2024 Stats: 3,731 YDS, 28 TD, 6 INT, 63.6% CMP
Allen is a quarterback unicorn. His arm strength and rushing ability are unmatched, and his statistical profile continues to resemble Mahomes in many ways. If his weapons stay healthy and the Bills’ defense holds, Allen could finally take Buffalo to the Super Bowl. This is a now-or-never year.
3. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
2024 Stats: 4,172 YDS, 41 TD, 4 INT, 66.7% CMP
Jackson reminded everyone just how electric he is in 2024. A two-time MVP, he set a career high in passing touchdowns and posted his lowest interception total since his rookie season. He occasionally disappears for stretches, which keeps him from moving higher, but his impact is undeniable.
4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
2024 Stats: 4,918 YDS, 43 TD, 9 INT, 70.6% CMP
Burrow nearly dragged an injury-plagued Bengals team into the postseason. His poise, accuracy, and ability to command an offense remain elite. Health and a fast start are the only things keeping him out of the top three.
5. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
2024 Stats: 2,903 YDS, 18 TD, 5 INT, 68.7% CMP
Hurts is one of the most complete quarterbacks in the league. While his passing numbers took a dip, he added 14 rushing touchdowns and played smart, efficient football. His leadership, toughness, and versatility put him just on the edge of elite status.
Tier 2: Young Guns Just Outside the Top Tier
6. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
2024 Stats: 3,870 YDS, 23 TD, 3 INT, 65.9% CMP
Herbert remains one of the league’s most naturally gifted passers. While his role in a run-heavy system has limited his production, his accuracy, composure, and ability to stretch the field keep him firmly in the top six.
7. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
2024 Stats: 3,727 YDS, 20 TD, 12 INT, 63.2% CMP
Stroud hit a sophomore slump, but context matters. He played behind a struggling line and dealt with injuries across the offense. Still, his command and feel for the game suggest a bounce-back season is coming.
8. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
2024 Stats: 3,568 YDS, 25 TD, 9 INT, 69.0% CMP
Daniels surprised everyone in his rookie season, leading Washington to the NFC Championship and silencing his draft-day critics. If he avoids the sophomore slump, he could climb into the top five in no time.
9. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
2024 Stats: 3,864 YDS, 20 TD, 12 INT, 65.9% CMP
The 49ers collapsed last season, and Purdy took much of the blame. Injuries and locker room chaos hurt his momentum, but when healthy, he remains an accurate, smart decision-maker. Do not count him out.
Tier 3: Guys Who Can Get You There
10. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2024 Stats: 4,500 YDS, 41 TD, 16 INT, 71.4% CMP
Mayfield revitalized his career in Tampa and continues to prove doubters wrong. He is aggressive, fiery, and delivers in the clutch. Turnovers from risky throws hold him back, but the ceiling is high.
11. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
2024 Stats: 4,629 YDS, 37 TD, 12 INT, 72.4% CMP
Goff is steady, accurate, and has thrived in creative systems. While not the most mobile, he knows how to distribute and command an offense. His playoff inconsistencies are the only thing holding him from top ten status.
12. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
2024 Stats: 3,762 YDS, 20 TD, 8 INT, 65.8% CMP
Stafford is in the twilight of his career but still has enough arm strength and savvy to win games. His leadership and experience are invaluable to the Rams as they look to reload.
13. Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders
2024 Stats: 4,320 YDS, 21 TD, 15 INT, 70.4% CMP
Smith was inconsistent in 2024, but the tools are still there. With a new system and weapons like Brock Bowers, he has a chance to rebound. This year will tell us if he still has another gear.
14. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
2024 Stats: 1,978 YDS, 11 TD, 8 INT, 64.7% CMP
Prescott battled injuries last season and never found his rhythm. With new weapons and a healthy offseason, a bounce-back campaign is very much in play. Do not forget how good he was in 2023.
Tier 4: Guys Who Could Get You There Soon
15. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
2024 Stats: 3,389 YDS, 25 TD, 11 INT, 63.1% CMP
Love has flashed potential but still needs to clean up turnovers and stay healthy. Green Bay has invested around him, and now it is on him to take the leap.
16. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
2024 Stats: 3,775 YDS, 29 TD, 12 INT, 66.3% CMP
Nix exceeded expectations in year one, leading Denver to the playoffs. With limited weapons, he will be tested in year two, but his poise and command give reason for optimism.
Tier 5: Incumbents with Something to Prove
17. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
2024 Stats: 3,851 YDS, 21 TD, 11 INT, 68.8% CMP
Murray is still an explosive athlete, but questions about his commitment and ceiling remain. This year may determine if he is part of Arizona’s long-term future.
18. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
2024 Stats: 2,045 YDS, 11 TD, 7 INT, 60.6% CMP
The former number one pick has hit a wall. With a new cast of weapons and revamped staff, this is a make-or-break season for Lawrence.
19. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
2024 Stats: 2,867 YDS, 19 TD, 7 INT, 72.9% CMP
Tua’s health remains a major concern, and his ceiling feels limited despite elite speed around him. He needs a full, healthy season to prove he can carry a team long-term.
Tier 6: Young QBs New to the Scene
These quarterbacks are early in their careers and largely unproven. Several have big upside, but we need to see more before placing them higher on the list.
20. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
21. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
22. Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
23. Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans
24. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
25. J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
26. Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
Tier 7: On Borrowed Time
These quarterbacks are clinging to starting jobs, and many would not start elsewhere. Rodgers is the exception in terms of legacy, but even he faces serious uncertainty.
27. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
28. Russell Wilson, New York Giants
29. Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
30. Justin Fields, New York Jets
31. Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns
32. Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
Final Thoughts
The 2025 NFL season promises fireworks at the quarterback position. From MVP candidates to rookies trying to make their mark, the landscape is as deep and unpredictable as ever. Whether your team has a proven star or a major question at quarterback, one thing is clear. The carousel is spinning, and there is no slowing it down.
Want more like this? Come hang with us here:
Join our newsletter for weekly updates, banter, and more.
:
:
:
:
: